Chapter 652: Have A Talk

The classroom door swung open, and Daisy let out a long breath of relief. "Thank God, you’re here." She hurried forward and wrapped Ivy in a tight hug.

Ivy embraced her back, then pulled back, eyes wide and tense. "She really called you? Luna Zara?"

Daisy nodded, still shaken. "Yeah. She questioned me about Violet and Lila."

Ivy’s expression twisted in fear. "What do you think we should do? What if we just run away? My family has a private property in the city. We can hide out there until this all blows over."

But Daisy shook her head. "No, Ivy. Running away only proves we’re hiding something. We can’t do that."

Ivy hesitated. "Then what do we do?"

"We stay," Daisy told her. "We simply keep our heads down, and act normal. The moment we run, we look guilty. Violet would want us to be brave, not cowards."

Ivy sighed, running her hand through her hair. "What in the world is going on here? Where is Violet? What happened this time?"

"There’s one person we can get information from," Daisy said.

"Who?" Ivy asked warily.

"Natalie Avax."

It was just one name, but Ivy’s face twisted instantly in disgust.

"Blah!" she groaned, making a face. "You mean the bitch who took Violet’s place?"

The bitterness in her voice was unmistakable. Everyone knew Violet should’ve been the one in charge of the fifth house, but Natalie, with her family name, privilege, and connections, had snatched the position without blinking.

"Violet might have been cool with it," Ivy muttered, crossing her arms, "but I’m not."

Not to mention, ever since Violet left Lunaris Academy, Natalie had practically taken her place. Even though Principal Jameson claimed the Luna ranking had been scrapped, the hierarchy still existed. Only this time, a human was sitting on the throne ruling as the new queen.

Daisy sighed, crossing her arms. "I know you’ve got a beef with Natalie, but if there’s anyone in this academy who has information on what’s happening, it’s definitely her."

Ivy frowned, reluctant. "Fine. Let’s go," she muttered.

Classes were still ongoing, but neither of them cared, they had bigger problems. After almost twenty minutes of searching, they finally found Natalie Avax tucked away in the far corner of the library.

She was perched on one of the reading tables, lunch spread out neatly before her: a bowl of creamy pasta, fruit slices arranged in perfect symmetry, and croissant. Typical Natalie. Even eating, she looked like she was filming a royal etiquette ad.

Ivy smirked. "Shouldn’t the queen bee be eating somewhere less common?" she teased.

Daisy shot her a look and mouthed, Behave.

Natalie lifted her gaze, her eyes cold and calculating. "Violet’s minions," she said coolly, setting down her fork. "What do you want?"

Ivy gasped. "Minions? Did she just—"

Daisy gave her the eye again, a silent warning. Then she cleared her throat and said, "We need your help."

Natalie leaned back lazily, twirling her fork between her fingers. "And why," she asked with quiet amusement, "would I do that?"

Before Daisy could answer, Ivy jumped in, sarcasm dripping from her voice. "Because, at some point, I actually believed you were Violet’s friend."

Natalie scoffed, lips curling into a smirk. "Tough luck," she said with a cutting tone, " "You really can’t tell the difference between friends and competition, can you?"

Daisy tried again, her voice pleading. "Look, Natalie, we’re not entitled to your help. You don’t owe us anything. But Violet is our friend. We just want to know what’s going on with her. Please."

An emotion equal to pity flashed in Natalie’s eyes then, a subtle crack in her icy composure. She leaned back in her chair. "Fine," she said at last, "since you’re so desperate to know. Here it is. Violet Purple and the cardinal alphas are missing."

"What?!" Both girls shouted in unison, loud enough that a few students at nearby tables turned their heads.

"Keep your voices down," Natalie warned them, "If you two value your peace, you’ll keep that little secret to yourselves. There’s already enough tension brewing at in the wolf packs. We don’t need the whole academy panicking. And yes, you did not hear that from me."

Daisy exchanged a quick look with Ivy. "Missing?" she whispered. "What do you mean missing? Where did they go?"

Natalie picked up her spoon again, stirring her untouched pasta lazily. "I don’t know," she said flatly. "And honestly, I’ve answered your question and I’d prefer to keep my quiet time."

Ivy frowned, opening her mouth to push further, but Daisy touched her arm in warning. "Thank you for telling us," Daisy said simply.

Natalie didn’t respond, she just waved them off dismissively, like she couldn’t care less whether they stayed or vanished.

As the two girls walked out of the library, Ivy muttered under her breath, "So Luna Zara came to us thinking we actually have an idea where they went."

Daisy’s lips pressed into a thin line. "I think we do have an idea where they went."

Ivy frowned at first, but then it clicked. Her eyes widened in shock. "The—" She stopped mid-word, her throat tightening as the spell burned against her tongue, stopping her from saying the name out loud.

They exchanged a knowing look and quickened their pace down the hall. But as soon as they pushed open the door and stepped into the corridor, their stomachs dropped.

"Hello, you two," Elsie Lancaster said sweetly, leaning against the wall with her usual smug smile. Two of her ever-present minions flanked her, arms crossed and eyes glinting with mischief. "It’s been a while, hasn’t it?"

Daisy and Ivy froze. Nothing good ever started with that tone.

"Grab them," Elsie ordered.

The two girls lunged forward and chaos erupted. Ivy swung first, kicking one of the minions in the stomach. Daisy shoved another off her arm.

"Run!" Daisy yelled.

"I’m not leaving you—"

"Go!" Daisy screamed again.

Ivy hesitated only a second before bolting down the hall. Behind her, Daisy fought hard, but the odds weren’t in her favor. One of the girls caught her from behind while the other clasped a hand over her mouth.

Elsie smiled coldly as Daisy struggled. "Good girl," she purred. "Now, let’s go somewhere quiet to talk."

And just like that, they dragged Daisy away, vanishing down the corridor before anyone could notice.