The triumphant gleam in Adrian's silver eyes at the Sentinel Stone was seared into Lila's memory. He knew. He had the proof of her dormant elemental magic, and he had revealed it through a sadistic, controlled experiment. She was no longer just his "Omega Asset"; she was a specimen under a microscope, her unique, toxic existence the subject of his chilling fascination.
Back at the Third Floor Suite, Adrian had simply dismissed her. "Clean your wound, Assistant. You have earned a brief respite. Do not disturb me until dinner." His tone was flat, utterly devoid of the playful malice she had grown accustomed to. It was the calm before the storm, and it terrified her more than his rage.
Lila locked herself in her room, bandaging the shallow cut on her palm. The cyan glow of the stone was still imprinted on her vision. I'm a magic battery. And Adrian has the switch.
She knew what she had to do: find a way to activate this dormant magic. If it was dormant, it meant it was asleep. And if it was asleep, maybe it could be woken up to defend her, instead of just making her toxic. But how? She was a reader, not a mage!
Her thoughts were interrupted by a polite, almost anxious knock. It was a Beta servant, holding a small, silver tray.
"Miss Blackwood," the servant murmured, "Alpha Wolfhart requests you partake in a restorative bath before dinner. These are... specially prepared salts."
Lila stared at the small pouch of bath salts. Restorative bath. Right. She immediately pictured Adrian giggling in his study, watching through the ventilation grate, as she soaked in some sort of Alpha-pheromone-infused, elemental-magic-stimulating concoction.
"Tell Alpha Wolfhart," Lila said, adopting her haughtiest tone, "that I prefer to choose my own bath salts. But I appreciate his concern for my... fortitude." She took the salts and slammed the door.
I'm not falling for that, Adrian, she thought, tossing the pouch into the waste bin. No way am I soaking in your weird, probably magical bath bombs.
The next morning dawned with a chilling sense of normalcy. Lila was once again Adrian's shadow, enduring his proximity in Pack Lore and Ancient Texts (which is werewolf history). But the tension in the room was palpable, thicker than Adrian's cologne. The whispers about Lila's "claiming" by Adrian, her public humiliation by Marcus, and her sudden appearance at the Sentinel Stone had spread like wildfire.
After class, as Lila made to follow Adrian, a small, timid Beta messenger intercepted her with a whispered plea.
"Miss Blackwood, if you could spare a moment. There's an urgent gathering... an Omega War Council."
Lila frowned. "A what now?"
"It's about the Trials, Assistant," the Beta explained nervously. "And your... elevated position. All the Prime Omegas are gathering in the South Wing Study Hall. They wish to speak with you."
Adrian, who had been waiting patiently, turned his head slightly. His silver eyes met Lila's. "Do not be long, Assistant. You are to monitor my personal studies." His voice was low, laced with a subtle warning.
Right. Because he loves it when I follow the plot. And this "Omega War Council" is definitely not in the book.
Lila nodded curtly to Adrian and followed the Beta messenger. This was an opportunity. If Adrian was the main antagonist, she needed to understand the political landscape of her new "allies."
The South Wing Study Hall buzzed with hushed, agitated chatter. Seated around a large, antique table were the Academy's most prominent Omegas—the very girls Lila had been trying to avoid:
Chloe: The head of the popular clique, still seething with jealousy over Lila's sudden elevation.
Tiffany: Chloe's loyal, but slightly dim-witted, sidekick.
Rose Williams: The kind-hearted heroine, looking deeply troubled.
And several other high-ranking Omegas, all heirs to powerful packs.
The moment Lila walked in, a collective gasp swept through the room. Chloe immediately stood up, her face a mask of barely contained fury.
"Lila Blackwood," Chloe sneered, "what is this nonsense? You are parading around as Adrian Wolfhart's 'assistant' and his 'asset' for the Trials? You, who barely passed Basic Science? This is an insult to every legitimate Prime Omega here!"
Lila suppressed a sarcastic retort. Oh, Chloe. Still obsessed with trivial social rankings when literal death is on the line.
"This is not a social call, Chloe," Lila said, adopting her most icy, dismissive Blackwood tone. "I presume this 'War Council' is about the Trials. And since I am Alpha Wolfhart's designated Omega Asset, I am intimately involved."
Rose Williams, looking concerned, spoke up. "Lila, what happened at the Sentinel Stone? Marcus was spreading rumors that you used... something unusual. And that Adrian was testing you."
Lila internally winced. Rose was too sharp. "Alpha Wolfhart was testing my adaptability," Lila lied smoothly, keeping her face neutral. "My lineage requires unconventional methods. The Sentinel Stone incident was merely a demonstration of my hidden skills."
Chloe snorted. "Hidden skills? Like tripping over your own feet in Math class? You are a joke, Lila! Everyone knows you were obsessed with Harry, and now you've thrown yourself at Adrian just for status!"
"Chloe!" Harry Westwell's voice boomed from the doorway. He had entered, unannounced, looking furious. Rose immediately rushed to his side. "This is an Omega gathering. You have no right to speak to Lila that way."
"Harry!" Chloe whined, instantly melting into a simpering Omega. "I'm merely trying to understand why she is now Adrian Wolfhart's asset, when it was clear you were going to choose Rose, and then I was next in line! This compromises the entire Trial Selection Process!"
Lila felt a sudden, dizzying wave of understanding. Ah! This is about the official pairings! The Trials weren't just about individual performance; they were about forming strategic Alpha-Omega pairs. Adrian had effectively jumped the queue and snatched a Prime Omega (Lila) before the formal selection process, disrupting the established hierarchy.
Harry, looking torn between anger and concern, turned to Lila. "Lila, is this true? Is Adrian forcing you into this? You're not obligated to him. You can still appeal to the Council of Alphas."
Lila nearly scoffed. Appeal to the Council of Alphas? So Adrian can simply crush them all for daring to interfere with his True Blood 'asset acquisition'? No, thank you, Harry. I'll stick with the devil I know.
"I am where I choose to be, Alpha Westwell," Lila stated, regaining her composure. "And my alliance with Alpha Wolfhart is a matter of strategic importance. Not something to be gossiped about by the lesser ranks." She gave Chloe a pointed, dismissive look.
This was a partial truth. She was strategically forced. And she did need to protect Adrian's "asset acquisition" to save her own skin.
Chloe, furious at being called "lesser," stepped forward, her eyes blazing. "You think you can just walk in and take Adrian Wolfhart, Lila? You are a fool! You will be destroyed! The Trials are not a game for you to play social climber!"
Suddenly, a loud, booming voice echoed from the door. "Indeed, the Trials are not a game. They are a display of strength and lineage."
Adrian Wolfhart stood in the doorway, his presence immediately sucking the air out of the room. He was utterly devoid of expression, but his silver eyes moved slowly across every Omega present, landing finally on Lila. Harry Westwell immediately bristled, stepping protectively in front of Rose.
"Assistant Blackwood," Adrian said, his voice cold and clear. "You have exceeded your allotted time. My personal studies require your immediate attention." He then turned his chilling gaze to Chloe. "And Omega, if you believe my choice of asset is 'an insult,' then I suggest you prove your own worth in the upcoming Physical Trial. The forested hunting grounds await your superior performance. Perhaps you can retrieve the prize that Assistant Blackwood so diligently helped me secure."
He didn't explicitly threaten Chloe, but the implication was clear: Dare to challenge my choice, and I will make your life a living hell in the Trials.
Chloe paled, her bravado evaporating.
Adrian then gestured to Lila. "Come, Assistant. Unless you prefer to be lectured by Omega Williams on the intricacies of the Omega selection process? I assure you, my lecture is far more… engaging."
Lila, knowing exactly how "engaging" his lectures could be (i.e., terrifying), quickly walked toward him. As she passed Harry and Rose, she gave them a subtle, almost imperceptible shrug, as if to say, What can I do? He's the True Blood.
Adrian placed a possessive hand on her back, guiding her out of the room. As they walked away, Lila heard Chloe's frustrated squeal and Rose's worried murmur. She had successfully navigated the Omega War Council, even if it meant confirming her status as Adrian's unwilling possession.
Back in the peace of his study, Adrian settled into his chair, gesturing for Lila to stand opposite him.
"You handled that... adequately, Assistant," he conceded, picking up a heavy tome on ancient runes. "Your lie about my lineage research was particularly inspired, if utterly predictable. It's precisely what a Blackwood would say."
Lila bristled. "I saved you from a social embarrassment, Alpha. The Omega Council was on the verge of questioning your authority."
Adrian leaned back, a genuine, amused smirk on his face. "And you, Lila, were on the verge of being torn to shreds by your jealous rivals. We both benefited. Now," he tapped the book with a long finger. "You mentioned Pack Artifacts to Alpha Westwell. A very interesting detail. Tell me, what do you know of the Whispering Blade?"
Lila's heart skipped a beat. The Whispering Blade! That was a major, ancient artifact from the novel, one of the key items Adrian would seek to consolidate his power! It was tied to a secret society and ultimate True Blood dominance!
"The Whispering Blade is a myth," Lila said, maintaining her poker face, even though her internal reader was screaming with excitement and terror. "A legend from ancient times. It has no bearing on modern Trials."
Adrian's smile widened, cold and predatory. "Perhaps. But perhaps it has everything to do with my success. And your survival. Now, Assistant. The Trials begin in earnest tomorrow with the First Challenge. And you are still breathing my air. So, tell me everything you know about this 'mythical' blade."
He was testing her again, pushing her to reveal her knowledge of the very plot she was trying to escape. And this time, she couldn't simply make up a story about a tour guide pamphlet. The Whispering Blade was too central to his dark ambitions.
Why? just why is all these happening to me? if it goes like this I will definitely die.
Lila took a deep breath, trying to slow her racing heart. She was a captured pawn in a game far grander than she had realized. And Adrian, the True Blood Alpha, was always, always, one step ahead.