Tasting 183

183–The Beginning Of My Downfall

Nora:

Ever since Ryker started dating April, it was Lord Atwood who had been dropping me off at school.

Numerous questions swirled in my head about it. Perhaps Ryker preferred to drop off April? But I

always saw her arrive and leave in her own car, except for that first time.

Maybe Ryker didn’t want to drop me off?

“Ryker will be picking you up from school today,” Lord Atwood announced as I hastily got out of the

car with my bag in hand. I didn’t even get a chance to argue. Lord Atwood waved his hand and

sped

away.

I sighed, realizing just minutes ago I was pondering Ryker’s unusual behavior of not insisting on

picking me up.

“I need to stop being so eager. The brothers have made it clear they don’t want me, so I shouldn’t

try to justify their messed–up actions,” I muttered under my breath, clutching my bag close to my

chest as I zoned out while entering the school.

I hadn’t made any new friends and didn’t plan to. After what the two siblings had done to me, I was

better off alone. If only I could talk to Akiura more often. I would feel so much more relaxed.

“Oh, look who’s here!” April exclaimed from the end of the hallway, ensuring everyone noticed me

before turning their heads the other way. Yep, it seemed like nobody wanted to be friends with me

either.

“Oh not them again,” I said to myself, wondering why couldn’t they just

183–The Beginning Of My Downfall

leave me alone now. They got the alpha kings, so what was bothering them now? Shouldn’t they be

just enjoying the blessings now?

But Natalya and April had been attracting a lot of attention lately. And they were loving it. Yet, they

were not entirely content and didn’t lose a single opportunity to annoy me. I reached my locker and

noticed. Natalya standing beside April. Her appearance had changed; her hair was now cut in a bob

and she wore heavy makeup. In fact, her skirt was so short that she kept tugging it down to cover

herself.

Her top revealed deep cleavage, and her high heels made it difficult for her to walk.

“So, are you coming to the ball?” April asked me, surrounded by her friends as usual. She always

came in groups, probably because she was too afraid to say certain things herself, preferring to

have others speak for her.

“And why would I discuss it with you?” I gave her a forced smile. before opening my locker.

“Hmm! Looks like she’s scared. What if you say something to Brody about her, and he dumps her

before they even go out,” Natalya said in a different tone, even changing her voice. How much did

she hate herself to change almost everything about her life? And April seemed eager to steer her in

whatever direction she pleased.

“I’m not afraid of anything,” I sighed.

But as I turned to leave, April stepped into my face, causing me to step back, my back hitting the

lockers.

“Or maybe you should be. When was the last time you spoke to Brody?” she asked, a smirk playing

on her lips.

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“What?” I frowned. Clearly, their questions meant something. If she was asking me something so

seriously, there had to be another reason behind it.

“Maybe you should check on him,” Natalya continued with a snicker, “but only if he hasn’t already

blocked you.” She covered her mouth with her hand, giggling and laughing at me.

“What have you two done?” I wanted to raise my voice, but it would only satisfy their nerve–

wracking actions.

But it wasn’t a lie that they were acting suspicious. They must have done something.

“We didn’t do anything. He just saw something and let’s just say—he wasn’t very happy to find out

that the girl he’s dating is such a whore,” April muttered the last word, causing my heart to sink into

my stomach.

That was it. She had crossed the line now. I had been avoiding getting into a confrontation with her

for a while, but now she had pushed me too far.

So I did what felt right. I raised my hand and slapped her hard enough for her to stumble to the side.

Natalya quickly reached out to catch her and prevent a bad fall.

April was just staring at me, her mouth gaping and tears welling in her eyes. She seemed shaken

up.

“How dare you. The only whore here is you! You’re the one who befriended me just to get into my

home and seduce my stepbrother. I don’t know how you did it because he used to be repulsed by

the idea of dating you,” I shouted at the top of my lungs. I was done with them acting like bullies and

constantly appearing out of nowhere to ruin my

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103–The Beginning Of My Downfal

day.

“What have you done?” Natalya asked in a much softer tone this time.

“Do you want me to do the same to you? Because I can,” I threatened, taking a step briskly towards

her. She looked so frightened that she stepped back.

April looked around, then dropped to her knees, crying into her palms after feeling the humiliation.

“If anyone speaks to me like that again– I will–” I began to threaten, but I was interrupted by a voice

behind me.

“And what will you do?” It was the principal, standing with his arms folded across his chest, wearing

a disapproving look on his face.

“Violence is forbidden. Not only did you strike the poor girl, but you also used such horrible

language towards her. And now you’re threatening others too? It seems the title of being the

stepdaughter of the ex–Alpha King has gone to your head. However, this kind of behavior will not

be tolerated in my school. Come with me to my office,” he hissed, using a stern tone and giving me

a harsh glare.

As he walked away, I noticed April slowly uncovered her face. After rubbing her cheek, she

smirked.

So this was all her plan to get me in trouble?

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