Chapter 8 The Return of the White Wolf: Tessa's Reckoning

The next morning, Mr. Walter personally took Tessa to Navoris High. The principal, Mr. Lambert, was not only the head of Navoris High but also the city’s Director of Education. He was a busy man, not someone easily accessible. However, Mr. Walter’s reputation in Navoris carried weight, and the two waited in the principal’s office for his arrival. It wasn’t until after 11 a.m. that Mr. Lambert finally entered his office. Seeing visitors waiting for him, he immediately had his assistant invite them in. After listening to Tessa’s situation, Mr. Lambert looked troubled. With these grades, it’s not just Navoris High—even vocational schools wouldn’t want her! “Mr. Walter, I’ve never turned down a request from you, but this time, I really can’t help,” Mr. Lambert said hesitantly. “You know Navoris High is one of the most elite schools, with students aiming for Ivy League universities. With grades like these, it’s just too difficult. I suggest you try vocational schools or other regular high schools, but I doubt even they will take her.” Tessa had never wanted her grandfather to beg for her. She stood up and walked out without a word. Knowing her pride, Mr. Walter quickly followed. But before they reached the door, Mr. Lambert received a phone call from Nathaniel. “Mr. Walter, please wait,” Mr. Lambert called after them once the call ended. “I’ll accept Tessa into Navoris High,” he said, his tone suddenly changed. Even someone as seasoned as Walter was surprised by the principal’s abrupt shift in attitude. What happened? “Mr. Lambert, did I hear you correctly?” Walter asked, his voice cautious. “You did, Mr. Walter. I’ll arrange for Tessa to join a class right away,” Mr. Lambert assured him. He immediately called the academic director to handle Tessa’s enrollment. Tessa didn’t refuse, but she knew there had to be more to this sudden reversal. The academic director placed Tessa in the school’s lowest-ranking class, gave her a uniform, and introduced her to the twelfth-grade Class 8 homeroom teacher. “Mr. Hamilton, please take care of Tessa,” the director said politely. “Of course, sir. You can leave her to me,” Mr. Hamilton replied with a practiced smile. At a prestigious school like Navoris High, the parents of students were often powerful figures—teachers knew better than to offend them. The third period was Mr. Hamilton’s class. He brought Tessa to the twelfth-grade Class 8 classroom. “Everyone, we have a new student joining us today,” Mr. Hamilton announced. “Please give her a warm welcome.” Tessa walked to the blackboard and, with bold, fluid strokes, wrote her name: Tessa Sinclair. “Hello, everyone. I’m Tessa,” she said simply. The murmurs started immediately. “Isn’t she the Tessa who got expelled five years ago?” “Yeah, I think so! She used to be in my class.” “Didn’t she elope with a Rogue at twelve? And wasn’t there something about an abortion?” “It’s true! I heard—” “Alright, settle down!” Mr. Hamilton’s voice cut through the chatter. “Tessa, there’s an empty seat in the back. Please take it.” Tessa walked to the last row, ignoring the disdainful stares from her classmates. Class 8 was a general track class, home to students from influential families who couldn’t make it into the school’s honors track. These students weren’t afraid of causing trouble. After the third period ended, Queenie Locke, one of Winona’s lackeys, approached Tessa. “Tessa! It really is you! I can’t believe you had the audacity to come back to Navoris. If I were you…” Queenie sneered. Queenie had been Winona’s sidekick back in the day, often helping her torment Tessa. “Queenie, shut your filthy mouth,” Tessa snapped, her tone sharp. She was still sleep-deprived from tossing and turning in an unfamiliar bed the previous night, and now she had a pounding headache. “Who do you think you are, talking to me like that?” Queenie sneered, undeterred. “You’re just a useless nobody without a wolf. I could crush you with one hand!” She grabbed Tessa’s wrist, assuming she was still the meek, defenseless girl from five years ago. But Tessa’s eyes narrowed dangerously, a spark of menace flashing in her gaze. With a flick of her wrist, she reversed Queenie’s grip, twisting her arm backward. “Ahh—!” Queenie shrieked in pain. Tessa hadn’t even used her wolf’s strength. “I told you, I don’t want trouble, but I’m not afraid of it either,” Tessa said coldly, her voice steady but menacing. “Queenie, remember this—I’m not the same Tessa from five years ago. No one steps on me anymore.” She leaned closer, her grip tightening just enough to make Queenie squirm. “And don’t forget: everything you did to me back then, I’ll make sure you pay for it. Slowly. One by one.” Tessa let go and shoved Queenie backward. Queenie stumbled and fell to the ground, too stunned to react. Queenie was frozen in disbelief. How can she be this strong? She hasn’t even awakened her wolf! So how could she overpower me so easily? The way Tessa looked at her—it wasn’t human. It felt like the gaze of a predator locking onto its prey. For the first time, Queenie felt fear. I can’t let Tessa stay in Navoris. If she digs up what Winona and I did to her back then, we’re finished. As Queenie sat there, trembling, her mind unwillingly drifted back to that incident…