The Triplet Alphas's Christmas Gift

Chapter 11 - Conversations

Teira's POV

Tyler didn't even give me a chance to protest, not that I would have. This was humiliating! Who could hate me so much that not only would they arrange an attack on me, but film it then put up posters all over my locker?

I knew I wasn't liked but to go this far.

Tears were still streaming down my cheeks as we entered Principal Taylor's office. Didn't even need to knock; Tyler threw the door open after glaring at the school secretary, who tried to protest.

Principal Taylor was a gentleman of middle age, with graying brown hair tied back into a ponytail and glasses covering his blue eyes. He looked up seriously and held up a finger as we strode into the room, "I don't care about what the pep squad needs, until further notice, no one is allowed to use school resources for anything. Understood? Good." he said into the phone before hanging up.

He sighed and turned his kind eyes towards me; I flinched and hid behind Matt; I didn't want his pity. Kyle nudged me a bit from behind, and Ryan stood at the side of the chair facing the principal's desk, nodding for me to take a seat.

Principal Taylor looked at me gently, "I'm aware of what happened here yesterday, Teira. Rest assured, I will do everything in my power to find the people behind the attack. We do NOT tolerate this at school. However, I will need a formal complaint from you to investigate. Will that be alright?" he asked gently. I nodded numbly, I couldn't believe this was happening to me.

Ryan looked at the principal crossly, "If you had just started investigating yesterday when we reported this to you, this wouldn't have happened in the first place." he growled and Taylor sighed, "I'm sorry Alpha, but as you know I can't go around accusing students of something like this without proof and, as you saw yesterday, the cameras didn't catch much. Whoever did this knew how to get around them. Without a complaint or proof, my hands are tied." he explained patiently.

I flinched, they didn't tell me they had gone to Principal Taylor already. I flushed angrily; I had told Kyle I didn't want to draw more attention to myself, and the triplets decided to go and humiliate me anyway?! No wonder the posters had been plastered to my locker!

Tyler placed the flyer with the link on the principal's desk gently, glaring at it angrily, "Is this enough proof for you?! It was on her locker!" he growled and Principal Taylor looked at me sadly, "I was made aware of this earlier this morning, I'm looking into who made and plastered the locker with the posters and just discovered the school's copier in the teacher's lounge was used to make them. Only a few students have permission to enter there. In the meantime, the janitor is taking the posters down and you will be given another locker. But I would like your statement on what happened yesterday so I can bring it before the Alpha." he said gently.

I sighed, this was why I didn't want to come to him in the first place. I'd not only have to relive what happened yesterday again, but the Alpha was sure to announce it to the pack as well. It would be the latest gossip for several weeks if not months, and my parents would punish me for bringing down their reputation.

Matt stood behind me, rubbing my arms soothingly, "Teira, he can't help if you don't say anything." he whispered and I shuddered. I didn't want to bring more punishment down on my head, Kyle walked over to the Principal, "Is there a way you can report this to the Alpha but leave her name and face out of it? It's embarrassing enough for her already and we'd rather her not be humiliated even more in front of the pack." he asked and Principal Taylor looked at me sharply, "Is that something you'd want me to do Teira?" he asked gently and I looked up at him with tears trickling down my face.

I nodded, and Ryan handed me a tissue from the box on the desk, "We'll make sure your identity is kept a secret. Though quite a few students saw the fliers this morning, so there's still a chance it'll get out." he warned, and I blew my nose quietly. Tyler squeezed my shoulder gently, "We'll take care of it, don't worry." he stated and I looked at him sharply. I didn't know how, but I could see the determination in his eyes; they were going to make sure my identity didn't get out.

I took a deep breath and nodded. Looking at the boys for support, I straightened my shoulders and sat back calmly. Principal Taylor took out his phone and hit record, "Begin whenever you're ready." he said.

So I did, I described the attack from when I left the cafeteria yesterday to walking down towards the library, to when the group had jumped me and dragged me to the dark corner away from the library so anybody curious wouldn't come investigate. I explained what I could remember, from what the boys looked like to a couple of the taunting girls' faces. I wasn't popular so I didn't know most of the students at school.

When I got to the part about what one of the girls said about 'making sure Teary was taught a lesson' Matt growled. Principal Taylor paused the recording and all eyes turned to him, "That was what I heard Whitley Pierce call you yesterday before she pushed you down." he said angrily and Kyle glanced at me confused, "Whitley Pierce? The Beta's daughter? Tei, has she been bullying you?" he asked.

I clamped my mouth shut. Whitley had been using me as her verbal punching bag since freshman year, but she had power and influence on her side. If I had reported her, the bullying would not only have gotten worse but I would have been called a liar and made to apologize to her publicly by my parents. Mom, in particular, was great friends with Whitley's mother and would have refused to believe me.

Kyle glared at me, but I glared right back; I would not be intimidated by my own brother. Principal Taylor clapped his hands, breaking the staring contest, "We'll come back to that. Continue with your statement, Teira." he said as he restarted the recording. I nodded and continued, trying to stay numb as I recalled the attack in as much detail as possible.

When I finished, he nodded. "Thank you, Teira; it took a great amount of courage to come forward willingly. Even at the cost of more humiliation. I promise you I will get to the bottom of this and I will be informing the Alpha of the situation as well as ask for your request to remain anonymous. I will keep you updated on what happens. Would you like me to call your parents?" he asked gently but I shook my head no.

"I already missed quite a bit of studying for finals yesterday; I need to stay at school today, but thank you for your concern. Can you please direct me to my locker? I need to get my books for class." I said quietly, and he nodded, sliding over a piece of paper with my new locker number and combination. "I've linked your teacher to let her know you'd be late due to our meeting so you won't be counted absent. Head on to class now and please come back if you remember anything else," he said as I stood up.

I nodded and headed for the door, Kyle following behind me, "I'll walk with you, Tei. We need to talk." he said quietly and I huffed. He was going to grill me about Whitley, I could see it in his face. I nodded tiredly, knowing I couldn't argue. The triplets stood but didn't move towards the door, "We've still got some things to discuss with the principal. But we'll see you at lunch, Teira." Ryan said kindly. I nodded; just as I was about to open the door, I felt a push on my mind, and a voice flittered through.

Any more trouble Teira, and you link one of us. Understood? No matter how insignificant you think you are, we want to know. Tyler's voice stated firmly. I glanced at him warily, what did he mean by that?

I want your promise, princess. Link me back to let me know you understand what I'm saying. he stated firmly his gray eyes had gone steely.

I glared back but found the link to him quickly, Fine, I promise. But I'm not some damsel in distress. Don't expect me to link unless I'm truly in trouble. I vowed. He growled but nodded huffing. Tyler didn't like to be talked back to when he was being serious, it seemed.

Matt hugged me from behind, and I stiffened but didn't push him away; he made me feel safe and warm, so his hug wasn't unwanted. "See you later," he said and I nodded, following Kyle out of the office and down the deserted hallway.

We got halfway down before he slowed, then turned to me quietly, "Why didn't you tell me about Whitley?!" he asked huffing. I shrugged, "There's nothing you could have done about it, plus she would've just denied it and made my life even more miserable than it already is. Plus, her mom is friends with Mom. They would have punished me for accusing Whitley of bullying plus made me publicly apologize. I didn't want the extra punishment before break." I murmured so my voice wouldn't carry down the hall.

Kyle snorted, "She's fake as the day is long. Everyone can see that, but I get what you're saying about our parents. I'm just angry you didn't tell me. Tei, how am I supposed to help if you don't speak up?!" he asked.

I walked past him toward my classroom, "There are some things you can't help me with, Kyle. But I love you for protecting me as much as possible." I tossed it over my shoulder before walking into class.