Filed To Story: Falling for the Alpha As a Student Novel
“She didn’t stand out,”
I admitted. “But yes, she answered questions when asked. She was polite to her classmates and teachers. As far as I knew, she got decent grades. But I didn’t talk to her that much, so I’m not sure.”
“Why didn’t you talk to her that much?”
For some reason, his question hurt. He made it sound like I purposely didn’t talk to or isolated her.
“We walked in different circles,”
I shrugged, trying to remain as casual as possible. “We didn’t have the same friends. But I never minded her.”
“Did she have many friends?”
“I’m not sure,”
I answered as honestly as I could. “I know she had a couple of girls she hung out with.”
“I have listed here that she was friends with an Alison and a Mary,”
Detective Sanchez said, eyeing his paper carefully. “Do those names ring the bell?”
“I suppose so,”
I said, shrugging again. “I saw them around campus.”
“Have you ever noticed the girls arguing?”
“Not that I recall,”
I stated, trying my best to remember, but I couldn’t. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Merida get into any arguments.
“And you never had an issue with her yourself?”
He asked, furrowing his brows together. “She never once made you mad or upset?”
I stared back at him in disbelief.
“No, detective,”
I answered simply. “I never got into any arguments with her.”
“But you got into arguments before?”
“Excuse me, how is that relevant?”
Headmaster Prescott interrupted.
“All my questions are relevant,”
he answered, his jaw clenching.
“Lila is an 18-year-old girl; of course, she had gotten into arguments before. It doesn’t mean she’s killed anyone,”
Prescott hissed, angrily.
“I didn’t say it did,”
he said in return, not even giving her a second glance. “But there’s a connection everywhere we look. My job right now is to find the start of the connection.”
“Lila has never gotten into serious trouble before—”
“A student was killed by another student at your school, Headmaster. Werewolf or not, murder is murder. Lila was described as a popular girl who just won the election for president of the student committee. She has connections and ties with most students on this campus; if I’m going to find a connection between the victim and her murderer, I’m going to start with this 18-year-old.”
Prescott opened her mouth to say something in return; she was red in the face, and I couldn’t tell if it was because of embarrassment or anger. But I spoke instead, stopping her from making the detective any angrier.
“I wouldn’t consider myself popular. I’m liked amongst my peers because I always treat them with respect and I’m kind to them. I help them with their homework and tutor them when I can. I don’t disinclude anyone and I’m always willing to listen to their complaints. That’s what makes me a good president. I’m learning as I go, but I have a lot of ideas on how to make this school better and to make everyone’s experience amazing. I’m well-trained in combat and yes, I’m a Volana. I’m learning to control my powers and I’m doing a better job at it than I did in the beginning. I use my powers and my combat abilities to help students. I break up fights when I see them and defend those in need. I never once hurt a student and I would certainly never kill anyone. So, if you are looking for a tie between me and Merida’s murderer, you aren’t going to find it with me. If I saw something, I would have done something. Not only because it’s my duty as president, but because it’s the right thing to do and I was raised to always do the right thing.”
Detective Sanchez and Headmaster Prescott both stared at me with open mouths, processing my words.
Prescott was the first to recover.
“Well said, Lila,”
she said quickly, giving me a proud smile. She then looked at the detective with a pointed look. “Do you have more questions, Detective?”
He cleared his throat.
“Just one… where were you the night before last night,”
he asked, eyeing me carefully.
My heart fell into my stomach; I knew the answer right away, but it wasn’t an answer I was able to share with him. Because if I did, my relationship with Enzo would be found out.
Lila’s POV
“I was with my mother,”
I told him quickly, which wasn’t a lie. I was with my mother and a few others, including Enzo, doing the protection ritual and summoning the guardian of the earth. But I wasn’t going to say that to the detective and Headmaster Prescott.
“With your mother?”
He asked, raising his brows.
I nodded my head, leaning back in my seat.
“Yes, sir,”
I answered as confidently as I could. “I was with my mother. She was in town visiting and we enjoyed the day together.”
“Lila’s mother is a very powerful Luna for the Nova pack in Elysium,”
Headmaster Prescott explained to him. “Her father is Alpha Bastien. He’s the leader of the Alpha Committee so he’s often traveling around and checking out neighboring packs. He’s very close allies with your Alpha as well, detective.”
Detective Sanchez tensed at the mention of his Alpha, whom I’m assuming was Alpha Jonathan. Most of the authorities and emergency services in Higala were from the Crescent Moon pack, which was Alpha Jonathan and Sarah’s pack.
“I see,”
he said, clearing his throat. “Then I suppose that checks out.”
“If I need to call my mother, I would be happy to do so, Detective,”
I said, giving him a coy smile.
“That won’t be necessary, Miss Lila. I appreciate your time. That’s all the questions I have for you.”
I nodded and stood to my feet.
“Gamma Alexander, would you please escort Lila back to her dorm?”
Headmaster Prescott asked kindly.
I had almost forgotten that Alex was standing nearby; he was so quiet during all that questioning. I’m glad he didn’t scoff at my obvious lies or make any grunting sounds to show his disbelief and annoyance at my answers.
“Yes mam,”
he said politely. “Should I return here once I’m done?”
“I’ll let you know the next student to escort here once we discuss it,”
Headmaster Prescott informed him.
He nodded and turned toward the doorway; this time, he walked first and trailed after him.
Once we were outside, I noticed he was walking in the direction of the dorms.
“I have to go back to Enzo,”
I told him.
“I’m not getting in trouble for you,”
he muttered. “If you want to go back there, you have to sneak back yourself.”
I frowned at his back, but he did not attempt to stop or turn to look at me. I just rolled my eyes and turned in the opposite direction.
“Fine,”
I muttered and then I walked further away until I reached the faculty housing.