03: Framed For Theft

April’s POV

Last night, after everyone had retired for the night, I stubbornly returned to my room. However, Dorian had changed all the locks, sealing off everything except the maid’s room next to the kitchen.

I held onto the hope that things would improve. Dorian would overcome his grief, and he’d remember that I was his little princess, right? Shaking my head to shake off the uncertainty, I headed into the shower, aware that it was a school day. With things already difficult, the last thing I needed was a bad day at school.

Unlike my usual shower, all I could manage here was a simple wash. It didn’t take long for me to finish up. After dressing, I made my way downstairs for breakfast.

Entering the dining room, I halted at the sight of Dorian at the table with Susan, my stepmother. Dorian’s gaze met mine, and he promptly stood up, knocking his chair backwards.

“You made me lose my appetite,” he spat before storming out of the room. Susan’s eyes shifted to me, giving me a curt nod. 

I couldn’t help but notice that there was no other plate on the table. What was happening? Not only had they confined me to the servant’s quarters, but now I had to leave without food?

My stomach growled, protesting hunger. With no other choice, I slung my backpack over my shoulder, ready to confront the challenges awaiting me at school, and stormed out of the house.

****

When I entered school, it felt like all eyes were on me. Students pointed and snickered behind my back as I walked by. It was unsettling, but I kept my head straight and headed to my locker. I just needed to get through the day.

As I opened my locker to pull out books, someone suddenly slammed it shut. Thankfully, I withdrew my fingers in time to avoid getting them crushed. When I locked eyes with the culprit, I rolled my eyes and cursed silently. Of all people, why did it have to be her?

“What are you doing here, Paige?” I asked.

Instead of answering, she smiled, snatched the book from my hand, and tossed it on the floor. “Hello to you too, April.” Her eyes conveyed disdain, but I ignored it and picked up my book.

“What do you want?” I asked, well aware of Paige’s hatred towards me. She wasn’t here for pleasantries.

She chuckled and flipped her hair behind her. “Since you want to get down to business, I’ll gladly do so. A little birdie told me that the daughter of the former Alpha has been demoted to a mere servant, and judging by the looks of it, it doesn’t seem very far from the truth.” She cackled wickedly, but I ignored her and attempted to move out of the way.

“Well, you’ve had your fun. I need to get to class.” I said, trying to step past her, but she pushed me roughly against the lockers.

“You make me seem like a bad person,” she said in a high, mocking voice. “I just wanted to help you out and give you some money. Don’t you need some money?”

“I don’t need your stupid money. Stay away from me.”

People began to gather around us. I tried to maneuver through the crowd, but Paige grabbed my shirt and pushed me around violently. Unlike me, she had gained her wolf two years ago, and I couldn’t fight back.

“Thief! Give me my money back!” Paige yelled.

Wide-eyed, I protested, “What?! No! I didn’t steal anything. What are you talking about?” However, Paige continued shaking me violently, demanding her money. I tried to pry her fingers off my shirt, but other students grabbed me, thinking I was trying to escape.

“Let go of me! I don’t have your money. Let me go!” They held onto me tightly, and soon, I was dragged to the principal’s office despite my protests. I sighed sadly. Could this day get any worse?

As we waited for the principal, I saw Paige rub something beneath her eyelid, and soon, she was sniffing and making sobbing noises. I was astonished. What a liar!

My anger surged, desperate to give her a piece of my mind, but the principal stepped out of his office—with Dorian! A glimmer of hope flickered within me upon seeing him. Despite the turbulence at home, I knew he would support me against outsiders. Dorian valued loyalty.

I looked at him with a plea in my eyes, hoping he would get me out of this mess, but he turned away, acting like he didn’t know me.

“I was in a very important meeting with the Alpha, only to get a complaint that you were fighting in the hallway. Now, what is this all about?”

Before I could retort, Paige spoke up with fake teary eyes and a choked voice. “I am so sorry to bother you, Sir, but I was minding my business this morning, and she walked up to me. After she left, I realised the money I was holding was gone. I told her to return it, but she refused and tried to run away with it. Then the other students caught her and brought her here.”

“That’s not true!” I yelled out in frustration. “I didn’t steal her money. She’s a liar!”

The principal shook his head slowly and turned to Dorian. “I’m so sorry that you had to witness this.”

Desperation filled my eyes as I pleaded silently with him to intervene and vouch for my innocence. He knew I wasn’t a liar or a thief. However, he averted his gaze again.

“It’s okay. I understand that things like this can happen sometimes, but I believe I can help,” Dorian said, turning to me with an icy look that sent shivers down my spine. “Since she keeps denying that she stole the money, then she should be searched.”

Stunned by his words, I protested, “I didn’t steal anything, Dorian. I am innocent!”

Led by Paige, the girls grabbed me and immediately began to pat me down and search me while the principal, Dorian, and his Beta, Ivar, watched. Shame and humiliation engulfed me.

“Stop! I don’t have any money!” I pleaded. “I didn’t steal anything!”

I could still feel Dorian’s icy glare as I fell to his feet, yet he didn’t budge one bit. The last thing I would do is steal; Dorian had to know this. We had lived together for ten solid years!

“Well, it seems she doesn’t want to return the money,” Ivar said coldly. “I suggest the girls take her to the bathroom and search her thoroughly.”

Several hands grabbed me and pulled me away in no time, and I began to scream. “Why are you doing this to me? I am innocent. I didn’t steal anything! Dorian, you have to trust me!”

But my pleas were in vain. As the girls dragged me away, I saw Dorian turn his back on me. He abandoned me. I wished it were all a dream—that I could pinch myself and wake up to discover my dad was not actually dead, Papa was still alive, and Dorian was still Dorian. I had attempted this multiple times, but the painful reality persisted.

This was my new, heart-wrenching reality.