Chapter 80: Final verdict
ALARIC’s POV
"Tell me, Alaric," Council Head John began as soon as the last person had left the chamber, the heavy oak door thudding shut behind them.
Alaric reluctantly peeled his eyes away from the Aurelian flag near the door.
"You are the Headmaster. I know for certain you understand every student in the academy. So tell me, what have you noticed recently?"
Alaric frowned, shifting slightly in his seat.
The stone chamber felt colder now that it was just the two of them, the flickering torchlight casting long, uneasy shadows across the house flags swaying from the invisible wind.
"I don’t think I’m following, sir."
John scoffed. He leaned back in his high-backed chair, eyes locking onto Alaric’s with unnerving intensity. Alaric’s gaze strayed away almost immediately.
"Of course you understand me perfectly, Alaric."
"They are like your children," John continued, voice smooth but probing. "I’ve seen how you interact with them. I’ve even heard things. Don’t pretend you don’t know what’s going on especially about that girl, Elyse Maddox."
Alaric shook his head. He opened his mouth to speak, but John cut him off before he could form a single word.
"Ever since she returned to the academy a few days ago, I’ve learned that everything has changed."
"In what way, sir?" Alaric asked carefully.
"You are the Headmaster," John pointed out, leaning forward slightly. "You tell me."
"I’m just as confused as you are," Alaric murmured, his gaze wandering around the dimly lit room again. "I know nothing about the weirdness going on around us."
"You’re hiding something from the council, are you not, Alaric?"
"No," Alaric let out a short, forced scoff. "Why would I do that?"
"Why can’t you look at me?" John asked, his voice deceptively calm. "Since the meeting started, I’ve noticed you’ve been avoiding my gaze altogether, especially with Steven."
It wasn’t because he couldn’t hold John’s stare. But because John had a reputation for looking straight into a person’s soul — seeing thoughts that were supposed to remain private.
Alaric had nothing to hide. He was sure of that. But he still didn’t want John peering too deeply.
Alaric dared a quick glance. John’s eyes were narrowed. "What are you both hiding?"
"Nothing, sir," Alaric answered without hesitation, his throat suddenly dry.
"Look at me and say that," John commanded.
"There’s um..." Alaric cleared his throat, the sound too loud in the empty room. He forced himself to turn and meet John’s gaze fully. There was no point trying to deflect. It would only make him look more suspicious.
Alaric steeled himself as their eyes locked. For a short minute that felt like an eternity, they stared at each other in complete silence. The flickering light cast shifting shadows across John’s face, making his expression even harder to read.
The skin at the back of Alaric’s neck prickled. His stomach churned with unease.
But it wasn’t fear. It was a heavy, burning embarrassment that settled deep in his gut.
John’s lips curved into a dark, knowing smile, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Oh... that’s why?"
Alaric’s face flushed hot. He hastily looked down at his feet, unable to maintain eye contact any longer, desperate to salvage what remained of his dignity.
John grimaced, shaking his head. "Your thoughts all day have been centered on fucking your wife and showing her who’s boss in the other room?"
Alaric shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other, the embarrassment growing heavier with every passing second.
"We were all gathered here, trying to think of a better way to move this academy forward," John continued, voice laced with disapproval. "How to keep the children from dying before they reach their full potential and bring out as many strong Alphas from each house as possible..."
He paused, then added dryly, "you are unbelievable."
"Sorry," Alaric murmured under his breath, cheeks still burning.
John sighed, leaning back in his chair. "I suppose that is a good thing. At least you’re not plotting to kill me or any of the council members."
Alaric rolled his eyes hard. Why would he ever plot to kill any of them? Even though they were all evil in their own ways, he had never once considered something so drastic.
"What do I tell the kids?" Alaric asked after a brief pause. "They’ll be expecting me to bring good news. Mates are meant to be together for the bond’s fulfillment. Being apart can trigger—"
"I know what happens when true mate bonds are ignored," John cut him off. "But this matter surrounding the girl... I need to look into it further."
Alaric exhaled slowly, the weight of the decision pressing down on his shoulders.
"You may leave," John dismissed him with a wave of his hand.
Alaric started toward the door, but paused when John spoke again.
"Keep an eye on that girl, Alaric," he said, voice low and serious. "A third visit from the Hollow Hound might be disastrous."
"I will," Alaric replied quietly.
He left the chamber and made his way back to his office.
"So?" Dash asked the moment Alaric stepped through the door. He swirled around in the large swivel chair, a bright, hopeful smile lighting up his face.
He had been waiting here even before Alaric left for the meeting. In fact, it was partly because of him that Alaric had decided to attend in person instead of sitting it out and getting the summary from Steven later.
He wasn’t the only one. Elyse, Kol, Eric, and Lance were all standing behind him. They gazed at Alaric eagerly, tension thick in the air.
"Are we finally allowed to acknowledge Elyse as our mate?" Lance asked, voice tight with anticipation. "It’s been long enough. We deserve an answer now."
"I don’t care if Dash doesn’t get an answer," Eric added, voice edged with irritation. "He’s obviously faking the bond..."
"You’re the one faking it!" Dash fired back. "If anyone needs to know about a bond, it should be me. I freaking went into that damned forest to save her."
"We all did," Lance and Kol answered at the same time.
"Before your arrival," Dash grunted. "I was there first."
"Yeah, and got yourself knocked out," Lance said dryly. "Mind you, I was the one who managed to knock her out."
"With the help of Azrael and Raphael, of course," he added.
"Guys," Elyse murmured in a tired voice.
Dash opened his mouth to retort, but Alaric interrupted him. "For the three bonds, I have news," he said, walking over to his desk.
All eyes focused on him as he sat down.
"The investigation is still ongoing."
"Does that mean they are going to approve it soon?" Eric asked.
The hope in his tone made Alaric sigh inwardly. He didn’t want to crush it, but he had no choice.
"Nothing has been said about approval yet," he replied carefully.
"Then soon," Eric said, still clinging to that optimism.
"What about me?" Dash asked, his expression tightening. "You only spoke about three bonds, but there are four."
"I’m sorry, but yours has been cancelled," Alaric said. "There will be no further thought about it."
"Why not?!" Dash shouted, shooting to his feet so fast the chair scraped loudly against the floor.
Alaric saw Eric trying — and failing — to fight back a smug smile. "Maybe because it’s not real," he mocked.
"I am going to show you what’s real and fake!" Dash snarled, marching forward. Eric did the same, shoulders squared.
"Stop it, guys," Elyse scowled, stepping firmly between the two of them. "Show some respect to the Headmaster."
Alaric didn’t mind the chaos. In fact, it was keeping him from having to say anything further.
"You tell him," Dash snapped, jabbing a finger at Eric. "The bastard started it first."
"No, he did!" Eric fired back, voice rising.
"He’s been mocking me all damn day."
"You cursed at me first!" Dash argued, stepping closer.
Alaric pinched the bridge of his nose, watching the back-and-forth escalate. Kol and Lance stood on the sidelines, offering zero help.
Elyse kept trying to wedge herself between them, but they wouldn’t listen.
A few more heated seconds passed, and the argument only grew louder, voices bouncing off the walls of the office.
Alaric finally rose from his desk, grabbed a journal, and strode toward the door. He paused at the threshold, turning back to the group with a tired expression.
"When you’re done, the door is open," he said calmly. "And I’d appreciate it if you left the room in the same orderly manner it is now."
He opened the door.
"Wait!" Dash shouted. "We aren’t done speaking!"
"We are," Alaric answered, already stepping into the hallway.
"Damn it!" Dash snarled, shoving Eric away from him. "Come back!"
Alaric shut the door firmly behind him and hurried down the corridor, the muffled shouts still echoing faintly through the door.
