Cassius jumped in quickly , voice rough with panic . " You asked for proof , didn't you ? Then where is it ? You expect us to believe this berry proves anything ? " " I don't expect you to believe anything , " I replied coolly . " But I do expect you to listen . " I reached into my pocket and pulled out a small , crushed berry - the same one I'd picked up in the chaos . I placed it beside the bottle . " This fell from Reed's pocket during the fight ," I explained . " That's how I figured it out . He even admitted it , in front of Ronan and the others . They all heard him ." I gestured toward the berry , its faint scent still clinging to my fingertips . " Even squeezed and crushed , you can smell what was mixed into that cologne ." Alpha Jude leaned forward and brought the bottle to his nose . He inhaled , his eyes narrowing . A moment later , he looked at Alpha Gideon and gave a single , grim nod . Confirmation . Reed and Cassius visibly paled as I laid out every detail . Their six fellow Alpha companions might've stayed quiet so far , but if summoned to testify , they wouldn't risk lying - not in front of the Alpha instructors . Those idiots would confess before they were even asked just to protect their own standing . Reed and Cassius knew that . And judging by the panic flickering in their eyes , they were terrified . Alpha Jude narrowed his gaze , his voice a low snarl . " Is this true ? How dare you two stain the sacred legacy of this Academy with such vile behavior ? " Their gazes snapped to each other , exchanging a desperate look . Then Reed spoke , " It's all a lie , Alpha . He's making it up . We don't even know what that berry is . Never seen it before . " Cassius quickly backed him up , emboldened by the strategy . " Exactly , I've never seen that thing in my life . Hell , does it even grow in this region ? Is anyone here familiar with it ? " He glanced around triumphantly before locking eyes with me . " See , Darven ? Not even the Alpha instructors have heard of it . So how dare you throw around accusations based on something this absurd ? " For a brief moment , the instructors ' expressions shifted - uncertainty flickering in their Ah . So they wanted to play dirty ? Fine . eyes . I tilted my head slightly and gave them a razor - edged smile . " Of course you haven't seen those berries before … because someone else gave them to you . Am I wrong ? " Cassius ' face twisted . " Another baseless accusation ! " he shouted , but the crack in his voice betrayed his nerves . " Go on , then , " I said , voice silky - smooth . " Say their name . Or are you afraid of getting your ass handed to you for exposing them ? " Cassius flared like a bull ready to charge . " Don't try that smart - mouth shit with me , motherfucker ! I'm not afraid of any hierarchy- " " CASSIUS !! " Reed snapped , eyes wide with panic . But it was already too late . The corner of my mouth curved up slowly . " Interesting . I never said it was someone in the hierarchy , Alpha Cassius . " A hush fell All eyes turned on him , and I watched sweat break across his brow as the implication of his outburst sank in . Reed cursed under his breath and glared at me . " You really are a cunning mutt , aren't you ? " He stepped in close , teeth bared in frustration . " Provoking us into saying things we never meant to say ." " You mean like accidentally revealing that someone with rank was involved ? " I shot back , my tone deceptively light . " Cassius dropped the word ' hierarchy . ' And the only two involved in this mess with that kind of status are Alpha Ronan … " I paused , letting my gaze drift . 712 Cassius ' eyes flickered in panic . Reed glanced at Dante , saw the cold threat in his face , and instantly stepped between me and Cassius like a wall . He loomed over me again , chest heaving . " Shut your mouth . Don't drag Alpha Dante into this . He has nothing to do with us ! You got any proof , huh ?! Any at all ?! No ? Then keep your filthy mouth shut , liar ! " From the corner of my eye , I saw Ronan move . His presence , once calm and restrained , now bristled with power . The air around him thickened , darkened . But before he could step in- I gasped . Loudly . " Wait . Did you just call Alpha Ronan a liar ? " The whole room froze . Reed's bravado crumbled instantly . " N - No ! I - when did I ever say that ?! I didn't even mention him ! " A small smile appeared on my lips , " But it is Alpha Ronan who says that it was Alpha Dante . Denying his claim , are you not calling Alpha Ronan … " I paused and titled my head , " … a liar ? " The room fell into a dead silence . Reed's shaking eyes went to Ronan who pinned him with a blank yet challenging stare . I turned toward Ronan , walking slowly , deliberately , until I stood just in front of him . Our gazes locked . " Alpha Ronan , " I said softly . " Time to finish your job as a watchdog . I'm returning your prey to you , just like you wanted back then . " A slow srnirk curled his lips . " You really do know when to release the leash . " He stepped in , closing the last inch between us . " But I have a feeling … you will discard this dog later , saying you hate dogs , right ? " He read me . He caught me . I held his gaze , unflinching . " That depends . " My voice dropped to a murmur only he could hear . " Maybe I'll start liking the dog … if he shows me he's worth keeping . " Send Gifts 。