Return of The Alpha Heiress Chapter 30: Clarissa – New Friends

While I was still observing this new friend of mine, a cute girl with short-bob ginger hair suddenly stepped between and Tessa.

"You guys beca friends already? Then I want to be your friend too, Clarissa."

She showed her gummy smile. "I’m Mira Redwood, daughter of the Beta of Red Pack."

Then, sweet little Mira yanked the brown hair of the boy sitting in front of .

"Rylas, turn around. You need to introduce yourself to Clarissa."

The young man had no choice but to turn.

"Rylas Redwood. Third son of Alpha Red... and her fiancé." He pointed his chin at Mira.

I was stunned.

Mira looked tiny and adorable, while Rylas was huge, muscular, and seed incapable of changing his expression.

How on earth were those two engaged?

I nodded, about to introduce myself, when another voice cut in.

A handso young man with dark-blue hair, sitting in front of Tessa, turned around with a dramatic sigh.

"How dare the three of you leave out."

He stood. "I’m Kellan Blue. Youngest son of the Gamma of Blue Pack. We four hang out a lot. If you’re going to be friends with them, you have to be friends with too."

Then he jabbed a thumb at Tessa.

"You already know her na, right? Grey... yeah, she’s the youngest daughter of Alpha Grey. You know Grey Pack?"

I shook my head. Honestly no idea.

Kellan launched into an explanation.

Apparently, the Grey Pack was the second richest pack in the western region, right after the Black Pack.

Their introductions were... kind of overwhelming, especially because all four of them kept trying to outdo each other with completely unnecessary details about themselves.

Were all best-class students this competitive about everything?

They kept going until the teacher walked in with Shannon and Adrian.

Finally, silence.

I just realized... It seed everyone else was already used to their noise.

...

Luna Eileen was still worried I wasn’t fully recovered, so I wasn’t allowed to stay in the dorm. I had to go ho.

Edwin offered to accompany . They really all treated like I was on my deathbed.

"I’m already fine, you know," I grumbled as we sat in the car.

"The doctor still asked you to co for another check-up, didn’t he? Your body hasn’t fully healed, Sister Clar," Edwin said.

I didn’t bother arguing. They were all stubborn about treating like a fragile glass doll.

"So, how was your first day in the best class?" Edwin asked.

I sighed heavily. "I didn’t expect the regular class to be that far behind. And after missing a few weeks, I’m even more behind..."

Edwin patted my shoulder. "Don’t push yourself too hard. Your health cos first."

I shook my head. "We had a pop quiz earlier, and I ca in last place. I can’t accept that."

"I co in last all the ti in subjects I hate," Edwin replied casually.

Well, I can’t! Even being first doesn’t satisfy unless I work hard for it.

Maybe my dream was too high, competing academically with Adrian Black, the heir of Black Pack.

But if you shoot for the moon, even if you fall, you land among the stars, right?

"And your classmates? Anyone bothering you?" Edwin asked, smoothly changing the subject. He knew I wouldn’t budge.

"Shannon and Adrian helped a lot. And I... also made new friends."

"Really? Who?" Edwin’s eyes sparkled.

I recalled the four nas.

"Tessa Grey, she sits across from . Kellan Blue sits in front of her. In front of is Rylas Redwood, and in front of him is Mira Redwood. I beca friends with the four of them."

"Them?" Edwin’s brows furrowed sharply. "Why are you sitting there, Sister Clar?"

"That was the only empty seat. Why, what’s wrong with them?"

I wasn’t into gossip, but at least I should know the basics about my classmates.

"They’re the Four Troublemakers. You should stay away from them."

Edwin spoke seriously. Worried, even.

I nodded. All right then. I had Shannon anyway; staying away wouldn’t be hard.

"What about our project collaboration?" I asked.

Edwin instantly perked up. We bounced ideas off each other smoothly until the car pulled up at the Alpha Green mansion.

Still discussing, we walked into the living room. It wasn’t empty.

Luna Eileen, Darren, and Alpha Will were all sitting there.

But only silence and tension filled the room.

They turned toward us as we entered.

Alpha Will suddenly stood. His steps thundered toward us. My heart thumped. A strange fear rose in my chest.

SLAP!

A brutal slap crashed across my face, so hard my body flew into a sturdy wooden chair.

Pain exploded everywhere. My head rang. My vision blurred.

Shock. Confusion. Hurt. Everything hit at once.

When I managed to lift my head, the first thing I saw was Alpha Will’s furious face.

Next to him, Edwin’s eyes widened like they were about to pop out.

Luna Eileen stood in panic. Even Darren looked stunned, biting his lip hard.

"What... happened?"

My voice trembled. No one seed willing to explain what in the world was going on.

"You dare ask what happened?" Alpha Will’s roar crashed into my ears.

"You’ve embarrassed ! How dare you slap the daughter of our Beta, the fiancée of Larry?!"

Daughter of the Beta... fiancée of Larry?

"Arlisse...?" My voice cracked. A massive question mark ford in my head.

"Maybe hitting you will make you understand."

Alpha Will raised his hand again—

Luna Eileen covered her face, eyes glistening. Darren froze, teeth clenched.

Only Edwin reacted.

He rushed forward and grabbed Alpha Will’s arm. "Father, Arlisse hurt Sister Clar! Even a slap isn’t enough!"

"You disrespectful brat! Who are you calling ’sister,’ huh? Your sister is Lisse!" Alpha Will yanked his arm away, throwing Edwin backward.

Darren caught Edwin just before he hit the ground. Luna Eileen hovered over them, checking him worriedly.

What... What did I just see?

They reacted fast to help Edwin, but I...

Did they not see ...?

I lowered my head, trying to calm my uneven breathing.

My voice shook with anger I could no longer contain.

"Why can’t I slap Arlisse? She injured . She worked with Fani to fra . And after all that, she gets to freely attend the party?"

...