"No, I did not just hear a growl!" Mrs. Bennett exclaimed, her eyes wide with shock and disbelief.
At that, Isabella was miraculously able to compose herself, forcing her wolf back down.
"Oh, that?" Isabella inquired rhetorically and a sweet smile appeared on her face as she pulled out her phone with slightly trembling hands.
"That was just my phone. I just got a call. I have weird ringtones." She explained, managing to keep her voice steady even though her heart was still racing.
"Really? Wow!" Aidan chuckled to himself, clearly amused by her quick thinking. He leaned back in his chair, looking far too comfortable for someone who had just lied against her.
Lucas's eyebrows shot up in surprise.
"Interesting! I must admit, I didn't expect her to come up with such a smooth lie." Lucas stated inwardly, his guarded composure slipping for a moment.
"Your... phone?" Mrs. Bennett asked hesitantly, adjusting her glasses as if they might help her understand better.
"Yes, ma'am. I know it is inappropriate for school. I will change it right away." Isabella said sharply and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear nervously, acting meek to make her lie believable.
Mrs. Bennett nodded slowly, her eyes darting between the three students.
"Well, I have seen enough strange things at this school to let this one slide." She thought as she nodded.
"Some students do have peculiar tastes these days, don't they?" The teacher said, facing no one in particular.
"Tell me about it." Aidan chimed in and smirked. Isabella glared at him.
"Well, regardless of ringtones..." Mrs. Bennett, began and straightened in her chair.
"We still need to address your behavior. Entering the boys' bathroom and harassing a student is unacceptable." She maintained.
"But I didn't..." Isabella started to protest, but the teacher cut her short.
"Aidan, you may leave now. I need to discuss punishment with Miss Winters." Mrs Bennett said.
As Aidan stood up, his smirk widened. He walked past Isabella, deliberately brushing against her shoulder.
"Now, who is being taught a lesson?Anyway, good luck with the punishment!" He whispered, low enough that only she could hear.
Isabella's wolf stirred again, but she forced it down.
"I wouldn't give him the satisfaction." Isabella grunted and allowed Aidan to leave.
"Mrs. Bennett, if I may speak...?" Lucas suddenly spoke up, his voice smooth.
Isabella's head snapped toward him in surprise.
"What game is he playing now?" She thought, narrowing her eyes on him.
"This is Isabella's first day at our school. Perhaps we could show some leniency?" Lucas pointed out smoothly.
Mrs. Bennett considered that for a moment, in silence.
"A mark on her record so soon wouldn't look good. And I'm sure she has learned her lesson. Haven't you, Isabella?" Lucas continued, his voice filled with false concern.
Isabella stared at him, trying to figure out his angle.
"Yes, of course." She managed to say, her voice low.
Mrs. Bennett sighed.
"Well...Since it is your first day, and the prestigious Lucas is specifically asking for a favor, I will let you off with a warning. But Miss Winters, this behavior cannot repeat itself. Is that clear?" The teacher said.
"Yes, ma'am. Thank you." Isabella nodded quickly and heaved a sigh of relief.
"You may both leave now. And Isabella?Do change that ringtone." The teacher told her before the students left her office.
Outside the office, Isabella watched the other students hurry past, whispering and pointing. She turned to Lucas, her eyebrows furrowing in confusion.
"Why did you help me?" She demanded, stepping in front of him.
Lucas's face hardened, all pretense of concern vanishing.
"Help you? Don't flatter yourself. I was protecting grandfather's image. Do you have any idea how it would look if his precious granddaughter got disciplined on her first day?" He snapped at her.
"I didn't do anything wrong! That boy lied!" Isabella protested wildly.
"Save it. Do you even realize how your actions could tarnish the Alpha's reputation? First the bathroom incident, then nearly shifting in front of a human?" Lucas snapped again.
Isabella gritted her teeth.
"I'm not that kind of person. You don't even know me!" She maintained, scoffing in annoyance.
"The lies just keep coming, don't they?" Lucas shook his head and walked away angrily.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Later that afternoon;
"Well, that suited me just fine. I am already tired of his holier-than-thou attitude." Isabella mumbled to herself as she got out of Lucas's car, referring to how he had ignored her the whole ride home.
"Yeah, it's about time..." She mumbled again as her stomach growled furiously, as she walked into the house, reminding her that she hadn't really eaten since the previous day.
"I have to find something to eat." She said.
However, when she reached her room, a delicious aroma hit her nose. There, on the reading table, sat a plate of her favorite food - perfectly grilled steak with roasted vegetables, still steaming as if it had just been placed there.
"Mila must have left this. She's so thoughtful." Isabella smiled in excitement
Without hesitation, she sat down and began devouring the food.
"At least someone in this house cares..." She mumbled between bites.
A few minutes later, a knock came at her door.
"Isabella? Dinner is ready, come down to eat." Mila's voice called out.
"Oh, I'm actually eating the food you left in my room already. Thank you for that!" Isabella called back.
At her statement, Mila opened the door and stepped in, looking surprised.
"What food? I didn't leave any food in your room." Mila said slowly, and when her eyes landed on the half-eaten plate, she looked confused.
Isabella's face went pale. The fork dropped from from her hand onto the plate.
"But then... who..." Isabella stuttered.
At that moment, she felt a sharp pain in her stomach.
"My stomach!"
"Are you okay?" Mila asked, rushing to her side.
Isabella opened her mouth to respond, but instead of words, blood sputtered from her lips.
"Isabella!" Mila screamed as Isabella's limp body collapsed onto the floor.