Just A Taste Of Heaven

Chapter 16 - I Wanna Go Crazy

Levi had recovered from his injuries very quickly. Faster than he expected, given the severity of his injuries. This whole thing was bothering him a lot. Not that he had been ambushed, but that Alpha who had saved him. Why hadn't he claimed anything? Nothing was free and he owed his life and his cousin's life to this Alpha, it was a huge debt. He would be indebted to him for the rest of his life, but at the same time he knew that any Alpha in his right mind would use this to his advantage already. And yet... This Alpha hadn't identified himself and had just left without asking for anything in return. This was not normal. There was something else underneath this rescue, he could feel it. The question was what exactly?

After three days of rest, he had been able to return to classes and training. As for Mila, the situation was complicated. She still hadn't forgiven him for the fact that he had forbidden her to harass Faith. It was true that it was the first time he had used his Alpha voice against her, but he still found her grudging. It had been months now! He didn't understand Mila's obsession with Faith. It didn't make any sense! Faith had never tried to talk to him or do anything with him. Frankly, this fixation was becoming pathological. They had grown up together and yet before Faith, he would never have imagined she could behave like this.

Faith... Levi still couldn't believe his reaction when they first met. She had literally blown him off. Even though it hadn't pleased his wolf, nor his ego, he was now smiling every time he thought about it. Faith, this girl was a real mystery... Every Tuesday he would catch a glimpse of her. She was in a class in the same building as him. He had taken the habit of observing her, he hid in an alcove in which he was completely invisible and so he had all the leisure to spy on her every move. She was always smiling and friendly with the people she talked to. She wasn't really close to anyone in particular here at Basrch Academy, but she always had people coming to her for advice. She was always available to them. There was something solar about her, Levi couldn't deny that. He himself was intrigued by her, and she had become his dirty little secret every Tuesday afternoon.

Mila was still raging against Faith. Levi may have said that he didn't care about her, but she knew him better than he thought she did. She had seen the way he looked at her when he thought nobody could see him... That bitch had been very clever! She had played it well by accepting his rejection directly and being offended by his actions. Levi, like all guys, didn't like being rejected and it was even worse with him since he was an Alpha. But she would find a way to get rid of her! Levi had forbidden her to attack her directly but he had said nothing about sending others to do her dirty work! The problem was that Faith was impervious to bullies, unlike Nova.

So Mila had to find a more expedient solution with her. And in early February, she finally found the solution. The plan was foolproof. Just before an important game, someone stole all the cheerleading team's uniforms. Witnesses quickly accused Faith but due to the lack of physical evidence, the dean of the academy didn't even give her a warning. This was not enough! Alpha Owen, Levi's father, had to be involved.

When Mila learned that he would be coming to watch his son's game, she forbade the entire team to wear their backup uniforms. As Mila had anticipated, Alpha demanded an explanation from the coach about the Cheerleaders' inappropriate attire. Mila had jumped into the discussion to accuse Faith once again of being the thief. After all, several witnesses had seen her and besides, everyone knew that she was on the Velho University Cheerleaders team. James and Evan had backed Mila's story when Alpha Owen had asked them about it. They were two of the witnesses Mila had called. After hearing all the witnesses, he asked his Beta for advice, and they both decided to call Dean Johnson. While waiting for him, Mila took the opportunity to tell him that it was she who had worn the perfume the previous year and who had therefore tried to pass herself off as her son's mate. Alpha Owen remembered this incident, but Levi had handled the situation without his help. He and Arya didn't like it when someone like that caused trouble in their sons' lives.

The dean defended Faith fiercely, which annoyed Alpha Owen, his sister and Beta, Arya tried to calm him down. In the end, he ordered a disciplinary council against Faith in which he and Arya would participate. He also demanded that it be held as soon as possible.

Faith was surprised to learn that she had to go to the disciplinary board for a story about stolen uniforms. She had heard about it but had not really paid attention to it. Caleb offered to accompany her, which she accepted. Avery too but Faith knew she didn't want to go to Barsch Academy for fear of running into Logan, so she declined his offer, to Avery's great relief. Since they had shared their secrets they had grown closer and Caleb divided his time between them and his mate. A deep friendship welded them together.

The day had arrived rather quickly and Faith was already annoyed because she had not been given any elements to organize her defense. Faith was surprised to see Alpha Owen and Beta Arya present. In addition to them, Dean Johnson, Professor Morano (head of the law department) and Coach Barban (the cheerleader coach) were the other members judging her case. As soon as Faith heard Mila's testimony, she knew immediately that Mila had set her up! The only direct evidence was the key to the cheerleader's locker room being the only thing found in Faith's locker which was the only thing easy to slip in without forcing the said locker. Once again, the cameras had not worked as they had when her car burned down, a happy coincidence, one might say... Caleb's presence helped her to keep her composure, even if inwardly his anger was burning.

Levi was summoned to Faith's disciplinary board and despite all the testimonies against Faith, he had a hard time believing that Faith would ever stoop to such a thing. Unfortunately all this put him in a delicate position: questioning the honesty of his pack members, because yes all the witnesses belonged to his pack, for a lone wolf. When he met Mila's gaze, he understood that she was testing him too and he hated it, especially in front of his father and his aunt. He didn't like being put up against the wall and this was the case. He had to notice the finesse and the manipulation that she had shown. She knew very well how to play the politics of the packs for her shot. He had little choice but to side with her.

When it came time to vote on whether Faith was guilty or not, the vote was 3 for her guilt. Dean Johnson and Professor Morano had both voted in favor of Faith, which warmed her heart. As a last resort, Faith asked to be allowed to take her exams early to validate her second year, which was allowed by the academy rules and which the dean conceded to her before Alpha Owen could intervene. Unable to refuse any longer, the latter demanded that her exam section be arranged within the next few days, which did not give her time to prepare for them. Once her exams were passed, she was forbidden to set foot on the pack's territory ever again.

Three days later, Faith finished her exams, which she passed with flying colors. Alpha Owen and Beta Arya were waiting in the dean's office for Faith to finish.

"You have no idea what you've done." The dean warned them.

"Don't use that tone with me Dan, this may be your Academy but you are on my land and I am still your Alpha!" Alpha Owen growled.

"I mean no disrespect Alpha, but you have been blindsided by your daughter-in-law. Faith is an exceptional student. Not only is she incredibly brilliant, but she also shines. She is always willing to help those in need and many take advice from her. She will be missed by many here and many have already expressed their disagreement. I'm afraid this will impact your son and his future Luna." Dean Johnson reasoned.

"Aren't you overreacting a little?" Beta Arya asks her old friend.

"Go see for yourself if you don't believe me." He retorted.

Curious, Arya complied, followed by her brother and Alpha. When Faith came out of her last exam, she was exhausted and disgusted with the way she had been treated. Her mother had loved the Basrch Academy and well, that must have changed since then. When she left the room, all her teachers were there. They all wanted to say goodbye to her and had recommended her for an online course so that she could graduate and continue her education. They had a fundraising campaign to raise the money to pay for this course. Faith was very touched by their gesture and it was lost in her thoughts that she left the building.

Another surprise was waiting for her outside, a lot of students were standing in a row to greet her. They offered her a book that they had all signed and filled with anecdotes. It was too much for her and she could hardly hold back the tears. Alpha Owen and Beta Arya were surprised to see how many students were there to say goodbye to her. Indeed, she was more popular than they thought, and Alpha Owen understood his friend's warning.