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."

ALEXANDRIA 

I stared at my reflection in the car mirror while Ryland drove us to the Academy. Mandy was in the backseat, singing along to the latest viral songs on the radio. 

Mandy had cut my hair evenly and placed it in a lazy half-up and half-down. She had also concealed my naturally rosy cheeks and lips, so I looked even paler than usual. Along with that, she contoured my face to make it more angular, also giving me tips so I could do it on my own when she wasn't around. 

With this get up, I truly looked like my brother. His glasses were also perched on the bridge of my nose, adding to the look. And the cherry on top was that I had something that masked my scent, because Mandy claimed I smelled "scrumptiously sweet." 

Still, I didn't understand what she meant by that statement. 

After a few more minutes, we finally arrived at the tall and imposing gates of Alpha Academy. Even from Ryland's old car, I could see its striking architecture. Although big, it employed the brutalist style. It felt like a flashy prison.

Alpha Academy-an all-male institution. 

Everyone knew its name. The premise was straightforward, but graduating was anything but. It wasn't just for those destined to inherit the Alpha title; it also admitted those within the same bloodline. This ensured that when the main Alpha passed, the leadership could easily transition to the next in line.

With werewolf packs scattered across the globe, there were at least ten thousand of them. Our country was well-known because it cultivated the largest and strongest packs, making us the epicenter of the werewolf world.

Getting into Alpha Academy is no small feat. There's a physical test, a mental evaluation, an emotional assessment, and an endurance challenge. Only those who successfully pass all of these can gain entry. That was why I felt such pride when Alexei managed to get in; not everyone has the privilege of attending.

However, leaving the Academy was equally challenging. For three years, students are required to complete each course, endure the relentless pressure, and make it out alive.

Everyone held the Academy in high regard. Yet, after my brother's death, I knew it wasn't as perfect as people made it out to be. 

"Alex," Ryland said, snapping me out of my thoughts. I glanced to the side and realized it was our turn to enter. 

With that, I reached into my backpack to retrieve Alexei's ID, scanning it at the gate scanner. 

The car fell into a heavy silence as we watched the enormous gates begin to open. A robotic voice cut through the quiet, startling all three of us.  

"Welcome to Alpha Academy."  

"Woah," Mandy muttered in awe. "It feels like we're in some sort of video game."  

A beep sounded from behind us, followed by an aggressive shout. "Get fucking going!" someone from the car behind yelled, prompting Ryland to curse under his breath and step on the gas.

We entered the vast premises, and I was swiftly overwhelmed by the sight of Alphas roaming freely. As I had mentioned before, my exposure to men was limited-far below average. Seeing so many muscular figures walking around sent my head spinning. The scent of testosterone invaded my senses immediately, making me scrunch my nose. 

"On second thought," Ryland muttered as he parked in an empty space, "I don't think I can send you into this place, Alex."

I opened the car door before he could change his mind. "Don't worry about me. Just protect the pack while I'm gone."

With that, I stepped out before he could stop me, clutching my backpack and duffel bag close as I stared up at the intimidating property before me.

Just as I was about to take my first step forward, I felt a strong arm wrap around my shoulder. Although the gesture seemed friendly, it felt anything but. Instead, it felt like I was being squeezed by a vice grip.

"Well, well, looks like the rumors are right," came a deep voice.

I looked up to find myself face-to-face with a tall man sporting a pronounced jaw and a buzzed black head of hair, his piercing blue eyes locking onto mine-the quintessential arrogant look you'd expect in movies. Behind him were two burly-looking men who seemed to serve as his dogs.

"Looks like my favorite plaything is still alive, huh?" he said, a smirk playing on his lips.

I narrowed my eyes and instinctively pushed him away, making him raise both eyebrows in surprise. His musky scent was unbearable, so I brushed off the spot where he had touched me.

"I see-you're still acting tough," he said, humor heard in his tone.

I glared at him, trying to place where I might have recognized him. Clearing my throat, I responded in a deep voice, "Who are you again?"

A small gasp escaped Mandy's lips, causing me to turn to her with a questioning tilt of my head. She stayed silent, but her eyes warned me of something I couldn't quite grasp.

When I turned back, I found the Alpha almost nose-to-nose with me, making me scrunch up my face in distaste. 

I placed my hands against his chest and pushed him away firmly. "Back the fuck off." 

His jaw muscle twitched, and his underlings closed in on me, but he held out his hand to halt their advance. He then ran a hand through his hair and stepped closer, leaning down until we were eye to eye. I didn't dare break eye contact. If it had been Alexei, he would have backed off. He was always the one to yield between us, often telling me I was too courageous for my own good.

A flicker of surprise crossed the man's features, and for a brief moment, his expression softened. However, he quickly snapped back to his previous cocky demeanor. 

"So, after that accident, you still have the guts to act like this. I guess the lesson didn't teach you well enough," he taunted.

I bit my lip, and he followed the movement with his gaze. This guy-he must know something about my brother's death. 

I smirked, refusing to back down. "Was that even a lesson? I honestly don't remember it."

His jaw clenched harder, and before I could react, he had a grip on my collar strong enough to lift me off my feet. He raised his other hand, poised to throw a punch. Judging by the size of his fist, I knew it was going to hurt.

Ryland moved to interfere, but a familiar voice broke the tension. 

"Move."

We all turned to the side, and I felt the grip on me loosen slightly. 

However, I felt choked for a different reason now. 

The new man was seated inside his car, windows rolled all the way down, sunglasses resting on the top of his head. Even though my memory of that day was blurry, there was no denying it. This was the man who had kissed me at the bar just two days ago.

He tilted his head slightly and sighed heavily. 

For a moment, I felt nervous. 

Did he recognize me in any way? 

But then, he spoke again, "You're blocking my parking space."

ALEXANDRIA  

"Causing trouble so early in the morning, Damon?" he asked, raising a brow at the Alpha who held me.  

I looked at him closely, and it seemed he didn't recognize me-which was a relief. However, the scent I had detected from him at the bar was still lingering, strong enough that I could smell it even from this distance.  

I wondered if he had layered cologne over his natural scent.  

To my surprise, this sleazy Alpha actually released my collar. Even without knowing him personally, I felt Damon had a pride that towered higher than the buildings of the Academy, so I had expected him to punch me. This meant that whoever this guy I kissed was, he clearly had some influence in the school.  

That realization only annoyed me more-he was an entitled jerk who assumed I should know exactly who he was.  

Damon looked me dead in the eye and smirked. "This isn't the end. I'll see you very soon, Alex."  

With that, he strolled away, flanked by his two lackeys. The moment he was gone, I finally let out a deep breath.  

"Are you going to stand there all day, or do you want me to run you over?"  

The annoying Alpha's words snapped me out of my thoughts. I bit my lip as I took in his smug, indifferent expression. He raised a brow, maintaining eye contact, as if daring me to make a move.  

"Don't act so entitled-"  

Before I could finish my sentence, Ryland yanked me away from the scene. He bowed slightly to the pompous Alpha and even offered an apology.  

"Sorry, Alpha Wyatt. My friend is just having a bad day. We'd best be on our way."  

With that, Mandy and Ryland dragged me to a more open space, away from the parking lot.  

"Let go," I said, trying to pull my arms free from their grip. "Why'd you stop me from saying something to that jerk?"  

"That jerk?" Mandy exclaimed, her eyes wide. "That jerk is Wyatt Frost of the Enigma Pack."  

I tilted my head to the side. I had definitely heard their pack name before, but I couldn't be bothered to learn more about them.  

"And so? Do they own the world?"  

"They might as well," Ryland said, his voice shaky, which only made me frown. "The Enigma Pack is extremely influential. You know about the powers that arise from the different packs, right?"  

"Yes...," I trailed off. The two of them looked at me suspiciously. Truth be told, I wasn't very interested in pack politics. I always thought that while great achievements earn respect, the smaller packs without inherent power deserve recognition too.  

"She doesn't have a clue," Mandy said, shaking her head. "She even butted heads with Alpha Damon." 

I raised an eyebrow. "Is he important, too?" 

Ryland rubbed the bridge of his nose. "We'll give you a background as we lead you to your dorm room." 

I sighed and nodded, realizing I should have asked these questions sooner. We walked toward the dorm building while Mandy filled the air with talk of the "important" Alphas. 

"The first Alpha you met was Damon Corvus, the Alpha of the Carnage Pack." 

I paused for a moment, glancing at Mandy. It was the pack she was from. 

"The Carnage Pack is powerful because they're the first to weaponize their pack synergy," she continued. "The newly crowned Alpha is referred to as the Carnage Alpha, and when he finds himself in a difficult predicament, he can channel the abilities of other pack members, creating a singular consciousness in battle." 

I frowned. "That means you're not just fighting one individual." 

"Yes," she confirmed. "That's why the Carnage Alphas are the most abundant in numbers. They capitalize on their collective strength to amplify the Carnage Alpha's power." 

I let out a low laugh. "No wonder he acts like that." 

Ryland sighed. "Alex, you really need to be careful with your words. You don't want to get on these guys' bad sides." 

Without responding, I turned my attention back to Mandy. 

"Another famous Alpha is Alpha James Knight from the Cipher Pack. His family owns this Academy," she said, continuing her rundown. 

"Really?" I muttered in surprise. 

"Yes," she replied. "Well, the government technically owns it, but it was built by his family. The Knight family is incredibly wealthy. They essentially wrote the Academy's first laws. I bet he has a significant role here, too." 

"Hmm," I hummed, already memorizing their names. If I wanted to get to the bottom of Alexei's death, I needed to keep an eye on them. 

Just then, my mind drifted to the annoying man who had stolen my first kiss. 

"There are lots of prominent Alphas, but I'm afraid we can't cover them all," Mandy sighed. "We really should have had this conversation sooner. I forgot you had no clue about Alpha stuff." 

I cleared my throat. "How about... Wyatt?" I asked, hesitant to say his name. 

She paused, and I noticed her physically shiver at the mention of him. 

"What?" I asked, intrigued. 

She gestured for me to come closer. "He's really hot, right?" 

"Mandy, I can hear you," Ryland said, frowning slightly. 

Mandy giggled and moved away. "Sorry. He's someone I've never seen before, but it seems the rumors are true. He's quite handsome." 

"Mandy," Ryland warned again, a note of seriousness in his voice. 

"Okay, okay," she said, conceding. "Anyway, he's from a relatively new pack. Their pack is older than ours, but compared to the Carnage and Cipher packs, the Enigma Pack was only established thirty years ago." 

"However, in that time, they've risen through the ranks. They're also rumored to possess a unique and very powerful ability." 

"Which is?" I couldn't contain my curiosity any longer. 

She built up the suspense, but in the end, she merely shrugged, fueling my annoyance. 

"My knowledge doesn't extend that far. I left my old pack before I had a chance to learn more about the Enigma Pack. However, judging by Damon's reaction earlier, it seems the rumors must be true. Damon doesn't back down from anyone." 

So those three were the ones I had to watch out for the most. I already dreaded it since the two were established as entitled assholes. 

"We're here," Ryland announced, halting our conversation. 

I stared at the room number-606. I let out a deep breath. "I'm here," I muttered under my breath. 

Mandy and Ryland stood behind me as I opened the door. I wasn't sure what I was expecting, but it certainly wasn't a six-foot man with blonde hair, surfer abs, and a towel wrapped around his waist, drying his hair. 

He turned toward us the moment I opened the door, frowning as he examined my face. 

This must be my roommate. 

Just as I was about to greet him, he let out a heavy and disappointed sigh. 

"So, you really are alive?" 

"It would honestly have been better if you were dead. I was enjoying the room by myself."