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.

SERAPHINA

My first night at the Lupine Academy was anything but peaceful. I spent the entire night lying stiffly on the edge of my bed. Never in my life had I shared a room with anyone, let alone slept surrounded by people. Not just any just any group of people, Alpha males. My wolf's ears perked up at the slightest sound: the shift of weight on mattresses, the scrape of fingernails, or even a muffled cough. Every little movement made my muscles tense, especially knowing Alpha Ronan was one of them.

He had returned to the room after lights out when I was already in bed. I pretended to be asleep, my back turned in his direction, but for some reason, I felt his gaze lingering on me in the darkness. I clenched my blanket tighter. Was I imagining it because he'd spent the entire day staring at me? I didn't dare turn to confirm it. Better to leave it unanswered, knowing for sure would have robbed me of what little sleep I managed to snatch.

Morning came with the unmistakable sound of Reed and Cassius bickering, cursing, and throwing playful punches at each other. It was unnecessarily loud and obnoxious. Resigned, I sat up in bed, blinking my sleep-heavy eyes open - only to freeze as Ronan walked into the room, freshly bathed and wearing nothing but a towel slung low around his hips.

My breath caught in my throat and my eyes widened, as I nearly toppled off the bed, completely caught off guard by the unexpected display of near-nudity. Why the hell was he roaming around like that? His eyes were already fixed on me, so I quickly schooled my expression, forcing my features into a mask of indifference as I stood up from the bed. But my heart was still racing like a wild stallion in my chest.

Of course, it was an all-male dormitory. Such casual nakedness was probably normal here. Reed was half-naked, and Cassius... well, his state of undress didn't even bear describing. Yet none of them compared to Ronan. His body was lethal perfection - every inch of him was hard, honed muscle. While tying my shoes, I couldn't stop my eyes from stealing a glance. Droplets of water rolled down his wet hair and slid over his eight-pack abs, trailing down toward the towel hanging dangerously low around his hips. His broad, intimidating 6'3" frame seemed to command the room without effort.

Unlike the others, Ronan's back wasn't flawless. It was marred by scars - old, jagged things criss crossing his skin. Not the kind you earned from sparring matches or academy drills. No, those scars told a different story. A history of brutal battles. Real, bloody wars. Despite myself, I found my gaze lingering, drawn by a curiosity I couldn't name.

Then, as if sensing my scrutiny, he casually hooked a finger under the edge of his towel, and my breath hitched as it loosened slightly. Instantly, I yanked my eyes away, my heart thudding wildly. Shit. I'd seen naked men before, plenty of times during training and on the battlefield. But for some reason, when it came to him, it rattled me.

Get a grip, Sera, I silently scolded myself and made my way to my cupboard.

The room gradually emptied as the other Alphas started getting ready in their uniforms, leaving me to gather a fresh uniform. I was just reaching for it when Ronan's voice came from right behind me.

"You slept in your uniform?"

I froze, my hand tightening around the fabric. He was standing close, far too close. I hadn't intended to sleep fully dressed. I wanted to change into something more comfortable, but every time I'd considered it, one of them would show up, making it impossible to undress without risking exposure. And I couldn't let anyone see the bandages around my chest.

"I was too lazy to change," I replied casually, forcing myself to turn and meet his gaze.

One dark brow arched. "Then what? Too lazy to shower, too?"

I bit the inside of my cheek. Truth was, I'd been avoiding it. Afraid that the water might wash away the concealing scent of the perfume I used to mask my true identity. I'd planned to bathe once the room was empty, but why the hell was he so interested in my hygiene?

"I love being dirty," I shot back, a wicked grin playing on my lips as his expression darkened. Across the room, Finn stiffened, clearly catching my comment. I kept going, just to see the look on Ronan's face. "Sometimes I don't bathe for weeks. Months, even."

I was about to add something even more outrageous to hopefully creep him out for good when Cassius burst into the room, slinging an arm around my shoulders like we were old friends. My wolf tensed instantly at the unwanted, too-close contact. It took every ounce of restraint not to twist his arm and slam him to the floor.

"Seth! You haven't washed up yet, have you?" he grinned, completely oblivious. "Let's hit the showers before the bell rings."

My stomach dropped. Communal showers? No private stalls? My pulse hammered against my ribs.

Before I could react, a deep, low growl rippled through the room. Everyone stilled.

Ronan's sharp eyes locked on Cassius, his gaze flicking pointedly to the arm draped around my shoulders. "Don't you see I'm talking to him?" His voice was a deadly, simmering threat. "Get out."

SERAPHINA

Cassius instantly dropped his arm and, with a muttered apology, ducked out with the others.

I stared after him, then glanced back at Ronan, unsettled by the sudden aggression in his stance. What the hell was that about?

"Ronan," someone called from outside the room.

Ronan turned toward the doorway, where a handsome Alpha with dirty blonde hair leaned casually against the frame. A powerful, commanding aura surrounded him, the kind that made even the air feel heavier.

Without a word, Ronan gave him a brief nod - and for some reason, cast a fleeting glance in my direction before striding out.

I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding. His presence alone threatened something inside me I couldn't name.

Soon, the others were ready in their uniforms, while I busied myself unpacking the few belongings I had left, pretending to be preoccupied as I neatly arranged them in the cupboard.

Without warning, Reed kicked my shoe - not hard enough to injure, but not gently either.

"Hey, Tiny," he sneered, looking down at me with a twisted grin. "I'm sure you read the instructions about living in the dormitory."

I glanced up at him, keeping my expression calm and indifferent. "I did."

"Then why the hell aren't you ready yet?!" he snapped, his voice grating and sharp. "The bell's about to ring, and everyone has to be in the cafeteria, training grounds, or hall according to schedule. Sharing a room with a weakling like you is already embarrassing enough. Don't you dare be late or do anything to stain my reputation. I'm in charge of this room, and I swear, if you break any rules, I'll beat you to death."

Growling under his breath, he turned on his heel and stormed out, leaving me standing alone in the now-silent room.

I watched his retreating back, the faint echo of his footsteps fading just as the bell sounded.

Snatching my uniform, I dashed out of the room and sprinted down the empty hallway toward the bathroom. Just as I'd hoped, it was completely empty. But one look at the foggy glass shower stalls made my stomach twist. They offered little privacy, barely a blur between bodies and shapes.

I clenched my jaw. How the hell was I supposed to pull this off every day? I could manage it now, but this wouldn't be sustainable. Sooner or later, someone would notice something. I needed a plan.

Quickly stripping, I took the fastest shower imaginable, doused myself with the scent-masking perfume, and dressed. By the time I reached the cafeteria, I was breathless and half-drenched with both the water and sweat.

The room was already filled with Alphas eating, their eyes following me with unreadable expressions, some curious, others dismissive. Their stares pricked at my skin, but I ignored them and made my way to the food counter.

Only to find it nearly empty.

Most of the food containers were scraped clean. Even the desserts and chicken wings, portions usually prepared to match the number of students, were gone. I glanced up at the server wolf, who immediately looked away, guilt clear in his face.

Behind me, laughter broke out.

Turning my head, I saw the same group of Alphas, plates piled high with more food than they could possibly finish - my share among it.

"Hey, Tiny," one of them, the one they called Jordan, who I remembered standing beside Alpha Dante yesterday, called out with a smirk. He was Dante's friend, "I've got way too much food on my plate. Don't worry, I'll make sure to leave some leftovers for you."

Laughter erupted around him. I silently looked past Jordan to the other side of the cafeteria where a pair of blue eyes were watching me, Dante. He looked like he wanted to tear me apart. I slowly tore my eyes from him.

I didn't rise to Dante's friend's bait. Keeping my expression unreadable, I calmly gathered the few scraps that remained - a couple of small apple slices, a half-serving of potatoes, a glass of water. It wasn't much, but it would have to do.

I took my plate and moved to an empty corner of the cafeteria, sitting alone. Finn sitting some distance away with his friends exchanged a small smile that I returned. But Ronan was nowhere to be found. I thought the rules were for everyone, so how come he acted freely on his own?

The first official day of training and classes was about to begin, and I needed to focus. I wouldn't let a bunch of arrogant Alphas screw with my plans. Laying low was the safest option for now. What mattered was surviving, learning, and eventually claiming the top spot on the leaderboard.

But, apparently, the universe had other ideas.

Jordan and his group made their way over, surrounding my table like a pack of hyenas, grinning like they already owned me.

"Eating so little. Is that why you're so malnourished?" Jordan jeered, loud enough for the entire cafeteria to hear.

Laughter erupted around us.

I calmly bit into my apple slice, not sparing him a glance. His words rolled off me like water off a duck. I wasn't ashamed of my frame. I was, after all, an Alpha female - built with the best physique an Alpha female could possess. But compared to the broader, bulkier builds of male Alphas, my stature naturally appeared smaller. That didn't make me weak.

Jordan's friends chimed in, their voices thick with mockery. "I wonder how this tiny loser made it here. Bet he's got some powerful daddy pulling strings for him."

Another burst of laughter rippled through the room, while Jordan kept his gaze locked on me. Waiting and craving any hint of a reaction.

"I think we all know who is going to be going home today after the day's challenge," someone added with a smug grin, and the wave of insults continued.

But I didn't flinch. I didn't frown. I didn't give them a thing.

Jordan's smugness soured, his temper fraying when he couldn't get a rise out of me. His hand shot out, seizing my collar, yanking me toward him.

"Hey, you little fucker," he growled, his voice low and sharp. "How dare you treat me like air?"

In my head, Phina snarled. 'Let me out. I'll make his hands useless for the rest of his life,'

'No, not now,' I pushed her back, my expression cold, empty.

I met Jordan's gaze, my own eyes unblinking and devoid of fear. Something in the way I stared through him made him hesitate, a flicker of unease flashing in his eyes. He felt it. The insult. The challenge.

His fist rose, aiming for my face.

Before he could even move, a hand slammed a juice cup down onto my table with a sharp, metallic clang. The sudden noise cut through the cafeteria like a blade.

Silence followed, thick and suffocating.

Jordan froze. His face drained of color.

The entire room held its breath.

"Seth Darven," a voice called my name.

I slowly tilted my head up to see Ronan standing right behind me, his expression dark, his presence radiating danger.

He didn't look at Jordan. He didn't look at the others. His focus was solely on me.

"You are a wolf that I took into my den," he said quietly, his voice a low, commanding growl as he tilted my chin up between his fingers, locking his gaze with mine. "How dare you let yourself be bullied?"