I took a deep breath and looked up to my Master. "It was just a show for Headmistress Vale. We needed to blend in with the other students’ behaviour."
Master scoffed. "A show?" he tapped the screen. "Does this look like a show to you? Does this look like acting? You kissed that boy with so much passion that anyone watching would know exactly what comes next."
I clenched my jaw at the insinuation. "That scene was edited. It happened at the Summer camp. We were in a hot tub with dozens of other students in the background doing worse than kissing. I didn’t corner a newly admitted student and start kissing him—this was to prove to the Headmistress, who was standing close to us, that we were under the influence of the drug."
Master let out a sharp breath and rubbed his temple. "You reported intelligence from the lead we gave you several days ago and promised to investigate the laboratory yesterday. Did you check it out? Give me something that will make me less angry with you."
I sighed inwardly, feeling a deep sense of shame. How could I explain that I’d slept until dawn—something that never happened to me as a chronic insomniac? And worse, that having a stranger in my room should have made sleep impossible, but last night had somehow been the best rest of my life?
"No, I couldn’t go yesterday," I said finally. "But I’ll check it out soon."
Master laughed bitterly. "Give me one good reason not to pull you out of Ravenshore and shove someone else into this operation."
"I fell asleep," I murmured.
"What?" he scoffed. "You fell asleep? You’re an insomniac."
"I know," my voice dipped. "There was someone in my room—the boy in the video."
"Wow!" Master chuckled dryly. "So, the same boy you kissed, spent the night in your bed and suddenly your trauma-induced insomnia vanishes? Are you hearing yourself?"
"Was it the sex?" he asked..."Oh, gods! Don’t tell me you..."
"Of course not!" I shot back, trying not to glare at him. "I don’t know how it happened, but I just slept through the night."
He exhaled through his nose. "Fine. We’ll table that," he crossed his arms. "But you do understand the optics, boy? You’re posing as an Alpha’s son, you’re representing his pack. This could damage his reputation. You’re our inside man, you cannot afford mistakes."
"I know," I nodded. "I’m going to get the lab checked out."
"No, you can’t do that again," Master shook his head. "Since a student just died, security would be tight for the next few days. It’s too dangerous. Wait until things die down."
"Headmistress Vale has requested warriors from the Alpha King," I added. "And I think she’s the one behind this video. I confronted her about the death of the student earlier today when we went to get the coroner’s report on the dead student."
Master’s expression grew more serious. "Making wild allegations without evidence is worthless. Up until now, we haven’t been able to link anything concrete to this Headmistress Vale. Maybe she’s clean. Our resources are so vast, it should have picked up something by now."
"The timing was perfect," I insisted. "And in the past, staff members who speak against her always suffer mysterious consequences afterwards."
Master nodded slowly. "Fine. Enough talk about her for now."
He came towards me, touching the cheek where his slap had landed. "I’m sorry for slapping you," he murmured. "Alpha Winters is putting enormous pressure on all of us, and I understand this isn’t easy.
He paused, studying my face. "Disguising yourself as his son to gather information... It’s not a simple assignment. However, you need to hurry up with whatever you’re doing there. I want you to be fine. We don’t need you attracting this sort of attention."
I nodded. "I’m trying my best, but nothing concrete is surfacing except random students dying or disappearing. But since I’ve discovered the laboratory, I’m sure it would answer some questions."
"Yeah," Master nodded. "About that, just like you said, we analysed the samples you sent, and it was indeed Lupine Euphoria."
He shook his head in disgust. "I don’t understand why the Academy is suddenly allowing students to engage in uncontrolled sexual activity . It’s fishy as hell, especially as one of the effects of this drug is forgetfulness. Continuous usage and these students would suffer from significant memory loss."
"My thoughts exactly. Although I have a theory, I need to find out more about it and give you feedback."
He nodded and placed his forehead on mine for a few seconds. When he pulled apart, he sighed. "Be careful, boy. If Vale did release this video, it means she’s onto you."
My lips curved into a slight smirk. "She’s always been suspicious of me."
"How about the boy you kissed?" Master asked, suddenly stepping back. "Is it serious?"
"No!" I frowned. "Goddess! No! It was just a show. I already told you."
"He’s spending time in your room..." Master said quietly. "And you keep getting worked up whenever I mention him."
"That’s because you’re overreacting. I’m not...I don’t like him in the way you think I do."
Master stared at me for a few seconds and then nodded. "I believe you, boy, but we’re not against you having a personal relationship. I don’t care if you like boys—"
"Even if you did, it’s not a problem, but right now, we cannot afford distractions. There’s so much at stake, even your life. So, can you stop being in the spotlight and concentrate on finding Richard Winters?"
"Good," Master nodded. "I have a meeting with Alpha Winters later today. The Academy invited him for the video, but he would handle that part. Hurry back to school before they miss you."
I bowed to him politely before walking to the door. As I walked out of the exit, towards the bushy path that would take me back to the Academy, someone brushed past me. It was one of the messengers—from his scent, I could tell it was the one Master always sent to me.
I felt him slip something into my coat pocket and whispered urgently into my ears.
"Information about Eamon Riggs."