The morning light filtered through the massive windows of Heilong Dominion Academy, bouncing off the polished floors and reflecting in the myriad of glass portraits that lined the hallways. Lin Yuexin adjusted her uniform for what felt like the hundredth time, her fingers lingering over the fabric as if the act of straightening it could anchor her in this world of predators. Every step she took echoed softly, a human heartbeat among giants, and the whispers followed her like shadows.
"Have you ever seen a human this bold?" a girl hissed from behind, her voice sharp and judgmental. Yuexin didn't turn. She had learned already that responding could mean giving them power over her. The red glow of Xu Meilin's mark flickered faintly in the sunlight as the girl brushed past, a silent reminder of the social war waiting in every corner of this school.
Her first class of the day was Alpha History, a subject she had studied superficially, but would never have understood fully until she experienced it in the hallways of Heilong Dominion Academy. Every student carried a history, a legacy, a mark etched into their very being. Yuexin carried none, and yet she walked among them, a ghost in their world.
As she found her seat, her back stiff, heart drumming against her ribs, she sensed him before she saw him. Mo Zhenyu. He stood at the edge of the room, as if he owned every inch of space he occupied—which, in reality, he probably did. His eyes, cold and precise, measured her, analyzed every movement, every twitch of muscle, every micro-expression she had not even consciously performed. Yuexin felt exposed under his gaze, every nerve alert.
Then a shadow fell across her desk. She glanced up, and her stomach flipped. Mo Yichen.
He leaned casually against the desk, smirk playing on his lips. "Good morning, transfer student," he said, voice low, carrying that intoxicating mixture of amusement and challenge. "I've been watching you since yesterday. Quite the quiet one, huh?"
Yuexin kept her expression neutral, her pulse tightening. She could feel his heat, the subtle energy of his presence brushing against her like static electricity. His mark pulsed faintly, the silver-black dragon along his neck glinting in the morning sun, and she realized with a jolt that this was not just observation—this was predatory.
"I… good morning," she replied cautiously, keeping her tone flat.
"Flat is good," he murmured, leaning closer, close enough for her to smell the faint spice of his Alpha scent, even with the suppressant. "Flat keeps people guessing. But I like interesting." His gaze locked with hers, teasing, dominant, and in that moment, Yuexin felt a tremor of something she didn't understand—a flutter that was equal parts fear and… something else.
Before she could respond, the classroom door swung open. Xu Meilin glided in, her crimson Phoenix mark blazing subtly on her shoulder. She scanned the room, and her eyes immediately landed on Yuexin. A small, cruel smile curved her lips. "Ah, the human," she purred, voice sweet enough to fool anyone who didn't know her. "Let's see how long you last in our little world, shall we?"
Yuexin didn't flinch. She had learned quickly that any reaction was a crack in her armor. Meilin's eyes narrowed, the smile fading into something sharper, more predatory. She leaned toward the girl next to her and whispered something Yuexin couldn't hear, and the group of female Alphas around her erupted into quiet, sharp giggles.
"Quiet," Yuexin reminded herself. Breathe. Observe. Survive.
The first lesson was torture. The Alphas discussed strategies, past battles, family legacies, their achievements and failures. Every comment, every glance, every laugh was layered with power dynamics. Yuexin answered only when addressed, carefully, keeping her voice even, neutral. But she noticed the way the room seemed to shift when she spoke, the way Yichen's eyes gleamed with amusement, the way Zhenyu's gaze lingered just a fraction too long.
When the class ended, Yuexin attempted to slip into the hall unnoticed, but Yichen blocked her path with casual ease. "Where are you going, human?" he teased, voice low and warm, like velvet brushing against steel. "You can't just disappear."
Yuexin held her ground, keeping her eyes down. "I go where I need to go."
His smirk widened. "Oh, I like that answer. Direct. Fearless. Or maybe just… desperate?" His fingers brushed against the strap of her bag, teasing, testing boundaries. The action was subtle, but enough to send a jolt through her chest, a reminder of how fragile her human body was among these powerful beings.
Zhenyu's voice cut through the tension before it escalated. "Leave her," he said quietly, but the word carried authority like a whip cracking across the air. Yichen tilted his head, considering, then leaned back with an exaggerated sigh. "Fine. For now."
The exchange left Yuexin's heart racing, her pulse uneven. Two brothers, both powerful, both interested, both dangerous in different ways. She had only been in this school for two days, yet she already understood: her survival depended on navigating a minefield of dominance and desire.
Lunch was no reprieve. The courtyard was alive with Alpha energy, clusters of students laughing, arguing, asserting control. Yuexin found a small corner under the overhang, trying to disappear. She kept her head low, mind racing, counting every breath, every sound, every shift of energy around her.
It wasn't long before Yichen found her again. "You know," he said, sliding into the bench opposite her, his smirk constant, "I could get used to this. Watching you squirm quietly… it's quite the entertainment."
Yuexin didn't respond, focusing instead on her tray, the bland food tasting of nothing but survival. She could feel the subtle heat of his gaze, the pulse of his energy, the teasing dominance pressing against her nerves.
Zhenyu, meanwhile, had stationed himself at the edge of the courtyard, silent, imposing. Every Alpha seemed to respect the invisible barrier he created. Yuexin sensed his presence even without looking, a shield and a warning all at once. He was watching—not interfering, but aware, protective, and territorial.
The afternoon lessons passed in a blur of whispered challenges, subtle tests, and constant observation. Yuexin's mind was stretched thin, every second a careful calculation of what to reveal and what to hide. She had to maintain the illusion of invisibility, yet even invisibility could be dangerous in a school that measured strength in blood, scent, and dominance.
At one point, Xu Meilin approached her during a break. "You're clever for a human," she said, voice sweet but sharp. "But clever isn't enough here." She leaned closer, the faintest touch of her hand brushing Yuexin's arm—a test, a warning. "One wrong move, and everyone will know exactly who and what you are."
Yuexin's pulse spiked, but her face remained calm. "I'll be careful," she said softly, neutral, obedient-sounding, but every word was a calculated lie.
As the day drew to a close, the first signs of exhaustion set in. Yuexin walked the slick stone paths back to her dormitory, the faint smell of rain and wet asphalt mixing with the lingering scent of Alphas. Even from a distance, she could sense Zhenyu following her silently, and Yichen trailing close, playing a game of dominance without touching, without speaking, but with every step radiating control and amusement.
Her dorm room was small and plain, the lights dimmed by the fading afternoon. She removed the suppressant patch beneath her collarbone and stared at her reflection in the mirror. She was human again—fragile, small, exposed. And yet, she had survived.
Her pulse still raced at the memory of Yichen's teasing closeness, the way Zhenyu's gaze had pierced her throughout the day. Two brothers, both powerful, both watching, both already claiming her attention in ways she could not resist. And she had only just arrived.
Tonight, she would lie awake, remembering every glance, every subtle touch, every dominance-laden breath. She would strategize, calculate, prepare for tomorrow. Because in Heilong Dominion Academy, survival was not enough. She had to be stronger, faster, smarter. She had to learn to bend, to play, and most of all, to survive the claims of two of the most dangerous Alphas in the city.
Tomorrow, she would learn that being human was the greatest weakness—and the greatest weapon she had.