Scarred Wolf Queen Chapter 184

**Briony's POV**

Walking through the front door, we immediately spotted the drama unfolding in the living room. Victoria was practically throwing herself at the triplets, who were doing everything possible to avoid her without being outright rude.

Maxwell stood by the bookshelf, suddenly very interested in pack history. Christopher had his phone glued to his face like his life depended on it. Benjamin? He'd migrated to the far window and turned his back to the entire scene.

"Why won't you guys talk to me?" Victoria's voice had that whiny edge that made my teeth hurt.

"We're busy, Victoria," Maxwell said without looking up from his book.

"Busy with what? Nothing's more important than spending time with me!"

The three of us exchanged looks and tried to sneak past this mess. No such luck.

"Oh, I get it now!" Victoria whirled around, spotting us. "You're just waiting for them to come back!"

Christopher sighed. "Victoria..."

"I don't care!" She stamped her foot like a five-year-old. "I'm perfect for you guys!"

"Dinner's ready!" Luna Isabella's voice cut through the tension like a knife. "Everyone to the dining room."

Victoria wanted to keep going, but she wouldn't dare mouth off to Luna Isabella. She shot me a death glare before stalking toward the dining room.

Dinner was blissfully peaceful. Luna Isabella asked about our day, and I kept it vague.

"Just organizing some files. Nothing exciting."

It wasn't that I didn't trust her, but we needed to handle this ourselves first.

When we headed upstairs after eating, all five boys followed us.

"Seriously? What's with the escort?" I asked.

"Did you see that crazy display downstairs?" Ethan looked genuinely disturbed. "She's probably lurking somewhere, ready to pounce."

"Pretty much," Noah agreed. "She's like gum on your shoe - impossible to get rid of."

I rolled my eyes but let them in anyway.

They made themselves at home immediately. Maxwell claimed the couch, Christopher took the window chair, Benjamin leaned against the bookshelf, while Noah and Ethan just plopped down on the carpet.

"You guys act like you live here," Freya laughed.

"We basically do," Ethan said matter-of-factly. "Right, Tiny?"

I ignored him and started putting away our school stuff. The boys eyed our bags curiously but didn't ask questions.

"Victoria was seriously unhinged today," Noah complained. "She's been following us around since this morning."

"What was she saying?" Sophia asked.

"Crazy stuff," Christopher shook his head. "Like how we're 'destined to be together' and the Moon Goddess is gonna make us mates."

"Is she brain-damaged?" Freya's bluntness made everyone snort.

"Your guess is as good as mine," Maxwell sighed. "We've just been dodging her all day."

"Poor Ben," Ethan grinned at Benjamin. "She almost tackled you this morning."

"Don't remind me," Benjamin's face darkened.

"Dude, your expression was priceless!" Noah was practically crying with laughter. "Like you'd seen the grim reaper!"

"Felt like it," Benjamin muttered, which only made everyone laugh harder.

"Speaking of which," I remembered, "where are Cyrus and Mark? Thought they were coming."

Ethan checked his phone. "Cyrus texted - they're stuck in traffic. Said don't wait up."

"Whatever. Nothing urgent anyway."

We spent the next couple hours just talking. The boys vented about Victoria's various insane behaviors while we shared some of the funnier moments from school - carefully avoiding our real discoveries.

"Victoria's dad was acting weird today too," Ethan mentioned casually.

"How so?" I tried to sound uninterested.

"Making phone calls all day, yelling at someone. Looked pissed off about something."

The three of us exchanged quick glances. Clearly, kicking him out of his office had really gotten under his skin.

"That whole family's messed up," Noah yawned.

Time flew, and soon Sophia was dozing against my shoulder while Freya fought to keep her eyes open.

"Let's just crash here," Noah suggested. "Wouldn't be the first time."

"Good idea," Ethan immediately agreed. "Saves us from Victoria knocking on doors at 3 AM."

"She actually does that?" Freya looked horrified.

"You have no idea how crazy she gets," Christopher said. "Last month she climbed up to my window in the middle of the night."

"That's terrifying!" Sophia was wide awake now.

"Why d'you think we all lock our windows?" Maxwell said.

So we settled in for the night. The boys found their usual spots with practiced ease.

"The bed's ours," I declared. "Figure out your own arrangements."

"Yeah, yeah," Ethan was already stretched out on the carpet with his pillow. "Your bed's always been off-limits anyway."

We squeezed into the big bed. A bit cramped, but warm.

"This feels weird," Freya whispered. "So many people in one room."

"You'll get used to it," I laughed quietly. "They do this all the time, especially when Victoria's being extra psycho."

The room gradually went quiet except for steady breathing. I had a feeling Benjamin was still awake though - positioned where he could watch both the door and window.

The next morning, slight movement woke me. Maxwell, Christopher, and Ethan were quietly gathering their stuff.

"Where're you going?" I mumbled, rubbing my eyes.

"Border patrol," Maxwell whispered back. "Things have been restless lately."

"What about us?" Noah sat up.

"You and Ben stay," Christopher said. "Keep an eye on things."

"Why us?" Noah protested.

"Because you two have the least to do," Ethan said bluntly.

They slipped out before anyone could argue. I checked the time - 6:30 AM.

"Go back to sleep," Benjamin said quietly. "Still early."

But I was already awake. I got up to wash my face and brush my teeth.

When I came back, everyone else was up too. Freya was organizing yesterday's materials while Sophia reviewed our plans.

"What's on the agenda?" Noah asked.

"Back to school," I said. "If you guys have stuff to do, don't feel like you need to babysit us."

"Nothing pressing," Benjamin said simply. "We'll come along."

"Yeah," Noah agreed. "Curious what you're really up to anyway."

No point arguing. They'd just follow us regardless.

After breakfast, the five of us headed to school. The morning campus was quiet - just a few early students jogging around the track.

The second we walked into the office, Freya went straight to the computer.

"Just like I thought," she said after a few minutes of typing. "Someone messed with this thing."

"What do you mean?" Noah leaned over her shoulder.

"Someone broke in last night," Freya's fingers flew across the keyboard. "Wiped the hard drive clean and reinstalled everything."

"How's that possible?" Sophia checked the door lock. "No signs of forced entry."

*Hold up,* Freya said through our mind link. *The microphone's on.*

*What?* I nearly jumped.

*Someone's listening to this room right now. And there's probably still that surveillance I mentioned yesterday.*

*What do we do?* Sophia asked.

*Act like we don't know. Keep talking normally.*

"Must've been a system update or something," Freya said out loud, shrugging. "Probably automatic."

"That's good then," I played along. "Let's keep working on those files."

*You two walk around and distract anyone watching,* Freya continued through the link. *But don't make it obvious.*