ALEXANDRIA

As the last of the casket was buried beneath the soil of our humble pack, tears pricked the back of my eyes once more. I let one final tear fall before I turned away from the sight, leaving the elders to tend to Alexei's final resting place. 

My pack members looked to me, most of them appearing as though they wanted to say something but were holding back their words. They, too, had tears glistening in their eyes. Despite having just turned eighteen, Alexei had been a remarkable leader to us all.

Everyone witnessed how he fought tooth and nail to earn our pack the respect we always deserved. Now, as the next in the direct lineage, I was poised to inherit the title of Alpha. However, despite the gradual evolution of the world around us, female Alphas remained unrecognized. Many women had attempted to claim the title, only for their packs to be dissolved and merged with the nearest, larger pack led by a man. This reality served as yet another reason why my brother's death remained a well-guarded secret within our pack.

As I stepped inside our house-where Alexei and I had grown up-an overwhelming sensation of suffocation enveloped me. His scent still lingered in the air, choking me with memories despite knowing that his presence had long since faded. I couldn't bear to remain there any longer.

I snatched my wallet and phone before rushing out the door. At that very moment, I found Mandy waiting for me with swollen eyes and a concerned expression. She was Ryland's mate, originally from one of the largest packs in the country. Yet, when she met Ryland, she didn't hesitate to defy her family's wishes and leave her former pack. Since her arrival here a year ago, she had become my closest confidant. 

"Are you going somewhere?" 

I pursed my lips and nodded. "I just need some space."

"I can accompany you, if you want," she offered. 

"I want to be alone." 

She opened her mouth to argue but ultimately nodded in defeat. "Please stay safe," she said softly.

I remained silent, merely nodding before walking away from the house that felt achingly empty. I wandered aimlessly, my feet directing me away from our territory, leading me to neutral ground-right where the notorious red district was located.

In our world, packs claimed their own territories, yet neutral grounds served as common business areas for all. I found myself standing at the entrance of a club, a place that Alexei had warned me to avoid. It was bustling with people, many from packs far and wide who traveled to this particular area to escape their responsibilities.

As the lights of the club assaulted my senses, I stepped inside, unsure if I was drawn by my grief or pure curiosity-perhaps it was a combination of both. 

The club's vibrant atmosphere blurred my vision even further, and as I attempted to take in my surroundings, I suddenly felt a hand snake around my waist, causing me to flinch and instinctively step back. Yet, the grip only tightened, pulling us into an uncomfortable proximity.

I turned to glare at the man, who wore a clueless smile and held a drink in his free hand. 

"A fresh face," he smirked. "This is what I like to see."

"Let go of me," I commanded, my tone icy.

"Do you want a drink?" he asked, his breath reeking, wafting unpleasantly into my nostrils. "The name's Matt, by the way." I instinctively covered my nose and pushed him away. However, judging by his scent and the commanding presence he exuded, it was clear I was dealing with an Alpha-and one who was strong.

His gaze roamed from my face to my neck, leaving me aware of the danger I was in. 

"I said, let go, or else," I reiterated, my voice more assertive this time.

He merely smiled, an unsettling glint in his eyes. "Or else, what, sweetheart? You have the face of an angel, you know that? You're also rather familiar."

I froze. If he was indeed an Alpha, there was a strong possibility he was attending Alpha Academy. Did he recognize my brother?

"I think I've seen you in my dreams," he added, a smirk playing on his lips.

What else could I have expected? 

Truth be told, aside from his natural commanding power, I was certain I was stronger than him. I was prepared to push him away once and for all, but before I could make my move, I felt a cold glass pressed against my lips, forcing me to swallow its contents against my will.

My eyes widened in shock, and with all my strength, I finally managed to push him away. 

"Sweetheart," he continued, still blissfully unaware of the hints I was giving him. "All the girls here want to sleep with me. You should be flattered that I'm taking an interest in you. Unless... you have a boyfriend." 

At that moment, I felt my senses beginning to dull, a strange fog swimming around in my mind. Frowning, I quickly realized that he must have slipped something into the drink. 

"Shit," I cursed under my breath, frustration bubbling up inside me. He smirked at my outburst, clearly ready to take advantage of his shitty move. 

What the heck did he give me? A wave of heat washed over me, making me feel things I had never felt before. Every second that passed fanned the flames of an unsettling awareness within me. 

"If you don't have a boyfriend," he continued, his grip tightening around my waist with a squeeze, "then you really have no reason to refuse me. Even if you do have one, I don't see him here, so it's okay." 

He was trash, utter trash. 

This encounter only solidified my belief that all so-called Alpha males were nothing but obnoxious, self-serving villains. I wanted to fight back, but the effects of whatever he had given me were binding my will. 

I glanced around the club, searching desperately for anyone who might offer help. But most people were lost in their own worlds, busy grinding against each other, and they didn't seem to find our interaction even slightly unusual. Then, through the haze of bodies and flashing lights, my gaze landed on someone standing at the entrance. 

In an instant, he captured my full attention. It felt as if the entire club had quieted down when he walked in. The overhead lights illuminated his path, casting a soft glow, and even though my vision was slightly blurred, I could make out the strong angles of his face. 

His lips were what captivated me the most, bold and inviting, and his scent-oh, his scent. It overpowered the foul odor that emanated from Matt, intoxicating me even further. 

Before I could process my own actions, I found myself walking toward him. His pink, rough lips remained the only focus in my hazy view, drawing me in like a moth to a flame. 

He halted in his tracks, and as I stood in front of him, my focus sharpened. My breath hitched in my throat. 

He was even more handsome up close. 

Then, without any forethought, I wrapped my arms around his neck and pressed my lips against his, surrendering to the moment.

ALEXANDRIA

What even prompted me to do this? 

I had never kissed anyone before, but in that moment, I was glued to his lips like I had done so plenty of times prior. It was just a mere pressing of our lips-frankly, because I had no idea how to kiss. However, the sparks that flared with that kiss felt just as intoxicating as I had read about in my favorite romance novels. 

I could feel the gazes of those inside the club boring into us, accompanied by gasps of surprise and the murmurs that rippled through the crowd. 

Whoever this man was, he seemed to carry an air of fame. Nobody batted an eye when Matt tried to assault me, but suddenly, when I kissed this mysterious stranger, everyone around us tuned in as if our moment was a live show. 

I pulled away after what felt like an eternity, though my wolf was whining inside me, begging me not to break the spell. 

But, just as quickly as I had pulled back, I found myself being pulled toward him again, and the simple pressing of our lips evolved into what felt like a full-blown make-out session. 

His lips moved against mine in a rhythm I struggled to match, as he kissed me like someone who had done this countless times before. I could even feel him smile against my lips, and for a brief moment, the world outside faded away. 

"What do we have here?" he murmured, breaking the kiss with a teasing glint in his eyes. "Another one of you desperate ones, huh? I can't even get a moment's peace in here." 

"Uh, what?" I stammered. 

He placed his hand gently under my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. Despite the darkness of his pupils, his honey-brown irises still shone through, captivating me. 

"Well, you aren't that bad to look at," he smirked, a mischievous glint glimmering in his eyes. "So, I'll give you what you want." 

Before I could comprehend what was happening, he grabbed my wrist and dragged me out of the club. The man who had been with him-sporting longer brown hair and striking blue eyes-saluted and shot me a smile that bordered on mocking. 

"Good luck," he said with a wink. 

I didn't have the chance to process his words or behavior before I was unceremoniously shoved into the passenger seat of a car, the door slamming shut behind me.

"What are you doing-" 

My words were cut short when he suddenly revved the engine and drove away from the club, my heart racing alongside the speeding car. My eyes widened in disbelief while he focused intently on the road ahead. 

Was I really going to be killed like this? 

"Who sent you this time?" he asked, his voice low and dangerous. 

My fear came to a sudden halt, replaced by a wave of confusion as I tilted my head to the side. 

"I don't know what you're talking about," I replied. 

"Classic line," he sighed, glancing at me momentarily before shaking his head in disbelief. "They even had you ingest something to intensify your scent and heat? Do your people honestly think I'd be fooled into believing you're my mate?" 

The car came to an abrupt stop, making my heart race, and I gasped as the seat was pushed back. 

"But I'll give you something in return for your courage," he chuckled deeply, and a shiver ran down my spine at the sound. Before I realized what was happening, I found myself no longer sitting in the passenger seat-I was perched on his lap. 

"I'll make you satisfied so you won't bother me again. Tell your people to stop pestering me, too. I don't have anything for you." 

After uttering those words, he placed his hand possessively on my nape, guiding me closer to him. Our teeth clashed in a painful display, but as I whimpered, he dove deeper, his tongue sweeping inside my lips and massaging the sensitive muscle. 

"Nnnghh," I couldn't suppress the involuntary sound that escaped me. 

He chuckled once more, the rumble vibrating through my entire body. 

"You seem to be enjoying this too much for someone who's supposed to be pretending." 

It felt like I was losing my mind; I had no clue what he was talking about, and my brain was turning into absolute mush. 

He claimed my lips again, exploring, and I couldn't keep up with his pace. Soon, I was gasping for air and found myself instinctively pushing against his chest. But he only continued to claim my lips, so I bit down on that soft muscle, making him groan and finally pull away. 

Breathless and utterly bewildered, I looked up to find his lip bleeding. 

"I'm-" 

I was about to apologize but then realized that this wasn't my fault. 

He wiped the blood from his lips, his tongue darting out to lick the area clean. My eyes followed the motion despite my best intentions, ignoring the heat radiating from my body. 

"Who even are you?" I exclaimed, frustration boiling over.  

He raised an eyebrow, shaking his head in disbelief. "Well, this is a new strategy. I never thought you would go the amnesiac route. You're telling me you don't know me?" 

I glared at him, even while still on his lap. "Not everyone knows a pompous, arrogant Alpha. In fact, I don't care who you are! You dragged me out here and kissed me!" 

He shook his head, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Your strategies are changing, I see. Whatever-I've already given you my lips. I'm not about to hand over anything else." 

Then, to my astonishment, he opened the car door and, without a hint of hesitation, shoved me away from his lap. I landed hard on the cold ground, my knees scraping painfully against the cement, blood rushing to the reddened area. 

I opened my mouth to unleash another tirade, but he simply tossed money over my body, leaving me speechless. 

"There," he said, an insulting smirk stretching across his face. "Use that to get home. And do me a favor-stop playing these roles. It won't do you any good, even for a pretty girl like you." 

With that, he slammed the car door, returned to the driver's seat, and peeled away, leaving a cloud of dust and dirt swirling around me. I glared at the back of the car, raising my middle finger high in the air. 

"Asshole!" I screamed into the emptiness of the deserted lot. 

I looked around, disoriented, realizing I didn't even recognize where I was. To top it off, my body was still heated from what Matt had given me, and my wolf's senses seemed impaired because of it-I couldn't even reach out to her. 

Still, I stood up from the hard ground, taking a deep breath to steady myself. 

"Alphas are really the worst," I muttered under my breath, walking away, all the while ignoring the lingering tingles on my lips.

ALEXANDRIA

"Goodness, Alex. Where have you been?" 

By the time I finally got home, the sun was already high in the sky. I had spent the night at a 24-hour cafe, indulging in far too many ice cream sundaes, hoping to sober myself up-or at least feel a bit better. To my surprise, I did feel better than I had the previous day. Along with that newfound sense of clarity, I was more determined than ever to seek justice for Alexei.

Mandy stood beside Ryland, her expression a mix of concern and exasperation. Kristina, Ryland's mother and my own maternal figure, gently placed her hands on my shoulders, her eyes inspecting my face and body with worry. "Are you okay?"

I let out a deep breath and nodded. "I'm fine." 

She bit her lip, hesitation seen across her face. "I heard from Ryland about your plan to go to Alpha Academy. I know it's atrocious that the Academy refuses to investigate what happened. However, we must consider your safety, Alex."

I turned to Ryland, causing him to bite his lip. I told him not to tell anyone just yet! 

Without responding verbally, I pulled open the drawers in the living room, grabbed a pair of scissors, and, without a moment's hesitation, snipped away a chunk of my hair, cutting it just above my shoulder-imitating Alexei's shoulder-length locks. 

The three of them gasped in unison. 

I then strode to the bathroom, focusing on my reflection in the mirror. I continued snipping away until all of my hair was the same length. After fishing out a hair tie from my pocket, I gathered my hair into a bun-a man bun, to be precise, a style that had become Alexei's signature look, and put on his glasses kept in the bathroom cabinet. 

The person staring back at me was both familiar and foreign. 

Alexei and I had shared a striking resemblance; his features were slightly sharper, his complexion paler than mine. My cheeks were naturally plumper, causing me to flush easily, and my lips were just a touch fuller. Yet, with the right concealing and contouring, anyone would have a hard time telling us apart. 

As I contemplated my reflection, a pang of sadness gripped my heart as memories of Alexei flooded back. I closed the mirror compartment, letting out a deep, calming breath, and returned to the living room where the three were still standing, stunned into silence.

Mandy covered her mouth, eyes wide with shock. "You really look alike." 

A small smile tugged at the corners of my lips despite the weight of the moment. "We're twins, Mandy." 

"You don't have to do this, you know?" Ryland's voice cut through the tension.

Mandy nodded enthusiastically, echoing his concern. "We can file a case with the police and have this investigated, Alex. I'll even call my parents to help us."

I hesitated, taking a moment to consider. Mandy, being from the Carnage Pack and a member of the influential Beta family, had a vast network at her disposal. She had severed ties a year ago, so her offer would cost her a lot. 

I just shook my head gently. 

"You don't have to do that, Mandy. Besides, the police wouldn't be of any help," I muttered. "There's no tangible proof of foul play, and even if there were, I'm sure someone at Alpha Academy would bury it quickly, without a trace." 

I recalled the times Alexei had called me, moments when I had casually asked him about how things were going. He often brushed off my concerns with a casual "I'm alright," but there were those fleeting moments during our video calls where I could see him flinching from pain. Come to think about it, I should have pressed him harder to tell me.

"This is the only way I can expose Alpha Academy and attain justice for his death," I asserted firmly. "I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I let this slip by without taking action."

"It's not safe," Ryland replied, desperation lacing his tone.

"I can take care of myself, you know? Among our group, I'm one of the strongest. I could give even Alexei a run for his money back then."

"We're not doubting your skills, Alex," Ryland insisted, his eyes earnest. "I'm worried because you'll be surrounded by Alphas-those with the highest egos and testosterone levels in the country. I trust you, but I don't trust them."

"Just the thought of handing you over to that school after everything that happened with Alexei is nerve-wracking. You don't even have any experience with men!" Mandy exclaimed. 

I pursed my lips, contemplating whether that was a jab at my lack of experience. Maybe it was. I could feel heat creeping up my cheeks as I recalled my interaction with that Alpha the night before. Clearing my throat, I quickly changed the topic.

"I'll be extra careful. You don't need to worry," I reassured them. 

"I told you-I'm not worried about you," Ryland said, frustration evident in his voice as he clicked his tongue. "I'm worried about the Alphas in that school. They might do something to you."

"What could they do that I can't handle?" I replied, standing tall. 

"You're pretty," Mandy interjected suddenly. I turned to her, raising an eyebrow in question. She scratched the back of her neck sheepishly. "Honestly, even as a woman, I've always found you pretty. Alexei, too." 

I tilted my head, contemplating her words. It made sense; we both had inherited our mother's delicate looks and physique. Alexei, with his shorter and lankier build compared to other men, was undeniably attractive in his own right. Meanwhile, although we stood at the same height, I was thinner yet curvier than he was. 

"Even with all of the effort you put into your transformation into a man, you're still so pretty, Alex," she continued, her voice growing more exasperated. "You'll get devoured at Alpha Academy." 

"They can try," I said dismissively, tuning out their warnings. "But they won't even get close enough to take a bite. I'll take out all their teeth before that can happen." 

Ryland visibly flinched at my words, his eyes widening as if he could vividly picture the scenario. "That makes me feel a bit better. I genuinely think you can do that." 

"Ry!" Mandy exclaimed, her voice scolding. "I told you we should convince her not to go through with this!" 

Kristina sighed, finally speaking up for the first time during this entire conversation. "I think Alex has already made up her mind." 

"You're right. Nothing is going to change my mind," I declared firmly, my voice cutting through the tension thickening in the air. 

I turned to Ryland with a decisive smile. "Tomorrow, you're going to be driving me to Alpha Academy."