The Alpha's Regret

Rumors

Chapter Eight

Elena's POV

The academy bell had barely stopped ringing when I stepped into the classroom.

My mood was already ruined.

One image kept replaying in my mind.

Lucas walking beside Vitani.

Talking to her.

Laughing with her.

The memory made my jaw tighten.

I slid into my seat near the window and crossed my arms.

Around me, students chatted excitedly about classes, upcoming training sessions, and pack events.

Normally, I enjoyed being the center of attention.

Today, I could barely focus.

"Elena?"

I looked up.

Sophia and Clara, my closest friends, had taken the seats beside me.

Sophia frowned.

"You've been glaring at the wall for five minutes."

Clara followed my gaze.

"Did something happen?"

I let out a slow breath.

"Vitani happened."

Both girls exchanged looks.

"The wolfless girl?" Sophia asked.

I rolled my eyes.

"Who else?"

Clara laughed.

"What did she do this time? Trip over her own feet?"

Usually that would've made me smile.

This time, it didn't.

"I saw her with Lucas this morning."

The laughter instantly disappeared.

"What?" Sophia nearly shouted.

A few nearby students glanced our way.

I lowered my voice.

"They walked to class together."

Clara blinked.

"Lucas Blackwood?"

"Yes."

For a moment, neither girl spoke.

Then Sophia shook her head.

"That doesn't make any sense."

"I know."

The memory twisted inside me again.

Not because Lucas had spoken to Vitani.

Because he'd looked happy doing it.

As if he actually enjoyed her company.

As if she mattered.

My fingers curled into fists beneath the desk.

Vitani didn't deserve that.

She wasn't special.

She wasn't beautiful.

She wasn't strong.

She didn't even have a wolf.

So why had Lucas smiled at her?

A cold idea began forming in my mind.

Slowly, my lips curved upward.

Sophia immediately noticed.

"Oh no."

Clara groaned.

"That's the smile."

"The smile?" Sophia asked.

"The one she gets right before someone suffers."

I ignored them.

Instead, I leaned back in my chair.

"If Lucas wants to spend time with Vitani, that's his choice."

Both girls stared.

Sophia narrowed her eyes.

"You're being suspiciously calm."

"Because I have a better idea."

Clara's expression brightened.

"What kind of idea?"

I glanced around the classroom.

Students were listening without pretending not to.

Perfect.

I lowered my voice just enough to make everyone lean closer.

"Tell people Vitani has a crush on Lucas."

Sophia blinked.

"That's it?"

I smiled.

"No."

My smile widened.

"Tell them she's been secretly following him for months."

Clara immediately understood.

A grin spread across her face.

"Oh."

"Exactly."

Sophia laughed.

"That's actually brilliant."

"It gets better."

I folded my arms.

"Tell them she arrives early every morning because she wants to watch him."

"Tell them she's always staring at him."

"Tell them she's trying to get his attention."

The lies slipped effortlessly from my mouth.

The funny thing was that some of them weren't completely false.

Vitani probably did like Lucas.

Anyone with eyes could see it.

That made the rumor believable.

And believable rumors spread the fastest.

"What if someone asks where we heard it?" Clara asked.

I shrugged.

"Then tell them someone saw it."

"Who?"

"Does it matter?"

The three of us laughed quietly.

Around the room, whispers had already begun.

I could hear them.

Tiny conversations.

Tiny seeds.

Exactly what I wanted.

Soon they would grow.

The classroom door opened.

Professor Morgan entered.

The room immediately fell silent.

But it was already too late.

The rumor had started.

And by lunchtime...

Everyone would know.

A satisfied warmth settled inside my chest.

For once, Vitani would understand what it felt like to be watched.

To have people talking behind her back.

To have every eye in the room turn toward her.

The bell for first period echoed through the academy.

As students opened their books, I glanced toward the front row.

Vitani sat quietly at her desk, completely unaware.

She was focused on her notes.

Focused on the lesson.

Focused on anything except the storm heading straight for her.

I almost laughed.

Poor Vitani.

She had looked so happy this morning.

So hopeful.

As if one conversation with Lucas had somehow changed her life.

She had no idea what was coming.

No idea that whispers were already spreading through Mooncrest Academy.

No idea that by the end of the day, students would be looking at her differently.

Watching her.

Laughing at her.

Judging her.

And the best part?

She wouldn't even know who started it.

I rested my chin on my hand and smiled.

Enjoy your happiness while it lasts, stepsister.

Because by the time this day is over...

Everyone at Mooncrest Academy will think they know your secret.

Vitani's POV

The morning lessons passed more slowly than usual.

I tried my best to focus on Professor Morgan's lecture, carefully copying every note onto the page in front of me.

Normally, studying helped quiet my thoughts.

Today, it didn't.

Every now and then, I caught someone looking at me.

The first time, I ignored it.

The second time, I told myself I was imagining things.

By the third...

I couldn't.

When the bell finally rang, students immediately stood and began filing out of the classroom.

I packed my books into my bag and made my way into the hallway.

The corridors of Mooncrest Academy were as crowded as ever.

Students laughed with their friends, discussed assignments, and hurried toward their next class.

But something felt...

Different.

As I walked past a group of second-year students, their conversation suddenly stopped.

One girl leaned toward another and whispered something.

The other covered her mouth to hide a laugh.

I lowered my eyes and kept walking.

Maybe it wasn't about me.

It couldn't be.

A few steps later, I heard another whisper.

"Is that her?"

"I think so."

"No way..."

Curiosity tugged at me, but I forced myself not to turn around.

Whatever they were talking about had nothing to do with me.

...Right?

By the time I reached my locker, my chest felt strangely tight.

I placed my books inside and reached for the next ones.

Before I could close the locker, two girls walked past.

"...She's prettier than I expected."

"Really? I don't see it."

They both glanced at me before continuing down the hallway.

I frowned.

What was going on?

Just then, Ryan appeared from around the corner.

"Morning again, Vitani."

A small smile found my lips.

"Hi, Ryan."

He rested one arm against the lockers.

"You're heading to History?"

I nodded.

"I am."

"Perfect. Lucas and I are going there too."

As if on cue, Lucas walked toward us carrying a stack of books beneath one arm.

"There you are," Ryan said dramatically. "I was starting to think you'd gotten lost."

Lucas laughed.

"It's the same hallway we've used for three years."

Ryan shrugged.

"It happens."

I couldn't help smiling.

Lucas noticed.

"Feeling better today?"

I blinked.

"...Better?"

"You seemed tired this morning."

"Oh."

I quickly looked away.

"I'm alright."

His eyes drifted briefly toward the fresh bandages wrapped around my hands.

He didn't mention them.

Instead, he smiled gently.

"I'm glad."

For just a moment...

The strange feeling in my chest faded.

Until someone laughed.

Not far behind us.

"See?"

A boy's voice echoed through the hallway.

"I told you she was talking to him again."

Another student snorted.

"She really is following him."

Heat rushed to my face.

Following him?

I slowly turned.

A group of students stood several meters away.

The moment they noticed me looking, they quickly looked elsewhere.

Ryan frowned.

"What was that about?"

"I... I don't know."

Lucas glanced toward the group.

They immediately walked away, pretending nothing had happened.

An uneasy silence settled between us.

The warning bell rang.

"We should get going," Lucas said.

Ryan nodded.

"Professor Morgan won't be happy if we're late."

The three of us headed toward the classroom.

This time, however, I could feel eyes following us the entire way.

More whispers.

More stares.

By lunchtime...

It had become impossible to ignore.

The cafeteria buzzed with conversations, but every few seconds I caught someone looking in my direction.

Some students whispered behind their hands.

Others openly stared.

A few even laughed.

I carried my tray to an empty table near the window.

The moment I sat down, two girls passed behind me.

"...I heard she's been following Lucas for months."

"I know."

"My cousin said she comes to school early just to watch him."

They laughed as they walked away.

My fingers tightened around the edge of my tray.

What...?

Following Lucas?

Who would say something like that?

I had never told anyone how I felt.

Not a single person.

So how...

My appetite disappeared.

I quietly stood and carried my untouched lunch toward the return counter.

As I stepped into the hallway outside the cafeteria, I finally allowed myself to breathe.

The whispers seemed louder out here.

Or maybe...

I was simply noticing them now.

"Vitani?"

I turned.

Lucas was walking toward me.

Concern filled his gray eyes.

"Are you alright?"

For a second, I almost told him everything.

That everyone was staring.

That people were laughing.

That I didn't understand why.

Instead...

I forced a small smile.

"I'm fine."

He looked unconvinced.

"You don't have to pretend with me."

My heart ached at his kindness.

Before I could answer, another group of students walked past.

One of the boys muttered just loud enough for us to hear.

"Guess she's found him again."

The group burst into quiet laughter.

Lucas stopped walking.

His expression hardened.

Ryan, who had just caught up to us, frowned.

"What is everyone's problem today?"

No one answered.

The students disappeared around the corner, still laughing among themselves.

I stared at the floor, wishing it would open beneath me.

I didn't understand.

What had I done?

Lucas looked after the students, his jaw tightening.

Then he turned back to me.

"Vitani..."

His voice was calm.

Gentle.

"Don't listen to them."

I nodded, though tears threatened to sting my eyes.

From the balcony overlooking the courtyard, Elena watched the scene unfold.

A satisfied smile curved her lips.

The rumors were spreading even faster than she'd expected.

And this...

This was only the beginning.