Bride of the Cursed Alpha (Auren and Lucien)

Chapter 184

Chapter 184

Tamara POV

Confused, I hurried over to the beachball practice area. The beachball practice area was set in a spacious park, just a short walk from the main campus. It was an open, flat patch of grass near the edge of a sandy field. The ground was smooth enough to keep the ball bouncing steadily, but there were a few patches of uneven terrain. A large net stretched across the field, marking the boundaries of the practice area. Laughter of the team as they tossed the ball back and forth sounded as I neared them.

On one side, a few benches lined up where some of the team members gathered. Some of them sprawled out on the grass, chatting idly, while others stayed focused on warming up or stretching.

Coach Dana stood in the center, her arms crossed tightly across her chest. As soon as she saw me, her expression hardened. "Tamara Vaslof?"

I nodded. "Y-yes. Good afternoon."

"You're late," she snapped, glaring at me. "Do you have an explanation for that?"

I swallowed, pulling out my phone and showing her the message from the coach. "I received this two days ago from you. I thought it was real," I stammered, my hands shaking as I handed her the phone.

She read the message, and her frown deepened. "This isn't from me," she said flatly, throwing the phone back into my hands. "Who did this? Why would you try to mess with the team like this?"

I froze, not knowing what to say. "I-I didn't—"

She cut me off, her voice cold and sharp. "I don't want to hear it. You think this is some sort of game? You think you can just waltz in here and make a joke out of the team? You're wasting my time, Tamara."

Tears stung my eyes, but I fought them back. "If you haven't sent me the message, then who sent it from your number Coach Dana?"

"How am I supposed to know?" she said, getting impatient.

Dread ran down my spine. The thing was turning mysterious by the minute. But one thing was there someone was messing with me big time. And I had to find out who that was.

line, and don't ever do something like this again," Coach Dana grunted. "Do you know I can report you for accusing

eyes. A couple of them whispered to each other, and I could hear the snickers. "She's such a mess. She is accusing the coach of such a huge issue," one of them muttered. I tried to ignore them, but it felt

eyes. They weren't the eyes of teammates. They were the eyes of people who thought I didn't belong. And maybe they were right. I so wanted to get out of this

fumbled with the ball again, my hands slick with sweat. I could feel my face turning red, and I tried to shake off the embarrassment, but it stuck to me like a second skin.

was going wrong today. First the situation with Tulip and Matt, then the message, then the way the coach had looked at me, like I was some kind

things and rushed out of the park. I needed to talk to someone, figure out what was going on. But ! wasn't sure who to turn

way to the admin block, hoping to get some answers. When I arrived, I was directed to the office for the athletic director. The office was clean, sterile-too cold explaining a lot about the person who

enter.

in," a

opened the door, the director, a woman with short

1/3

I could switch from the beachball team to the basketball team. I've had some trouble with practice lately, and I think basketball might be a better

unreadable. "We don't usually allow mid- season switches.

my heart sink. "But I had applied

details and checked my particulars. Taking a deep breath she looked at me with a touch of sympathy. "I understand your frustration, but you signed up for beachball. It's clearly written here. If you want to try basketball next season, we can discuss that. But for now, you need to

I was lost in a world of confusion,

my door behind me. I walked to my desk and sat down, trying to focus on my assignments. But even as I did the work, my mind kept wandering back to Matt, to Tulip, to Coach Dana and the events of the day. It felt

ached, but I didn't know why. Was it because of the bond we shared? Or because he'd been avoiding me for the past few years? Either way,

our mate, Angel sighed in my mind. 'It's impossible

reject him soon. In fact I will reject

no. Please...' she whined.

this constant turmoil because

at ease. I glanced at the clock. It was almost time for dinner. Just as I was about to leave, a knock came

*Tamara?"