ISLA'S POV
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I ran across campus like my life depended on it.
Because it did.
The Dean's building loomed ahead—all glass and stone, built to intimidate students like me. Rich wolves walked in and out casually, like they belonged. Like they owned the place.
I burst through the doors, breathless and terrified.
"Miss Monroe," the secretary said coldly. "You're late."
"I came as fast as I could—"
"The Dean doesn't appreciate tardiness." She pointed to a door. "He's waiting."
I smoothed down my hair and tried to calm my racing heart. Whatever complaint had been filed, I'd handle it. I always handled things.
I knocked twice and entered.
Dean Whitmore sat behind his desk, his grey hair perfectly combed, his expression unreadable. But it was the other person in the room who made my blood run cold.
Sera Blackwood.
She sat in a chair across from the Dean, her silver eyes gleaming with satisfaction. Her midnight hair was styled perfectly, her designer clothes screaming money and power.
Everything I wasn't.
"Miss Monroe," the Dean said. "Please sit."
I sat, my spine straight, refusing to show fear. "What's this about?"
Sera smiled like a snake. "Tell her, Dean Whitmore."
The Dean folded his hands on his desk. "Miss Blackwood has filed a formal complaint against you. She claims you've been harassing her boyfriend, Kai Ashford, in an attempt to seduce him for money."
My mouth fell open. "What?"
"She says you've been following Mr. Ashford around campus, showing up at his favorite locations, and making unwanted advances." The Dean's eyes were hard. "These are serious accusations, Miss Monroe."
"That's insane!" I stood up, my wolf snarling inside me. "I've never even spoken to Kai Ashford! I avoid people like him!"
"Liar," Sera said sweetly. "I have witnesses who saw you at the coffee shop he frequents. At the library where he studies. Even outside his home."
"I work at that coffee shop! I study at the library because it's free! And I've never been near his house!"
The Dean held up his hand. "Miss Blackwood has provided photographic evidence."
He turned his computer screen toward me. Photos. Dozens of them. Me at the coffee shop. Me at the library. Me walking down streets near the expensive part of town where Kai probably lived.
Someone had been following me. Photographing me. Building a case.
"This proves nothing," I said, my voice shaking. "Those are public places—"
"There's more." Sera pulled out her phone. "Text messages from a blocked number. Messages begging Kai to give me a chance. Saying I'm desperate for money. That I'll do anything."
She showed the Dean her screen. I couldn't see it, but his frown deepened.
"I never sent those!" Panic clawed at my throat. "This is a setup!"
"Of course you'd say that," Sera said, examining her nails. "Poor scholarship girl tries to trap a rich Alpha, gets caught, plays victim. It's pathetic."
"Why are you doing this?" I demanded, turning to face her. "I don't even know you!"
"You don't need to know me." Her smile turned vicious. "You just need to stay in your lane. Away from people who actually matter."
The Dean cleared his throat. "Miss Monroe, given the evidence and your... financial situation, this paints a concerning picture."
"My financial situation?" I couldn't breathe. "So being poor automatically makes me guilty?"
"It provides motive," he said carefully.
I wanted to scream. Wanted to shift and tear this office apart. But that's exactly what they wanted—proof that I was unstable, dangerous, unworthy of being here.
"I want to see these text messages," I said through gritted teeth. "I want to see the metadata, the phone records, everything."
Sera's smile faltered for just a second.
"That won't be necessary," the Dean said. "I'm placing you on academic probation while we investigate. You're also barred from attending the Lunar Gala tomorrow night."
"What? No!" Missing the Gala meant automatic probation, which meant—"If I'm already on probation, missing the Gala will get me expelled!"
"Should have thought about that before harassing my boyfriend," Sera said, standing up. "Come on, Dean Whitmore. We both know what she is. Packless trash trying to climb the social ladder on her back."
My wolf exploded inside me. I felt my eyes flash gold, felt my canines extend. The change was coming whether I wanted it or not.
"Miss Monroe, control yourself!" the Dean barked.
I dug my fingernails into my palms, using the pain to push my wolf down. "I'm in control."
"Barely," Sera laughed. "See? Unstable. Dangerous. Exactly what I told you."
She walked to the door, then paused. "Oh, and Isla? Don't bother crying to anyone about this. Everyone knows scholarship students are desperate. No one will believe you over me."
She left, her designer heels clicking on the floor.
I stood there, shaking with rage and fear. "Dean Whitmore, please. You know my academic record. I've never caused problems. This is all—"
"You're dismissed, Miss Monroe. We'll be in touch about the investigation." His tone said he'd already made up his mind.
I walked out of his office in a daze. The secretary smirked at me. Students in the hallway whispered as I passed.
They already knew. Sera had made sure everyone knew.
I made it outside before my legs gave out. I sat on a bench, my head in my hands, trying not to cry.
Everything I'd worked for. Four years of perfect grades, brutal hours, constant sacrifice. All about to disappear because some rich girl wanted to destroy me for fun.
"Isla?"
I looked up. Riley stood there, her rainbow-dyed hair bright in the sunlight, her face concerned.
"What happened?" she asked. "Everyone's saying—"
"It's all lies," I whispered. "Sera Blackwood is framing me for something I didn't do."
"Why would she—" Riley stopped. "Wait. Sera Blackwood? As in Kai Ashford's girlfriend?"
"Apparently."
Riley sat down next to me. "This is bad."
"I know."
"No, you don't understand." She grabbed my arm. "Kai Ashford just got called to the Dean's office too. Same time as you. Someone's playing both of you."
My head snapped up. "What?"
"My roommate works in admin. She heard Kai got accused of harassment too. Against some other girl."
Ice flooded my veins. "Sera's setting us both up."
"But why?"
Before I could answer, my phone buzzed. Unknown number again.
I answered without thinking. "Hello?"
Heavy breathing. Then a female voice I didn't recognize, distorted somehow.
"Stay away from him, or the next complaint won't be fake. We'll make sure you disappear for good."
The line went dead.
I stared at my phone, my hands trembling.
"Isla?" Riley's voice sounded far away. "Isla, what's wrong? You're pale."
I couldn't speak. Couldn't move.
Someone had just threatened my life.
And I still had no idea who "him" was.