With Daisy gone, it was just Luna Zara and Principal Jameson left alone in the office.
"Is it really true? Are Violet Purple and Alaric missing, or is there something going on that I donât know?" the woman asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Of course, none of them knew not just one of them, but all the cardinal alphas were missing. The news was kept tightly under lock to prevent chaos from breaking out, especially among the humans. There was already a lot they didnât know about. What would happen once they learned that the powerhouse of the wolves â the cardinal alphas â were missing?
Not only would it bring a lot of prying their way, but it would also give some people ideas. People like Patrick, who might attack now that the freaks with magical powers could not stop him.
Zara, of course, with cold arrogance, ignored her and stood up to her feet instead. Then she lifted her gaze haughtily and told her, "If you know whatâs good for you this time, youâll keep your snoopy nose out of this matter. In the meantime, report to me if you get any information on that girl named Lila Meadows, or even Violet. I hope your dayâs more pleasant than mine."
Then she walked away.
Unknown to Zara, Jameson rolled her eyes and made a face behind her. The arrogance of that woman.
Zara barely made it outside Jamesonâs office when her phone rang. She looked down at the screen, and her expression instantly soured.
You have got to be kidding me. Couldnât this man give her some breathing space?
"Your Majesty," Zara answered, unable to hide the irritation in her voice as she took Elijahâs call.
"Any information?" Elijah went straight to the point.
Zara flexed her jaw. "Nothing. The kids are completely ignorant of Violetâs whereabouts." She didnât mention her suspicion about Lila Meadows, the student who supposedly never existed.
While Zara was running the errand for Elijah, she was also doing it for herself. Her son was missing, and she had to find him. Hence, she would never share her discoveriesâassuming Elijah didnât already know them. It wasnât beyond her to believe that Elijah had a morbid fascination with punishing them, all because of the so-called betrayal years ago.
Of course, the reason the boys were missing had to be tied to Violet. No werewolf possessed the kind of power she did, not even the cardinal alphas. That meant she was something else. And most girls had a tendency to spill secrets to their friends, especially the ones they lived with.
There was no way the girls lived with Violet and didnât notice the smallest thing about her, or about the mysterious Lila Meadows. The only question now was how to extract whatever they knew.
Zara had already interviewed Ivy Sinclair separately before moving on to Daisy. She had taken them by surprise, questioning them so fast that the girls had no time to regroup or come up with lies. They probably wouldnât even realize what just happened until they met soon.
"Fine, you can let the matter go."
"What?!" Zara halted in her steps.
Elijah replied, "Violetâs in a place you cannot reach."
"What do you mean by that?" Zaraâs confusion only deepened.
"Enjoy your second chance I bought for you with your husband, Zara Storm."
"What? Hello? H-hello?! Your Majestyâ" The line went dead.
"Damn it!" she cursed, clutching the phone tightly.
What did Elijah mean by a place she could not reach? She knew it! That asshole knew something she didnât!
How did he expect her to let this go when her son was missing? To think she had almost trusted Violet, only for the girl to pull this move on her. She had to find Alaric by all means necessary.
At the moment, her only source of information was the girls. Unfortunately, too many eyes were on her, and she couldnât extract the truth directly. Unless, of course, she had someone else do it for her.
Zara pulled out her phone, and within seconds, the line connected.
"Elsie..." she said in a sugary tone, "Iâm in the school premises, and I was wondering if we could catch up. Itâs been a while, hasnât it?"
And that was how, nearly an hour later, Zara Storm was seated across from Elsie Lancaster. Of course, the North Pack Luna was not foolish enough to meet with Elsie on school grounds, so they had settled for a quiet restaurant in the city.
Elsie Lancaster had proven to be stupid before, and if she failed again, Zara didnât want anything to do with her.
Elsie, however, was giddy with excitement. Ever since the scandal that ruined her reputation, Luna Zara had turned her back on her completely. The woman had been as cold as ice, and Elsie had felt it. So, for Zara to call her now meant this was her chance at redemption.
Zara looked her over and began, "I had high hopes for you, Elsie..."
At once, shame washed over Elsie. She lowered her head, unable to meet Zaraâs eyes.
"...However, Iâm willing to look past your faults if you can do what I have in mind."
"I can!" Elsie blurted out eagerly. "Iâll do anything for you, Luna. Just name it!"
Zara looked pleased. She leaned back. "What do you know about Lila Meadows?"
"Lila?" Elsie wrinkled her nose. "That weirdo?"
Zara raised a brow. "Weirdo?"
Elsie explained, "The girlâs a little crazy in the head. Thereâs just something off about her." Then she perked up. "Why are you asking? Did something happen?"
Zara said calmly, "Alaric is missing."
"What?!" Elsie gasped, covering her mouth.
"All of the cardinal alphas are, and I believe itâs connected to Violet. Something tells me Violet and Lila share a secret. Her roommates, Ivy Sinclair and Daisy Fairchild, know something and wonât talk." Zaraâs voice dipped dangerously. "I want you to find out what theyâre hiding. Do you understand?"
A glint sparked in Elsieâs eyes. "Of course, Luna Zara. I promise I wonât fail you this time."