Chapter 23

Aliyah's POV

I slammed my locker shut, I could feel the frustration boiling over. "This is bullshit. We've been chasing leads on Leah for days, and nothing sticks. That bar tip? Dead end. No one remembers seeing her with any rogues."

Kelly leaned against the wall, scrolling through her phone. "Tell me about it. I grilled half the cheer squad–zilch, absolutely nothing. She's like a freaking ghost. And Jude? That asshole won't even pick up my calls anymore."

Becca fidgeted with her backpack strap. "My... connection says rogues still do that thing, but no ties to royalty. If Leah's pulling strings, she's covering her tracks like a pro."

I rubbed my temples. "We need something solid. Tyler said he'd check pack borders, but his last text was 'nothing yet.' Let's hit the library after class. Maybe dig into her family records or something."

The bell rang, and we hustled to literature class. Skylar was already at the board, scribbling notes. He didn't glance my way as I slid into my seat. "Miss Marcus, you're late again. One more and it's detention."

I bit my tongue. "Sorry, Professor."

He snorted. "Apologies don't earn grades. Keep it to yourself. Open your books to page 147."

Class dragged, his voice droning on about ancient werewolf lore. I zoned out, thinking about Leah's smirk from yesterday. That hint she dropped–'targeted'–kept replaying. But to find a proof? It was difficult as hell.

After class, Kelly yanked me aside. "Did you see those two new girls? They are transfers. Remember I told you about a girl transferring to our school, well, I guess they were two. They were sitting in Professor Deville's class."

I shrugged. "I remember you telling me about a new transfer but I didn't see anybody."

Becca chimed in. "They were sitting at the back of the class. They are twins. Dahlia and Dawn something. I heard they're from some pack up north and they are polar opposites. One is all smiles and very polite, the other's glaring daggers as if somebody shit in her plate."

"Oh wow. They must be very influential to be able to transfer to Rising Moon College, mid semester." I wondered aloud.

We headed to the quad for lunch and that's when we saw them again. The one with sleek black hair tied in a high ponytail strode up first, her posture screaming confidence and boldness. She wore ripped jeans and a leather jacket with her eyes narrowed at us. Okay?

Her sister trailed behind, her blonde waves were loose and she wore a flowy dress, she was smiling shyly.

They are indeed polar opposites, even down to their physical looks.

"I'm Dahlia Anderson," the dark-haired one said, flipping her ponytail. "This is Dawn Anderson, my twin sister. We're new, obviously. You guys are the welcome committee or what?"

Kelly raised an eyebrow. "Hardly. I'm Kelly, that's Becca, and Aliyah."

Dahlia's eyes locked on me, her lips curling. "Aliyah? I heard about you. The girl who fucks professors? Disgusting." She said and fake gagged.

I stiffened. "Excuse me?"

Her sister, Dawn stepped forward and waved awkwardly. "Dahlia, stop. Hi, everyone. Please Ignore her– she's just hangry. She has not had anything eat so she's a bit cranky."

Dahlia laughed sharply. "Hangry? Please. I just call it like I see it. Word travels fast in packs. You're the talk of the packs. I get it though. You only got here through a scholarship so you have to sleep your way through school for good grades? Bold move. Disgusting but bold."

Kelly stepped up. "Back off, newbie. You don't know shit."

Dahlia smirked. "Oh, I know enough. Princess Leah mentioned you three are trouble and she said to watch out for the desperate one." She pointed at me. "And I know that's you, you scream of desperation and whoredom."

Becca grabbed my arm. "Let's go. This bitch is not worth it."

I shook her off. "Leah said what? When?"

Dahlia shrugged. "This morning. I bumped into her in the hall. She had lots of things to say about you three, especially you. And she said to tell you guys to not think she doesn't know that you are suspecting her of some rogue shit? Y'all are pathetic."

Dawn tugged her sister's sleeve. "Dahlia, come on. We just got here."

But Dahlia wasn't done. "Stay out of it, Dawn. These girls think they're some detectives. I need to give them my piece of mind."

I clenched my fists. "Well, if you're friends with Leah, tell her we're on to her and we will make sure she pays for everything she did."

Dahlia rolled her eyes. "Onto what? Your stupid delusions? Anyway, will be seeing y'all around, but before that, get a life." She turned and sauntered off, Dawn mouthing 'sorry' before following her.

Kelly fumed. "What a bitch. Twins? More like evil and... less evil."

"Like we don't even know the girl. What the hell?" I added, still taken aback by Dahlia's meanness.

Becca agreed. "Dawn seems okay though. Dahlia's the problem."

We grabbed sandwiches and sat under a tree. "This complicates things," I said. "If Dahlia's tight with Leah, then we have another problem at hand. Two bitches working together don't always end well."

Kelly bit into her food. "But do you think we can tail Dahlia too? Seeing they are friends, we might get an info from her."

I shook my head, disagreeing. "No. Let's just focus on Leah. Let's go to the library."

In the library, we huddled over computers. I searched Leah's pack history– and found nothing shady. Kelly checked social media for more information. "She's posted from that bar once, but no rogues in the background or anything."

Becca whispered, "I texted my guy. No rogue sightings near her usual spots."

Hours passed. Nothing. "This is pointless," I groaned. "Every lead we get ends up dead."

The librarian shushed us and we rolled our eyes. We were already frustrated so we started preparing to leave. As we packed up, Leah waltzed in with a book under her arm. She spotted us and smirked. "Are you stalking me now?"

Kelly stood in front of her. "We're researching. You got a problem?"

Leah flipped her hair. "Researching? On me? Aww, I am flattered. But you'll find nothing, sweetheart. I'm as white as snow."

I stepped closer. "That rogue attack? You hinted it was targeted. You said I pissed off people, including you."

She laughed. "Paranoid much? I said what I said. Prove that that relates to your freaky attack."

Becca crossed her arms. "We will."

Leah leaned in. "Try. You'll fail. Now move out of my way, I have things to do unlike you fools."

She shoved past me, knocking my bag over, making the papers scatter all over the floor. "Oops," she said but continued walking.

Kelly bent down to help me pick them up. "Crazy bitch."

We left the library feeling defeated.