SERAPHINA

Lupine Academy was the most elite training ground for Alpha heirs. A brutal, male-dominated proving ground where the next generation of leaders was forged. The top student didn't just graduate with honors, he built an empire and ruled every werewolf pack in the realm.

I had dreamed of it since I was a small child, the tests, the strategy, the raw competition. Of course there was one problem.

They only accepted males.

That hadn't mattered before. I was meant to stay with my pack, as its future. As its Alpha.

But now? An arranged marriage.

My mind moved fast, replaying every detail I knew about the Academy. New recruits join this time every year. My father had forbidden me from even watching the trials, but if I moved now under cover of night, I could still make it in time.

I didn't need permission. I just needed a disguise and I was already on it.

I stood in front of the mirror, my heart pounding as I pulled the cloth tighter around my chest, flattening every trace of my femininity. My breath came shallow, restricted - just like it needed to be.

This was the only way in. The Lupine Academy didn't accept females. But they wouldn't see one.

They'd see Seth. Seth Darven. Aunt Marrisa's son that was supposed to attend the Academy but he refused and now I was replacing him.

I slipped on his old clothes - loose, worn, but perfect. My fingers slightly slowly only once as I lifted the perfume my best friend and also a witch, Lily had brought. One spray, and the scent of my lineage, my body vanished. No one could pick my feminine scent and I could not do that as well. Even my long hair shimmered, appearing short in the mirror.

It was all an illusion. Even for me.

But there was a huge disadvantage that I could not hide my identity if I shifted into my wolf but at least I had something to hide my scent and hair.

With one last glance at the bedroom, I'd once called mine, I pulled open the window, threw my luggage down, and leapt into the darkness below.

I ran away from the pack and the marriage.

After a day of relentless travel, I finally arrived at Lupine Academy, a testament to centuries of werewolf heritage and tradition, nestled deep within the heart of the Blackpine Forest. As dawn broke, I emerged from the treeline and paused at the edge of a clearing, my heart skipping a beat at the sight before me. It was as if I was teleported from the modern time to the ancient time. The place I had only heard about and longed to see was now a reality. Only this was more than a visit; I was about to become part of it.

The academy's architecture was a harmonious blend of ancient craftsmanship and natural elements. Towering spires reached skyward, their tips disappearing into the morning mist. Dense woods surrounded the main edifice, serving both as a natural barrier and a training ground.

Established over nine hundred years ago by the revered first Alpha King of the realm, the academy was founded with a singular vision: to cultivate and train the next generation of Alpha leaders. Every five years, a special battle was organized among the students. The winner would become a powerful leader, a Supreme Alpha, with the authority to create their own pack and lead all four regional Alphas. Alpha heirs impatiently awaited this day, but during the last hundred years, no one had won this battle. I was here to change that, to win the impossible battle and design my own throne.

Approaching the wrought-iron gates, I noted the intricate designs of wolves in mid-howl and moons in various phases-each symbol telling the story of battles fought and won. A thrill ran through me. This was it, the beginning of my journey to claim the leadership denied to me by birthright. With a final glance at the towering structure before me, I stepped forward, crossed the iron gates, and walked through the green clearing. Each step filled me with excitement and happiness until a group of seven or eight male wolves burst out of the large door of the edifice, some stumbling in their haste, their expressions full of fear and horror.

"What is going on?" I murmured, watching them in confusion and growing panic. One of them fell to his knees a short distance from me, coughing up blood.

I rushed to his side, noting his ID, which indicated he was a new student joining today, like me.

"Are you alright?" I asked, noticing the other wolves were in no better condition.

He coughed more violently. Something felt off. He was clearly an Alpha, so what could have affected his wolf so severely that he was coughing blood? "What happened? Why are you all running like this? And why are you coughing blood?"

He only lifted a shaking finger and pointed at the large wooden door of the academy from which they had all fled. Then he got up and dashed toward the academy doors without looking back.

I stood upright, cautiously advancing toward the grand entrance, my wolf, Phina, alert within my mind. The other day when Seth came to visit me he had said that the wolves at Lupine Academy were far deadlier than one could imagine, monstrous beings who preyed upon the weak and newly initiated Alpha heirs. Survival among them was rare. Moments ago, I had witnessed firsthand the new Alpha recruits fleeing in terror. Yet, this did not waver my determination.

Crossing the threshold, I realized how Seth's words were true. The air was thick with masculinity; male Alphas dominated the vast hall. The moment I stepped in, the air shifted.

Laughter and chatter ceased abruptly, plunging the hall into silence as they sensed my presence. Predatory eyes turned toward me, assessing, sizing me up. Some scoffed, dismissing my smaller frame clad in the academy's uniform. Others, particularly the strongest among them, appeared intrigued. Unfiltered dominance permeated the space. Every student here was an Alpha heir, forged in brutality, and I had just entered their world.

This was my first encounter with so many male Alphas. I had entered the wolf's den.

"Fresh meat," someone jeered.​

Under their penetrating gazes, I proceeded cautiously, ensuring my strides and posture mirrored that of a male. Maintaining a low profile was imperative; attracting undue attention risked exposure.

Mid walk, my eyes were drawn to the visual representation of the academy's hierarchy. A massive stone leaderboard etched with the names of the top Alpha contenders.​

At the pinnacle sat Alpha Ronan Volkstane, son of the Southern Alpha.

I blinked, recalling Seth's mention of him. Alpha Ronan was ruthless, undefeated, and dangerously unpredictable-the exact type of individual I needed to avoid.​

My gaze then shifted to the second position.​

Alpha Dante Blackwood, son of the Eastern Alpha.​

Unfamiliar with him, I surmised that his high rank signified considerable danger.

Pressing my lips together, I studied the rankings. It appeared I had joined late; the battles and competitions had commenced long ago, and my name was absent from the list. I needed to discreetly ascend through the ranks to achieve victory. Unbeknownst to me, my very presence had already disrupted the established balance.

A sudden, oppressive aura touched Phina, stirring her within my mind. I tore my eyes from the rankings, scanning my surroundings. What was that sensation? Why were these wolves releasing their auras? Their eyes, filled with mockery, lips curled into sinister smiles, their sharp auras encircled me, intensifying their oppressive energy. Within moments, I was besieged by their combined dominance. Suddenly, I understood why the other new recruits had fled.

Phina growled in my mind, "We're being forced into a dominance match."​

I calmly and silently agreed with her. This wasn't a physical fight but a ritual where wolves asserted their strength through sheer presence. Those unable to withstand it would be instantly subdued, much like the others I'd already met. A direct defeat.

Assailed by the dominance of numerous Alphas, a discomfort coursed through me, and Phina grew increasingly uneasy. Yet, I stood tall, averting my gaze to avoid appearing overly strong. The longer I endured, the more their egos suffered. One by one, they intensified their efforts, attempting to subjugate me with their dominance, until, frustrated, they withdrew.

I took a discreet, deep breath, believing the ordeal over with. Until, a dangerously sharp aura struck me. I gasped, and Phina froze within my mind. What was this? It was the strongest, most lethal aura I'd ever encountered-the aura of a beast.

A cold, piercing presence fixated on me. Slowly, I lifted my eyes to the balcony, locking onto a pair of violet eyes that seemed to penetrate my very soul.​

I froze as his striking features came into view-a strong jawline, sun-kissed skin, and brown hair that fell just past his ears, tousled in a way that added to his effortless charm.​

Standing tall with a powerful, muscular build, the Alpha exuded an aura of deadly dominance and godly allure that demanded submission. The longer our eyes locked, the more his gaze intensified.

A sudden uproar erupted around me.​

"He didn't flinch under Ronan's aura!"

"Yeah, no one has ever withstood Ronan's aura before. Who is this wolf?"​

The handsome wolf's expression darkened at the murmurs. I blinked. Wait, did they just call him Ronan? Ronan Volkstane?!​

"This new meat won the dominance match against Ronan Volkstane!" someone shouted.

Shit! It shouldn't have unfolded this way. I immediately tore my eyes from Ronan.

Turning to exit the hall, feigning ignorance of the commotion, I suddenly collided with a broad chest, well-defined and tapering down to a lean waist-the epitome of masculine perfection, blocking my path.​

I froze and slowly looked up to find Alpha Ronan Volkstane towering over me. The surrounding hall fell into a dead silence as he demanded, "Who are you?"

SERAPHINA

"Who are you?" demanded the last person I wanted to encounter at the Academy.

His voice was deep and commanding, much like his strikingly handsome face. Yet, his intense violet eyes spelled my doom, causing my heartbeat to race uncontrollably. Had something in my disguise betrayed me? I was confident the scent-masking potion was effective; otherwise, chaos would have already erupted. If everything was in place, why had he stopped me? It wasn't possible that he had ever met Seth Darven in person, right? I was a wolf among wolves. If he suspected anything or if I were exposed, I wouldn't just face expulsion-I would be hunted.

I couldn't let that happen. Retreating or walking away might arouse suspicion, so I responded in the deep, masculine voice I had practiced on my journey here, "Seth Darven."

His expression shifted slightly. Not wanting to engage with him further, I attempted to walk past, but he blocked my path again. "You don't smell like the rest of them," he murmured, leaning down to inhale a scent that wasn't there, thanks to my potion. "What are you hiding, Seth Darven?"

My heart plummeted into my stomach, not only because of his words but also his actions. I barely maintained a neutral expression. Why was he the only one who noticed? I took a step back before he could detect anything unusual about me.

"What does it have to do with you?" I demanded, frowning. He was unpredictable, dangerous-even more than he appeared. Unbeknownst to me, a pair of blue eyes had been watching from the balcony the entire time-someone whose aura had been subdued without my awareness.

The Alphas around us secretly gasped as I addressed the strongest Alpha in the Academy so brazenly, while my sharp eyes remained locked with Ronan's in displeasure. There was no way I could let him perceive anything unusual about me.

Suddenly, he tilted his head, and a small, mysterious smile crossed his lips. A chill ran down my spine. What did that mean? It felt like nothing but danger-more danger. Phina, my wolf, and I grew increasingly uncomfortable in his presence for some unknown reason.

Without a word, I walked past him, feeling his gaze follow my every move. I exited the hallway without looking back. Once I was finally alone, I placed a hand over my racing heart. Who was this Alpha? And why did he act this way? The way his eyes scrutinized me, the way he behaved-it was terrifying. Could it be because I hadn't succumbed to his aura? I clenched my fists at my sides. On the very first day, I had caught the attention of someone like him. And it meant nothing but trouble for me. I had to stay away from him from now on, no matter the cost. There should be no further encounters between us.

A voice called out from behind. "Seth Darven?"

I turned to find a middle-aged man approaching, his uniform marking him as a dormitory assistant. "Yes, that's me."

He looked me up and down in surprise, as if he hadn't expected me to make it to the Academy, then stated after a moment, "I'm here to show you to your room." He gestured for me to follow.

The dormitory was a sprawling building, its corridors echoing with the sounds of Alphas. The assistant led me to a room at the end of a long hallway.

"This will be your quarters," he said, opening the door.

I sucked in a relieved breath. Finally, I had made it to my room without any major problems. All I wanted was to shut myself in and take a long, deep breath, but as soon as I stepped in, my senses were overwhelmed by the unmistakable scent of males-musk, sweat, and a hint of something more primal. I froze in the middle of the room in shock. Three young men were already inside, their conversations halting as they turned to assess the newcomer.

Wait, this couldn't be what I thought it was, right?!

I turned around at lightning speed to the assistant. "I think I'm in the wrong room!"

He flipped through the list in his hand to double-check and replied, "This is the room that you will be sharing with other Alphas," as he walked away.

My mind went blank. What had he just said? I had to share a room with others? That's when I recalled that I was in a boys' dormitory, and that's how it worked. It had just hit me all of a sudden when I wasn't ready for it. Taking a deep breath, I turned to my roommates.

One of them, a blond with a cocky smirk, leaned against his bunk. "You're the new pup?" he drawled, his tone dripping with condescension.

I met his gaze, keeping my expression neutral. "Seth Darven," I introduced myself, my voice firm.

He chuckled, exchanging a glance with the others.

"Reed," he said, not bothering to extend a hand. "This is Cassius," he nodded toward a dark-haired Alpha with piercing blue eyes, who offered a curt nod. "And that's Finn." The third, a lanky boy with reddish-brown hair, gave a shy wave.​

I surveyed the room. It was really big with all the facilities. Three beds were already claimed, leaving one by the window. I moved toward it, but before I could place my bag down, Reed's smirk widened. He casually tossed his duffel onto the bed.

"That one's mine," he stated, his eyes brimming with challenge.​

A surge of irritation flared within me, but I suppressed it. I couldn't afford to draw unnecessary attention. Instead, I met his gaze evenly.

"Didn't see your name on it," I replied coolly.​

The room grew tense, the air thick with unspoken challenges. Cassius, sensing the brewing conflict, intervened.

"Relax, Reed. Let the newbie settle in. He won't last long anyway."​

Reed held my gaze for a moment longer before shrugging. "Whatever," he muttered, retrieving his bag and flopping onto his own bed but not before bumping into me intentionally.

My ID card dropped from my hand falling on the ground. Just as I bent down to grab it another hand came to pick it up for me.

"Here," Finn softly stated, handing it over to me.

"Thanks," I accepted , noticing he had been studying me closely.

"Heard you defeated Alpha Ronan's aura. Is it true?" his voice was low.

I pursed my lips. It seems by now the whole academy had heard about it. It was really troublesome. "How could I possibly do such a thing? People are just making fun of me," I lied smoothly.

"Really?" He looked a little doubtful, "I hope it is really a rumor because no one survived in this academy when that Reaper set eyes on someone," he explained, my mind stopping at Ronan's nickname .

"Reaper?" I held my breath, recalling the intense look and chilling smile on Ronan's lips. It was neither evil nor godly, just a perfect mixture of both of them. Just like a Reaper.

Finn just nodded in response, "Be careful," saying, he turned to his own bed.

I pursed my lips, Ronan's whisperer echoing in my ears. I really had to be careful.

As I placed my belongings on the now-available bed, I took a moment to steady my breathing. My eyes scanned the room, noting the presence of a fifth bed-a king-size, untouchable-looking bed. Curiosity sparked within me. Who did it belong to? There was no name tag. And there was no stuff around it.

"Move," a deep voice commanded from right behind me.

Surprised, I turned around swiftly, only to find Ronan standing mere inches away.

"You!" My eyes widened in shock. "Why are you here?"

The other Alphas in the room grew tense at his presence, and realization dawned upon me. The fifth bed...

The corner of his lips curled up into a smirk as he leaned down closer to my face and whispered, "Welcome to my den, little wolf."

SERAPHINA

What cruel twist of fate was this? How could Alpha Ronan end up as one of my roommates? I had resigned myself to sharing the room with the other three Alphas, but he was an entirely different matter. He didn't even attempt to conceal the predatory glint in his eyes. Clenching my fists at my sides, I questioned why it had to be him. Living with him would be akin to residing with a hungry lion.

Biting my cheek discreetly, I stepped out of his path and proceeded to my bed to unpack. Fortunately, new students were granted a day off to settle in, so I wasn't required to be anywhere else.

"Ronan, we didn't expect you to be here today," Reed remarked with a hesitant, panicked smile, a stark contrast to the smug expression he had worn earlier.

What did they mean by not expecting him? I continued unpacking, choosing to ignore them until Ronan responded, "Something interesting caught my eye, so I came to play."

My hand froze mid-motion, sensing Ronan's gaze fixed on my back.

At that moment, a bell rang.

Cassius groaned, "Oh, I'm starving after morning training. Let's go." Reed followed him almost immediately.

I watched their retreating figures. Was it time for breakfast? Finn paused, meeting my confused gaze, and informed me, "It's breakfast time, and the cafeteria is on the ground floor. If you don't arrive on time, there won't be any food left for you." His voice was softer than the others', almost gentlemanly.

I blinked. Did he just help me? "Thank you," I replied.

He nodded and left the room. It seemed not all Alphas were mean-spirited; some, like Finn, appeared kind. A small smile formed on my lips, but I soon felt it again-an intense gaze boring into me.

I slowly glanced to the side, where Alpha Ronan sat on the king-size bed, legs crossed, back straight, his violet eyes unblinkingly staring at me. Why hadn't he left with them? And why was he staring so intently? I looked away and resumed unpacking, hoping he would leave soon. I desired some time alone to arrange my personal belongings without an audience, but he showed no intention of leaving. With each passing second, my uneasiness grew as his stare intensified.

Unable to bear it any longer, I stopped unpacking and left the room without looking back. As I walked down the hallway, I glanced over my shoulder. What was his deal? He remained in the room, but now I had to head to the cafeteria, even though I wasn't particularly hungry.

However, when I reached the ground floor, my wolf caught the delicious scent of food. Without needing directions, I found the cafeteria. Upon entering, I was surrounded by hundreds of Alphas in academy uniforms. I quietly made my way to the serving area and began filling my plate, but my small stature still attracted attention. Unbothered by their mockery, I served myself and searched for an empty seat, which seemed impossible to find. Everyone was seated in their own groups, and sitting with random Alphas could be risky in many ways. Newcomers were often unwelcome, especially when perceived as weak.

"Seth!" someone called.

I tilted my head to the right to find Cassius waving at me. "Come, sit with us," he offered.

Reed and Finn were with him. I hesitated. They were still strangers, and our first encounter hadn't been pleasant. So why was he inviting me over? I scanned the room for another option but found no empty seats.

"What are you waiting for? Come on. There's an empty seat here," Cassius called again.

Having no other option, I nodded and started toward their table, carefully holding my plate. But Finn's gaze seemed to convey a warning. My steps slowed as I realized he was advising me not to join them. Something felt off-Reed's smile, Cassius' sudden kindness. Nothing came free in this world, and this felt suspicious. So, I decided not to approach them. Instead, I turned around, noting Reed's subtle clenching of his teeth as his plan failed.

Just as I found an empty seat and was about to sit, thinking I had avoided unwanted trouble, someone bumped into me hard, causing me to stumble forward. In an attempt to save my food and myself, I didn't notice someone was directly in front of me, and my entire plate spilled all over his uniform.

I gasped as the entire cafeteria fell into a dead silence. Holding the plate still in my hand, I felt the aura of the Alpha before me, mysterious and sharp as a blade, enveloping me in furious energy.

As I steadied myself and looked up, I was met with the imposing figure of a breathtakingly handsome Alpha. His dark, wavy hair framed a chiseled face marked by high cheekbones and a strong jawline. His piercing blue eyes were reminiscent of a stormy sea, locked onto mine with an intensity that froze me.

Whispers spread through the cafeteria like wildfire.

"He spoiled Dante's uniform!"

"On the very first day, he messed with the wrong person!"

My hand tightened on the plate. Did I just hear them call this Alpha... Dante? Dante Blackwood?!

His tall, muscular build loomed over me, the academy uniform straining slightly over broad shoulders and a chest carved from stone. Every inch of him radiated power and precision, as if he'd been sculpted for battle. His face was all sharp angles and impossible beauty-high cheekbones, a square jaw dusted with stubble, and a mouth set in a dangerous, unreadable line. But it was his eyes that pinned me in place-icy blue, glinting with fury and something far more lethal. No wonder he was ranked second among the Alphas.

Shit. This was a disaster. He looked extremely pissed off.

Trying to avoid escalating things, I quickly decided to apologize. "I am sor-"

Before I could finish, he closed the distance between us, his presence overwhelming as he growled low in my face, "You little fucker, how dare you mess with me?"

I met his eyes with forced calm, though his aura pressed against me like a vise. "Someone bumped into me. It wasn't intentional," I clarified, voice steady.

"Is that so?" A cold grin spread on his lips. "Then let me be clear-whatever I do to you from now on will be very, very intentional." His voice was a low, dangerous murmur, his eyes flicking over my face like he was memorizing it. "Watch your back."

With that, he stalked past me.

The cafeteria slowly returned to its noisy rhythm, but I remained frozen, still clutching the plate.

First Ronan, now Dante.

On my very first day, I had managed to offend both of the top-ranked Alphas. Why them? Why me?

Cursing under my breath, I dumped the plate and left the cafeteria without a backward glance-unaware that from the far end, Ronan had seen everything. And he hadn't looked away once from my back.