Return of The Alpha Heiress-Chapter 18: Clarissa – Two Beta’s Daughter

Our purple eyes—Luna Eileen’s and mine—met, and a gentle warmth spread through my chest. It felt familiar, even though this was only the fourth time we’d ever met.

Was this what people meant by a family bond?

"Will you move in and live with us?" she asked again, her voice soft and warm.

"I will."

I nodded. I finally agreed. I was choosing to step into a new world, one people called family.

...

Last night, I returned to the dorm because I didn’t have a uniform.

The three Green siblings were so excited when they found out I’d be moving into their house. Even the stiff, expressionless Larry smiled a little. Rare, right?

Luna Eileen said she would take care of all the family document transfers as soon as possible.

My belongings at Brown Pack would also be retrieved soon.

It still feels like a dream.

"Clarissa, are you thinking about Fina and her cronies?" Nadia suddenly tapped my shoulder, pulling me out of my thoughts.

I shook my head. "Why would I even think about them?"

"Their suspension ends tomorrow, but I saw them around the dorm this morning."

"I don’t care." I shrugged.

Talking about Fina reminded me of Oscar. My anger flared again at that shameless guy!

Even though I tried to avoid Fina, she clearly missed me.

When I was about to enter the dorm after class, a first-year student said the dorm supervisor was calling me to the garbage disposal area to discuss a cleanliness issue.

At first, I was confused. Why me? Shouldn’t this be the student council’s job?

But thinking it might involve someone from my class, I went. Since I’m the class monitor, I have to take responsibility.

So I headed to the garbage disposal building.

The disposal building was a roofless structure with multiple deep trash pits.

Only cleaning staff or students with teacher permission were allowed to enter.

So when I was able to open the door, all my suspicion disappeared. This must’ve been a call from a teacher.

But then—

Thud!

Something struck the back of my head. My weak body, unprepared for any attack, fell forward instantly.

"Long time no see, bitch!"

That voice—Fina!

I turned around and saw Fina with her four cronies... and one more unfamiliar face who wasn’t usually with them.

Fina and her cronies hadn’t officially returned to class yet. They were dressed in casual clothes.

Only that one girl wore a uniform.

Green eyes? Familiar. But I couldn’t remember where I’d seen her.

"While I was gone, you got pretty bold, didn’t you?!" Fina’s shrill voice snapped me back to her.

She went on and on, "You actually managed to put Larry Green under your feet so badly he begged Shannon Green to defend you. And because of you, Oscar got suspended!"

So she was here to avenge Oscar. But where did she hear that twisted lie?

Did Oscar distort the truth so he wouldn’t look bad in front of his fated mate?

My hands curled into fists. I didn’t want to hear another word from her. I pushed myself up.

Thud!

One of her cronies kicked me, knocking me back down.

"You want to get suspended again? No—you’ll be expelled if they find out you’re bullying me!" I shouted, my voice sharp with threat.

Fina stayed calm and then smirked. "I’m not stupid, Clarissa. All the surveillance orbs in the corridor outside are dead. And she—"

Fina pointed at the green-eyed girl.

"Arlisse Green."

"Green?" My mind raced. I remembered where I’d seen her—beside Larry!

I didn’t know their exact relationship, but with that name, she must be someone important in the Green Pack. Either the Beta’s daughter... or the Gamma’s.

Fina put her hands on her hips with smug pride.

"That’s right. She’s Larry Green’s fiancée. This time, Mrs. Willette—the can’t-tell-right-from-wrong old hag—won’t be able to say anything if Lisse gives us an alibi."

"So you finally used that shrimp brain of yours to come up with a plan?"

Instead of explaining anything to these deaf and blind people, I’d rather vent my irritation.

"And you, Arlisse Green! Do Larry and Shannon know you’re doing this?"

"They don’t need to know! Cleaning up trash that bothers the Alpha’s child is my job as the Beta’s daughter!" she barked like a dog.

Turns out even a Beta’s daughter in a wealthy pack can still have a shrimp brain.

"Enough talking. Hurry up and teach her a lesson!" Fina signaled to her cronies.

"Don’t you dare!" I yelled. "You’ll seriously regret it!"

"You planning to report us to Larry?" Fina snorted. "Too bad, we’ll make your face so ugly he’ll be disgusted just looking at you!"

"What are you even talking about, Fina? I’m Larry’s little sister, his biological little sister!" 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Even though I said I didn’t want to explain anything, I knew this was not the time to act prideful.

"Don’t spout nonsense!" Lisse snapped. "The only daughter of the Alpha family is Shannon, my best friend!"

"If you don’t believe me, call Shan—"

"No need to listen to her, Lisse. I’ll deal with her," Fina cut me off.

Her hand instantly shifted into a wolf paw with long claws.

A chill went down my spine. Especially when her cronies grabbed my arms.

Slash!

"Ahh!"

Pain. Blinding pain. Red. Blood.

Fina actually attacked me with her claws. I felt warm liquid drip down my cheek.

"You’re insane, Fina?!"

Thud!

I didn’t know who kicked or hit me next, but suddenly I was sprawled on the filthy floor. Dirty liquid from spilled trash seeped into my clothes, my hair, my face.

I heard Fina’s laughter echoing, followed by punches and slaps raining down on me.

Blood from the cut on my face streamed into my eyes, blurring everything.

At that moment, all my senses stopped working...

Only pain and anger remained.

Anger at them—

and anger at myself for being so weak.

I couldn’t do anything!

"Clarissa! Don’t you dare go after Oscar, Larry, or any other guy again!"

"An orphan like you should know your place!"

"You’re just a defective omega, no different from a slave!"

My body hurt everywhere. My chest felt tight. Everything was falling apart.

And yet—I just gained a new family.

My family! They could help me.

With whatever strength I had left, I lowered my hand toward my pocket to grab my com-orb.

"Ak—!" Another punch struck the unprotected left side of my face.

It didn’t matter. As long as I could turn the com-orb on.

Without looking, I pressed button number one—the shortcut to Luna Eileen.

"That’s the com-orb Larry Green gave her!" Fina shrieked.

She snatched it from my hand, but I saw the connection go through even though Luna Eileen didn’t answered yet.

Crack! Lisse grabbed the com-orb and smashed it against the ground.

The cracked device was then crushed under her heel until it shattered completely.

...