Chapter 4: Haircut

ALEXANDRIA

“Goodness, Alex. Where have you been?” 

By the time I finally got home, the sun was already high in the sky. I had spent the night at a 24-hour cafe, indulging in far too many ice cream sundaes, hoping to sober myself up—or at least feel a bit better. To my surprise, I did feel better than I had the previous day. Along with that newfound sense of clarity, I was more determined than ever to seek justice for Alexei.

Mandy stood beside Ryland, her expression a mix of concern and exasperation. Kristina, Ryland’s mother and my own maternal figure, gently placed her hands on my shoulders, her eyes inspecting my face and body with worry. “Are you okay?”

I let out a deep breath and nodded. “I’m fine.” 

She bit her lip, hesitation seen across her face. “I heard from Ryland about your plan to go to Alpha Academy. I know it’s atrocious that the Academy refuses to investigate what happened. However, we must consider your safety, Alex.”

I turned to Ryland, causing him to bite his lip. I told him not to tell anyone just yet! 

Without responding verbally, I pulled open the drawers in the living room, grabbed a pair of scissors, and, without a moment's hesitation, snipped away a chunk of my hair, cutting it just above my shoulder—imitating Alexei’s shoulder-length locks. 

The three of them gasped in unison. 

I then strode to the bathroom, focusing on my reflection in the mirror. I continued snipping away until all of my hair was the same length. After fishing out a hair tie from my pocket, I gathered my hair into a bun—a man bun, to be precise, a style that had become Alexei's signature look, and put on his glasses kept in the bathroom cabinet. 

The person staring back at me was both familiar and foreign. 

Alexei and I had shared a striking resemblance; his features were slightly sharper, his complexion paler than mine. My cheeks were naturally plumper, causing me to flush easily, and my lips were just a touch fuller. Yet, with the right concealing and contouring, anyone would have a hard time telling us apart. 

As I contemplated my reflection, a pang of sadness gripped my heart as memories of Alexei flooded back. I closed the mirror compartment, letting out a deep, calming breath, and returned to the living room where the three were still standing, stunned into silence.

Mandy covered her mouth, eyes wide with shock. “You really look alike.” 

A small smile tugged at the corners of my lips despite the weight of the moment. “We’re twins, Mandy.” 

“You don’t have to do this, you know?” Ryland's voice cut through the tension.

Mandy nodded enthusiastically, echoing his concern. “We can file a case with the police and have this investigated, Alex. I’ll even call my parents to help us.”

I hesitated, taking a moment to consider. Mandy, being from the Carnage Pack and a member of the influential Beta family, had a vast network at her disposal. She had severed ties a year ago, so her offer would cost her a lot. 

I just shook my head gently. 

“You don’t have to do that, Mandy. Besides, the police wouldn’t be of any help,” I muttered. “There’s no tangible proof of foul play, and even if there were, I’m sure someone at Alpha Academy would bury it quickly, without a trace.” 

I recalled the times Alexei had called me, moments when I had casually asked him about how things were going. He often brushed off my concerns with a casual “I’m alright,” but there were those fleeting moments during our video calls where I could see him flinching from pain. Come to think about it, I should have pressed him harder to tell me.

“This is the only way I can expose Alpha Academy and attain justice for his death,” I asserted firmly. “I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I let this slip by without taking action.”

“It’s not safe,” Ryland replied, desperation lacing his tone.

“I can take care of myself, you know? Among our group, I’m one of the strongest. I could give even Alexei a run for his money back then.”

“We’re not doubting your skills, Alex,” Ryland insisted, his eyes earnest. “I’m worried because you’ll be surrounded by Alphas—those with the highest egos and testosterone levels in the country. I trust you, but I don’t trust them.”

“Just the thought of handing you over to that school after everything that happened with Alexei is nerve-wracking. You don’t even have any experience with men!” Mandy exclaimed. 

I pursed my lips, contemplating whether that was a jab at my lack of experience. Maybe it was. I could feel heat creeping up my cheeks as I recalled my interaction with that Alpha the night before. Clearing my throat, I quickly changed the topic.

“I’ll be extra careful. You don’t need to worry,” I reassured them. 

“I told you—I’m not worried about you,” Ryland said, frustration evident in his voice as he clicked his tongue. “I’m worried about the Alphas in that school. They might do something to you.”

“What could they do that I can’t handle?” I replied, standing tall. 

“You’re pretty,” Mandy interjected suddenly. I turned to her, raising an eyebrow in question. She scratched the back of her neck sheepishly. “Honestly, even as a woman, I’ve always found you pretty. Alexei, too.” 

I tilted my head, contemplating her words. It made sense; we both had inherited our mother’s delicate looks and physique. Alexei, with his shorter and lankier build compared to other men, was undeniably attractive in his own right. Meanwhile, although we stood at the same height, I was thinner yet curvier than he was. 

“Even with all of the effort you put into your transformation into a man, you’re still so pretty, Alex,” she continued, her voice growing more exasperated. “You’ll get devoured at Alpha Academy.” 

“They can try,” I said dismissively, tuning out their warnings. “But they won’t even get close enough to take a bite. I’ll take out all their teeth before that can happen.” 

Ryland visibly flinched at my words, his eyes widening as if he could vividly picture the scenario. “That makes me feel a bit better. I genuinely think you can do that.” 

“Ry!” Mandy exclaimed, her voice scolding. “I told you we should convince her not to go through with this!” 

Kristina sighed, finally speaking up for the first time during this entire conversation. “I think Alex has already made up her mind.” 

“You’re right. Nothing is going to change my mind,” I declared firmly, my voice cutting through the tension thickening in the air. 

I turned to Ryland with a decisive smile. “Tomorrow, you’re going to be driving me to Alpha Academy.”