Chapter 20: The killer

I stood frozen, my mind struggling to process her words.

She killed him.

She was the real culprit.

But before I could fully grasp the weight of it, she spoke again, her voice almost playful.

"And by the way… how did you know it was me?"

I clenched my fists, steadying my breath.

"The flowers," I started, locking eyes with her. "You were the first to know something was wrong with them. That alone made me suspicious."

Her smirk twitched, but I continued.

"That night, when the murder happened, I woke up—and you weren't in your bed. Then there was Riyami… you set her up to fool us, to make us believe she was the killer. But when we realized Riyami wasn't the one, you shifted the blame to Carl. You used him, didn't you? You knew he was close to that Beta student, so you planted the knife in his room, knowing it would lead straight to him."

Her expression darkened, but I wasn't done.

"And do you want to know how I really confirmed it was you?" I took a step closer. "Because I saw that knife before… under your bed."

Her breath hitched just for a second.

"From the moment I saw that dead man in the fountain, I suspected you. I let you in on our plans because I was waiting waiting for you to make a move."

I took another step, my voice unwavering.

"You thought you fooled us. But the truth is… it's you who's been fooled."

Then she smiled.

"You just made this fun."

A tense silence filled the room. The air felt heavy, suffocating.

Then, in a single breath, her expression shifted.

Gone was the smirk. Gone was the amusement.

Pure rage twisted her features.

"You think you're smart, don't you?" she hissed, her voice laced with venom.

Before I could react, she lunged.

Her hands wrapped around my throat, cold and merciless.

I gasped, instinctively grabbing at her wrists, but she was strong stronger than I expected.

My back slammed against the wall. My vision blurred as she tightened her grip.

"You should have kept your mouth shut," she snarled, her face inches from mine. "Now I have no choice but to silence you."

Black spots danced in my vision. My lungs burned, desperate for air.

I clawed at her hands, my nails digging into her skin, but she didn't let go.

This is it.

I was going to die.

No.

Not like this.

With the last of my strength, I threw my knee up hard hitting her stomach.

She gasped, her grip loosening just enough.

I didn't hesitate. I shoved her with all my might, sending her stumbling back.

I collapsed onto the floor, gasping, coughing, sucking in air.

She straightened, wiping the blood from her lip where she had bitten down from the impact.

I coughed, my throat burning as I forced myself to my feet. My vision swam, but I refused to show weakness.

She was still smiling that twisted, mocking grin.

Something in me snapped.

Before she could move, I slapped her.

The sharp crack echoed through the room. Her head snapped to the side, strands of her hair falling over her face.

She slowly turned back to me, her eyes burning with fury.

"Don't ever try me," I spat, my voice hoarse but firm. "Or you'll see your end."

For a moment, she just stared, her expression unreadable. Then, she laughed low and cruel.

"Oh?" she whispered, tilting her head. "You're finally showing your fangs… I like that."

I clenched my fists, my entire body trembling not from fear, but from rage.

"This isn't over," she said, wiping the corner of her mouth where my slap had left a mark.

"No, it's not," I shot back.

A silent understanding passed between us this was war.

She stepped back, her smirk returning. "Sweet dreams," she taunted before slipping out of the room, leaving me standing there, my heart pounding in my chest.

This wasn't over.

Not by a long shot.

Morning came, and we all gathered for breakfast at Alpha House. The usual chatter filled the air, but as I sat down, I could feel their eyes on me.

Someone finally spoke.

"What happened to the two of you?"

I didn't have to look to know they were talking about her too.

The bruises and cuts on our bodies were impossible to miss.

Before I could even think of a response, she smiled, sweet, innocent, angelic.

But I knew the truth. Only those who truly knew her could see past the mask.

"Oh, it's nothing," she said lightly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Just a little girl fight. We had a misunderstanding last night and… well, we worked it out."

She laughed softly, as if the whole thing was a joke.

I clenched my fists under the table.

The others exchanged glances, then nodded, accepting it without question.

Just like that, breakfast continued. Conversations resumed.

But I wasn't fooled.

And as she sipped her tea, her eyes flickered toward me, a silent warning hidden behind that perfect smile.

This wasn't over.

Not even close.