"Stop, I have to get ready for class before the Alphas show up!" A girl gasped, pushing her partner's chest lightly—though her hands didn't move away quickly.
He smirked, fingers moving in slow circles on her lower back. "You say that, but you're not really trying to leave, are you?" His voice was soft, teasing, and too tempting.
She leaned her head back against the dorm wall and groaned. "You're impossible."
"And you," he said near her ear, brushing his lips close, "are so cute when you're flustered."
Her breath caught, but she pulled herself together and slipped out of his arms like she just remembered something important. "Seriously, I have to go," she said, smoothing her wrinkled shirt and avoiding his heated stare.
He leaned against the doorframe, watching her with a lazy grin. "Alright, go ahead. But don't act like you didn't enjoy that."
She rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the smile as she grabbed her books and rushed out, heart pounding.
At that moment, Raine walked in. They bumped into each other, and the girl stared at her before mumbling a quick apology smiled and walked away.
"Who did you say want to see me?" Raine asked the boy who came with her.
"That girl over there! She's the prettiest first year."
"Prettiest?" Raine scoffed. "You need your eyes checked."
"Why? Don't you think I'm pretty?" the average-height, chubby girl said as she slowly walked toward Raine.
"She's not ugly, She's beautiful and has a thick curved body " Raine thought. "But no, she's definitely not the prettiest. Is she a bully? Why is she looking at me like she's sizing me up? Well, I'm not going to let anyone push me around."
At first, Raine felt nervous, but she stood straighter, her confidence building. It's her first time in a proper school and she won't let any one walk over her like she has seen in movies
"I'm not interested," she said with a tired sigh and tried to leave, but the girl quickly blocked her path.
"I don't usually do this, Rowan, but I see something in you. I think you'll be strong enough to beat an Alpha. If you take me as your mate, I'll be your Luna."
"I said I'm not interested—wait, did you say I can beat an Alpha?"
She shrugged. "Aren't you the dead Alpha Vale's son?"
Raine nodded. . "Oh…"
"I'm Ellie. You should know that already. I'm the hottest girl in this academy. My dad's the strongest Alpha in the North. I've got nothing to stress about. A few call here and there and we'll get everything we want. You've already started breaking rules, right? And I think you're cute. Where did you dye your hair?"
"Uhh... It's not dyed ... I mean not from a salon or anything. My mom had someone color it recently," Raine lied quickly.
She wasn't about to tell this stranger that her orange hair was natural. That would only cause more problems if her father's men were still hunting her.
"Whatever. So, deal or not?"
"Too bad . I already have a mate." Raine crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. The guy that kissed her in the dormitory hallway was hot. And she won't mind dating him.
Ellie's eyes widened. "Who? Is she here? Did she survive the entrance test? You're too young and too cute to tie yourself to one girl. Ever thought of having a harem?"
Raine frowned, gripping her books tighter. "She doesn't go here," she said, trying to stay calm. "And it's none of your business."
Ellie grinned and leaned in. "So she's not here... That means she can't stop me from taking you. You know, it's such a waste to let someone like you stay untouched. You look so pure and innocent. I could teach you things you've never even dreamed of. And show you things she probably never showed you"
Raine stepped back, . "Theres nothing you have they I haven't seen "
"Ohhhhhhhhhhh" the whole class said. She had no idea they were listening to them. They looked too busy for that.
Ellie rolled her eyes. "Pity. I could've helped you become powerful."
"I don't need you for that."
Ellie stared at her for a second, then smirked. The idea of someone else dating the cutest guy in school drove her crazy. She wanted a cute boyfriend with a strong background—and this one had rejected her?
"Alright, Rowan," she said sweetly. "Play hard to get. Let's see how long it lasts before you run back to me."
"And why are you twisting the mate thing? Aren't mates supposed to be chosen by fate?"
"I'm in school. I'm a teenager. I can make mistakes, date whoever I want, and sleep with whoever I like until I meet my fated mate."
Before she could say more, the big doors to the lecture hall flew open, and the whole room went quiet.
A group of professors walked in, and their presence was powerful.
Raine's heart sank.
Not just because her clothes were still wrinkled and she looked like she just rolled out of bed—while everyone else looked perfect. She's yet to get her uniform..
No. It was because of one of the three men that walked in was the guy that kissed her. Her mouth threw open and she blinked in slow motion.
It was as if she was falling in love all over again with him
Kieran smirked noticing how she looked at him. He had made sure to appear in his finest and she definitely fell for that .
Some students were still kissing on desks, walls—even chairs—like nothing was happening. Others froze when they saw the Alphas, panic all over their faces.
The Alphas stood with their arms crossed, clearly not impressed.
Alpha Gabriel's nose wrinkled at the sight before him.
"YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!" he yelled, slamming his hand on a table.
His voice was deep, sharp, and full of power. Raine felt her instincts scream at her to obey.
She had never been trained to resist a strong Alpha's aura. The power in his tone made the whole room tense up.
The students quickly pulled apart, wide-eyed and breathless.
She could recognize the alpha who had shouted as the same one that organized their entrance exam.
He scanned the room, his gaze brushing past Raine. For a second, she thought he could see past her disguise.
But he didn't. This was the first time she'd made eye contact with *
Alpha Cole had a wicked grin like the whole thing was hilarious. He winked and smiled at her again but she furrowed her brows. The same question still playing on her mind.
"Was be gay??? If not why would he kiss a boy?"
"This isn't how we planned to start the term," Kieran said coldly.
Some students shuffled nervously.
Cole chuckled. "Still, it's entertaining. Looks like we've got a wild batch of first years."
No one dared look up.
"Sit your ass down," Alpha Gabriel ordered. He seemed to be the most strick one.
Chairs screeched as everyone rushed to sit. Raine found a seat near the back, her heart still pounding. Her hands clenched into fists. This was more than bad luck. It was a total disaster.
.
More students ran in—messy, panicked, shirts half-buttoned, hair wild. But at least hey had their uniforms on and it was well ironed.
Gabriel stayed silent, scanning the whole class like he was memorizing every face.
"Some of you can't just arrive on time," Kieran said coldly, "…we'll make this quick by the way"
He stepped forward. "I'm Alpha Kieran. I'll be teaching you mathematics. I'm also the school principal. Yeah we are short of staffs and the three of us are genius enough to handle our surviving first years . Hopefully, you'll learn how to think—not just act like wild animals."
Raine's heart burned. She was disappointed that they all had a hand in the death of innocent struggling people..
Cole smiled and stepped up. "I'm Alpha Cole. I'll handle English." He gave a playful wink, clearly enjoying himself.
He looked like the kind of teacher girls would fall for—and probably sleep with if given the chance. He was more colorful and cheerful.
Gabriel finally spoke. "I've introduced myself too many times already," he said in a low, calm voice.
He looked around the room. "You're here because you have potential. But that means nothing if you can't survive. This academy doesn't accept weakness. Fail, and you're out. Ruin our name, and you'll face the consequences."
His eyes landed on Raine again. Just for a second. But it was long enough to make her freeze.
"Stand up, Orange head" Kieran said suddenly.
Raine's heart skipped. She definitely wasn't ready for this.
"Me?" She looked around, but she was the only one with orange hair in the whole damn class
"Are you questioning me?" Kieran's face furrowed .
She smiled nervously and stood up slowly, every muscle tense.
Cole looked her over. "Such a pretty little boy. Got a name, or should we just call you 'Orange Hair' all term?"
Some students chuckled, but most stayed quiet under the pressure.
"My name is… Rai—Rowan Vale," she finally said, her throat dry. She was pissed off that he didn't remember her name. And yeah he knows he was a boy and still kissed her?
That confirms her suspicions.
Alpha Gabriel's eyes narrowed slightly. Like he was trying to figure something out.
"And what were you doing before you walked in?" Kieran asked, pretending to sound casual.
Raine hesitated. She could lie, but she had a feeling they'd catch her.
"I—" she started, but someone cut her off.
"He was rejecting me," Ellie said lazily from her seat, crossing her legs and smirking. "Honestly, my pride's hurt."
The room started whispering.
Raine clenched her jaw. Of course Ellie would stir trouble.
Cole raised an eyebrow. "Rejecting you? That doesn't happen often, does it?"
Ellie flipped her hair. "Never. Until today."
"You're ridiculous and gorgeous" he muttered.
Raine glared at her before turning back to Kieran, who looked annoyed.
"I don't care about your love life," he said flatly. "What I care about is rules. And you showed up looking like you slept in a garbage bin. Don't you have your uniforms yet?
Her cheeks burned. Her wrinkled clothes felt ten times worse now.
"No I don't. "
"Then follow me after this"