My Alphas' Dark Desires
Chapter 198: Principal Whitmore’s Concern

Chapter 198: Principal Whitmore’s Concern

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Chapter 198

~Author’s POV~

~Principal Whitmore’s Office~

"Keep it together, Zoey," Principal Whitmore muttered to herself as she paced her office, voice low but tight with tension. "You’ve handled worse. This school has survived worse."

Her heels clicked sharply against the tiles, the only sound breaking the tension in the room.

The large windows behind her desk let in narrow beams of afternoon light, slicing across the polished surfaces and casting fractured shadows that danced along the bookshelves and filing cabinets.

But even the golden rays did nothing to soothe the pressure pressing down on her chest.

Her expression was drawn, every muscle around her mouth held in place like a dam against the rising wave of anxiety. Each footstep, each breath, betrayed the weight now sitting squarely on her shoulders.

This wasn’t just about school anymore.

It was about power, politics and survival.

If the Council of Alphas caught wind of what had occurred during the assessment tests, particularly the incident centred around Valerie Nightshade, it would be disastrous.

Investigations. Suspensions. Interrogations.

Possibly even school closure. It would look like gross negligence on her part—unfit to lead a school filled with the most powerful heirs in the supernatural realm.

Her entire leadership could be called into question. Her upcoming campaign for Regional Director? Dead in the water.

And in the middle of it all... was Valerie Nightshade.

Whitmore clenched her jaw and pressed her fingers against her temple. Her phone buzzed again in her hand. She answered without a greeting.

"Yes?"

She paused, nodding as the voice on the other end began to speak—an anxious report from the local geological division.

"No recorded fault line activity," the voice continued, "but there was a spike in heat signatures and minor tremors registered at the coordinates of the academy. Could’ve been a small surface quake or—frankly, we’re not sure."

"Could it happen again?" Whitmore asked quietly.

"Unlikely, unless something triggers it again. But we’ll keep monitoring the area."

She exhaled sharply as she ended the call and dropped her phone onto the table with a soft clatter.

Then she turned to her left, where Ms. Heart stood silently in the corner, her expression guarded, as a sleek black tablet clutched tightly to her chest.

"What report do you have for me?" Whitmore asked.

Ms. Heart stepped forward. Her heels barely made a sound as she kept her composure. "I apologize for whatever inconvenience this is bringing you."

"That’s okay," Principal Whitmore replied with a tight smile, rubbing the bridge of her nose.

"It is my responsibility as the principal to ensure that things are done correctly and that the students are living in the best possible conditions. I have parents calling me back and forth, asking about their kids’ safety. I’ve been through worse. So?"

"I understand," Ms. Heart said, unlocking her tablet. "Here are the findings from our school’s magical board. It is... inconclusive. Some believe a dormant power is at play. Some believe it is external interference, and some argue it could be a natural threat."

Principal Whitmore’s gaze sharpened as her fingers drummed lightly against her desk. "And you, what do you believe?"

Ms. Heart hesitated for a second, then glanced once more at the data on her screen. "Personally... I believe it could be elemental. Possibly fire or earth. But the odd thing is, none of the Alpha heirs currently enrolled have confirmed mastery over earth magic. No one can control Earth as it is not their element."

"And fire?" Principal Whitmore interjected quickly.

Ms. Heart gave a slow nod. "While Kai Draven was simply spectating at the time, one cannot definitively say if he influenced the outcome or... aided Valerie Nightshade’s team."

A long pause stretched between them, and Principal Whitmore crossed her arms.

"No," she said at last. "I believe that is incorrect. We had Fae among the duelling teams. Elemental energy could have come from one of them. Some of them are tied to nature’s pulse—forest, earth, and the like."

"You’re thinking the students rigged it themselves?" Ms. Heart asked carefully.

Whitmore shook her head. "No. They didn’t. Which raises the next question a detective would ask: What if it wasn’t them at all? What if it wasn’t an accident or a spell gone rogue? What if it was a witch’s attack—an outside interference—meant to distract us? Break our focus?"

Ms. Heart blinked. "A diversion?"

"Exactly," Principal Whitmore muttered. "If we were to believe that theory, then something or someone was trying to keep our eyes away from their true goal."

"And if it wasn’t that?" Ms. Heart tilted her head.

"Then we’re looking at another theory," Principal Whitmore murmured. "One that worries me even more."

She looked up slowly.

"It could’ve been an attack on Valerie Nightshade. One that was designed to look like a freak disaster. If you noticed, the tremors... the fire... the disruption... all of it was centred where she stood."

Ms. Heart’s lips parted in realization. "She could have died."

"We’re lucky all she got was a minor head injury. A few seconds later or a stronger surge and..."

"We could’ve lost her," Ms. Heart finished grimly. Then she lowered her voice. "But... what if it was her? What if Valerie caused that?"

The air in the room shifted.

Principal Whitmore went still.

Then, unexpectedly, she let out a short laugh. "No. That’s not possible. She’s not an heir. She doesn’t have witch’s blood. She has no connection to any of the ancient magics we monitor. And most of all—what would she gain from doing something like that after already winning?"

Ms. Heart nodded slowly, her voice steady. "You’re right."

Whitmore inhaled deeply and straightened. "So. Inconclusive. That’s what we go with. And for now... we keep this off the Alpha Council’s radar."

"But shouldn’t they be informed?" Ms. Heart asked, frowning. "If there’s an imminent threat—"

"Maybe. But if I tell them now, it’ll be my neck on the line," Whitmore said firmly. "It would reflect incompetence... especially this close to my campaign for regional director. I can’t afford that kind of stain."

Ms. Heart nodded obediently. "As you wish, ma’am."