Alexis's point of view

"Mmm... I like it... ohh..." I moaned, enjoying the sensation as it melted in my mouth.

"Be quiet. You have to concentrate, okay? It's hard to make you moan like that." The man who was making me happy said with a smile.

"I thought it was just about muscles, but it turns out you really have skill with your hands. What else can you do with those hands?" I couldn't help but ask.

He was just about to answer when the door to the room we were in burst open.

"Guys, can you keep it down? I'm studying, for God's sake. And Alexis, watch how you talk. If anyone hears you, they'll think you're having sex, not eating." The girl, or rather, my new friend, yelled while glaring at me, which only made me laugh. Her pouty expression was really entertaining.

"But he cooks really well. Come here and try it. The pasta he made... it tastes... mmm..." I said before spooning some pasta into my own mouth.

"Hey, you really have no manners! Oh, by the way, there's a letter for you. It's in this box, placed in front of our door. Can you see it? I didn't find the sender's name. It seems to be from one of your other admirers." Audrey said with a mischievous smile, then kissed her boyfriend, the one who cooked this delicious pasta, before joining in the meal as well.

As I tore open the envelope, whose scent felt familiar, I looked at the letter and smiled slightly. A secret admirer. Nothing new. I knew exactly what it contained, a list of rules I had broken this month. After reading it, I opened the gift box and froze, surprised to see a jade pendant neatly placed inside. Well, this was clearly not a bad letter.

"Wow, it's so beautiful! Do you know or suspect anyone who might have sent this to you? It's strange that a letter doesn't have a sender's name. I mean, if someone gives a girl a gift this expensive, at least they want the girl to know who sent it," said Audrey, gesturing dramatically with her hands.

"Take it easy, honey. It looks like our Lexi has a secret admirer. And from the smile on her face, I think that admirer has a chance. I mean, just look at this gift," said Shane before sitting down next to his girlfriend.

Watching the two of them, I could only shake my head slowly. They were the sweetest people I had ever met. Honestly, I was proud of my decision to come here and stay with this sweet couple, even if it meant breaking a few rules.

I didn't care.

I became bolder, stronger, and far more sarcastic than before.

I like myself better now. I used to be too wise, too loving, too humble, and too emotional. All things that now feel exhausting. Apparently, living freely outside the house for almost a year does have its advantages.

I noticed the stamp at the bottom of the letter and on top of the gift box. Even though I already knew, it was clearly from the council. Audrey and Shane were certainly not to blame for not knowing what the council was, or who sat on it.

They were human.

Truly human. And I lived with them, people who even knowing our identity was considered a grave sin in my community.

But here I was now, living peacefully with them, sleeping under the same roof, eating the same food. And yes, I also attended the same college as them.

That was my first violation. Instead of attending a werewolf university, I chose a human university with not a single werewolf in it. I heard that the alpha of the Blood Moon pack founded this university, but he rarely comes, making it the perfect hiding place for me. I did break some rules, but even if the council found out, they couldn't do much about it.

All of this was easy for me because I was a lantern, and my scent was perfectly concealed by the pendant Mark had given me that day.

Eight months ago, when I killed my first victim, or rather, my first three victims, the person who had pointed a dagger at me turned out to be Mark.

That day...

After I killed the outsider, I felt the tip of the dagger press against my body. I turned around, ready to see who it was, but before I could recognize him, I heard that voice.

"I finally found you, my omega."

That deep, hoarse voice made me scream in surprise, then I spontaneously turned around and hugged Mark, who immediately hugged me back.

"Don't think I'll let you get away with just hugging me! What do you mean, Alexis? How could you do this to me after all my efforts to ensure you lived peacefully? Why didn't you ever tell me that you were being treated so badly?" he said, looking at me disappointedly, then continuing without pause.

"And most importantly, why didn't you call me when your partner cheated on you and you rejected him? Who told you to run away? Why didn't you call me when you were training in the forest to become an outsider? Didn't I tell you to open that box when you needed help? I'm sure you didn't even care. Do you know how hard I looked for you? I even spread your information to all the groups and asked them to look for you. Do you know how dangerous it was ..."

Hearing his chatter, I felt warm inside, like I was coming home. For the past four years, he was the only man who treated me like a normal person, not a disabled person. My eyes welled up, and I hugged him tightly.

"I was afraid you would hate me. And honestly, that makes sense. I rejected my partner. I'm just a lantern, I thought the council didn't care about me anymore, and I didn't want to lose you either. So I chose to leave before I was abandoned again because of this situation," I said, turning my face away, unable to look at him.

"Alexis, are you serious?" Mark said, turning me around to look him in the eye.

"Do you think I was desperately looking for you just because my father told me to? I really care about you. Can't you see that? Besides, we already knew you would reject your partner. Last year, on his birthday, we knew he was your partner. If you haven't realized it, since then I've visited him more often than in the previous three years," he said, making my eyes widen.

"So... you knew everything from the beginning? Why didn't you tell me?" I whispered.

Deep down, I already knew the answer.

"We didn't tell you because we knew you wouldn't be able to handle rejection at seventeen, especially without the strength and support of the wolf you have now."

"The wolf... is mine?" I asked softly.

"You never really thought you didn't have it, did you?"

"So I do have the wolf?"

"You'll know when the time is right."

"Now, let's go back to the council house. I'll watch over you until you know what you want to do," said Mark, making me roll my eyes.

After successfully escaping from that damn group, did he really think I would just give up my freedom? Of course not.

"I'm not going with you."

"What do you mean you're not coming?"

I explained my decision.

"I want to go to a human university and get a degree. I want to live like a normal human, not a werewolf who can't change. I want to live among humans, where I'm treated as an equal, not a disgrace. And I want to be in a place where my beauty is appreciated. If werewolves don't want me, so what? This world isn't inhabited by just one species."

I knew he didn't like the decision, but he had to accept it. Now I was an outsider.

"Alright. But I will determine the boundaries of the territory you can and cannot explore."

"Alright, Father," I said, rolling my eyes.

"Don't call me that," he said with a dark face, making my cheeks flush.

"Here, take this pendant. I have a feeling you won't want to come with me. This pendant will hide your scent perfectly," he said as he hung it around my neck, then kissed the corner of my lips softly.

How I wished Mark was my partner. But the Moon Goddess seemed to prefer toying with fate and my happiness.

"Remember this. No matter what happens, you can always count on me," he said before hugging me tightly.

"By the way, have you heard about this?" Audrey's voice interrupted my thoughts, her mouth still full of noodles.

"About what?"

"If you stop thinking about food for a moment, maybe you can listen," my conscience admonished.

"She's talking about the university founder's sudden visit. She said he wants to make sure everything is running smoothly," Shane explained, making me frown.

The founder?

Isn't that Alpha, the leader of the most dangerous group, Alpha Sebastian?

Is he coming? Why?

Has my cover been blown? Or is this just a routine visit?

Whatever the reason, I won't let him know who I am. I don't want to die yet.

"You guys go ahead, I feel a little nauseous," I said, pretending.

That excuse always works.

"The deans have announced that no one is allowed to be absent tomorrow. Anyone who skips class will get a hundred points," said Audrey.

A hundred points?

My eyes widened.

This must be a joke. If that happens to me, I'll only need twenty more points to fail completely. I could fail this semester and have to repeat it.

Maybe... if I can avoid the alpha, I can still save myself.

Moon Goddess, you always know how to make everything complicated, don't you?

Alexis's Point of View

Don't worry too much. It's just one day with three classes.

I just have to stay at the university and risk my life for three classes. Two in the morning, one in the afternoon.

The alpha of the Blood Moon group definitely won't come this early, right?

You can do it, Alexis. That fear is only in your head. With this pendant, no one will recognize your true identity.

Remember all the outsiders you've killed. Remember how you've passed through so many packs without ever being detected by them.

You can do this. You're extraordinary, and you'll get through this too. You can't let a whole year of fighting and running be for nothing.

I took a deep breath, prepared myself, and gathered all my strength to face this big day.

"Lexi? You look a little pale. You've been looking serious," Audrey's voice snapped me out of my trance.

I turned and realized that I had been standing in front of the mirror for almost twenty minutes.

Am I okay?

Am I really okay?

I didn't know why I felt so messed up, but ever since I heard the news that an Alpha was coming to the university, I felt like my cover was about to be blown.

I had repeatedly told myself that I could handle this and continue attending classes as usual. However, no matter how hard I tried to calm myself down, every time the image of the most feared Alpha in the world appeared in my head, my legs would immediately start shaking.

He was feared by everyone for a reason.

I've never met him in person. All information about him is blocked by the council, and no one can request data about an Alpha without providing a valid reason.

To be honest, I've never had any desire to find out more about him either.

And I never imagined that I would be in the same place as him. Never.

I guess this is what they call misfortune. And unfortunately, that is the reality I now have to face.

"Are you... are you ready? Let's go, we're going to be late," I said finally, forcing a sweet smile.

"I've been ready for thirty minutes," Audrey replied with a small laugh. "You're the one who spent almost twenty minutes looking in the mirror. Are you nervous about meeting the university founder? Don't worry, dear. Even when you're sick, you're still the prettiest girl on campus."

She winked at me.

I had just opened my mouth to reply when the door opened and Shane walked in without knocking.

"Shane! Can't you knock first? We're women, for God's sake!" Audrey shouted, her eyes wide.

She then looked at me with an apologetic expression. I just waved my hand, signaling that I didn't mind.

Honestly, I didn't have the energy to be offended.

My life, and all my achievements over the past year, were at stake. My mind was too busy thinking about big things to care about trivial matters.

"I'm sorry, honey. I thought you were alone. I didn't realize Lexi was here," Shane said, looking at me sincerely.

"It's okay," I replied, picking up my bag.

However, seeing them standing side by side like that made my chest ache.

If my partner wasn't that stupid, maybe I would be like them too. If he was as loving as Shane was to Audrey, I wouldn't be going through all this.

We would live happily in the pack. And even though everyone treated me cruelly, my partner's love would cover everything. They would respect me because I was their Luna.

How romantic that would be...

"Come on," Ariana's voice appeared in my head. "Stop drowning in imaginary scenarios that will never happen. Start living in the present. And in the present, we will face the most dangerous Alpha in the world."

I rolled my eyes at the sound of my inner voice.

When I arrived at campus, I glanced at Audrey and Shane. My eyes felt hot.

I knew this would be difficult, but I had to say it now.

I had broken too many rules. It was time for me to leave their apartment and find temporary housing.

I didn't want any trouble coming their way. They were two of the few people who truly accepted me. People I would even give my life for.

I took a deep breath, then looked at them quickly.

"Guys... there are still a few minutes before class starts. Uhm... can we talk for a moment?"

"Sure, Lexi. We're listening," Audrey replied with a bright smile, a smile that only made my chest feel tighter.

"I... am going to leave that apartment."

"What?" Audrey's eyes widened. "If you want to travel again, let me remind you that your grades have dropped and-"

"No," I interrupted quickly. "I'm not going to travel. I'm moving out of your apartment. I'm going to live on my own from now on."

"Lex, if this is about today, I'm sorry, but-" Shane tried to speak.

"It's not that," I interrupted again. "I just feel... I have to start living on my own. I've been depending on you guys for too long."

"What are you talking about?" Audrey's voice trembled. "You pay sixty percent of the rent. Not to mention all the food you buy every day. How can you say you're freeloading? We're here because of you."

She gripped my hand tightly, her eyes glistening.

My heart broke seeing her like that.

"Stupid," Ariana muttered in my head.

"This doesn't mean I'm leaving forever," I said quickly. "Remember the little house by the river I told you about? I'll stay there for a while. It's only temporary, I promise."

I smiled, even though inside I hated myself for making a promise I might not be able to keep.

"Are you sure?" Shane asked hesitantly. "I mean, if this is about me-"

"No," I replied firmly. "You guys are the best thing this campus has ever given me. Really. Come on, let's go to class now."

I hugged them both.

"But promise me you'll see me every day on campus," Audrey said softly.

I smiled.

If they knew I was a monster, they would never be this close to me. They would be afraid. They would run away.

I smiled bitterly, then turned and walked toward my department.

"Ping! Ping!"

Notifications on my phone stopped me in my tracks.

[The university founder is here!]

[He's so handsome!]

I scrolled through the screen.

[The professor said he'll visit the biotechnology department first. It's his favorite subject.]

My heart beat faster.

The biotechnology department?

What is a killer like him doing there?

I stopped in the middle of the corridor.

Then I smelled it.

The scent of a wolf.

I lifted my face from my phone and found five pairs of eyes staring at me, sharp, suspicious, confused.

Do I still have a second chance in this life?

"No," Ariana's voice sounded cold. "We have to face him."

I lifted my head and stared straight ahead.

Sebastian's Point of View

"Alpha, we're ready to go."

I heard my beta's voice and nodded briefly. Before turning away, I looked at my reflection in the mirror one last time.

"Does appearance matter," the wolf inside me sneered, "when all you're going to do is kill or trap that stranger in the basement?"

I rolled my eyes.

What did a wolf like him know? He never needed to look neat. He could walk around naked in this world without a shred of shame.

"I'm going as the founder of the university," I replied coldly, "not as a killer Alpha on the hunt. Remember that."

I shook my head slowly, then put on my sunglasses before leaving the room.

To be honest, I myself didn't know what I would do with this werewolf, or more accurately, this criminal. A wolf living among humans was no trivial matter. If she had managed to survive long enough in the human world, there must be a strong reason behind it.

But one thing was undeniable. She broke the law.

Just living alongside humans was enough to make her deserve a lesson today.

What surprised me most was the fact that, even though our patrol group regularly visited this university, none of them were able to identify her scent. No one was aware of her presence.

How is that possible?

Werewolves can only hide their scent in three ways.

First, by working with a witch and being helped by scent-concealing magic. Second, by being born as a lantern, a werewolf that cannot transform. Third, by possessing a perfume pendant that can completely hide the smell.

Since a council member himself had given me a clue about the existence of a werewolf living among humans, I immediately ruled out the third possibility. Such pendants were under the authority of the council and could not be misused carelessly.

To me, the second possibility made much more sense than the first.

Perhaps she was born human. Perhaps she rejected the world of werewolves and chose to live among ordinary humans.

But whatever her reasons and methods, one thing was certain. She wasn't going anywhere today.

"Alpha, we're here."

Blake's voice snapped me out of my reverie.

"Okay," I replied briefly.

I got out of the car and looked at the university building that I had founded myself, named after my father and mother. It had been a long time since I had last set foot in this place.

I looked back to make sure my trusted people were following me.

Besides Blake and me, there were Luke, Jason, Alex, and Peter.

"Let's go," I said briefly.

We entered the main hall, where the university president was most likely waiting.

And sure enough.

He was standing there with a large bouquet of flowers and a big smile on his face. At least someone seemed genuinely happy about our sudden visit.

But my mind was already elsewhere.

I was much more interested in imagining the werewolf's expression when she finally came face to face with me.

"Mr. Sinclair," the rector greeted me respectfully, "what brings you here on such short notice?"

"Nothing special," I replied calmly. "I just want to see how the university is doing. It's been three years since my last visit, right? Besides that, I want to visit the biotechnology department. I want to make sure the equipment is being used properly. That field has always been my favorite."

I thought of my mother, how she loved research, plants, and everything related to life sciences.

"Of course," the rector replied quickly. "How about we discuss the university's progress first, then tour all the departments, starting with biotechnology?"

I nodded.

But without wasting any time, I immediately headed for the biotechnology department. I didn't come here to make small talk.

I came here to hunt.

As the strongest Alpha, my senses were far sharper than those of an ordinary Alpha. Even the slightest change in scent was enough for me to identify someone's species.

It was a natural gift.

Magic, pendants, or whatever abilities the werewolf used, I wanted to see if any of that would be enough to save her from me.

As we walked down the corridor toward the biotechnology department, my steps suddenly stopped.

I smelled something.

An unusual scent. A mixture of roses and lavender.

But behind that...

There was the smell of a werewolf.

A thin smile almost appeared on the corner of my lips.

So fast.

It seemed like my prey was walking closer, unaware that I was here to catch her.

"Alpha, what's wrong?" Jason asked softly when he saw me stop.

"I think I've found the werewolf in disguise," I replied softly.

They all immediately became alert and followed behind me as I tracked the scent.

One more turn.

I stopped suddenly.

I opened my previously closed eyes so my sense of smell could work optimally and stared straight ahead.

What I saw was completely unexpected.

In front of me stood the silhouette of a woman.

And not just any woman.

Even from a distance, I could tell she was probably the most beautiful girl I had ever seen.

From the panic clearly visible in her eyes, I knew one thing for sure, she was the werewolf we were looking for.

So, the werewolf who had managed to hide right under our noses for months... was a beautiful wolf?

My jaw tightened.

Are my men so incompetent that they can't even catch a female wolf living among humans?

Even though she is so beautiful, I can't help the disgust that slowly creeps into my mind.

"Damn... she's beautiful."

The wolf inside me voiced my thoughts before I could deny them.

I ignored it and refocused. The girl in front of me was the werewolf we had been searching for, living among humans, breaking the law, and hiding right under our noses.

I was considering what punishment she deserved when she started walking towards us.

Her steps were steady. The panic I had seen in her eyes earlier had disappeared. Either she had managed to calm herself down, or she was pretending to be strong. Either way, she was too calm for someone who should have been scared.

"Your stares say it all," she said flatly. "You must know who I am. You were sent by Alpha to pick me up, right?"

I frowned.

Every creature like us could sense auras, recognize the strength and position of other wolves. It was a basic instinct. Even lanterns should be able to sense it.

Then why doesn't she recognize me?

"That-" Blake began to speak.

But I quickly stopped him.

"Don't," I said briefly.

I wanted to know one thing, did this girl really not recognize me, or was she just pretending?

"Yes," I finally replied. "And who are you?"

She sighed, clearly impatient.

"Isn't it obvious?" she said, rolling her eyes. "I'm a werewolf. One who can't change. A lantern, if that helps."

Her tone was flippant. There was no fear. No submissiveness.

"You're a lantern," I said, confirming.

"That's right," she replied quickly. "And before you guys arrest me or whatever, I want to introduce myself. After that, I have to get back to class."

She glanced at the clock on his phone.

"If I skip class today, I'll get a hundred demerit points. That means I won't graduate this year."

I was silent.

Interesting.

She was more afraid of failing college than being in front of a group of armed werewolves.

"Call me Blake," I said suddenly. "I'm the beta of this group."

The real Blake coughed immediately, while the others stared at me in disbelief. I ignored them. I needed a cover.

The girl looked at me, then narrowed her eyes.

"I was just about to introduce myself," she said. "Or do you all have such low QL that you need to be directed one by one?"

The wolf inside me laughed loudly. I held myself back.

Insolent. But... for some reason, it wasn't annoying.

I took a deep breath.

Calm down, Sebastian. You're here to solve the case. Not to kill.

As I was about to answer, she raised her hand.

"Wait."

She looked at her phone screen, read the caller's name, then smiled slightly.

"I have to take this."

She stepped away a few paces.

"Alpha," Luke whispered sharply, "why did you let her talk like that?"

"Because she's not ordinary," I replied softly.

Luke turned to me. "What do you mean?"

"The caller was Mark Michaelson," I explained. "The chairman's son."

They all fell silent immediately.

"And she wore a perfume pendant," I continued. "More than that, she didn't show the slightest sign of submission. No lantern could do that without reason."

Or without protection.

I became increasingly convinced that this girl was not just an ordinary lawbreaker.

Soon after, she returned.

"Okay," she said. "Let's continue."

She looked me straight in the eye.

"My name is Alexis. I'm a lantern. I've been hiding in this university for a year."

She paused for a moment, then continued in a flat tone.

"My group left me. My parents too. I live alone."

For the first time that day, I was completely silent.

A year.

Alone.

And for some reason, at that moment, my conviction to punish her immediately began to crack.