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.

The sickening sound of Damien's fist against Prince's jaw echoed across the clearing.

For a heartbeat, no one moved.

Prince's head snapped to the side from the force, but he did not fall, he only staggered back, before sinking his boots into the dirt, then slowly he straightened again.

Blood now filled the corner of his mouth.

He touched it with his thumb, and looked at it carefully, almost proudly.

And then smiled.

A slow and satisfied smile.

"I was wondering how long it would take," Prince said lightly.

He wiped the blood across his knuckles and spat to the side.

"You even hit just as weak as he did."

A ripple of murmurs moved through the gathered Alphas.

Damien stepped forward again, fury bubbling just under the surface. 

The prince tilted his head.

"Is that all the great Blackthorn heir can manage?"

Damien tightened his fists again, even tighter than before, ready to lunge forward before Serena moved.

She stepped directly in front of him, forcing herself between the two Alphas.

"Don't."

Damien's growl was low and dangerous. "Move, Soren. Now!"

"You're letting him get into your head." she shot back. 

Behind her, Prince laughed.

"Head? I'm in his blood."

Damien tried to step around her. She shifted with him, blocking his path again.

"This is what he wants," she said quietly, urgently. "You hit him again, you give him the show."

Prince's voice carried clearly.

"Run along, golden or Or let your little guard dog fight for you."

The insult landed.

Damien's breathing grew heavier. His fists tightened to the point that his knuckles were beginning or turning white.

Serena lowered her voice so only he could hear.

"Don't give him the satisfaction."

A long and tense second passed.

And then after another Damien finally exhaled a little.

Finally, he stepped back.

"Pack up," he said flatly.

Serena released the breath she hadn't realized she was holding and grabbed her bag quickly.

The prince called after them.

"Still running!"

No response.

"Just like your father did!"

It hit Damein again, just as before, but this time, he just kept walking.

The clearing swallowed them in silence as they crossed into the forest.

The sounds of the other Alphas still at the clearing faded behind them as they stepped deeper into the forest. 

They walked for a long stretch without speaking.

The air between them was heavy.

By the time the sun had dipped and given way for the moon, the forest seemed different, far less safer.

The temperature around them dropped sharply. It was freezing cold. 

Serena adjusted the strap of her bag and finally broke the silence.

"What is it between you two?"

Damien didn't answer immediately.

She kept her gaze forward before asking again.

"Is it just an Academy competition? It feels a little more than that?"

He walked another few steps before responding.

"No, it isn't just competition."

She pressed on, thought, licking , picking her words carefully. "Then what is it?"

He exhaled slowly.

"We're Alpha heirs," he said at last. "of two neighboring packs."

Serena glanced at him.

"The Blackthorn pack," he continued, "and the Valen pack."

"Prince."

"Yes and to say that our packs don't get along would be a very massive understatement."

"Our territories share a border," Damien said after a pause. "They always have."

"And?"

"And neither pack trusts the other."

"Why?"

He paused before answering.

"Our fathers hated each other and their fathers before them."

"And you inherited it as well." 

"We didn't have a choice."

She thought back to the clearing.

"He mentioned your father."

Damien's expression hardened instantly.

"Don't."

"She brought him up for a reason."

Silence fell again.

Then, more quietly, "He didn't run."

Serena didn't interrupt.

"He died during a border conflict," Damien said. "He tried to negotiate for peace with Valon's pack and instead it turned into an ambush.

He retreated but barely made it before he was killed."

Killed?! My breath isn't still. 

"Prince's pack killed him?"

"Yes."

"I'm sorry-"

"Don't be." Serene tried to apologize, to be comforting, but Damein cut her off before she could finish. 

They walked in silence again.

Soon, they reached a small clearing where the trees opened slightly, allowing the soft silver moonlight to spill across the ground.

Damien stopped.

"This will work."

"For the night?" Serene asked, taking in the place. 

"Yes and then we search for a moonstone at first light."

He shrugged off his bag and immediately began setting up the tent with efficient movements.

Serena set her pack down and began gathering dry twigs and branches for a fire.

The forest was damp under the surface, but she found enough kindling to attempt it.

She knelt and struck the flint.

A spark.

Nothing.

She tried again.

Another spark.

Still nothing.

The wood hissed faintly but refused to catch.

Frustration flickered through her.

She struck harder.

The spark died.

Behind her, Damien secured the tent stakes and glanced over.

"Do you need a hand?"

"Yes. I do."

The words left her mouth-

Wrong.

It was soft, too soft... 

The voice was feminine 

Both of them froze.

Serena's stomach dropped.

That hadn't been Soren's voice, that one was hers... 

Damien straightened slowly.

"What's wrong with your voice?"

Panic surged through her then.

The spell. No, no, no,no.. 

It was thinning at the wrong pack.

"No-" she cleared her throat quickly. "Cold."

Her tone was uneven.

"I'll be back."

Before he could question further, she stood abruptly.

And ran.

"Soren!" Damien called. "Get back here!"

She didn't stop.

The forest blurred as she moved faster than she should have.

Faster than Soren ever could.

Branches whipped past her and leaves cracked underfoot.

Behind her, Damien shouted again.

"Soren, come back! The forest isn't safe!"

She increased her speed, putting distance between them.

She didn't slow until she reached the sound of rushing water.

A narrow river cut through the forest, the moonlight reflecting across its surface.

She stopped at the bank, her breathing hard and heavy.

Her reflection stared back at her.

It was still Soren's face, the rest of the illusion was still intact.

She opened her mouth.

"Damn it."

The voice that came out was hers.

Serene's.

Her throat tightened.

The spell wasn't fully broken.. but it was weakening.

.

She pressed a hand to her chest, forcing herself to breathe evenly.

If it collapsed completely-

If he heard her like this-

Everything would be over.

She knelt at the water's edge, staring at her reflection.

"I can fix this," she whispered.

The voice trembled.

She clenched her jaw.

No.

She would not lose control now.

Not when the Gauntlet had just begun.

A sound broke through her thoughts.

A faint rustle.

She went still instantly 

She rose slowly to her feet and then she heard another rustle, this time closer. 

Her heartbeat quickened.

The rustling grew louder and closer.

Serena took a slow step back from the riverbank.

Her pulse thundered in her ears.

The rustling came again... 

And this time, it was right behind her.