Chapter 12: Familiar Seal

That night, Alpha House was peaceful. The students were enjoying themselves when a sudden knock on the door caught their attention.

Justin Pritz opened it, revealing one of the academy's utility staff standing at the entrance. He held a basket of flowers in his hands.

"Good evening, Alphas. I'm here to deliver a present sent to Ms. Velia Lair Luther," the staff member announced.

The room immediately erupted with teasing and playful remarks.

"Maybe Velia has a secret admirer," Axel Devuncheek mused.

"That was fast! Only two days at the academy, and you already have a suitor?" Carl Perez added with a grin.

More comments followed, laughter filling the air. Velia, however, simply smiled, accepting the flowers without a word.

"I'm heading to my room to rest," she said before making her way upstairs, leaving her curious classmates buzzing with speculation.

However, just before Velia could head to her room, a small envelope slipped from the basket, landing softly on the floor.

Ynah Blair picked it up, her eyes narrowing as she read the sender's details aloud.

"From yours truly."

She turned the letter over, inspecting the unfamiliar wax seal pressed onto the back.

"Which family's seal is this? I've never seen it before," she murmured, her brows furrowing in curiosity.

Velia took the letter from Ynah's hands and let out a small, nervous chuckle. "I don't know… It's my first time seeing it too," she said, forcing a smile before disappearing into her room.

From my position at the side of the stairs, I caught a brief glimpse of the seal—and my blood ran cold.

That seal… It's the same one I saw on the murderer in the forest…

A chill crept down my spine.

Is Velia connected to them?

Velia is the first suspect… but am I wrong?

Was the figure I saw in the forest a girl… or a boy?

My mind raced, trying to recall every detail from that night. The hooded figure, the swift movements, the eerie presence—nothing had indicated a clear identity.

I clenched my fists.

If Velia is connected to them… what does that mean for the rest of us?

I'm sure of it now someone is connected to the people in that forest…

Maybe the traitor is one of us.

And whoever they are, they know exactly how to play us—moving each of us like pieces on a chessboard.

A perfect game, where we don't even realize we're being played.

But I won't be a pawn in their strategy.

I'll find out who they are… before it's too late.

A deep, rhythmic tick-tock echoed through the halls as the academy's grand clock struck its nightly chime. The sound reverberated through the walls, a solemn reminder that it was time to rest. The chatter in Alpha House quieted as students retreated to their rooms, the once lively atmosphere fading into stillness.

I remained where I stood, my gaze locked on Velia's closed door.

Was I overthinking? Was she truly connected to them?

Another tick… tock… filled the silence, like a slow, haunting countdown.

However A gentle yet firm hand grasped mine, pulling me from my thoughts.

"What are you doing just standing in the hall? Let's head to our room—it's time to rest," the girl said, her voice soft but insistent.

I turned to see her eyes laced with drowsiness yet filled with concern.

For a moment, I hesitated, my gaze flickering back to Velia's door. The seal, the letter, the eerie connection to the forest—it all felt too coincidental. But right now, there were no answers, only questions circling in my mind.

With a quiet sigh, I nodded. "Yeah… let's go."

She smiled faintly and pulled me along, the warmth of her grip grounding me as we stepped inside our room. The dim glow of the lanterns cast long shadows across the walls, but the familiar space was a comfort.

As I settled into bed, the ticking of the grand clock outside seemed louder than usual—each second passing like a silent warning.

Sleep should have come easily. But in the darkness, my thoughts refused to quiet.

The traitor is one of us… and I need to find out who before they make their next move.