The Alpha King's Princess
The Alpha King’s Princess – Chapter 34

After the little celebration, Candido walked me back to my room and said goodnight. I wouldn’t be drinking milk mixed with his b***d any longer. I was at once grateful and a little sad. It felt like I was losing just a bit of the connection I had with him. It felt like it was just the beginning of losing that connection too. First, it would be the b***d. Then, I wouldn’t see him as much. Then, he’d be married to Sibyl. Even if he wasn’t married to Sibyl yet, I still hadn’t gotten him to see me as more than just a little girl. Sure, there had been some heated moments between us, but that had all been instinct. The wolf in him recognized me as a woman, but he didn’t and that was the problem

I huffed, trying not to think about it too much more. I opened every bag he’d brought. There were casual dresses along with a few cocktail dresses. I wondered if he planned to take me out more often. I did notice that the clothes were in different colors than they had been when I was bigger. I didn’t know if that meant the designers just didn’t make things in those colors in those sizes or what.

I hung them up, trying to decide on what to wear the next day. I didn’t want to wear a dress. That was too big of a statement and should be reserved for when my plan was completely executed. Instead, I went with a pair of slim-fitted pants and a tank top. It was simple enough to be within my character but fitted enough to show off how much weight I had lost.

I could hardly recognize myself in the mirror as I grabbed my new leather jacket, slipped into my boots, and practically skipped out of my room for the day. I snagged a bit of breakfast before hopping in the car ready to get to school.

“Running late?”

I looked up to see Candido sitting beside me with a knowing little smirk. His eyes drifted over me slowly before they glinted with a bit of moonlight. A shiver of interest and awareness went through me. He was looking at me with real, adult interest. There was a touch of fondness in his eyes, but it was nothing like before.

Maybe I should have worn the dress. Would that have tempted him? I smiled at the thought of being able to tempt in a way that Sibyl couldn’t.

“No,” I said, raising my eyebrow. “Are you?”

He smiled. “Not at all. I have more than enough time to take you to school today. Do all of your new clothes fit?”

I nodded, narrowing my eyes at him as I tried to figure out what he could be up to. It wasn’t unusual for him to show up unexpectedly and spend time with me, but I felt like it had been more than usual lately.

Was he avoiding Sibyl, or was he just trying to lessen the blow that his marriage would bring? I didn’t know. I could be overthinking this all. Maybe he just wanted to spend more time with me because I was healthy, and that was something he enjoyed seeing.

“How is wedding planning going?” I asked and immediately regretted it.

Candido went still and turned his gaze out of the window. “How is literature?”

I huffed and looked out the window, mirroring his response and said nothing. I hated literature classes as a rule, but bringing up literature was usually code for he didn’t want to talk about it, and I should drop it.

I didn’t know if that meant things were going well and he didn’t want me to think about it or if things were going poorly and he didn’t want to think about it. Maybe things were going poorly because of everything happening across the territory?

Either way, when the jeep pulled up to the school, I got out. I gave him a chance to say something for I did, but he said nothing, so I said nothing. My good mood was half-ruined, but I couldn’t blame anyone but myself. What was I thinking bringing up the wedding planning?

I wanted to know, of course I did, but did I really expect him to answer?

“Is that Hedy?” Someone asked nearby.

I turned in the direction of the voice and the guy’s eyes widened. It was a strange reaction, but soon, there were other people looking at me, whispering and taking notice.

“She probably just got surgery,” someone said with a sneering tone.

I didn’t recognize the voice, but I was curious about who would say something so ridiculous. She wasn’t familiar, but the person beside her, glaring at me was.

It was Bella.

“You really think so?”

“I don’t know. She’s been getting smaller for weeks now. I’ve seen her outside running.”

“Are you doubting me?”

Someone scoffed. “Why would I listen to anyone under academic investigation?”

Bella’s eyes widened and I almost grinned. Bella was under academic investigation? I wonder who tipped off the administration or if they had always known and just turned a blind eye to it. It hardly mattered one way or the other. I sauntered past them, whistling a little and hoping that it would all come back to bite Bella sooner rather than later.

“Hey, Hedy,” Claire greeted as I reached our first class. “Have you heard?”

“About?”

“Bella’s new stooge, Mary,” Claire rolled her eyes. “Apparently, she found a replacement.”

I shrugged. “I saw them on the way in. Apparently, Bella’s under academic investigation.”

Claire laughed. “I wonder how many of her fans will remain once they’re threatened with suspension.”

They’d probably do whatever it took to get out of being in trouble, but only time would tell.

“Do you have time after classes today?” I asked.

Claire nodded, “Yeah. Why?”

“I’m going to petition the student council and the school board about our rejections.”

Claire’s eyes widened. “You already got a date scheduled?”

It had taken a little manipulation of the system, but I had. I hadn’t used my Moon Shadow computer to do it. I’d just complained enough to the receptionist and the administration about the issue. Knowing that Candido backed me without question had nudged them to schedule a hearing with the rugby team quickly.

“I’m there,” Claire said. “After class?”

I nodded and settled in for the lecture.

Classes went by quickly, but not quickly enough. The people of the school were amazed and spread rumors about me faster than I thought possible. Suddenly, I was Claire’s fat friend or the Alpha King’s fat mistress, but a girl hot enough to date just about anyone I wanted.

Some people brought up Francium’s declaration again, but I ignored them.

Speaking of Francium, I hadn’t seen him all day. Did he often miss school and I just didn’t notice or had his brothers done something to him?

“I haven’t seen him all day,” Claire said softly. “I guess I should stop by his dorm to check on him late.”

I turned to her. “Who?”

“Francium.”

“Francium doesn’t live at home?”

She shook her head. “He moved into the dorms last year, I think, but he goes home every once in a while.”

Well, that would make sense if he was getting bullied at home the way he was in school or worse. I wondered if he was out because of the meeting Candido had with his father or if something else was happening in the New Moon Pack.

I still wasn’t sure what to make of everything going on other than the vampires were advancing their plan. Was there a clue to defeating them somewhere in the history of vampires book I had taken from the library? Was someone looking for it? I hadn’t seen anyone around the area I had taken it from or anyone who seemed to be unusually interested in books on vampires in the library through the surveillance cameras, but I had a feeling that it was only a matter of time before things started coming to the forefront, especially with the rugby competition coming up.

There would be too many people gathered, too much excitement distracting police of all the territories. That would be the perfect time to make a harder strike.

Claire met me in the administrative office after classes were done and we walked into the hall. The captain of the rugby team was there looking confused. The dean of the school as well as the president of the student council were there. Claire and I took our seats and looked around.

“Are we waiting for someone?”

“Yes, the vice president,” the rugby captain said. “Or rather, the vice president at the time of your try-out. She’s currently under review.”

I frowned as the door opened behind me.

I turned around and met Bella’s gaze in surprise.

Bella was the vice president? She didn’t even play rugby!