Morning came sharply. 

Bright sunlight sliced through the tall dormitory windows in landing directly across Serena's face.

She finally stirred up with a faint groan, instinctively turning away from the brightness. 

For one fragile, blissful moment, she forgot where she was.

She thought maybe she was at home, still Serena, still with her father... 

Then as she turned, a dull but sharp pain flared up from her ribs, almost like wake up call. 

Yesterday's incident! 

The Academy.. the dormitory... Damien.

Her eyes snapped open.

The room was quiet.

A peaceful silence, something she hadn't got since she came here. 

Damien was already up and out to where ever he needed to be. 

Carefully, she inhaled, letting the air flood into her lungs.

There was no sudden bloom of feminine scent, no change in her shape and no sign of breasts.

A small wave of relief washed through her.

She sat up slowly, getting a full look of her body.

 The spell still held. 

She swung her legs over the bed and rose, her feet hitting the cold floor.

She walked to the window, taking the warmth of the sun, letting it ground her when the door slammed wide open.

The force alone shook the walls of the room. 

Damien stood framed in the doorway, already dressed up, his dark hair damp from a morning wash. 

"Breakfast call," he said evenly. "Be down in five minutes. 

Lateness has consequences."

His blue eyes skimmed over her, a little moment longer.

Then he turned and left without another word.

The door shut.

The room felt smaller without him, somehow.

Serena exhaled slowly.

Five minutes.

She crossed immediately to the mirror bolted against the far wall.

Bracing herself, she looked.

A young man stared back.

She had sharp jaw, broad shoulders and flat chest. 

She lifted her wrist to her nose and inhaled discreetly.

Male musk.

"You will not fail," she whispered to her reflection.

"Not today... "

 By the time she stepped into the corridor, her mask of Soren was back in place.

The dining hall was chaos when she arrived.

Long wooden tables stretched across the cavernous chamber.

 Torches burned along stone walls despite the daylight streaming through high windows. The air smelled of roasted meat, sweat, and male competition.

Laughter erupted in clusters. 

Serena moved through it quietly, collecting a tray and stepping into line.

A broad-shouldered recruit ahead of her muttered just loud enough, "Bug slayer."

Snickers followed it too, but she ignored them.

When she reached the counter, a server dropped thick slices of meat and coarse bread onto her tray without much ceremony.

She turned sharply, observing the wide dining hall.

Tables were filling up fast.

She approached one near the far wall.

"Taken."

Then to another.

"This one it's taken already."

A third.

And it was the same reply, taken as well. 

For a moment, she wondered if they were truly taken or was it an isolation tactic.

Her gaze swept the hall again. There! 

One empty chair remained.

Across from it... Damien Blackthorn.

He was already seated, his posture relaxed but commanding space effortlessly. 

No one even dared to seat across him. 

But Serene wasn't anyone. 

She let out a sharp breath as she walked towards him.. 

Here we go.

She crossed the hall and dropped her tray onto the table across from him.

Their eyes locked instantly. 

Damien cut into his food slowly, deliberately, as if time obeyed him.

"Sleep well?" he asked without looking up.

"Like the dead," she replied evenly.

A flicker of amusement touched his mouth.

"Careful with metaphors, you nearly qualified."

She tore bread calmly. "Well, I'm still here."

"For now." He studied her openly now.

"You don't speak much about Mooncrest."

"There isn't much to say."

"A pack with no male heir," he countered casually. "That's plenty of things to say."

Her grip tightened around her fork, but she didn't respond to her.

He continued, his voice mild.

"You don't posture like the others around here. You just seem different."

"Shouldn't I be, I mean it's best I stand out, right?"

I shot back, my tone measured. 

Serene heart race harder wugh each question Damein asked, but she didn't let it show. 

She just kept chewing.

"Maybe you should stop sniffing me."

A low chuckle escaped him.

"I notice things. That's what keeps me alive."

He leaned forward slightly.

"What are you hiding, Vale?"

She met his eyes without flinching.

"I guess we'll never know."

A heavy silence stretched between them.

Before either could press further-

The massive dining hall doors slammed open.

The sound cracked through the room like thunder and silence fell instantly.

Every recruit in the room straightened.

Entering with measured authority was Elder Vasyers of the Alpha Dominion Academy. 

He is a high-ranking council member, his presence suffocating the room.

Even Damien rose.

Slowly, still confused, Serena followed as well.

Vasyers surveyed them like livestock under inspection.

"You have survived four days," he began, voice carrying without effort.

There was a pause.

"Most of you will not survive the next."

A ripple of tension passed through the hall.

"You were not brought here to be comfortable. You were brought here to be tested to your very limits."

His gaze swept across faces.

"To that end, the council has authorized a new evaluation."

He let silence sharpen anticipation.

"The Blood Moon Gauntlet."

Whispers broke like sparks.

Vasyers continued:

"A multi-stage trial of endurance, combat, and strategy. It's conducted beyond the Academy's protection and it ultimately results into public elimination."

The hall felt smaller.

"But," Vasyers added smoothly, "you will not compete alone."

Stillness.

"You will compete in pairs."

The tension in the room doubled.

"Failure of one," he said evenly, "is failure of both."

Shock rippled outward.

"Only twelve of you will remain at its conclusion and amongst you twelve you'll contest in more varying games to ultimately produce us two winners who will be crowned... 

King and Queen of Alpha Dominion Academy!"

"The Gauntlet begins at moonrise tomorrow. You will declare your partners by sunset."

There was a heavy silence and then the room erupted. 

Wolves moved from one to another trying to secure the best alliances and then chaos filled the room instantly. 

Strong recruits were immediately surrounded.

Serena remained seated.

No one approached her.

Of course not. Why would they? 

She took a slow breath, just waiting for it to be over so she pair with the other lackies that didn't get a partner. 

Then, as the noise began to fade slwoly, a shadow fell across the table.

Damien stood up and hhe conversations quieted instinctively.

Every head turned to their table now.

He did not look at the crowd.

He looked at her.

"I choose Soren Vale."

The hall froze.

The academy grounds were quiet, even more in the late afternoon to evening time.

Serena walked alone along the outer path that circled the lower training fields, her boots pressing softly into the gravel. 

The sky above Lunaris had begun to tint faintly red and orange. 

Serena's mind was on one thing. The same thing it had been on for the past few hours since breakfast... 

Tomorrow. The Blood Moon Gauntlet.

She exhaled slowly, her fingers brushing against the cool iron railing lining the field.

Seventy Two hours straight... 

Three days and nights in the Crescent-border forest with no one else but Damien Blackthorn.

There were no dormitory walls or doors to run out from.

It was just the vast and wild wilderness and.. him.

Her stomach tightened.

Damien noticed everything. 

The way she moved, the way she reacted, the way she smelled... or didn't.

Seventy-two hours meant no reprieve for her spell and no safe moments to recalibrate.  

And if it slipped, even once... she was done.

Shelly be exposed and all her dreams of becoming Alpha and proving doubters wrong go up in smoke. 

She swallowed the thought down and continued walking.

She needed air right now and empty her worries away.

That was when raised voices broke through the quiet.

She heard it..

First, it was a sharp and loud grunt and then the thud of a body hitting dirt.

Serena turned toward the lower sparring field.

Three upper-year Alphas had cornered a younger recruit near the stone boundary wall. The boy couldn't be older than sixteen. His uniform was already torn at the collar and his face has small bruises and marks. 

One of the Alphas shoved him hard as he stumbled back, barely catching himself.

"Come on, is that all you got kid," the tallest one sneered.

"You're weak. You shouldn't even be here." the other added. 

The younger boy wiped blood from his mouth.

"No. You're wrong, I earned my spit here."

Another punch landed across his jaw, this one dropping to the floor fully.

Serena froze and then was about to turn away.

It wasn't her problem.

She shouldn't get involved.

She already drew too much attention. Damien choosing her had shifted the Academy's eyes in her direction. 

She couldn't afford more and she couldn't risk putting herself in a situation where she ends up exposing herself as Serene.

The leader kicked the boy in the ribs.

The sound made something inside her chest snap.

She turned to walk away, but when she heard his cry of pain ringing through the fields.

Her feet stopped.

Damn it.

Before she could think better of it, she was already moving.

"Enough."

Her voice cut clean across the field.

The three Alphas turned slowly and almost immediately flickered in their eyes.

"Well, look who it is," the tallest one said, lips curling.

Serena stepped between them and the fallen boy without hesitation.

"Leave him alone."

They laughed.

"You're serious?"

Another Alpha circled lazily. "Careful. Blackthorn's pet might bite."

Her jaw tightened.

"I said leave him." She refuses to back down. 

The tallest one took a slow step toward her.

"You think being chosen makes you untouchable?"

Serena didn't move.

"I don't need his protection."

That earned a darker smile.

"Good," he said. "Because he isn't here."

They began closing in.

One to her left, one to her right and the tall one, directly in front.

Boxing her in.

He brushed the cold stone wall. 

Dead end! 

So it was a three on one.

Her pulse sharpened.

She could fight them.

She would win.

But she would win too cleanly and too fast, arousing suspicions. 

Her reflexes weren't just Alpha reflexes, not really. 

She'd trained her whole life to be sharper than most, trying to be better than her equals, because as a girl that was the only way she could get their attention.

The tallest Alpha cracked his knuckles.

"Let's see what you're worth without Blackthorn."

He lunged.

Serena shifted her weight, preparing to pivot-

"Wait."

The voice sliced through the tension like a blade.

All movement stopped.

The three Alphas stepped back instantly.

"Prince," one muttered.

Serena's gaze lifted.

He emerged from the shadow of the training pavilion with unhurried confidence.

Prince Valen.

She recognized him from the higher ranks... 

He came in 2nd rank to Damein alone in last year's ranking system. 

While Damein was a little more upfront, Prince was more quiet and to himself.

He walked forward, hands loosely clasped behind his back.

His eyes settled on Serena, studying her.

"Is there a problem?" he asked mildly.

The tallest Alpha straightened. "No, Prince. We're just settling a minor issue."

Prince's gaze flicked to the younger recruit behind Serena, then back to her.

"Doesn't look minor."

There was a small silence.

"Let him go," Prince said calmly.

No one argued.

The younger boy scrambled to his feet and bolted without looking back.

Prince's attention returned to Serena.

He stepped closer, but she didn't flinch, even a little. 

"Who do we have here?" he asked.

Serena lifted her chin slightly.

"Apparently, I'm Damien's little pet."

One of the Alphas snorted. The prince's lips curved faintly.

"Feisty."

His eyes held hers a moment longer than necessary.

"Interfering suits you poorly," he said quietly.

"Standing by suits me worse."

A flicker of approval crossed his features.

He turned slightly toward the other Alphas.

"You're dismissed."

They left immediately.

The prince remained.

"You've attracted attention," he said softly.

"So I've heard."

He studied her again, even more intensely this time.

"Tell Blackthorn," he said at last, "we still have an old score to settle."

An old score? 

Then he stepped back and walked away, his steps retreating. 

Serena remained still long after he disappeared.

Old score.

So Damien had enemies.

Of course he did.

The sky darkened fully by the time Serena returned to the dormitory.

Her mind was still playing what happened today.

She tried to imagine what would have happened if Prince didn't intervene then.

She reached the dorm door and paused.

Another night of pretending with Damein.. 

She pushed it open and froze.

Damien had someone pinned gently against the wall near his bed.

Their lips crushed passionately, hands wrapped around the other

A girl?!

Serena's mind blanked.

In an all-boys Academy!

Serena did not move from the doorway as her eyes landed on the scene in her dorm.

Damien's hand was tangled in the girl's hair, with her back pressed against the stone wall beside his bed.

 His mouth was on hers and all over it. 

Serene didn't really put much into the sex happening in front of her, but on the fact that there was a girl...

Inside an all-boys academy.

For half a second, Serena thought she had stepped into the wrong room.

Then Damien opened his eyes and he saw her.

And instead of shoving the girl away in panic, instead of cursing in fear or something else...

He simply pulled back, slowly and carefully.

"You're early." he said, his tone calm and gentle as ever, maybe mildly inconvenient at best.

The girl he was with followed his gaze and her eyes landed on Serena.

Her expression was curious at first and then just amused if anything. 

Damien straightened, brushing a hand through his dark hair. 

There was no rush in him and no fear of consequences.

He was having sex with a girl. Girls we're prohibited from even stepping foot into the academy besides visiting day and yet Damien was here fucking one in his dorm. 

"This is Lyra," he said casually.

As though Serena had just walked in on a friendly conversation.

Lyra stepped away from the wall, stark and completely naked.

Her plump and thick breasts glinted well in the sunlight, her skin bright and warm. 

She didn't bother that a complete stranger was seeing her naked, it was almost like she enjoyed it. 

She didn't rush for her clothes.

She stretched slowly herself first, almost lazily, before reaching for the garments draped over Damien's chair.

Damein shared a brief look with Serene, giving him eyes like who the hell is this is my dorm. 

"Oh? Pardon me. 

This is Lyra. 

She's the niece of this Academy's owner," Damien continued. "She's undergoing Luna training, under very special clearance."

Lyra slipped into her underclothes first. Then she fitted black trousers and then her blouse. 

"I know who you are.. " Lyra said softly.

"You must be the famous Soren Damien told me about."

Her voice was smooth and polished.

Her eyes never left Serena's face.

Serena stepped fully into the room now, shutting the door behind her.

"Is that allowed?" she asked evenly.

Damien gave a faint shrug.

"At this level? Yes."

"This level," she repeated.

"High-tier Alphas," he clarified. "Those who matter."

Lyra fastened the last button of her blouse, then stepped into her boots.

"What if someone sees?" Serena pressed.

"They won't," Damien replied.

"That's not reassuring."

"It should be." His mouth curved faintly. "Everyone important already knows."

Lyra walked back to him then, sliding her hands up his chest lightly.

"That's why he's the Academy's golden boy," she murmured.

There was pride in her tone, possession almost. 

Serena watched them carefully.

Lyra rose onto her toes and kissed Damien again.

When she pulled away, she finally looked directly at Serena.

"Relax, Soren," she said lightly. "I don't bite."

She walked toward the door, pausing just long enough beside Serena to let their shoulders nearly brush.

Her glare this time was sharp and damn near chilling. 

Serena felt the fine hairs along her arms rise instinctively.

The door opened again and then closed.

Silence filled the room for a bit.

Serena crossed her arms.

"You're reckless, pulling such a move."

Damien moved to sit on his bed, leaning back on his hands.

"No," he said calmly. "I'm protected."

"By her?"

"By my position in this academy."

"You're very confident in that, huh?" Serene took another quick shot

"I've earned it." he shot back just as fast. 

Serena studied him.

"If I may ask, why her..? You like girls in the big leagues."

His gaze flicked to hers.

"That's enough." he said, his tone final.

"Get some rest," he added. "Tomorrow's a big day."

"The Blood Moon Gauntlet," she said.

"Yes."

Seventy-two hours.

In the forest.

With him.

He laid back on his bed as if the conversation was finished.

Serena turned away and laid flat on her bed as well. 

Her mind replayed Lyra's glare at her. 

There was definitely more to it. Maybe like a warning not to speak about it.

But then why didn't Damien seem bothered about it and if I tell anyone. 

There was definitely more to this Academy than she thought.

Morning came with a cold mist hanging low over the Academy grounds.

All trainees gathered at the brink of the Crescent Forest.

The trees stood thick and towering, their branches interwoven so tightly that the interior looked almost black despite the daylight.

Pairs stood together, side by side, bags strapped and ready. 

An Elder stepped forward, his long robes brushing the earth.

"The Blood Moon Gauntlet begins at dusk," he announced.

His voice carried easily through the crowd. 

"You will enter in your assigned pairs."

"There are twelve moonstone lodges hidden throughout the forest."

He raised a small crystal whistle.

"Each pair retrieves one."

"Only one."

"Guard it, protect it and most of all survive... "

His eyes swept over them.

"This forest here, houses creatures, some natural and others anything but. 

So for you, either adapt or be eliminated."

A heavy silence fell again. 

"At the end of seventy-two hours, the twelve pairs who return with a lodge will advance."

There was a pause.

"The final trials will determine the King... and the Hand to the King of Alpha Dominion Academy."

Tension rippled through the clearing.

"Good luck."

The Elder stepped back and immediately students began dispersing.

Serena tightened the straps of her pack, making sure everything was checked when a shadow fell over her.

"Ready to lose, Soren?" the voice was familiar to her, for all the wrong reasons, though. 

She looked up.

Prince.

He wore that same cocky grin.

One of the upper-year Alphas from yesterday stood at his side.

"Hope you passed my message to your daddy," Prince added lightly. "I wouldn't want Damien blindsided again."

Serena's jaw tightened.

Before she could respond-

"Well if it isn't Prince."

Damien stepped forward.

The clearing quieted instantly.

First Ranked Alpha.

Second Ranked Alpha.

They were standing across from each other. 

The prince smiled thinly.

"Still hiding behind your gracious reputation, huh?"

"And you're still caught chasing mine." Damien replied sharply.

Prince stepped closer.

"Come on, let's end all this shirade and rumours. 

Fight me, let's find out who the real Alpha Male of this school is."

"Not today."

A few murmurs spread.

"What's the matter?" Prince taunted. "Saving your strength?"

Damien turned slightly toward Serena instead.

"Pack up," he said calmly. "We move now.

We need to set our camp up before dark."

Damein turned and walked away, Serene followed carefully behind him. 

Prince's voice followed them.

"Always running because you're a coward, you've always been one."

Damien didn't respond, he just kept walking. 

Then-

"Like your father."

Everything stopped.

The clearing went silent.

Serena felt it in the air before she saw it in him.

Damien's shoulders stiffened, then his hands slowly curled into fists.

Prince's smirk sharpened.

In a flash-

Damien turned and drove his fist straight into Prince's jaw.

The sound echoed through the clearing.

And the entire forest edge fell dead silent.