《When The Moon Hides Her Crown》 THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 2 1. THE ALPHA¡¯S DAUGHTER SERAPHINA ¡°A woman cannot lead a pack,¡± my father, Alpha Darious Nightbane, dered coldly, standing before the gathered Council and warriors at the final trial of the Heir Selection Ceremony. I stood, breathless and bloodied, having just defeated thest of the contenders in front of a crowd that expected a new leader to rise. I had won. Fairly. Decisively. But it didn¡¯t matter. Not to him. In my wolf form, I had towered over thest fallen candidate, my ws pressed firmly to his throat, not enough to kill, but enough to make him submit. The crowd had fallen silent, every gaze locked onto me. I stood at the center of the grand arena, still in my wolf form, tall, lean, and blood-smeared, my white coat streaked with dust and crimson. My breathing was steady, controlled, the silence around me heavy with judgment. Across the room, my father¡¯s cold,manding ck eyes found mine. But I didn¡¯t blink. ¡°Why?¡± My voice rang out, sharp and unwavering, ¡°I defeated every candidate. I earned this.¡± I was Seraphina Nightbane, the only child of the Alpha of the North. No one questioned him. No one dared. Although I always had. My father¡¯s jaw clenched, his expression hardening but there was a flicker in his eyes. Regret, maybe. Or something dangerously close to it. ¡°Because it¡¯s tradition,¡± he said, quieter at first, then louder as if he needed the conviction to hold. ¡°Only men can lead a pack. That is thew. Women¡­were born to follow. To obey. Not to rule.¡± He looked away for the briefest second, then snapped his gaze back to mine. ¡°Thisw has guided our kind for generations, and it will remain so. Tradition is not up for debate.¡± I was born of his blood, Alpha blood, and still it was never enough. I knew it wouldn¡¯t be. I could crush every opponent, prove myself a hundred times over, and it still wouldn¡¯t matter. All because I was a woman. That one truth had always been enough to cage me. Around us, the pack Elders nodded in solemn agreement, their expressions passive. Compliant. A low growl rumbled in my chest, deep and primal. My ws scraped against the stone floor, muscles coiling beneath my white fur as fury surged through me. With a snarl, Iunched forward, teeth bared as all my restraint nearly slipped away. ¡°What was the point of the Heiress Selection Ceremony then?¡± I demanded, voice cracking but loud enough to echo. ¡°Why make mepete at all if you never intended to choose me?¡± He didn¡¯t blink. ¡°It was never about naming you heir,¡± he said coldly, ¡°It was a formality. Meant to remind our people that tradition still matters.¡± My heart pounded. ¡°So all this bloodshed, all this battle, me winning, it meant nothing?¡± ¡°Strength means nothing in a woman who forgets her ce,¡± he snapped, ¡°You were born to support, not lead.¡± The words punched through me. ¡°So I should have lost to make youfortable?¡± I spat bitterly, ¡°You raised me like a warrior only to cage me like a pawn.¡± A stunned hush fell over the crowd. His jaw clenched. Fury flickered in his eyes like fire catching wind. ¡°You dare question me?¡± His voice boomed, his cold eyes turned murderous. I barely had time to brace myself when a frightening crunch of bone and sinew, my father transformed. His furiously ck wolf loomed over me, radiating dominance and demanding submission. Power exploded from him, thick and oppressive, mming into me like a tidal wave. My lungs seized. My knees hit the stone floor with a crack. His massive ck wolf snarled, his aura like a storm pressing down on my spine. I couldn¡¯t move. Couldn¡¯t breathe. My wolf whimpered deep inside, instinctively submitting under the weight of his dominance. ¡°I¡¯ve made my decision,¡± he dered, his voice booming across the arena, echoing against stone and silence. ¡°Since no candidate proved themselves worthy today, the Alpha title will pass to my nephew.¡± My breath caught like a de in my throat. My cousin? A ripple of stunned gasps spread through the crowd, but my ears barely registered them. The ache in my chest drowned out everything. Though he wasn¡¯t done. ¡°As for Seraphina,¡± he continued, voice cutting through me like steel, ¡°will marry the Alpha King.¡± The world stopped. Just¡­ stopped. ¡°¡­What?¡± I whispered. My voice didn¡¯t even sound like mine. It came from somewhere small and broken. ¡°You¡ªno¡­you wouldn¡¯t¡ª¡± ¡°The Alpha King arrives tomorrow,¡± my father announced, his tone final, ¡°You will be his Luna. He will take you from this pack, as traditionalmands.¡± He growled at me, my wolf submitting to himpletely. I copsed fully, my palms syed against the cold ground, trembling beneath the force of him. Tears welled up in my eyes. I was being discarded. Not just as an heir. But as a daughter. As a warrior. As a wolf. I was a bargaining chip. A token bride for a king whose face I had never seen. The crowd dispersed quickly leaving me alone in the arena. Tears spilled as a sob tore from my chest but I controlled them. My ws scratched the ground as my heart bled. My body had given in, but my spirit hadn¡¯t. ¡°I refuse,¡± I said softly, my voice like steel wrapped in velvet, ¡°I won¡¯t be mated to a stranger, even if he is the Alpha King,¡± shifting back into my human form, I sat on the cold floor slowly, ¡° I will not serve as a pawn to preserve my father¡¯s alliances. If he won¡¯t give me the title I earned¡­I¡¯ll make my own.¡± My gaze shifted to a pamphlet about the Lupine Academy on the arena¡¯s pir. Lupine Academy, the elite training ground for male Alpha heirs. ¡°That¡­is my escape,¡± I whispered, ¡°And my path to the throne.¡± If this world had no ce for a female Alpha then I would carve one out with my own hands. I had one night before the Alpha King arrived. One night to disappear. One night to reim my destiny. I had one night to be reborn. To be Seth, instead of Sera. THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 3 3. ENTERING THE WOLF DEN 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 rawpetition. Of course there was one problem. They only epted 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, reying 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, ttening every trace of my femininity. My breath came shallow, restricted ¡ª just like it needed to be. This was the only way in. The Lupine Academy didn¡¯t ept 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 recing him. I slipped on his old clothes ¡ª 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 onest nce 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 ckpine 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 ce I had only heard about and longed to see was now a reality. Only this was more than a visit; I was about to be 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 singr 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 be 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 thest 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¡ªeach symbol telling the story of battles fought and won. A thrill ran through me. This was it, the beginning of my journey to im the leadership denied to me by birthright. With a final nce 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 therge 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 therge 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 d in the academy¡¯s uniform. Others, particrly 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 prating 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¡ªthe exact type of individual I needed to avoid.? My gaze then shifted to the second position.? Alpha Dante ckwood, 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 joinedte; the battles andpetitions hadmenced 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 bnce. 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 theirbined 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 difort 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¡ªthe 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 prate my very soul.? I froze as his striking features came into view¡ªa 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, muscr 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 themotion, I suddenly collided with a broad chest, well-defined and tapering down to a lean waist¡ªthe 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?¡± THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 4 4. THE WOLF AMONG THE WOLVES SERAPHINA ¡°Who are you?¡± demanded thest person I wanted to encounter at the Academy. His voice was deep andmanding, much like his strikingly handsome face. Yet, his intense violet eyes spelled my doom, causing my heartbeat to race uncontrobly. 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 ce, 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¡ªI 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¡ªeven more than he appeared. Unbeknownst to me, a pair of blue eyes had been watching from the balcony the entire time¡ªsomeone 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¡ªmore danger. Phina, my wolf, and I grew increasingly ufortable 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 ced 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¡ªit was terrifying. Could it be because I hadn¡¯t sumbed 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¡ªmusk, 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 neer. 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 nk. 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 nce 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, anky 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 imed, leaving one by the window. I moved toward it, but before I could ce 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 red 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. ¡°Rx, Reed. Let the newbie settle in. He won¡¯tst 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 epted , noticing he had been studying me closely. ¡°Heard you defeated Alpha Ronan¡¯s aura. Is it true?¡± his voice was low. I pursued 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 exined, 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 ced my belongings on the now-avable bed, I took a moment to steady my breathing. My eyes scanned the room, noting the presence of a fifth bed¡ªa 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 voicemanded 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, ¡°Wee to my den, little wolf.¡± 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 y.¡± 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¡ªan intense gaze boring into me. I slowly nced 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 nced 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 particrly 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 te, 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. Neers were often unwee, 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 te. 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¡ªReed¡¯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 n 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 te spilled all over his uniform. I gasped as the entire cafeteria fell into a dead silence. Holding the te still in my hand, I felt the aura of the Alpha before me, mysterious and sharp as a de, 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 te. Did I just hear them call this Alpha¡­ Dante? Dante ckwood?! His tall, muscr 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¡ªhigh 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 ce¡ªicy 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 escting things, I quickly decided to apologize. ¡°I am sor¡ª¡± 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 rified, voice steady. ¡°Is that so?¡± A cold grin spread on his lips. ¡°Then let me be clear¡ªwhatever 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 te. 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 te and left the cafeteria without a backward nce¡ªunaware that from the far end, Ronan had seen everything. And he hadn¡¯t looked away once from my back. THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 5 5. THE FIRST NIGHT 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 nket 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 yful punches at each other. It was unnecessarily loud and obnoxious. Resigned, I sat up in bed, blinking my sleep-heavy eyes open ¡ª 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,pletely caught off guard by the unexpected disy 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 thempared to Ronan. His body was lethal perfection ¡ª every inch of him was hard, honed muscle. While tying my shoes, I couldn¡¯t stop my eyes from stealing a nce. 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 tomand the room without effort. Unlike the others, Ronan¡¯s back wasn¡¯t wless. It was marred by scars ¡ª 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 morefortable, 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 toozy to change,¡± I replied casually, forcing myself to turn and meet his gaze. One dark brow arched. ¡°Then what? Toozy 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 nned 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 ying on my lips as his expression darkened. Across the room, Finn stiffened, clearly catching myment. 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 m him to the floor. ¡°Seth! You haven¡¯t washed up yet, have you?¡± he grinned,pletely 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.¡± THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 6 6. HOW DARE YOU? SERAPHINA Cassius instantly dropped his arm and, with a muttered apology, ducked out with the others. I stared after him, then nced 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,manding aura surrounded him, the kind that made even the air feel heavier. Without a word, Ronan gave him a brief nod ¡ª and for some reason, cast a fleeting nce 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 preupied as I neatly arranged them in the cupboard. Without warning, Reed kicked my shoe ¡ª 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 nced 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 ording to schedule. Sharing a room with a weakling like you is already embarrassing enough. Don¡¯t you dare bete 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 waspletely empty. But one look at the foggy ss 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 orter, someone would notice something. I needed a n. 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 nced up at the server wolf, who immediately looked away, guilt clear in his face. Behind me,ughter broke out. Turning my head, I saw the same group of Alphas, tes piled high with more food than they could possibly finish ¡ª 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 te. 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 a couple of small apple slices, a half-serving of potatoes, a ss of water. It wasn¡¯t much, but it would have to do. I took my te 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 howe he acted freely on his own? The first official day of training and sses was about to begin, and I needed to focus. I wouldn¡¯t let a bunch of arrogant Alphas screw with my ns. Laying low was the safest option for now. What mattered was surviving, learning, and eventually iming 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 nce. His words rolled off me like water off a duck. I wasn¡¯t ashamed of my frame. I was, after all, an Alpha female ¡ª built with the best physique an Alpha female could possess. Butpared 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 ofughter 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 cor, 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 shing in his eyes. He felt it. The insult. The challenge. His fist rose, aiming for my face. Before he could even move, a hand mmed a juice cup down onto my table with a sharp, metallic ng. The sudden noise cut through the cafeteria like a de. 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,manding growl as he tilted my chin up between his fingers, locking his gaze with mine. ¡°How dare you let yourself be bullied?¡± THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 7 Chapter 7 Run, Little Wolf RONAN Reaper That¡¯s what they called me. A name I earned at fifteen, the night I took my first life. Not in a sanctioned duel, but during a hunt. A traitor, disguised as a childhood friend. The betrayer. The liar I hated down to the marrow of my bones. I didn¡¯t hesitate. Didn¡¯t flinch. I buried him myself, while I walked away with blood on my hands towards my father¡¯s throne that awaited me. But I wanted to build my own. And the ce to do that was Lupine Academy. Lupine Academy, where power meant everything and weakness was a death sentence, I¡¯d built a reputation no one dared challenge. The dominance, ambition and bloodlust was second nature but none of them dared to cross me. Not the sons of regional Alphas, not the heirs of centuries old bloodlines. I wasn¡¯t just an Alpha. I was the Alpha. The reaper. The one they whispered about when they thought I wasn¡¯t listening I ruled this Academy long before I was officially crowned its top rank inhabitant. I was staying only to win battles that no one could have been in the past 100 years and build my own throne. Even if I had to make steps carved of blood and death. And I liked it that way. But¡­then he crossed the Academy gates, I could feel it the moment a new presence broke into my world. It was not like others. Not bold, not overconfident instead observing, quiet, careful but his amber eyes locking with mine burning ones with a stubborn defiance. The moment our eyes met, it stirred something within me that I could not pinpoint. And my wolf that only showed his teeth to the strong, challenge, blood, violence and victory awoke in my mind, secretly watching the boy standing among my aura without flinching or fearing. On top of that his scent or rather, theck of one made my instincts twitch. Every wolf had a scent. Every single one. Except this one. Interesting I¡¯d been watching from the balcony, arms crossed over my chest as the new recruits arrived and ran away. All were forgettable, losers that were identally born as Alphas, and would only be blessed with the Alpha position when their father chose then based on their bloodline. But him¡­ this small Alpha with a questionable appearance, was a puzzle. And I didn¡¯t like puzzles. Not in my territory. His linle face? presence whispered that he didn¡¯t belong here. His shoulders squared, but there was something too precise about the way he moved. Like a soldier pretending to be a thug. Loose clothes like losers but a strong aura with a pretty Everything was odd about him. And when I questioned his identity, he tensed, not visible to anyone else, but I caught it. He never tore his big and beautiful amber eyes away. Unreadable. Cold. But I¡¯d been Alpha long enough to recognize fear pretending to be bravery. However this one was hesitant. He answered in a tone that was too carefully crafted to be natural. ¡°Seth Darven.¡± The name mingled in my senses like poison. His absence of a scent prickled at me. My instincts screamed there was something greatly wrong. Only a faint trace of herbs, some artificial masking agent. Or perfume. Clever. Too clever. He had to be hiding something I expected him to crack. Most did. But his expression didn¡¯t so much as twitch. Impressive. Way too impressive. This little wolf was not what he looked like. And the way he talked back to me he was not afraid even a little bit. Wolves knew better than to raise their voice to me. This one either didn¡¯t, or he didn¡¯t care. Both possibilities made my blood stir. And a trill of interest coiled in my gut. Dangerous Reckless And exactly the kind of thing I hated or craved And I wanted to y with this new pup a little longer Chapter 7 Run, Little Wolf +8 Pearls werac But then Jordan and his pathetic pack ofp dogs cornered him like vultures lighting over a carcass. My observation was interrupted. The mocking taunts. The way Seth sat there, unmoved, unbothered pissed me off for some reasons. Then Jordan made the mistake of grabbing his cor. I moved before I realised. mming my drink onto the table with a metallic crack that shut the entire room up. ¡°How dare you let them bully you?¡± I murmured, lifting his chin between my fingers. His skin felt delicate beneath my touch. His amber eyes widened in shock, The bell rang in the distance, sending the rest of the Alphas sprinting out of the cafeteria without a backward nce. Except Seth, he jerked his face away and rose with a small frown on his face. ¨D ¡°What you¡¯ve been doing since I arrived staring, touching, that¡¯s bullying too, Alpha Ronan,¡± he said calmly, stepping closer. ¡°If you want me to deal with them, I should probably start with you, don¡¯t you think?¡± For a brief, sharp moment, our eyes locked. But like usual he did not let my gaze linger on his longer. Before he turned away, grabbing his tray. I did not move away from his path. He brushed passed me too closely. I closed my eyes and inhaled in that moment. Once again the herbs and perfume. Nothing else. My wolf growled low in my mind, restless. ¡°Who¡¯s that cocky little bastard you¡¯re letting roam around?¡± Asher muttered, having leaned against the wall the entire time. ¡°That¡¯s what I intend to find out.¡± I replied, eyes tracking Seth¡¯s retreating figure. Particrly the way his ass looked, even in those loose pants. ¡°But for now let him think he could run.¡± I murmured. Let him think he could hide. Let him believe this was over. Let him imagine he could win, either this battle for the throne or the fire he¡¯d just set between us. Because in my world, nothing stayed hidden for long- And if Seth Darven thought he could walk into my territory without answering to me¡­ he was about to learn the hard way. As he reached the exit, he nced back over his shoulder, meeting my gaze one final time. The corner of my lips curved into a cold, feral grin. ¡°Run. little wolf.¡± Send Gifts THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 8 Chapter 8 The Official Challenge SERAPHINA I exited the cafeteria with a calm, measured stride, though a storm of panic violently churned inside. Was he staring at my Involuntarily, my fingers brushed over my hips again and again, checking that the fabric hung loose enough to conceal my shape, ensuring nothing about my appearance invited the wrong kind of attention. Everything seemed in order. So why did feel as though his gaze had already stripped away every carefulyer I¡¯d put between myself and discovery? ¡°He notices us far too much,¡± Phina murmured in the back of my mind, and I couldn¡¯t deny it. I bit down hard on the inside of my cheek, the sharp sting grounding me. What is this Alpha¡¯s deal? My spiraling thoughts were interrupted when a sharp siren red, followed by a booming announcement instructing all trainees to gather on the Academy grounds within half an hour. The massive, open training grounds buzzed with energy as dozens of Alpha heirs assembled, their towering forms radiating confidence, raw strength, and unfiltered dominance. As I took my ce among them, an undeniable thrill ran through me. This is it. I finally made it. My dream¡­ the otticial challenge. Noticing everyone forming rows, I quietly moved to stand at the far end of the fourth line, only to realize Finn had taken the spot beside me. ¡°Hey,¡± I ventured, deciding to greet him first. He offered a faint, reassuring smile. ¡°I was worried when you were the only one left in the cafeteria with Alpha Ronan. Are you alright? I gave a soft chuckle. ¡°Yeah, what could possibly happen to me?¡± He chuckled as well, and for a brief moment, we both looked ahead. But the air around us had thickened, the charged atmosphere palpable among the gathered Alphas. ¡°What¡¯s with this sudden tension?¡± I murmured, just loud enough for Finn to catch. ¡°Isn¡¯t it obvious?¡± Finn turned to meet my eyes, his expression sober, ¡°Here, every challenge isn¡¯t just about strength. It¡¯s about exposing weakness¡­ weeding out anyone who doesn¡¯t belong.¡± A knot tightened in my stomach- not from fear, but from the crushing weight of what his words implied. At this moment, no one was more out of ce than me. The one who, if discovered, would bebeled as the ultimate outsider. The one who didn¡¯t belong. My gaze drifted over the gathering, instinctively searching for familiar figures. That¡¯s when I spotted him, Ronan, standing on a raised tform above the others. Only now did I fully register how tall he truly was, his presence towering, making everyone else seem smaller inparison. On the opposite side, another striking figure caught my attention. Dante. His devastatingly handsome face was etched with arrogance, a cold smirk curling his lips. The way his gaze flicked over the others spoke volumes to him, they were nothing but insects underfoot But what really intrigued me were the other three Alphas standing apart from the crowd. ¡°Why are they separated from the others?¡± I wondered aloud. ¡°Are they treated differently because they belong to the hierarchy?¡± Finn followed my gaze and gave a knowing nod. ¡°I heard the hierarchy¡¯s chosen not to participate in this round of challenges I raised a brow. ¡°Why?¡± ¡°So the others have a chance to win, probably. If they stepped in.. well, who do you think would stand a chance?¡± He gestured meaningfully toward them. I pressed my lips together, eyes briefly flickering toward Konan. The hierarchy might have opted out of this round, but that didn¡¯t mean they couldn¡¯t join at any moment if they wished. Chapter 8 The Official Challenge +8 Pearls ¡ª ¨C And then as if sensing my thoughts Ronan¡¯s eyes shifted, locking onto mine with unnerving precision. My heart mmed against my ribs. I tore my gaze away instantly. Shit. I hoped he hadn¡¯t mistaken my nce for anything more. Out of so many towering Alpha heirs, how had he managed to find me I was barely noticeable among their imposing forms. I kept my head lowered, doing everything I could to remain inconspicuous, even as a flicker of unmistakable interest from Ronan made my skin prickle. His intense violet gaze hadn¡¯t strayed far from me sincest night. And that was a problem. As Alpha Instructor Gideon entered, a heavy silence crashed over the grounds like a wave. His name alone carried weight, but his presence was something else entirely. Sharp, merciless, and as cutting as the gleam in his steely gaze, he stood at the center with an expression carved from stone. His eyes swept across us like a predator sizing up his prey. That wolf was a legend in his own right, rumored to have torn through rogue packs single¨Chandedly. His name was synonymous with bloodshed, discipline, and an unforgiving standard no one dared fall short of. ¡°Wee to the third challenge,¡± he announced, his voice a low growl that seemed to crawl over our skin. Third challenge? A jolt shot through me. I missed two? No wonder my name hadn¡¯t appeared on any official list. ¡°Only those who endure,¡± Gideon continued, ¡°will earn their ce. He let the words hang in the air like a threat, his gaze promising ruin to the weak. The challenge, he exined, would be a high¨Cintensity survival course designed to push every limit we possessed. ¡°You¡¯ll pass the first two phases in your human form. And for the third¡­¡± He paused, a slow, cruel smile curling his lips, ¡°you¡¯re free to shift.¡± A ripple of tension rolled through the gathered heirs. Shoulders stiffened. A few exchanged wary nces. No one asked why. I clenched my fists. I can¡¯t afford to stand out too much. But I can¡¯t afford to fail either. Not here. Not when I needed to survive. Not if I wanted to avoid drawing any more of Ronan¡¯s attention. I would have to walk the line between invisible¡­ and invincible. Send Gifts THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 9 Chapter 9 Kill Or Die SERAPHINA. The course stretched before us like a battlefield out of some brutal nightmare. Towering walls, jagged pits, spiked swinging logs, and mud thick as blood. It didn¡¯t look like a test, it looked like a death sentence. The air stank of sweat, earth, and fear. Alphas lined up, some wearing smug grins, others radiating coiled readiness. I adjusted the straps on my loose uniform, took a steadying breath, and fixed my eyes on the obstacle ahead. Alpha Gideon¡¯s voice cracked across the field like a whip ¡°Begin!¡± We surged forward. The uneven ground was slick with mud, threatening to pull every step from beneath us. The first wall loomed ahead, but while most tried to haul themselves over with brute force, I went for speed. I sprinted toward it, using the jagged edges like adder, scaling it with quick, ruthless efficiency. Mud clung to my hands and face, but I made it over with a breathless grunt. Ahead, a gauntlet of low¨Changings and swinging spiked logs waited. Alphas were already dropping some too slow, somet too cocky. Cassius moved through the obstacles with cold, calcted ease, while Reed grinned like the cocky bastard he was, vaulting ahead. I ignored him, as usual. Then came the rope climb, the beast of the course. The ropes hung like vipers, slick with sweat and grime. The moment my fingers closed around the rough, frayed fiber, my palms burned. I gritted my teeth and hauled myself up, muscles straining and arms trembling. Below, a few Alphas slipped and fell, their cries sharp as they hit the mud. But then, I looked down. Wait. Why was the mud. moving? A sickening realization struck. ¡°It¡¯s swamp,¡± Phina whispered in my mind, her voice a cold shiver down my spine. Swamp The living death. That¡¯s why the others were so tense. The obstacles weren¡¯t just tests, they were deadly. And if you fell here, it wouldn¡¯t be just your pride that got swallowed. My grip nearly faltered, the slick mix of sweat and grime threatening to betray me, but I wasn¡¯t one to be broken by this. I¡¯d fought through worsel That¡¯s when I felt it a heavy, suffocating weight before I even saw him. Ronan, Leaningzily against a post, arms crossed, those violet eyes locked onto me with unnerving intensity. Azy smirk yed on his lips, as if the entire ordeal was beneath him, but I could feel the sharpness in his stare like a brand against my I took a steadying breath, forced my burning limbs to move, and finished the climb. No sooner had my feet hit the ground than I was thrown into the next phase: hand¨Cto¨Chandbat. Not even a chance to catch my breath. skin Alpha Instructor Gideon stood at the center, his gaze sweeping over the assembled group who¡¯d passed the first phase. ¡°Pairs have been chosen at random,¡± he announced, his voice cutting through the air like a de. ¡°Prepare yourselves.¡± My jaw clenched the moment my name was called and paired with Jordan. Random! My gut twisted. That reeked of maniption I let my eyes flicker past Jordan until they found Dante. He didn¡® bother to pretend. Chapter 9 Kill Or Die ¡°Kill or die.¡± Dante mouthed to Jordan, making sure I saw it So this was how they wanted to y. + Pearls ¡°Wee to the death game, pup,¡± Jordan sneered, towering over me with a sick grin. ¡°Hope you¡¯ve said your prayers¡± I met his eyes and smiled coldly, ¡°I¡¯ll still stick to the rules and let you live, boy.¡± His face twisted in insult. The fight started in a blur of movement. Jordan lunged, his fist aiming straight for my head. ¡°The tiny one dies today!¡± someoneughed in the crowd. I didn¡¯t spare them a nce. I ducked his punch, my agility saving me, and countered with swift jabs ribs, knee, ribs again quick, surgical strikes. Smirks dropped when Jordan staggered, dropping to his knees and clutching his side. A deadly hush fell. Without hesitation, I kicked him hard in the head, sending him sprawling into the dirt. A furious growl tore from his throat as he red up at me, disbelief etched across his face. ¡°You little fucker,¡± he spat, groaning as he dragged himself up. ¡°Some skills for a newbie, huh? I¡¯m going to crush you!¡± There it was. I remembered I couldn¡¯t afford to seem too skilled. This time, as Jordan¡¯s fist swung, I let it connect with my shoulder. The force made me stagger, and I grunted in pain. The crowd gasped, some smirking at what they thought was my weakness. Jordanughed darkly, advancing with renewed arrogance. ¡°Is that it, tiny bastard?¡± ¡°You don¡¯t deserve everything I¡¯ve got,¡± I replied tly, meeting his gaze without flinching- That hurmiliated him.. His eyes bled red, fury overtaking reason, and as he lunged, I sidestepped, grabbed his arm, and flipped him clean over my shoulder. He hit the ground with a heavy thud, the air rushing from his lungs. Alphas watching from the sidelines were stunned silent. Jordan groaned, struggling to rise, but I nted my boot firmly on his chest, pinning him down. ¡°Yield,¡± Imanded, ¡°You motherfucker,¡± he snarled, his body trembling. ¡°You think you can defeat me?!¡± His muscles bulged and bones cracked as he began to shift. My stomach dropped. Shit. I tensed, preparing to defend myself, when a dark blur moved between us fast, lethal Ronan. His broad back faced me, muscles shifting under his shirt as he grabbed Jordan¡¯s half¨Cshifted wolf by the scruff and mmed him into the ground with a sickening crack. Not satisfied, Ronan hauled him up again and hurled him against a nearby tree so hard the trunk¨Csplit. Jordan didn¡¯t move. Casps rippled through the crowd. I stood frozen, pulse pounding. ¡°No shifting allowed.¡± Ronan growled, voice like a storm rolling over the training grounds. I forced myself to breathe, while watching Ronan handled Jordan like a broken doll- and all without shifting himself. 114 PM P P Chapter 9 Kill Or Die +8 Pearls Alpha Instructor Gideon¡¯s voice rang out, sharp and final. ¡°Alpha Jordan is expelled from the academy for breaking the rules¡± The world seemed to stop. My stomach twisted. Just like that? One mistake and he¡¯s gone! I lifted my gaze, and Ronan was already moving toward me a predator closing in. ¨C I met his eyes and scowled. ¡°Who said you could interrupt my fight? He was mine to finish.¡± ¡°Yours?¡± he echoed, tilting his head. His expression darkened, the sharp glint in his gaze dangerous. ¡°Didn¡¯t know it was that. casy. ¡°What?¡± I frowned, confused by his reaction. Before I could demand more. Alpha Gideon spoke again, announcing the next trial in the background. ¡°The Hunter¡¯s Trial: You will be both hunter and prey. Thest ones to reach the finish line will be eliminated,¡± he paused, then added. ¡°And whoever stands before you when the horn sounds is your prey.¡± The horn sounded the next second. My mind nked. Wait, what? slowly lifted my gaze to see who was standing in front of me. Ronan His lips curved into a slow, predatory grin. He leaned in, voice a low promise against my ear. ¡°Don¡¯t let me catch you, Seth Darven. Send Gifts THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 10 Chapter 10 The Hunter¡¯s Trial SERAPHINA The Alpha who¡¯d set his eye on me from the very beginning, the one I wanted to keep as far away from me as possible, was now both my hunter and my prey. But I, Seraphina, refused to be hunted. I would only be prey when it suited me. The echo of the hom hadn¡¯t even faded before I moved. My pulse thundered in my ears as I bolted forward, shoving myself into the crush of Alpha hopefuls surging toward the forest. I didn¡¯t spare a nce to see where Ronan stood. I didn¡¯t have to I could feel his gaze, sharp and cold, like the edge of a de ghosting across my throat. A predator¡¯s stare. A reaper¡¯s mark. Run. Run now, I bled into the crowd, jostling shoulders, ducking low, my lean frame weaving effortlessly between the bulkier bodies of the male Alphas. I kept my head down, breath shallow, heart hammering against my ribs like it was trying to w its way free. Every nerve in my body screamed to shift, to let my wolf take over¨Cbut I couldn¡¯t If anyone looked too closely, if someone noticed the slender cut of my limbs, the unnatural grace in my stride, it would all be Over. I risked a nce over my Ronan shoulder. He had finally stepped into the crowd, moving with a slow, almostzy gait¨Ceyes locked on me. Every step he took was deliberate, inevitable. Like a storm rolling in. Like a death sentence. The reaper he was rumored to be, d in shadow and silent promise. The pack of Alphas around me thinned fast as each broke away to begin their hunt. The evening air filled with snarls and shouted curses as bodies shifted into wolves, pelts shing silver and ck beneath the fractured moonlight. But I didn¡¯t slow. I pushed harder, darting between a pair of snarling wolves mid¨Clunge, their sh buying me precious seconds. My only goal was the finish line. Fight only when forced. Survive. That was all. And then¨Can abrupt, sharp pain deep in my gut. Not instinct. A warning. I nced to my right, and there he was. Dante His eyes found mine through the chaos of bodies and branches, dark and dangerous. His expression was unreadable, but the intent behind his gaze was unmistakable. A slow, knowing grin curved his lips. ¡°Seth Darven,¡± he murmured. I clenched my fists. He¡¯d made me his prey as well. ¡°Fuck.¡± I cursed under my breath and dove toward the treeline. The cursed forest swallowed me whole, a rush of mist and shifting shadows closing in around me. I¡¯d heard of this ce before. Legends spoke of bloodstained trees, of unseen predators, of the spirits of failed Alphas trapped forever between the gnarled roots. The forest itself was a curse. Instantly, the air changed. Thick. Heavy. It clung to my skin, cold and wet, and the sounds of the hunt dulled to muted howls. The ancient trees curled their branches like ws overhead. The earth beneath my feet was soft, treacherous, as though it longed to drag me down into its depths. But I didn¡¯t stop I couldn¡¯t I knew better than anyone what happened to those who hesitated here. My lungs burned. The wound from my earlier fight tugged painfully with every stride. I zigzagged between trees, clinging to 14 PM Chapter 10 The Hunter¡¯s Trial the dense undergrowth where the mist was thickest, the shadows deepest. +8 Pearls Wasting time hunting others was a fool¡¯s game. The finish line was the only thing that mattered. It was madness to be hunted ¡ªor worse, cornered¨Cby not one, but two unhinged Alphas. Suddenly, something moved to my left. A low growl. The snap of twigs. Someone was there. Phina, my wolf, snarled against my skin, desperate to fight. ¡°A wolf¡¯s sensed us,¡± she warned. I dropped low, tucking myself behind a fallen log as cover. The Alpha barreled past, too focused on his own prey to notice me crouched in the shadows. I waited for a beat. Then I moved again. Every breath was a battle, every step a gamble. I was faster than most of them in human form. If I shifted, I¡¯d be quicker still¨Cbut it wasn¡¯t worth the risk. Someone sharp enough might see the lie in my shape. And right now, one mistake meant death. I stopped for a moment, catching my breath as my eyes darted to a weathered map tacked to a gnarled tree trunk. The finish. line wasn¡¯t marked, but I knew where ity. Past the old creek, where the cursed forest thinned and the crumbling ruins of the Academy¡¯s ancient watchtower stood like a skeletal hand against the sky. I fixed the image in my mind like a beacon. But just as I turned to move forward, a massive wolfnded in front of me, snarling. I froze. ck eyes? It was not Ronan. Not Dante. Then who was hel The wolf snarl, teeth bared at me. Damn it. It challenged me to fight but there was no way I was shifting! I dropped low, grabbing a thick branch and swinging it upward when he least expected it. It cracked across the Alpha¡¯s face with a sharp crack. He reeled back, blood spraying. Before he could recover, I spun and sprinted deeper into the trees. I didn¡¯t look back while the mist thickened and the sound of howls of the wolves in the distance. Fighting. Struggling. But the path ahead of me was strangely clear. And when I nced back there was no one. Phina grew alert in my mind. How was it possible that no one wasing? But what was this feeling of being watched? Branches whipped at my face. Thorns bit into my And then a very strange noise froze me. What was it? A wet, sickening crunch somewhere ahead. arms. For some reason my heart stuttered and every muscle tensed. It wasn¡¯t a wolf¡¯s snarl. Not a fight. It was something else. Elesh meeting earth. Bone splitting. My instincts screamed for me to turn back to find another route but the path ahead was the short cut that led to the finish line The terrain chewhere was too thick, the mist too blinding. If I hesitated now, I¡¯d lose my lead Swallowing hard, I crept forward, keeping low to the ground, my senses sharp, alert, Then a stench hit me. Coppery. Metallic. Heavy with death. Then the clearing opened before me. Chapter 10 The Hunter¡¯s Trial +8 Pearls Limbs. Scattered like broken dolls. An arm hanging limp from a branch, a booted foot severed mid¨Ccalf resting beside at jagged rock. The earth slick with blood, mud turning to crimson paste. And there at the center of it all¡­.. Danie Chewing the flesh. Jordan¡¯s My stomach lurched violently. Dante. he was eating his own friend. He was not even in his wolf form, he was human¡­. Jordan¡¯s ssy, unseeing eyes stared at the misty canopy overhead, mouth forever parted in a silent scream. Watching Dante eat his own friend, my whole body grew cold. How could he do this? Eat a person. The Alphas weren¡¯t supposed to kill each other. It was a trial. A test of endurance, hunting, and survival. But this this was¡­ I could not name this monstrous act. Dante¡¯s broad frame was dappled in blood, some of it his, most of it not. His dark hair hung damply over his forehead, a tail of blood ran down his mouth to throat Then his eyes lifted, finding me through the mist. For a heartbeat. I forgot how to move. He found me and then¡­ smiled. My wolf froze in my mind at that smile. It wasn¡¯t the usual twisted mask of hatred he wore whenever he looked at me. No sneer. No cold disdain. It was¡­ different Slow. Dark. And bloodthirsty. The corners of his lips tugged up in a way that made every hair on the back of my neck rise, a quiet, deadly thing that spoke of too many emotions I couldn¡¯t name. And in that moment, it terrified me more than the blood in his mouth. I immediately spuri. Leaves and earth scattered beneath my boots as I bolted down the side path, branches wing at my arms. I didn¡¯t get far before I bumped into a solid wall of muscle. I stumbled and almost fell when a hand reached out and grabbed my hand. I found myself in the mid air, and looked up to the person Bare¨Cchested. He was Ronan. His pants soaked and streaked with crimson, his hands slick with blood. A wolf¡¯s severed head dangled carelessly from his other hand, its ssy eyes dull and lifeless. Behind him, two bodiesy crumpled, one half¨Cshifted mid¨Ctransition, the other¡¯s throat torn clean through. My lungs mped tight. He he too and way more brutal than anything had ever seen. I pulled my hand back and took a step back, myrge eyes staring at his blood sshed handsome face. He was a beast. And this wasn¡¯t a trial. The Academy¨Cthe ce I thought was built to test, to mold future Alphas and the ce to win that unimed throne of hundred years wasn¡¯t made of stone and sweat. It was a graveyard And the predators were standing right in front of me.. Chapter 10 The Hunter¡¯s Trial I felt my stomach knot, bile burning at the back of her throat + Pearts Ronan¡¯s gaze slid down my body, noting the tension in my frame, the horror in my wide eyes. His bloodstained lips twitched way that wasn¡¯t quite a Then, with azy flick of his wrist, he tossed the wolf¡¯s head aside. Itnded with a dull thud. Before I could react, he stepped closer, has chest nearly brushing mine. I gasped as the coppery scent of blood and earth clung to his skin, hit my nose. I pulled away and dropped instinctively into a fighting stance, my fingers curling, ready to strike, to w, to rip if I had to But Konan didn¡¯t lift a hand. He reached out, his blood¨Cwarm palm wrapping around my wrist. His grip was firm, unyielding but not cruel And then he pulled me back to his chest, his voice dropped, low and rough threading into the fog around them as he asked in a whisper. ¡°Why don¡¯t you shift into your wolf?¡± Send Gifts (11) THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 11 Chapter 11 Rules? SERAPHINA ¡°Why don¡¯t you shift into your wolf?¡± +8 Pearls For a beat, my limbs paralyzed. How did he know I had not shifted even once? Had he been watching me? First he had already noticed that I had been hiding my scent and now he found out I was avoiding shifting. My throat squeezed shut. He had been suspicious of me. Panic red hot in my chest, but I forced my face into a mask of defiance. ¡°I don¡¯t need to shift to take you down,¡± I bit out, jerking my wrist free and stepping back. His gaze narrowed, like he could see straight through the bravado to the storm beneath. The blood on his skin gleamed in the pale light, the stench of death and earth clinging to him like a second skin. ¡°You sure about that, little wolf?¡± His voice was silk over steel, a threat hidden behind something dangerously close to amusement. I snorted, trying to ignore the chill trickle down my spine. ¡°Capable enough to win without it.¡± I could not let him get me. His lips twitched into a smirk, and I hated the way my pulse jumped at the sight. ¡°I really want to see how it works¡­¡± I frowned, taking a step back ready to fight him as he seemed to be attacking me but a blur of motion to my left made the hairs on the back of my neck rise. A massive wolf, thick as a boulder and dark as storm clouds, burst through the trees. Not just anypetitor. One of the most ruthless bastards Alpha in the Academy. Phina recognized his scent and aura, ¡°He was with Jordan the other day!¡± And she was absolutely correct because his blood¨Cred eyes locked straight onto me. No hesitation. No challenge. Just a predator zeroed in on his target. Me I secretly gritted my teeth, witnessing revenge in his eyes. Revenge for Jordan being kicked out of the academy but if he only knew his friend had already been killed and eaten by Dante. However I didn¡¯t have time to think. His timing was horrible. Ronan was also here. Now I had to fight two Alphas at once t that slowed me from crossing the finish line. The wolf lunged. I ducked low, feeling his ws graze my shoulder, the force of his leap rattling my bones. I rolled, grabbing a jagged branch, and rammed it into his nk. Not deep enough to kill but enough to make him stumble. I was on my feet in seconds but ready to counter another attack from Ronan wherever it wasing from but then I realised he was not there. My pulse thundered The air crackled, and I felt the weight of a gaze 1 whipped my head up There he was Perched on a rocky ledge above, the moonlight cutting shadows across his face. His expression was unreadable. Why the hell wasn¡¯t he attacking? Was I not his prey? Was he not the hunter? Why waste time here, why not just cross the Inishing line?! The wolf snarled behind me in rage. I turned around at lightning speed. He lunged again, jaws snapping, but I dodged left, mming my elbow into his snout andnding a hard kick to his ribs. I felt the crack through my boot Chapter 11 Rules? But then Phina suddenly froze in my mind when we both felt it. ¡°More are closing in!¡± she growled in my mind. I could feel the others. Predators circling. ¡°Why so many together?¡± Breathing hard. I murmured to myself. Ronan¡¯s amusing voice came. ¡°Apparently this trial is no longer one on one.¡± +8 Pearls My muscles tensed, understanding the other wolves were actually aligning, others breaking ranks. Packs forming out of necessity, old grudges forgotten in the face of survival. It wasn¡¯t strength alone anymore. It was strategy, n and simple. They are going against the rules. Are they not afraid of being kicked our of the academy?¡± After seeing what happened to Jordan, how could they dare to do something like this?, ¡°Rules?¡± Ronan chuckled. ¡°There are no such things as rules in this Academy. Rules are something that are only used when Alpha instructors are watching. Here in this cursed forest where not everyone will get out alive, no one is watching. No one cares. Everyone is just¡­he paused and looked at me up and down. ¡°¡­hunting,¡± My body reacted in a strange way to the way he looked at me. I cursed under my breath. Until Ronan moved towards me without warning. I grew alert, ready to fight. So it was finallying. But suddenly he turned his direction slightly, intercepting a wolf that had been creeping toward my blindside. I turned in surprise. How had Phina not sensed this wolf? Ronan¡¯s ws tore through the wolf like paper, dropping him before the wolf even had a chance to yelp. I watched Ronan¡¯s actions while holding my breath. For a fraction of a second, our eyes met. Not the look of an ally.¡± Not quite the look of a killer either. Something darker, Possession. Then he started walking towards me. The look in his eyes was not murderous but more dangerous than this. His intentions towards me screamed danger, not death. From the corner of my eye I saw a wolf leap out of the darkness. Ronan reacted towards his wolf, that was my chance. I bolted deeper into the woods, letting him take care of that wolf. I did not have time for his intentions or fights. I had to cross the fish line. My pulse pounding in my ears, branches whipping at my face. I didn¡¯t care. Didn¡¯t dare look back. But I could feel Ronan Not chang But there His presence was sharp in iny veins, like a second heartbeat. And I knew my escape had passed lum off. Dad he expect that I would stand around and wait for him to fish that w wolf so that he could attack me next! I kept running, dodging shapes in the mist, the sounds of starIS JULI HUWIS Sausing me but I forced myself to keep moving. This wasn¡¯t survival anymore. It was endurance. A ruthless race to see who would oust the others. But then what came into view was not the finish line like I had been expecting. It was a structure rising out of the mist like a ghost. Ruins. ¡°Shit! What is this ce?¡± I stopped dead in my tracks. There were ancient stone walls half¨Ccopsed, vines curling over broken archways, the bones of some long¨Cforgotten ce. My stomach twisted. ¡°I followed the map, so how did I get lost and ended up here?¡± I stumbled toward it, slipping inside the shattered remnants of what had once been a temple, or a shrine. Symbols I didn¡¯t recognize were carved into the walls, but the air was thick with some mysterious power that felt a little scary. That¡¯s when I sensed someone¡¯s presence other than mine. ¡°We are not alone,¡± Phina whispered in my mind. A shadow shifted to my left. I spun, heart pounding. What was it? Send Gifts THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 12 Chapter 12 Guess SERAPHINA What was that shadow? I half¨Cshifted in an instant, pressing my back hard against the damp, crumbling stone, the coldness of it seeping into my skin. I didn¡¯t dare make a reckless move, not when the unknown lurked so close. A crawling prickle of unease worked its way up the back of my neck, my instincts speaking in an ancient, silentnguage: something was terribly wrong here The air was dense, unnaturally heavy, carrying the thick scent of decayed moss and stale earth, with a sharper, metallic tang lurking beneath it. A scent 1 knew too well Blood. I held my position, every muscle locked tight, straining to hear past the thundering of my own pulse. But there was nothing;! no footsteps, no breath, no rustle of movement in the darkness. ¡°Did I mishear?¡± I asked my wolf. Phina¡¯s voice was low and certain in my mind. ¡°No, 1 definitely sensed something¡± I waited another beat, pulse pounding in my ears, before easing away from the stone wall. Moonlight filtered through the fractured ceiling, illuminating slivers of the ruin in a pale, ghostly glow. I took a cautious step forward and felt my shoe dip into something slick. I nced down, sharpening my wolf vision to pierce the gloom. It wasn¡¯t mud, nor water. It was blood, Dark, congealed, and pooling in shallow hollows. My gaze followed the blood to where scattered bonesy half¨Cburied beneath moss and dirt. Not old enough to be forgotten, not fresh enough to still reek. The sight seuled a cold knot in my gut. My muscles tensed. This wasn¡¯t just another decaying part of the ruin. ¡°We¡¯ve stepped into someone¡¯s territory,¡± I murmured under my breath. A forbidden, dangerous ce. I could feel it deep in my bones, in the way the very air seemed to press against my skin, thick and oppressive like an invisible hand. I needed to get out. Now. Carefully, I began to edge sideways, sliding one foot after the other without letting the soles scrape against the dirt. Each breath I took was shallow, my entire body coiled tight, ready to bolt at the slightest sound. ¡°Don¡¯t look back. Don¡¯t make a sound,¡± Phina whispered. And I followed that instinct, until something made me stop cold. There, in the ruined chamber ahead, crouched a figure Naked, coated in ayer of dried mud and streaked with old blood, the moonlight pooled over him, catching the jagged ridges of his spine and the rope¨Clike cords of muscle along his back. His body was a grotesque canvas of grime, old wounds, and twisted scars. And the way he sat motionless, silent sent shards of ice through my veins. His posture wasn¡¯t fully human. Nor fully wolf. It was something in¨Cbetween, as though he¡¯d been left behind by time itself. an ancient piece of the ruin. His head hung low, hair matted and tangled, and though I couldn¡¯t see his face, something about the shape of him was wrong. Fundamentally wrong. Was this his ce? Was he alone? Or were others hiding in the shadows, watching? I didn¡¯t want to find out | took a rautious step back, then another. Each inch of distance felt like a small salvation. I was nearly clear of the my heel snapped a dry branch beneath it. The sound cracked like a gunshot through the oppressive silence. space when Chapter 12 Guess -3 Pearl And the man moved. Shit, I inwardly cursed. The sharp crack of the branch beneath my heel was deafening in the bride, unnatural dence The man¡¯s head jerked up a low, animalistic growl tearing from his throat Crimson sapped toward the sound, burning from beneath the tangle of hair and filth. But I had already ducked behind a gnarled tree Only he wasn¡¯t fooled The way he moved, jolting to his feet in a single. feral motion was wrong. Too fast. Too lent My heart lurched into my throat. As the man surged toward the gnarled tree where I had been hiding, the air rippled with the sound of his snarl My chest heaved as I pressed myself against the rough bark, already half shifted, He was too close. Too fast Five seconds, that¡¯s all I had before he would be upon me. I braced myself, only to feel a hand mp firmly over my mouth, yanking me back against a solid, familiar chest. A Cap caught in my throat as a presence I knew all too well pulled me up, my body hauled effortlessly into the dense branches above. By the time the creature reached the base of the tree. I was gone. From the tangle of branches overhead, I crouched beside Ronan, my breathing ragged, pulse thundering like a war drum my ears. His hand fell away, but the feel of him lingered. Our eyes met in the dark, and for a moment neither of us spoke Why did he do that ¡°Why are you here?¡± I mouthed. I hadn¡¯t even heard him follow, or enter. ¡°Guess.¡± he whispered. The corner of my lips twitched. How the hell had I forgotten that he had actually been the hunter. He must have chased me so that he could hunt me down Due to hisrge body and little to no space in the tree, his chest waspletely touching my back and my heart was racing like a horse from being so close to him. As an Alpha¡¯s daughter was not allowed to be so close to this man and losing one¡¯s virginity before mating and marking with your soulmate was out of the question, That¡¯s why my father would always be furious whenever I trained with male wolves. I hated this rule that only chained females while males would fuck every hole they could get their hands on and still be respected. However, I always kept a healthy distance with males away from training so how did I end up in this situation with this Alpha? With his me so closely, as if storing every little detail of my feature to his memory. I slowly tore my eyes from him, not letting him look any further and figure something out about me eyes watching We both watched, silent and unmoving, as the man prowled around the base of the tree. His head twitched, those ceric, blood¨Cbright eyes searching the darkness. And then, as if something unseen called him back, he turned and wandered slowly to his previous spot The man sat down again, just as before, his spine rigid, his face tilted toward the moon. His lips moved in a voiceless chant, though worshipping the light. The ruin swallowed him once more, a living shadow amid the ancient stone. I slowly let go of thy breath in relief. ¡°Now we should saying. I turned to look at Ronan but as soon as I tilted my head to him. I found our faces an inch away from each other I froze in surprise and he seemed to be in the same state for a moment. Both our eyes remained locked and neither of us blinked as I realised in what dangerous proximity we were in THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 13 Chapter 13 Feral RONAN His face was far too close. So close that our breaths mingled. But when a slight noise came from the darkness, his head snapped in that direction. We stayed crouched among the branches, but when Seth¡¯s entire focus was on the ground, and instinctively yet subconsciously trying to pull away from me even if there was not even an inch to move, I found myself looking at his back. nder with slight muscle unlike other males. My gaze was then drowned to the back of his neck. fair and smooth. I could. not tear my eyes away from it for some reason. When the swear trailed down disappearing in his cor, the sight of it made my breath run cold. And my heart started taking a sudden race, the desire to glimpse a little deeper into his cor and of his smooth skin grew inside me. I immediately tore my eyes away from his neck. Had I fucking lost my mind? Staring at a man¡¯s neck and wanting to see what was beneath his cor? Why was this sick desire growing inside me? I clenched my fists and took a deep breath. I needed to think straight. It was all because of the proximity. I couldn¡¯t even remember when Ist let a man this close to me. My skin crawled with others¡® touch but with this boy¡­ Leven went out of my way to pull him up before I even realised. ¡°Hey,¡± I murmured in a low voice. He flinched and ced his hand on his neck, his big bright amber eyes snapping at me. ¡°Why are you breathing on my neck?¡± A frown crossed my feature when he had a look in his eyes that called me a pervert. ¡°How about you worry about yourself and check your audacious ass before acting innocent?!¡± His eyes immediately snapped down and the color drained from his face when he found himself brushing against my manhood. As if he was struck by thunder, he immediately jumped down from the tree. I remained seated, watching his red ears. Such an intense reaction over something as silly as his ass brushing my cock? I also jumped down without making a noise and stated. ¡°We need to move.¡± He gave a tight nod. Slowly, carefully, we slid away from the tree, our feet touched the earth in near¨Cperfect silence, and together, we began to move through the twisted remains of stone walls and vine¨Ccovered pirs. The ruin stretched out in all directions, overgrown and half¨Cswallowed by time. As we crept along a crumbled corridor, Seth suddenly stopped. I followed his line of sight to find something half¨Cburied in the dirt, a rusted weapon rack, the remains of long¨Cforgotten des eaten by corrosion. Symbols were etched into the stone behind it, crude carvings of wolves mid¨Cshift, their eyes hollow. Bonesy scattered nearby, old, weathered, some gnawed clean. ¡°This wasn¡¯t just a ruin,¡± Seth whispered, crouching beside the markings. ¡°It seems it was a training ground.¡± I stepped closer, eyes narrowing as I scanned the scene. ¡°For rogues,¡± I murmured, ¡°Wolves who defied packw ones too dangerous or broken to be imed.¡± Seth brushed dirt off one of the carvings, the image of a wolf pinned to the ground by spears. ¡°Some of them never left¡± As he was checking the carvings, my wolf sensed something in the distance. I nced into the darkness studying it ¡°But the question is why this ce.¡± Seth¡¯s voice was cut off as a low snarl split the air. Seth spun around just as a feral figure lunged from the darkness It was the rogue from the earlier, half¨Cshifted, his body grotesquely caught between human and wolf, his red eyes gleaming with madness as he looked at both of us, skin clinging to bones. His scent hat like a blow rot, blood, and death. Seth reacted first, dropping into a crouch and dodging his wed swipe. I moved in an instant, intercepting the rogue with a powerful punch to the jaw, sending him crashing against a wall. Chapter 13 Feral Dust and debris rained down but more snarls rose around us. Seth¡¯s head snapped at the snarls. ¡°There are more rogues!¡± I watched Seth¡¯s changing expression to this unexpected discovery and the corner of my lips curled up. They¡¯re in the walls.¡± He turned to me, ¡°How c can you be so o sure? +8 Pearls ¡°If you want, you can wait and confirm it,¡± I put my hand into my pants pockets, watching him frowning. ¡°What¡¯s with you acting so cool?¡± He raised an eyebrow at me. ¡°You are going to be hunted by them as well.¡± I chuckled and decreased the distance between us. This predator is just shifting into his wolf to wipe them all out. But what about you Seth?¡± I leaned forward towards his small face and smiled, ¡°Still not shifting?¡± He froze for a moment and gave me a nk look, ¡°I don¡¯t need to.¡± He turned around to face the arriving rogues. He My eyes shed with amusement, ¡°There are at least eight to ten of them that you are nning to take down without shifting. You wanna die that desperately!¡± ¡°Yeah, I am desperate but not to die but to cross that finishing line before anyone else does,¡± he nced over his shoulder and met my gaze. ¡°So don¡¯t get in my way, Alpha Ronan. I will fight for you as well to pay back the unexpected and unasked for help you showed me earlier so stand there and have a good show.¡± The amusement within me instantly dropped, my eyes boring deep into him intensely as the rogues pounced on him. He wanted to fight for me? To pay off what I had done earlier? The hand at my side shook, my wolf growling lowly in my mind watching him fight without flinching, his moves like lightning finishing one and then instantly heading to another. However, the moment a drop of blood dripped from his arm, my patience that I did not realise I had been holding, snapped. I jumped in beside Seth, instantly taking care of one of the rogues. Seth nced at me for a moment as we fell into rhythm, moving as one. He shed through a rogue¡¯s nk while Inded bone¨Cbreaking blows non¨Cstop. The air filled with the sounds of snarls, the sh of ws and fists against flesh and stone. One rogue lunged at me. I flipped it and he pinned the creature to the ground, my ws poised for a killing blow to finish him at once. ¡°Wait!¡± Seth shouted, stepping in, ¡°Don¡¯t kill.¡± I growled, my killing mode already activated and not stopping before I finished all of them, ¡°They¡¯re feral. I¡¯ll end him.¡± ¡°This is their territory.¡± Seth snapped. ¡°We trespassed. We are in the wrong here, they are just protecting theirnd. I don¡¯t kill out of anger or for fun! Let them go. Don¡¯t kill!¡± The defiance and the mercy in his gaze that I had never witnessed before did something inside me. But no one gave me orders. No one. I was always in control. Inmand yet¡­ I found myself letting the rogue go. ¡°There is no way I don¡¯t kill a person whoes at me with the same intentions.¡± Getting up, I strode up to Seth and grabbed. his wrist, ¡°If you don¡¯t want me to kill then we are leaving.¡± We bolted, weaying through the ruins as the rogues snarled behind us. The feral figures chased but didn¡¯t stray far from their haunted grounds. I nced over my shoulder as they stopped. Why? Why did they suddenly stop? It was as if they were bound by old, unseen chains and could not cross the ruins. The moment we crossed the broken archway marking the ruin¡¯s edge, the night air changed. The oppressive weight lifted. He kept running alongside me, matching my speed. ¡°This is the way I saw on the map!¡± he eximed, turning down the correct path I was unaware that I had my hand firmly grasped around his wrist. And together side by side as we were about to break O Chapter 13 Feral through the final clearing, crossing the finishing line of the trial, he got his wrist slowly out of my grasp. I stopped in my tracks and nced back at him. ¡°What¡¯s up? Not crossing the finishing line.¡± +8 Pearls He rxed his wrist and nced up at me, ¡°Is it not funny that the hunter and prey cross the line together?¡± I froze at his remark where the look in his eyes over actuallybeling me in his Prey. My wolf froze in my mind, as he walked past me towards the finishing line, locking our eyes for a brief moment. ¡°Make sure to cross it, Alpha Ronan, don¡¯t just stare at me.¡± Watching him cross the line, my lips curled up, ¡°Indirectly warning me to not eye him, huh?¡± my eyes once again drawn to his hips. ¡°Well, that seems¡­a little too hard to ignore.¡± Send Gifts THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 14 Chapter 14 Two Alphas SERAPHINA The academy gates loomed ahead, their iron bars silhouetted against the soft hues of approaching dawn. Every step I took felt heavier than thest. Not sure of exhaustion, but from the weight of Ronan¡¯s unwavering gaze burning into my back. I had honestly thought that if I told him to stop staring, he¡¯d be ashamed, maybe even offended. Instead, it seemed to have the opposite effect. Ever since then, his gaze had be bolder, more deliberate. I clenched my fists at my sides. If he kept this up, I was going to get exposed. Worse, his sudden silence was unsettling. It wasn¡¯t the absence of sound; it was the presence of scrutiny. Quiet, calcted observation. My mind kept reying the night¡¯s events. The rogue¡¯s attack. The ruins. That goddamn moment in the tree, the way his body had brushed against mine, his manhood pressing against my butt, the heat that had lingered long after. My face still burned at the memory, my heart pounding erratically in my chest. The adrenaline had faded, but an unease clung to me like a second skin. Ronan¡¯s growing suspicion made it impossible to settle. And why the hell was he still following me? Shouldn¡¯t he have peeled off already, gone his own way? As we slipped through the dormitory gates, Reed was there with three Alphas chatting until his gazended on me, ¡°Well, well Reed sneered, ¡°Look what crawled out of the cursed woods.¡± His friends snickered. ¡°Too bad. We had a bet you wouldn¡¯t make it out, Tiny, one of them grinned. ¡°Did I make you lose your money?¡± I smiled, causing their smiles to disappear, ¡°Next time, put your money on someone else.¡± Reed¡¯s sneer faltered for half a second before heughed. ¡°Oh, we will¡± hisughter suddenly died down when he looked behind me at Ronan. All of their smiles and sheers were wiped off their faces. I did not stay there and walked past them with Ronan was still behind me! Why was this Alpha That¡¯s when I spotted Finn emerging from the shower building, hair damp and a towel slung over his shoulder. Relief bloomed in my chest. This was my chance. I stered on a bright smile and strode over. ¡°Finn, you crossed the line,¡± I smiled, keeping my tone light and casual. He blinked in surprise, then grinned. ¡°Yeah, and you made it too! I was looking for you in the showers earlier.¡± I shrugged, feigning nonchnce. ¡°Oh, I was a little slow. But looks like I wasn¡¯t thest one after all.¡± Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Ronan pause. His gaze lingered on me for a beat too long before he turned and headed toward the showers. Relief flooded my veins. ¡°You¡¯re lucky you weren¡¯t the ,¡± Finn pointed out. ¡°If you¡¯d been deadst, the academy gates would¡¯ve stayed shut for you I blinked. I honestly had no idea it worked like that. Finn gave my mud¨Cstreaked appearance a¨Colice¨Cover. ¡°You should probably shower too. It¡¯s already past two in the morning. There won¡¯t be much time for sleep before the morning bells.¡± I offered a small, grateful smile. ¡°Yeah thanks.¡± As Finn disappeared down the path, I stared at the shower building and deliberately turned away. I couldn¡¯t risk going in until the ce was empty. The hallway was dir, lit only by flickering sconces along the cold stone walls. Two Alphas in towels brushed past me Chapter 14 Two Alphas +8 Pearls That idiot Shin was thest one across the line,¡± one snorted. ¡°Should be grateful he made it back in one piece, unlike those poor bastards who didn¡¯t make it out of that cursed forest.¡± Their words made my steps slow. Images of death and madness wed at my memory. The Alphas might¡¯ve looked polished on the outside, but inside they were monsters. Predators. Killers. And then there was Dante¨Cfeeding on his own friend, The most horrifying thing I¡¯d ever seen I barely had time to brace myself when a hand shot out of the shadows and mmed me hard against the cold stone wall. I hissed in pain, the impact rattling my bones. My gaze snapped up to furious blue eyes. Dante. ¡°Where the hell were you?¡± he snarled, his fingers twisting in the fabric of my shirt, dangerously close to my chest. I shoved at him, growling. ¡°I don¡¯t answer to you.¡± But he mmed me back against the wall again, teeth bared. ¡°You saw something you shouldn¡¯t have, and then you. disappeared like a damn ghost.¡± His face was close now, blue eyes gleaming with fury beneath thickshes. His grip tightened, his voice a low, guttural rasp meant for my ears alone, ¡°Where the hell were you, Seth Darven?¡± The rough scrape of his words made my skin crawl, but I refused to flinch I scowled, shoving him hard enough to force a step between us before his hand could stray any closer. ¡°I don¡¯t owe you anything.¡± The tension crackled like static between us. His jaw clenched so tightly a muscle twitched in his cheek. He crowded me against the wall again, his face so close I could feel the heat rolling off him. ¡°You do,¡± he ground out. ¡°The moment you set foot in this academy. The moment you bumped into me. The moment you crossed line. His gaze sharpened. ¡°Where did you go during the challenge? my I narrowed my eyes. ¡°Why the hell do you care?¡± His eyes narrowed further, his voice dropping to a dark, dangerous whisper. ¡°You were with Ronan, weren¡¯t you?¡± My heart stuttered in my chest. I stiffened¡­a fraction of a second, but it was enough. Dante¡¯s expression turned coldly triumphant. His hand mped down on my arm like a vice. ¡°Stay away from him.¡± I tried to wrench my arm free, ring. ¡°Who the hell do you think you are¡­¡± Before I could finish, a new presence rolled in behind us like a brewing storm Heavy. Lethal. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end before I even turned. It was Ronan His steps s were slow, deliberate, the kind of careful, coiled threat that didn¡¯t need to shout to be heard. His dark gaze on where Dante¡¯s hand had been on me, and his expression darkened into something lethal. His irises glinted like molten obsidian, gleaming with a cold warning. ¡°If you¡¯ve got something to say, ckwood,¡± Ronan said, his voice a low, lethal promise, ¡°say it.¡± Dante didn¡¯t back down. His hand still hovered by his side, itching for a fight. ¡°This doesn¡¯t concern you.¡± ¡°And who the fuck decided that?¡± Ronan stepped in, close enough that their shoulders brushed. The hallway thickened with pure, suffocating dominance. Chapter 14 Two Alphas +8 Pearls Dante smirked darkly, his shoulder brushing mine possessively. ¡°Of course I¡¯m the who decides when ites to this wolf¡± Then it happened. Ronan shoved Dante¡¯s hand off me with a sharp flick of his wrist. ¡°Touch him again, and you¡¯ll regret it.¡± A furious smile yed on Dante¡¯s lips instantly. ¡°If that is the case, I fucking want to regret it right now.¡± Both of them raised their fists but before either of them could connect. I yelled. ¡°Enough!¡± They froze. Not out of fear, but because they both knew if a fight broke out here, it would draw attention. And both had too much to lose. Their eyes locked over my head the promise of violence postponed, not forgotten. I swallowed hard Two Alphas. Both dangerous. Both crazy in their own way. Both determined to keep me in their orbit. Two Neither knew the truth about me. It wasn¡¯t just my secret at risk anymore. If I wasn¡¯t careful¡­if I didn¡¯t find a way to control this. something far worse than exposure was going toe crashing down around me. And I had no idea which one of them would be the first to light the match. Send Gifts THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 15 Chapter 15 Attention¨Cseeking Mutt SERAPHINA Why am I here again¡± I asked myself as I stood within the ancient ruins, cold wind howling through shattered stone arches. Silver light bathed the crumbling walls, and there in the clearing ¨C he was The rogue. Kneeling beneath the full, bloated moon, he chanted in a I didn¡¯t recognize. I tried to move, to speak, but the air fel thick around me, like I was drowning in it. And then his head snapped toward me, red eyes locking onto mine. Unblinking. A jolt of cold shot through me. I woke with a strangled gasp, tangled in sweat¨Csoaked sheets, my skin mmy and damp, Was I dreaming? I sat up in my bunk, the dark room around me filled with the steady, heavy breathing of Alphas lost in sleep. My chest heaved as I struggled to shake the memory. The rogues. That cursed ce. Why had I ended up there when the others hadn¡¯t? And what were they doing, living in those ruins? I checked the clock, and my eyes widened five in the morning. Everyone was still asleep. The room was dim, save for the faint glow of dawn trying to seep through the curtains. This is my chance. Grabbing my towel, I slipped from my bed, careful not to make a sound, and padded down the empty hallway toward the showers. The stone floor was icy beneath my feet. I slipped into the bathroom and quietly clicked the lock behind me. Thanks to Dante and Ronan yesterday, I hadn¡¯t even managed to return to my room. When I finally did grab my clothes, I couldn¡¯t get a proper shower. Alphas were always in and out of the showers some smoking inside, others just lurking around with no intentions of sleeping when morning was so close. With no hope of privacy, I¡¯d done what I could¨Cwashing my face, hands, and legs, throwing on a loose long¨Csleeved T¨Cshirt and sweatpants before crashing for what little rest I could steal. But now, with the academy still cloaked in sleep. I wasn¡¯t about to waste this golden opportunity. The cold water hit my skin and I felt alive again. After so many days, a real, uninterrupted shower was almost too good to believe. Phina¡¯s voice surfaced in my mind. ¡°If we want to shower daily, it has to be now while everyone else sleeps.¡± I nodded to myself. It¡¯s the only way to avoid suspicion. Freshly cleaned and dressed in my neat academy uniform, I stepped out of the shower room just as the wake¨Cup bell echoed through the dormitory. Lights flicked on one by one, Alphas groaning and cursing as they dragged themselves from their beds. But Ronan¡¯s bed was empty. Ffroze. Where was hel Had he even been in his bed? Now that I thought about it I¡¯d never seen him there whenever I woke in the middle of the night. A sharp knock on the door startled me. The dormitory assistant entered, carrying a basket. ¡°Laundry¡¯s in,¡± he announced, setting the basket down. Chapter 15 Attention¨Cseeking Mutt ¡°Right on time,¡± Cassius grinned, jogging over to grab his and Reed¡¯s uniforms. After thest trial, all of our uniforms had been sent for cleaning. One by one, everyone collected their sets. When it was my turn, I reached for mine, but noticed something. There was no uniformbeled for Ronan. Why? B Pearls Confused, I grabbed the paper¨Cwrapped parcel with my name on it and the moment I unfolded it, my blood ran cold. The ck¨Cand¨Cgold uniform was shredded. Tattered beyond repair. Across the back of the shirt, smeared in sticky white paste, were the words: ¡°Attention¨Cseeking mutt. Cassius let out a sharpugh behind me, reading it aloud. Reed joined him, while Finn¡¯s eyes widened as they darted between the ruined uniform and my expressionless face. Suddenly, Reed slung an arm around my shoulders, leaning in close. ¡°Did you really think you were hot shit because you caught Ronan and Dante¡¯s attention, little mutt!¡± he sneered, his sharp gaze cutting to the side of my face. ¡°Yesterday¡¯s trial was nothing. Survival here.. that¡¯s the real battle. And trust me, you haven¡¯t even seen the start of it.¡± His lips curled into a cold grin as he pulled away, leaving with Cassius trailing after him, snickering I stared down at the destroyed uniform in a daze. I only had two sets. The one I was wearing. And now this shredded mess. ¡°Theypletely ruined it,¡± Finn said quietly, side. ¡°They?¡± I asked, lifting my eyes to him. ¡°You know who did this?¡± Finn hesitated before speaking. ¡°The jealous wolves. And there¡¯s a lot of them,¡± ¡°Why would anyone be jealous of me?¡± He sighed, his voice low. ¡°Everyone saw it yesterday. Ronan and Dante fighting because of you. Two hierarchy wolves shing over a newbie, it¡¯s unheard of. And then you, who everyone expected to die in the cursed forest, came back without a scratch You earned their attention. That alone made you a threat to the others without you even realizing it.¡± I clenched the shredded fabric in my fists. So this all happened because of those two assholes.¡± Send Gifts When The Moon Hides Her Crown. +8 Pearls THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 16 Chapter 16 Number One And Number Two ¡°So this all happened because of those two assholes.¡± Finn blinked at my bluntness, but I couldn¡¯t care less. Thanks to them, I had one uniform left. The bell rang ¡°It¡¯s no use holding onto it anymore, Finn murmured, gently taking the ruined uniform from my hand. ¡°Let¡¯s go get breakfast and deal with thister.¡± I drew in a deep breath and gave a small nod, falling into step beside him as we headed for the cafeteria talking- ¡°Man,¡± Finn chuckled, trying to lighten the mood, ¡°you only had two uniforms?¡± I gave a tight nod. If only he knew that uniform wasn¡¯t even mine to begin with. I¡¯d altered it to fit, patching it more times than I could count. As we were close to the cafeteria Finn spoke again. ¡°I have an idea¡± My hand froze mid¨Cair. ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°Contact your pack or family. They can send you a recement uniform. he casually suggested. My muscles tensed at the dangerous thought. Contact them? I had no idea what chaos had unfolded when I disappeared from my pack. My father¡­ he¡¯d be furious enough to ughter wolves. And my uncle¡¯s pack? They didn¡¯t even know 1 was here, hiding in in sight under Seth¡¯s name. Reaching out to either of them wasn¡¯t an option. As we entered, the atmosphere shifted. All eyes turned to me. Meaningful nces passed between wolves as they whispered, every one of them undoubtedly connected to the incident with my uniform. ¡°Hey, Tiny,¡± one of them sneered, stalking toward me: ¡°Got something you wanna say?¡± ¡°Yeah, another growled, ¡°because your damn stare is getting on my nerves.¡± Soon, four of them had circled around me, tension crackled in the air like a live wire. Finn shifted behind me, tense. ¡°Seth.¡± he whispered warily. I ignored them, my gaze fixed past the wolves, locking onto a figure who had just entered through the other cafeteria door, Ronan. Beside him was Alpha Asher, the only one Ronan ever seemed to keep close. Ronan¡¯s eyesnded on me almost instantly. Then, from another door, Dante appeared, his attention snapping toward thie scene. Whispers spread like wildfire across the ¡°What the hell are you staring at, you attention¨Cseeking mut?¡± one of the Alphas snarled, grabbing my cor and yanking me Both Ronan and Dante moved simultaneously, but before they could even take two steps, I raised my voice. Alpha Gideon!¡± The Alpha instructor strode into the cafeteria, his sharp gaze locking onto the wolf gripping my cor. ¡°What the hell is going on here?¡± Alpha Gideon demanded, his voice like a whip crack. The very air seemed to shrink with his prevenice. Chapter 16 Number One And Number Two +8 Pearls The Alpha holding me dropped his hand immediately and lowered his head. ¡°N¨Cnothing. Alpha. Seth and L. we were just messing around,¡± he stammered, forcing a casualugh and throwing an arm around my shoulders- though his eyes promised retribution if I dared speak. Bad move My wolf stirred, fully provoked by the insult, by the threat, by the audacity. ¡°Messing around by grabbing my cor and calling me names?¡± I smiled coldly, jerking his hand off me. ¡°I don¡¯t even know your name,¡± I added, meeting his fearful eyes, Alpha Bully.¡± A thick, stunned silence swept the cafeteria. Alpha Gideon¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°Bully?¡± he repeated dangerously. The Alpha broke into a cold sweat, his friends paling beside him. Alpha Gideon¡¯s growl rumbled through the room. ¡°My office. Now. Alpha Abraham. Let¡¯s see how your father enjoys reading your expulsion letter¨Cwritten in beautiful, bold letters.¡± And with that, the instructor turned and left Five secondster, Abraham grabbed my cor again. Harder this time. The sound of stitches tearing reached my ears. ¡°You little fucker!¡± he spat, his face twisted in rage. ¡°How dare you set me up like that?!¡± He raised his hand to strike, but I was faster. I mmed my forehead into his nose, hearing the crunch of bone. ¡°Argh!¡± he howled, staggering back, blood streaming down his face. ¡°I gave you a chance to walk away by sticking to the rules.¡± I muttered, adjusting my torn cor. ¡°You lost it.¡± Gasps rippled through the cafeteria. Abraham¡¯s face contorted with pure fury. ¡°YOU SON OF A-¡± He charged at me. I dodged cleanly, side¨Ckicking him in the head before he could even think about shifting. His body hit the ground hard, a groan leaving his lips. The entire cafeteria stared. I didn¡¯t even nce at Abraham. My gaze found Dante first, then Ronan Only then did I lower my eyes to the groaning wolf at my feet. ¡°Don¡¯t be an attention¨Cseeking mutt, like you said, Alpha Abraham,¡± I drawled coolly. ¡°Why don¡¯t you go call Number One and Number Two- the ones you were so proudly gossiping about? Because me?¡± I paused, locking eyes with Ronan across. the room. ¡°I don¡¯t need anyone!¡± THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 17 Chapter 17 Uniform SERAPHINA ¡°Don¡¯t slow down!!¡± the Alpha instructor¡¯s voice thundered across the training grounds. The sun beat down mercilessly, turning sweat into a second skin as it dripped from my brow. My arms trembled with every push¨Cup, but I didn¡¯t stop. I had already shattered my own record, pushed past my limits¨Cbut there was no room for weakness here. Around me, the others panted and grunted, their bodies just as strained, but no one dared ck off under the sharp gaze of the instructors. ¡°Thirty more!¡± the drill instructor barked. ¡°Now!¡± I gritted my teeth and pushed through the burn, my breathbored, my muscles screaming. It had been three straight days of relentless physical training¨Cnobat trials, just raw endurance. Sprints over rocky hills, endless circuits of jumps from brutal heights, push¨Cups until our arms gave out ¡°We¡¯re taking a two¨Cminute break, the Alpha finally announced. Everyone instantly copsed, and I was no exception. I dropped to the ground, my body thrumming from the punishment we¡¯d been put through. Training here was ruthless. Worse than I ever imagined. As I tried to catch my breath, hushed voices were carried to me from a distance. ¡°That little mutt isn¡¯t what he looks like,¡± one Alpha sneered. ¡°He¡¯s pure cunning behind that bitch¨Clike innocent face.¡± Another growled, low and dangerous, ¡°I swear, I¡¯ll kill him the first chance I get. First Jordan, now Abraham. Both expelled. because of that motherfucker, Darven. He¡¯ll pay in blood.¡± I slowly opened my eyes, the weight of unspoken hostility settling over me like a second wind. I had felt it for days now, ever since Alpha Abraham was thrown out. The looks, the whispers, the hatred¨Cthey all led back to me. Most of the Alphas looked at me like they wanted to rip me apart. I didn¡¯t care. Let them stay away from me out of fear, resentment, or twisted respect. As long as they stayed away, I didn¡¯t give a damn. But I wasn¡¯t stupid. I knew the peace wouldn¡¯tst. The real threat hadn¡¯t even begun. I sat up slowly, my gaze drifting to Dante. He was still doing push¨Cups, his form perfect, his movements sharp and controlled like a machine. His body was monstrous, like pain had never touched him. But his eyes¡­ His cold, displeased blue eyes hadn¡¯t left me. He hadn¡¯t spoken to me since that day. Since my indirect, yet unmistakable warning: Don¡¯t get in my way. He¡¯d heard it loud and clear. But his fury was simmering just beneath the surface. The re of his aura, the sharpness in his gaze¨Cit was all there. He didn¡¯t like being dismissed. Not by anyone. Especially not by me. I could feel the heat of his anger even from a distance. And then there was Ronan. ¡°Here,¡± Finn¡¯s voice cut in gently, breaking my train of thought. He tossed me a water bottle. I caught it just in time and looked up to find him drenched in sweat, his chest heaving slightly from the run. ¡°Thanks,¡± I affered a breathless smile. He sat beside me on the dry grass, brushing sweat from his brow, ¡°Can Lask you something ¡°Sure I replied, unscrewing the cap ¡°Why don¡¯t you take off your shirt during training Even during push¨Cups, you keep it on.¡± Chapter 17 Uniform +8 Pearls Anniversary Celebration You havepleted the LETA. congrattions on receiving a prize,e and im it. I was a kid, I¡¯ve never beenfortable showing skin.¡± His brows furrowed. ¡°Were you assaulted? Molested?¡± I blinked, taken aback by the bluntness. Molested? Me? My wolf chuckled bitterly in my head. How about we tell him how the molesters left the pack without their limbs? 1 forced a small smile. ¡°Something like that,¡± I lied. Read Before Finn could speak again, Cassius tossed a training bag toward him with an arrogant smirk. ¡°Carry that for me, will you?¡± Reed followed up with a scoff. And grab my water while you¡¯re at it. Be useful for once.¡± Without a word, Finn stood and did as they asked. I watched, silently. I had noticed how they treated him, like a damn errand boy. ¡°Do you always let them treat you like that?¡± I muttered when he returned. He shrugged with one shoulder, his expression calm. ¡°I don¡¯t mind. I¡¯m not here to make enemies. If doing a few favors keeps the peace, Fd rather do that.¡± I studied him quietly. There was no bitterness in his voice. Just quiet eptance. Over the past few days, we¡¯d grown closer. I hade to learn more about him¨Chow he came from a prestigious, wealthy pack. How he was the second son of his Alpha father, soft¨Cspoken and gentle because he hated violence. A rare trait in a ce like this. Yet, here he was¨Csent to this brutal Academy because his father believed even second sons needed to be hardened. The final whistle blew across the field. Training was done for the day. Under the evening¡¯s cold breeze, I stood and tugged at my sweat¨Cdrenched shirt, which clung to my skin like a second in this weather. Why not ask your pack or family¨Cthe one I mentioned before?¡± I forced a smallugh. ¡°I would¡­ if I could. But I¡¯m not exactly on speaking terms with my family right now. Personal reasons. So, I can¡¯t really ask them for help.¡± Finn frowned, then reached into his training bag and pulled out a neatly folded uniform. ¡°Here,¡± he offered. I blinked. ¡°Oh, no. I can¡¯t take your uniform¡± ¡°I have three, and I¡¯ve only worn this one twice,¡± he said gently. ¡°What¡¯s one less? You need it more than I do. And it¡¯s clean¡± I hesitated. For the past few days, I¡¯d been washing and re¨Cwearing the same uniform. Sometimes it didn¡¯t even dry properly. I needed a new one, but this was Finn¡¯s. His offer felt too generous. Too sudden. But was I really in a position to refuse? ¡°What are you waiting for? Take it¨Cmy arm is hurting.¡± he chuckled. I pursed my lips and slowly epted it. ¡°Thanks,¡± Imurmured, a smile breaking through the exhaustion on my face. ¡°I¡¯ll repay this kindness one day.¡± He smiled back, modest and sheepish. ¡°Really? Just don¡¯t beat me up, okay?¡± I giggled despite myself. He with me.. Neither of us noticed the pair of intense violet eyes watching from the distance. Up on the ridge near the weapons shed, Ronan stood silently, arms crossed. His gaze was locked on me, on the way I smiled Chapter 17 Uniform Anniversary Celebration You havepleted the task congrattions on receiving a prize,e and im t +B Pearls Read A blur of movement caught my eye. A massive ck Alpha wolf charged toward me¨Ctoo fast to dodge. Too close to defend. Finn barely backed away in time as the wolf barreled past, knocking the neatly folded uniform from my hands. ¡°No!¡± I gasped as it flew through the air,nding over the edge of the cliff. My jaw dropped. My eyes widened. Cone. Just like that. The only spare uniform I could¡¯ve had¡­ lost to a ce I¡¯d never reach. Slowly, I turned. The ck wolf had shifted into his human form. Ronan stood there, naked and unapologetic. ¡°What the hell was that?!¡± I snapped, barely holding back my fury. He strode toward me. ¡°What¡¯s all the fuss over a dirty uniform?¡± Dirty? He dared call that clean, folded outfit dirty? ¡°You were in my way. This is the training field¨Cnot a ce tough and chat,¡± he said coldly. Something inside me cracked. Laugh and chat? ¡°What the hell does that mean?¡± I shot back. ¡°You knocked away the only extra uniform Finn could give me! What am I supposed to wear now?¡± At Finn¡¯s name, something flickered in Ronan¡¯s gaze. His jaw tightened. He stepped closer, eyes sharper. ¡°Is Finn the only one with a uniform in this entire academy?¡± he asked tly ¡°What?¡± I stared, confused. He towered over me, voice heavy and unwavering. ¡°I¡¯ll take responsibility for your loss. Take my uniform.¡± Send Gifts THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 18 Chapter 18 I Don¡¯t Do Charity SERAPHINA Everything froze for a moment as my eyes locked with Ronan¡¯s. Take responsibility? By offering me his uniform? ¡°What a joke,¡± I muttered under my breath, jaw tight as I stormed off the field. My hands still tingled from the cold, but the heat rising inside me was pure irritation. Ronan¡¯s arrogance burned hotter than the evening sun ever could. Tossing his uniform at me after knocking the uniform over the edge earlier. Acting like he owned the damn academy By the time I reached my room, the damp fabric of my shirt clung to my skin, chilling me to the bone. I yanked open the wardrobe, grabbing the oversized shirt and jacket I always wore¨Cmy shield to mask the curves I wasn¡¯t allowed to have here. The room was empty. Everyone else was in the showers. Since I couldn¡¯t use them, not with the Alphas in there, I settled for wiping myself clean with a damp cloth. It wasn¡¯t ideal, but it was safer. Just as I thought about changing, the door creaked open. I froze. Ronan stepped in, a bag slung casually over his shoulder. Panic red in my chest. Thank the Moon Goddess, I hadn¡¯t taken off my clothes yet. ¡°What do you want now?¡± I snapped, narrowing my eyes. He raised a brow,pletely unfazed. ¡°Taking responsibility,¡± he said, tossing the bag onto my bed. The corner of a ck and gold uniform slipped out. 1 crossed my arms, ring. ¡°I don¡¯t need your help. Do your charity work somewhere else.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t do charity,¡± he replied coolly, stepping closer. His presence was different this time¨Cheavier, moremanding. ¡°If word got out that the newbie cried over a dirty uniform because of me, my reputation would suffer.¡± He stopped just inches from me and added, ¡°So, Seth Darven.. ept it while I¡¯m asking nicely.¡± The corner of my lips twitched at his attitude. ¡°Or what?¡± I asked, keeping my voice neutral. His expression flickered like he wasn¡¯t used to being questioned, But heposed himself quickly, leaning even closer. ¡°Or Finn might end up losing all his uniforms¡­ or worse, his ce in the academy¡± My heart dropped. He¡¯s threatening me? Over a uniform? ¡°What the hell.. He stepped in, until only a breath separated us. ¡°ept it, Seth Darven,¡± he said again, softer this time. He picked up the bag. he¡¯d tossed and ced it gently in my hands. ¡°Mine is better than Finn¡¯s.¡± I stared down at the bag between us, then looked back up. ¡°Your uniforms are the same. Why are you so obsessed with giving me yours?!¡± ¡°Nothing about me is the same,¡± he murmured, his gaze sharpening. ¡°Don¡¯tpare me to him or anyone else for that I opened my mouth to argue, but his nextment stopped me cold. ¡°Your acendless body is already getting on my nerves. And I already fucking know that my instict are not something good for you. I don¡¯t know how I¡¯ll tolerate it if you start smelling like another wolf thanks to their uniform. So use mine.¡± His voice wasn¡¯t demanding¡ªit was low, rough, and steady. Not dominance, but possession. My heartbeat jumped. What did he mean by instinct? What instinct was he talking about? I felt danger for some reason. The uniform in my hands suddenly felt heavier. Also giving me his uniform instead of Finn¡¯s.. it was as if he wanted me to small like him. Chapter 181 Don¡¯t Do Charity No, I shook the thought from my head. +8 Pearls ¡°I still don¡¯t want it. It won¡¯t fit me anyway.¡± I muttered, shoving it back into his hands and turning away. and But before I could step aside, something dropped over my head¨Cthe uniform. His scent curled around me, thick an disorienting. It wasn¡¯t neatly folded anymore, it now covered my head, brushing my back and shoulders. His breath warmed my ear as he whispered, ¡°Try it on. If it doesn¡¯t fit throw it away? My heart pounded as his chest brushed lightly against mine. Then he turned and walked out, the door clicking shut behind Slowly, I pulled the shirt off my head and looked at it. The fabric was rich and smooth beneath my fingers. And the size¡­. ¡°It¡¯s our size.¡± Phina whispered in my head. I stepped in front of the mirror, holding it against myself. It fits. Not too tight, not baggy¨Cjust the way I always wore my clothes. Then I peeked into the bag. Two more uniforms, each tailored to fit me. My fingers traced the seams, a strange mix of confusion and unease settling in my chest. ¡°It¡¯s definitely Ronan¡¯s uniform.¡± I murmured. ¡°But how did he know my measurements? When did he get these? Why would he go out of his way¡­ for me?¡± Cawins and Reed returned to the room after their shower, pulling me out of my spiraling thoughts. I still hadn¡¯t showered. I¡¯d waited for hours, hoping for a moment when the ce was empty, but it never was. Every time I checked, there were still Alphas in thereughing, talking, moving around without a care. I couldn¡¯t risk it. Exhausted and out of patience, I finally gave in. Locking the stall door behind me, I stripped quickly and wiped myself down with a wet towel. It wasn¡¯t even close to a real shower, but it washed away the sweat and grime. Beggars couldn¡¯t be choosers. At least I didn¡¯t smell like a battlefield anymore. Afterward, I slipped into a loose T¨Cshirt and jeans, throwing on my jacket like armor. All I wanted now was to copse on bed and disappear into sleep. But as I stepped out of the stall, tugging the hem of my shirt down over my hips, I froze. Someone had noticed. My heart plummeted. ¡°Well, well,¡± Dante drawled, grinning like he¡¯d won something the ???? He leaned casually against the tiled wall, arms crossed, eyes scanning me slowly¨Cmeticulously. Too meticulously How long had he been standing there! ¡°What were you doing in there?¡± His voice was deceptively calm, too smooth. I forced my features into neutrality and gave a shrug ¡°What do you think people do in the toilet? That¡¯s what I was doing ¡°1 walked past hum, or tried to keeping my movements controlled, casual. ¡°Is so?¡± ¡°Is that so he echoed, raising a brow ¡°Funny, I don¡¯t recall ever changing inside a stall¡± Damn i 0:15 PM Chapter 18 I Don¡¯t Do Charity. My heart kicked into overdrive. +8 Pearls He didn¡¯t mention the towel wipe. That meant he hadn¡¯t seen everything. But still¨Che knew something. ¡°Didn¡¯t feel like shing a room full of Alphas just to prove I¡¯ve got balls,¡± I snapped, lifting my chin. ¡°That a problem?¡± His jaw ticked. Then he stepped forward, and before I could back away, he grabbed my arm¨Cnot violently, but firmly enough to send a jolt through me. ¡°You¡¯re hiding something,¡± he said, voice low now,ced with something sharp and dark. A chill crawled up my spine. I was so screwed. Still, I kept my face calm. ¡°What could I possibly be hiding?¡± I met his gaze without blinking. ¡°Whatever I did in there¡¯s been flushed, Dante. If I knew you were that curious, I would¡¯ve saved it for you to examine. Now let go He didn¡¯t move, Let go?¡± he repeated, and a slow smirk spread across his lips. ¡°I don¡¯t think I will.¡± I ripped my arm away, not caring if I had to use force. ¡°Do whatever the hell you want,¡± I growled and brushed past him. I didn¡¯t stop walking until I was halfway down the hallway. Then I staggered against the wall, hand clutching my chest. My heart was pounding so hard it physically hurt. Everything was unraveling. THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 19 Chapter 19 A Smack SERAPHINA Thete afternoon sun cast elongated shadows across the academy field as I stepped out into the unknown area where the Alpha instructor brought all of us. There was only greenery and trees in the surrounding area. The scent of freshly upturned earth mixed with the electric hum of anticipation. A buzz of eager chatter surrounded me, every Alpha assembled for the trial that had finally arrived after three relentless days of grueling physical training. ¡°Hey, are you alright?¡± Finn asked, falling into step beside me. ¡°You¡¯ve seemed out of it sincest night. And you did not talk much the entire time we made our way here. Did something happen?¡± My muscles instinctively tensed. Dante¡¯s voice from the night before echoed in my mind-¡°You¡¯re hiding something, aren¡¯t you?¡± His suspicion had left me restless, gnawing at my thoughts all night and haunting me through lunch. I¡¯d been so careful. How did he end up suspecting me? He hadn¡¯t uncovered the truth, not exactly¨Cbut still¡­ ¡°Everyone gather up and stand on the line!¡± The Alpha instructor ordered. I quickened my pace like the others until I felt it. A sudden, burning intensity prickling across my skin. I slowly turned my head, my instincts already screaming. Dante. He stood on the opposite end of the field, his gaze locked on me with the focus of a predator sighting prey. When our eyes met, he smirked¨Cslow, deliberate, and far too knowing My blood surged with heat and warning. I forced my expression into indifference, tearing my gaze away as if he meant absolutely nothing. What I didn¡¯t see was how his smirk faltered, how his expression twisted the moment he caught the faintest scent lingering on me. His eyes snapped toward a familiar figure passing nearby, and without hesitation, he reached out and seized Reed by the cor. ¡°D¨CDante..¡± Reed¡¯s face went pale, his thoughts clearly scrambling as he wondered what he¡¯d done tond in Dante¡¯s bloodthirsty grasp. Dante¡¯s deep blue eyes narrowed as he growled lowly, ¡°Why the hell does that Darven reek of Volkstane?¡± ¡°Seth?¡± Reed blinked, realization dawning as he connected the dots. And was pissed that because of the most disliked person he was caught in Dante¡¯s grasp. But still he replied, ¡°I¨CI don¡¯t know. But I heard Ronan gave him his uniform¡­¡± Every word was fuel to the fire. Dante¡¯s jaw flexed, fury bleeding into every line of his face. ¡°Volkstane gave him his uniform? And he wore it?¡± His voice was razor¨Csharp, dangerous. He shoved Reed away and turned his gaze to where Roman stood across the field, casually speaking with Alpha Asher. But Dante didn¡¯t see a casual conversation. He saw a challenge. ¡°Marking my prey with your scent like a im?¡± he snarled under his breath eyes flicking to follow Ronan¡¯s gaze¨Cstraight to
  1. me. A furious smile curved his lips. ¡°Uneptable.¡±
He then looked at Reed, ¡°You hate that Darven, right?¡± Reed¡¯s expression ttered at Dante¡¯s next word, ¡°Then From my ce at the end of the third row, I red Dante speaking with Reed Confusion bloomed in my chest. Those two knew each other? And why did Dante look so. tense? Tarely had time to process that when a strange sensation pulled at my awareness. I turned, almost instinctively¨Cand froze. Roman was sta Boldly Intently. Like I was the only thing at. worth look My heart leapt painfully in my chest. How long has he been watching me?¡± Chapter 19 A Smack My fingers twitched as I fidgeted with the hem of the uniform. His uniform. My face burned with the realization. Did he notice? +8. Pearls Goddess. It was mortifying¨Cwearing his clothes, standing so close to him, pretending it meant nothing when it felt like everything. Before things could spiral further, the Alpha instructor¡¯s voice boomed across the field, cutting through the tension like at whip ¡°Silence! All of you!¡± The chatter died instantly. Today¡¯s trial will take ce in the ckmoon Forest, he dered, his tone grave. A collective shiver moved through the crowd. Even the cockiest Alphas stiffened at the name. The ckmoon Forest was infamous¨Can untamed,wless stretch ofnd haunted by creatures not even elders could name. Every wise soul knew better than to wander near it. ¡°When leading a pack, your enemy is not always a wolf, vampire, or hunter,¡± the instructor continued. ¡°Sometimes, you¡¯re dragged into battles with beings whose existence you never imagined¨Ccreatures that crave your blood and flesh.. and might be far stronger than you.¡± He raised arge ss jar, filled with tiny, folded chits. ¡°Inside this are your targets. Each of you will draw one, and that will be your prey for tonight.¡± Alphas exchanged nces, the air now thick with unease. ¡°You¡¯ll have until sunrise to bring back your assigned prey. Only those who seed will advance to the next trial. Fail,¡± his eyes swept over us like a guillotine, ¡°and you¡¯ll be eliminated from the academy immediately.¡± My fists clenched at my sides. So that¡¯s why thest three days were pure hell. But what kind of prey were we talking about? ¡°Step forward one at a time. Pick a chit. The moment the horn sounds, the hunt begins,¡± the instructormanded, before turning on his heel and leaving. Last time the horn had red almost immediately. Everyone knew it. Panic took over as the Alphas surged forward like children scrambling for candy, only this candy could cost you your life. Caught up in the chaos, I was shoved forward, boxed in by bodies thicker and taller than mine. Even if I¡¯d wanted to retreat, it was impossible. The crowd was a current and I was forced to swim with it. Alphas who managed to grab their chits wore twisted expressions¨Csome bitter, others downright horrified. Judging by their faces, none of us were about to be chasing rabbits. ¡°Shit, I got a leopard!¡± someone groaned in the distance. My eyes snapped toward the voice. A leopard? Seriously? If there were leopards in that forest, this would be worse than I thought¡­ I kept listening¨Ctrying to piece together what else might be lurking in that cursed ce¨Cuntil finally, the Alphas ahead of me cleared. With the pressure behind me increasing, lunged forward and snatched a chit from the jar. Just as I was about to unfold it. I felt a hand. Not just a touch¨Ca squeeze on my ass. A vition. My blood ran cold, beforeva surged through me, scorching every nerve. Phina roared awake inside me like a storm I spun around and smacked the bastard with everything I had. The smack echoed across the field like a gunshot LISPU Chapter 19 A Smack +8 Pearls Gasps exploded all around me as the crowd parted in stunned silence. The Alpha I¡¯d just smacked straightened slowly, a red handprint blossoming across his face. Alpha Asher ¡°Holy fuck, the new guy hit Ronan¡¯s friend!¡± ¡°He¡¯s dead. So fucking dead!¡± You son of a bitch, Asher growled, his voice like a cracking stone. ¡°You¡¯re dead today!¡± He lunged, fist raised. I jumped back, bracing to strike again¨Cbut someone beat him to it. Ronan stepped between us in a sh, his violet eyes aze with fury¨Cbut not at Asher. At me ¡°How dare you p him?!¡± he snarled, stepping closer, his angerced with something darker. I stood my ground, eyes zing. ¡°Is he a god now?! He touched me! It¡¯s a miracle I didn¡¯t break his entire face.¡± Ronan halted, just an inch from me. ¡°He touched you?¡± There was a flicker¨Cjust a flicker¨Cof hesitation in his eyes. But Asher immediately cut in from behind. ¡°He¡¯s lying!¡± he roared. ¡°Why the fuck would I touch him?!¡± Ronan¡¯s hesitation snapped like a twig. His jaw tightened. His hands balled into fists. ¡°You lied, huh?¡± he growled, grabbing my arms with such force I swore something cracked. Pain shot through me, but I gritted my teeth. ¡°I didn¡¯t!¡± I hissed, struggling in his grasp, rage boiling over. ¡°Let go of me!¡± Unseen in the crowd, Dante watched the unfolding chaos with a wicked grin, while Reed smirked with quiet satisfaction from the shadows. ¡°Asher doesn¡¯t lie!¡± Ronan shouted, his wolf wing at the surface. ¡°He¡¯s my friend¨CI trust him!¡± ¡°Well, that¡¯s your problem!¡± I barked. ¡°Your perverted friend touched me, and I gave him exactly what he deserved!¡± Phina¡¯s voiceyered over mine, her presence zing. ¡°You¡¯re lying!¡± Asher spat. ¡°He knows what he did!¡± I cut in. ¡°He¡¯s just too much of a coward to admit it.¡± Before I could finish Ronan seized my jaw and leaned in close, voice dripping venom. ¡°Watch your mouth, Seth Darven. And apologize Now¡± I gripped his hand and yanked it away. I stared into his eyes. ¡°Over My Dead Body¡± Send Gifts THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 20 Chapter 20 Bison SERAPHINA ¡°Over. My. Dead Body.¡± The entire crowd around us held its breath. Some looked away, others wide¨Ceyed with tension. A few whispered, but no one dared move. While the two of us..we never looked away from each other. And then, from somewhere in the trees behind us, a loud horn sounded. The hunt had begun. The Alphas scattered, some shifting and dashing into the forest, but neither of us moved. We stood locked in a silent, furious standoff wolf against wolf, pride against pride. Ronan¡¯s grip tightened slightly, his face lowering closer until his breath brushed my car. ¡°If you don¡¯t apologize,¡± he whispered, voice rough and low, ¡°then you¡¯ll have to die.¡± My heart hammered against my ribs, not from fear, but from rage. I met his eyes, my own burning with defiance as 1 whispered back. Then try your luck.¡± Neither of us blinked. Neither backed down. But then ¡°Seth!¡± Finn¡¯s voice cut through the thick tension like a de. A hand grabbed my arm, pulling me roughly away from Ronan. It was almost as if the spell broke. I stumbled back, finding myself running with Finn as wolves all around us shifted, bodies lunging into the forest like arrows shot from a bow. ¡°The hunt¡¯s started, man! Do you wanna die here, lose the hunt, or what?!¡± Finn shouted, panic flickering in his eyes. I barely registered hisment and looked over my shoulder because right then, just over Finn¡¯s shoulder, past Ronan¡¯srge figure¡­I saw him. Dante. Standingzily beneath a tree, arms folded, a smug smile curling his lips. He caught my eye, almost as if he had been waiting for me to look over or already knew I would and mouthed silently across the chaos: It was Reed The blood drained from my face. My mind nked in an instant. Phina also shook in my mind muttering in shock whispered, ¡®It hadn¡¯t been Asher My body turned cold, Asher never touched me but It was Reed. Hidden in the shadows. Setting me up. And Dante knew Or even more likely he was the one who nned it so that Ronan and I I looked at Ronan I really looked at him this time For a fraction of a second, I saw the storm in his violet eyes, the primal need to dominate, to break. To kill And then in a sh of silver light and cracking bones, he slutted into a massive ck wolf, fur dark as midnight, fangs gleaming A heartbeatter. Dante shifted too into the ck woll, faster¨Clooking, but no less deadly. Both wolves turned their heads toward me. Both had their eyes locked on me 15 PM Chapter 20 Bison They weren¡¯t just starting the hunt. Phina said. ¡°They are hunting us!¡± +8 Pearls Both Alphas were after me. Without wasting another second, I spun around and dashed into the forest. My feet barely touched the ground. They were in their wolf form and I could not shift, so in this condition I was at a disadvantage and could be easily killed. I pushed every ounce of speed from my body, sprinting through the underbrush with a wild, electric desperation. Behind me, the crashing sounds of pursuit exploded. Faster, faster! Thankfully they could not pick up my scent but I still kept hiding my aura to prevent them tracking my down. Breath burning my throat, I summoned every trick I had learned¡­every survival skill, every hidden instinct Phina whispered into my mind. Turning back to check once in a while, I veered sharply left at the base of a twisted pine. Rolled under a fallen log. Sshed briefly through a shallow stream. Anything to hide my aura or scent if it slipped. Anything to make them lose my trail. I wasn¡¯t just fighting to win the trial now. I was fighting to stay alive from two crazy Alphas after me. I sprinted through the dense trees, my heart hammering against my ribs, my lungs burning with every breath. Only when I had put enough distance between myself and the clearing did I finally nce down at the crumpled chit still clenched in my fist. One single word WILL scrawled there: BISON. I stumbled slightly, disbelief punching the air from my chest. A bison? Were they serious? Massive, homed beasts, nearly impossible to take down alone, even for an experienced hunter. But there was no time to curse my luck. Behind me, the ground shook from the weight of something heavy moving through the forest. Fast and violent, I twisted my head and caught a glimpse through the trees. Arge wolf with sleek ck fur and glowing eyes tearing through. the underbrush¨CDante. Not Ronan. I gritted my teeth. This Alpha¡­. He was the one who had fucked up my already messed up situation. Now Ronan was after me thanks to him or this hunt would have been me solely focusing on my hunt. Dante had shifted and now he was hunting me like a true predator, not his assigned prey. And his killing intent was obvious. Shit. Did he pick my scent? It was impossible right? I couldn¡¯t outrun him forever. And if Dante found me then Ronan would be here soon as well ¡°Fighting against two Alphas would not be wise.¡± Phina stated in my mind. ¡°Especially when we have to hunt the Bison as well ¡°You are right,¡± I breathed hard. ¡°We have to avoid the fight. When they were not even my prey but actually hunting me¡± If I wanted to survive the night, get my hunt and through this ridiculous trial, I needed to use my brain, not just my legs rkly. I seered off the obvious trail and dove into a thick patch of berry bushes. The wild, sour scent hut me imunediately. I grabbed a handful of berries and crushed them against my clothes, smearing the strong smell over my skin to mask my scent. My ears twitched at the faint sound of pawsteps drawing nearer Ducking low, I crept forward until I spotted a branch, half¨Cbroken and hanging precariously above a narrow path. Chapter 20 Bison A perfect little gift from the forest gods. +8 Pearls Silently, I climbed the nearest tree, clinging to the trunk like a cat. My hands found the weakened branch¡­and with one strong jerk. I broke it loose. The branch crashed to the ground with a deafening crack. Below, Dante¡¯s wolf form skidded to a halt, muscles tensing, head snapping toward the sound. Perfect Before he could spot me, Iunched myself into the neighboring tree, keeping high and out of reach. The branches swayed, but I moved with them, keeping my body fluid and silent like a shadow.¡± If I could keep misleading him, keep him chasing ghosts, he¡¯d waste precious energy and time. ¡°Let¡¯s see if you¡¯re still so eager when the tables turn, Dante¡® I swung from branch to branch, deeper into the heart of the deadly ckmoon Forest. Hours blurred into each other but my search for a bison continued. With each passing second I became desperate because I had been running out of time. At the same time Phina had been demanding to shift and make our search quick. I also wanted to do it but the risk of being exposed was like a sword at my neck. The ckmoon Forest was alive with chaos. Snarls, growls, and the sh of teeth and ws echoed through the trees.. I moved like a whisper through the dense undergrowth, my senses sharpened, always one breath away from danger. Twice, I slipped past dueling Alphas locked in brutal fights with their assigned prey¨Ca huge boar thrashing a boy into the mud, an Alpha wolf desperately fending off a mountain lion with bloody ws. I didn¡¯t stop. I couldn¡¯t. ¡°Where is this bison!¡± 1 growled under my breath while ncing around once in a while to make sure no one was following I climbed rocky ridges, slid through muddy valleys, and even waded through a shallow, ice¨Ccold stream to further throw off my scent The night deepened around me, and time ticked dangerously away. My muscles ached, and my stomach twisted in hollow hunger, but finally¨Cfinally¨Cmy efforts paid off. A sharp, distinct sign. A huge, cloven hoof print stamped deep into the damp earth. My heart leapt. I crouched, tracing the wide print with my fingers, feeling the heavy pressure left behind. Nearby, I spotted broken branches at shoulder height¨Cfar higher than any wolf or deer could reach. The beast had passed through not long ago. ¡°We are close.¡± I said to Phina ¡°Yes, let¡¯s hunt it¡± Phuna growled Excitement red through my Tould do this I could catch up, bring it down, and But just as I took off after the trail weaving through the thickening trees, a low growl rumbled to my left I skidded to a halt, whipping my head around. Emerging from the misted darkness, muscles rippling under his dark ck coat, was a massive wolf with f familiar cold, violet. Chapter 20 Bison furious eyes Ronan His wolf form stood tall, blocking my path, the raw fury in his gaze making me hold my breath. He found me. Send Gifts THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 21 Chapter 21 A Shadow SERAPHINA I wanted to avoid it. I truly did. I wanted to avoid Ronan tonight, but it seemed destiny had other ns for us. Still, I didn¡¯t back down. I never had. I never would. Every instinct inside me screamed¨Cto shift, to fight¨Cbecause deep down, I knew this Alpha was here to kill me. I squared my shoulders and met Ronan¡¯s wolf stare head¨Con. ¡°I know now,¡± I rasped, my voice slicing through the heavy silence. ¡°It wasn¡¯t Asher who touched me. His ears twitched sharply, his body going rigid. ¡°I made a mistake. No¡­ I misunderstood,¡± I said, voice steady. ¡°But I won¡¯t believe it. It¡¯ll sound like an excuse¨Cas if I¡¯m afraid of fighting, of dying. Won¡¯t exin myself. Whatever I say, you I lifted my chin higher and murmured, ¡°So let¡¯s end this quickly.¡± I dropped into a fighting stance. ¡°I have a hunt to finish after all.¡± For a heartbeat, the forest froze. I braced myself, ready for him to pounce, to attack¨Cor worse. Instead, the Alpha took a step toward me. Then another. And another. Closing the distance between us. I stiffened. What was he doing? Then- A blur of silver. I barely had time to gasp before the ck wolf lunged. His heavy body crashed into mine, mming me hard against the damp earth. A suarl tore from my lips, but it was already toote. His massive paws pinned my wrists to the ground, his weight caging me inpletely. ¡°What the- I thrashed once, but froze when an unexpected heat touched my skin. Ronan¡¯s body heat. Pinned beneath him, my eyes locked with his, I found he was already staring at me with an intensity burning in his gaze that made my breath catch. It was like he could see through me¨Cthrough my disguise¨Cpast Seth, straight to the real me. Seraphina And then The ck wolf¡¯s muzzle dipped low, dragging hotly down the curve of my neck, over the skin exposed by my ruined shirt. My muscles tensed. I clenched my fists, nerves rattling. What was he doing? Chapter 21 A Shadow He inhaled deeply, the low rumble of his growl vibrating straight through my chest. Despite myself, my breathing hitched. Our eves Inend in that moment, the world fell away. The heat The earth beneath me. The looming danger. None of it mattered. It was just him and me. Phina, usually dormant, cold, and unbothered by any male¡¯s proximity, suddenly surged to life inside me. She let out a soft, whimpering growl, shaking the iron walls I had built around her for so long. No. No, no, no. But it was toote. For the first time in my life, my wolf responded. To a male. My body betrayed me, arching slightly beneath him, drawn to the raw, wild dominance radiating from him. And Ronan noticed. His violet eyes darkened. A low, primal rumble escaped his chest, sending a shiver through me.. +8 Pearls I was suffocating under the close proximity, the maddening pull of him¨Cthe way his scent, wild and furious, wrapped around me, binding tighter than any chain. A scent I shouldn¡¯t have even been able to pick up through the heavy perfume I wore¡­ yet I did. For the first time ever.. t I didn¡¯t know if I wanted to break free. What¡¯s happening to me? Confusion, fear, longing¡­they all collided inside me. Just as the air between us crackled with something dark and dangerous, something neither of us could name, a violent roar tore through the forest. 1 jerked my head toward the sound, heart hammering A massive shadow crashed through the trees, charging toward us with terrifying speed. Huge Snarling a bear!¡± I yelled, as it barreled straight for us Ronan¡¯s wolf moved firs With a savage snarl, he released me and hurled himself at the bear, teeth shing in the dim light The two beasts collided with a sickening thud, snarls and roars exploding through the clearing Chapter 21 A Shadow I didn¡¯t wait. I couldn¡¯t wait Heart pounding. I scrambled to my feet and sprinted into the trees, leaving the chaos behind. He could handle the bear. I had my own mission. My prey was still out there. And my time was running out, it was already four in the morning. 1 darted deeper into the forest, weaving through thick underbrush, keeping low, moving fast, I forced myself not to look back. Not at Ronan Not at the bloody battle behind me. This was my only chance. I wasn¡¯t going to waste it +8 Pearls Half an hour bled away as I moved through the tangled wilderness, tracking faint hoof prints in the muddy earth, broken branches, and the heavy musky scent only one creature could leave behind. A bison. While I kept hearing the howls of other Alphas that kepting from the distance one by one. It was a victory howl Someone hadpleted their hunt and already returned! Finally, as the sky shifted from inky ck to deep navy, heralding theing dawn, I found it. A bison. It loomed ahead, massive, brutal¨Cits breath steaming in the cold air as it pawed the ground, ready to charge at the slightest threat Its sheer size made my stomach clench. I took a careful step forward and felt my heart sink. In my human form, I didn¡¯t stand a chance. Not against that. A direct hit from its horns would shatter every bone in my body, i clenched my fists. I had two choices- Shift or fail. Failure meant elimination Failure meant being dragged out of the Academy in defeat. Failure meant returning to my pack and bing someone¡¯s Luna. Uneptable. I locked my eyes on the beast, my decision made. I would take it down, no matter the cost. ncing around, I checked for other Alphas Nothing No scent No sound but the restless wind. Chapter 21 A Shadow Satisfied that I was alone, I quickly stripped off my clothes and hid them behind a fallen tree. Breathless, I let the shift take over. Bones cracked, flesh stretched. And then Phina burst free. I stood on four powerful legs, white fur gleaming in the dim light. The world sharpened¨Cthe scents richer, the earth more alive under my paws. Locking my wolf¡¯s bright eyes onto the bison, I crouched low, muscles coiling, ready to strike. Time to hunt. When suddenly, a faint sound snapped my head around From the shrubs¨Ca shadow moved. My heart mmed into my Someone was there. Watching. Since when¡­? THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 22 Chapter 22 An Alpha She¨Cwolf SERAPHINA Was it my imagination? I whispered to Phina, my heart hammering against my ribs as I stared into the darkness Phina¡¯s reply was low, shaken by the shadow we¡¯d seen. ¡°If someone had seen us, they would have instantly exposed us Herment made sense. The Alphas at the Lupine Academy were evil to the bone and hated me with a vengeance. If anyone had spotted me, they would have sounded the rm without hesitation. But nothing happened. Could it have been just an animal?¡® I asked. Phina nodded slowly. I think so. I didn¡¯t sense another werewolf nearby. And our fear of being exposed was always gnawing at us¨Cit could have made us imagine things Relief bled through me, and I exhaled shakily, forcing myself to focus again on the bison in the distance. Thankfully, I¡¯d been concealed well behind the trees, far enough that it hadn¡¯t noticed me. I crouched low, stalking through the underbrush, Phina humming with raw, electric energy beneath my skin. The bison grazed heavily, oblivious, its muscles rippling beneath its thick hide. One wrong move¡­one snapped twig, and it would bolt. Then I would lose precious minutes I didn¡¯t have. Be patient. Be precise. I circled wide, studying the clearing, calcting. A direct charge would get me crushed under its hooves. I had to be faster. Smarter. The bison¡¯s head dipped, distracted. Now! With a feral snarl tearing from my throat, I lunged. ws ripped through the earth as I sprinted¨Ca white blur slicing through the trees. The bison whipped its head around, bellowing loud enough to rattle the ground. It charged¨Ca wall of muscle and rage, so real, so deadly. And far too fast. I veered sharply to the side, feeling the gust of air as its bulk thundered past, me, missing by inches. My paws scrambled against the torn¨Cup ground. Before it could turn, Iunched myself onto a fallen log, springing off it in a burst of momentum andnding atop the bison¡¯s massive shoulders. My jaws snapped at its neck, but its thick hide resisted my fangs. The bison bucked violently, throwing me off with bone- rattling force. I mmed into the dirt, pain bursting through my ribs, but I was already moving again, sheer will driving me forward. As it charged once more, I darted under its swinging horns and raked my ws across its legs. Blood spurted. Not deep, but enough to stagger it Wear it down¨CBleed it. Then finish it. Over and over, I struck and dodged, relentlessly. My muscles burned, my lungs screamed, but I did not stop. na roared within me, wild and furious, reveling in the raw, primal hunt. This was what we were born for Hunger surged through my veins, I wanted this bison crushed beneath my fangs. Finally, the bison¡¯s movements slowed, its breathing ragged, its sides heaving. Its steps grew sluggish. Chapter 22 An Alpha She¨Cwolf This time, when I leapt. I knew exactly where to strike -6 Pearls With a trial powerful push. I sank my jaws into the vulnerable spot just behind its front leg, where even its thick hide couldn¡¯t protect it I bit down, hard. The boson let out a shuddering groan and stumbled, its massive frame swaying. Victory was a breath away I crouched low, gathering everyst ounce of strength for the finishing strike¨Cwhen suddenly, a sharp burst of scent and heavy pawsteps shattered the air. Werewolves! Phina hissed inside me. I whirled, heart hammering. Shit! It was toote for me to act or hide. From the shadows, four wolves emerged, their eyes locked instantly onto me. My stomach dropped. Cassius, Reed, and two other Alphas 1 didn¡¯t recognize. The blood roared in my ears. Why did it have to be them? I took a step back, my body tensed to run. My inner voice screamed at me. ¡®Don¡¯t shift. Don¡¯t reveal yourself¡± Cassius golden eyes gleamed with interest. Reed¡¯s lips curled into a smirk as he effortlessly shifted into his human form, followed by Cassius. ¡°A she¨Cwolf?¡± Reed drawled, raking his eyes down my form. ¡°In this dangerous forest?¡± He flicked a nce at the bison I would have imed if not for their interference. Panic wed at my insides, but a sliver of relief pierced through the fear. They didn¡¯t recognize me. Not yet. ¡°Fuck, man. An Alpha she¨Cwolf?¡± Cassius muttered, his voice thick with disbelief. He took a slow, deliberate step closer, his posturezy but his eyes razor¨Csharp. Reed followed behind him, tongue flicking across his fangs like a snake savoring a meal. ¡°Such a rare beauty, Cassius murmured, inching closer. His gaze devoured me. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect to find a she¨Cwolf in this forsaken forest¡± ¡°This is fate.¡± Reed grinned savagely, shing his canines as the others crowded behind him, their excitement thick in the air like smoke. ¡°The Goddess just sent us a feast.¡± Achill raced down my spine as Reed¡¯s histful gaze locked with mine, pinning me like a predator did its prey. Cassiusughed low in his throat, his hand shamelessly stroking his manhood as he grinned ear to ear. ¡°Our days of struggle are finally over¡± ¡°Yeah Reed agreed darkly, then barked out an order ¡°Surround her!¡± The other two wolves moved in, hemming me in on all sides. + Pearls Chapter 22 An Alpha Shewolf For a heartbeat. I froze paralyzed by the horrifying realization. They didn¡¯t want to kill me. They didn¡¯t want to fight me. They wanted to vite me. Disgust and fury exploded inside me, but I masked it under a veil of fear, letting them believe I was frozen in terror Closer. Closer They dropped their guard, thinking I was helpless In a sh. I lunged¨Csinking myngs into the throat of the wolf blocking my escape. The coppery! mouth as I ripped through his flesh and spit the torn skin from my jaws. of blood flooded my Before the others could react, bolted into the forest like a lightning strike. ¡°Catch that bitch!¡± Reed roared behind me, in the next instant, the sound of pounding paws echoed through the trees as they shifted into their wolves and gave chase. They hunted me like rabid hyenas, snapping and snarling at my heels. But they still didn¡¯t know who I was. Notv yel That was my only advantage. I could fight them. I wanted to fight them. I could kill them one by one if I had to. But it would drain me. And I needed my strength to reim the bison. To survive. Worse, if I fought back in my usual style, they¡¯d recognize me. Reed and Cassius were cunning bastards. F They¡¯d been observing me for days at the Academy. They¡¯d put the pieces together fast if they caught even a glimpse of my true power Worst of all, they wanted to vite me. I had to protect my dignity. And my disguise. No matter the cost: I wove through the trees, heart hammering, searching for anything¨Canything¨Cthat could give me an edge. Then, I saw him. A massive ck wolf, his jaws dripping blood as he pinned an elk to the ground. His piercing blue eyes locked onto me across. the clearing My blood ran cold Our gazes collided, recognition instantly red. Terror jolted through me. Before he could react, I tore my gaze away and sprinted past him in a blur. Chapter 22 An Alpha She¨Cwolf Only to stumble into another nightmare. Not far ahead, another ck wolf loomed over a dead lion, his massive frame stained with blood. I knew those eyes. Violet Cold. Unforgiving. Roman My heart plummeted. Thest person, the absolutest person I wanted to see me¡­saw me. The real me. Seraphina. THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 23 Chapter 23 Empty¨Chanded SERAPHINA Perhaps the Goddess had taken my words too seriously during the challenge, when I¡¯d wondered how much worse things could get. Now, I was being chased by four disgusting werewolves, their snarls echoing through the trees like a death knell.. Worse being seen by Dante, and ahead of me stood a massive figure. A regal, ck wolf loomed in the clearing, carved from the shadows of midnight itself, blood dripping from his maw. A tiger. Dead and broken,y at his feet. My heart seized as our eyes locked. Time halted. The forest held its breath.. He didn¡¯t move, but he saw me. Really Why was Ronan here too? saw me. He must¡¯ve realized I was a female. He must¡¯ve known my presence was out of ce in these deadly woods. That I was forbidden. But had he figured out who I really was? Seth Darven. No, not without my scent. Without it, there was no way he could know Yet the way he stared at me.frozen, unblinking, as if his body had forgotten how to move, sent a shiver down my spine. That stare¡­it wasn¡¯t just suspicious. It was something primal, dangerous. What if he joined the others? What if he nned to take advantage of me? Men were all the same lustful, depraved. Seeing women as nothing more than a piece of meat to ruin at their convenience. Why would he be any different? The wind howled through my fur as I sprinted through the trees, branches wing at me while the thunder of paws crashed behind like aing storm. My heart beat violently in my chest, but my eyes stayed locked on Ronan¡¯s wolf, still unmoving. And then I made up my mind. way T There¡¯s no way I¡¯m letting him figure out who I was¨Cor letting them ruin me. I told Phina as a familiar scent reached my nose. Could it be? My heart leapt with panic¡­. My paws barely touched the earth as I nced to my right. Ronan, not far behind, followed my line of sight The darkness. A familiar one. Our eyes met again. In that moment, I saw his expression shift as if he¡¯d read my thoughts. But I acted first.. With a burst of speed, I veered right, plunging into the shadows. Behind me, the growls grew louder. ¡°Fuck! Where the hell is this she¨Cwolf going?!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t stop! Get hert¡± Reed barked in his wolf form. All four surged after me, unaware of whaty ahead. Then¨Cryes. Glowing in the ck. Chapter 23 Empty¨Chanded One pair Then another. Then more, Dozens of glowing red eyes pierced through the darkness, freezing the wolves in ce. ¡°What the fuck¡­ Reed murmured, backing away as the others followed suit. From the shadows, a massive brown wolf emerged¨Cwild, furious, and terrifying Then more followed. Crimson eyes like embers from hell. Two Five. Then dozens And every single one of them stared at the Alpha wolves. I didn¡¯t stop. Couldn¡¯t stop. But I heard them. Heard the fear in Reed¡¯s voice. The edge in Cassius¡® growl. ¡°What the We¡¯re in rogue territory!¡± Cassius snapped, panic rising. ¡°She lured us here!! That crazy bitch!¡± Reed howled, unhinged. Their panic was deafening. Delicious. I tore through the underbrush, mud and leaves scattering beneath my paws, as the rogues closed in behind me imprable wall of snarling, bloodthirsty chaos now separating me from my would¨Cbe attackers. If they wanted me, they¡¯d have to go through them. I finally stopped on the far side of the battlefield, panting, my fur bristling with energy. ¡°You wanted a hunt?¡± I met Reed¡¯s eyes with a cold, emotionless stare. Here. Hunt this. +8 Pearls He read the message clear as day and his rage cracked through his as heunched into battle, snarling, trying to defend himself from the swarm of rogues. My gaze slid past him. Dante stood in the distance, strangely still, an unreadable look in his eyes. Something- hauntingly familiar. I had seen that same expression the day he devoured Jordan. Then he smiled at me. My heart clenched It was him. That smile. That nightmare. And then my gaze returned to Ronan Sull unmoved. Still watching. He hadn¡¯t interfered. He didn¡¯t even look like he nned to He just watched me Growls ripped through the night raw, feral unrelenting It was toote for retreat. The four Alphas had no choice now but to fight for their lives if they didn¡¯t want to be torn apart by the rogues oss the dearing, no longer running. Moonlight bathed my fur in silver as I faced them¨Cunmoving, unafraid. I let them see the. All of the Chapter 23 Empty¨Chanded Cassius¡® eyes widened, as if he were seeing me for the very first time.. And then A rogue lunged on him. But at the same time another finally noticed me. +8 Pearls Ronan still watched. He hadn¡¯t moved as I slowly began backing away from the snarling wolf now advancing on me. I hadn¡¯t expected to see rogues here¨Chadn¡¯t even dreamed I¡¯d cross their path again. But tonight, they¡¯d be my weapons. And I knew this weapon could turn on me just as easily. Just before the rogue lunged toward me, lips curled in a deadly snarl, I made my move. Without hesitation. I dove sideways into a shallow stream that glittered like shattered ss beneath the moonlight. Ssh. The cold water mmed against my body. The current grabbed hold of me, fast and unforgiving. I let it take me. Let it carry me far and fast. Away from the rogues. Away from Ronan. Away from the eyes that had begun to see too much. But before the current swallowed me whole, I looked back. Ronan was still there. Standing like a storm on the horizon. Watching me. Silent. Unmoving. He¡¯d seen everything. And I didn¡¯t know what terrified me more¨Cwhat I had just escaped¡­ or what that look in Ronan¡¯s eyes meant for me. The current yanked me under before I could brace myself. I shifted into my human form, desperate to stay above the surface. before things got worse. Water roared around me, icy and merciless, pulling at my limbs like phantom hands. I kicked hard, trying to keep my head above water, my lungs aching. The stream wasn¡¯t deep, but it was wild¨Cangry. It dragged me far from the growls and chaos behind Far from them. Rocks scraped my stomach. Branches whipped my cheeks. The world spun in sharp bursts of pain and rushing sound. When I finally spotted a patch of calmer water ahead, I twisted, wing at the current with desperate strokes. My fingers scraped moss. I kicked, gasped, and heaved myself toward the edge. ¡°Come one on.. With onest lurch, I huuled myself onto the muddy bank and copsed. My body hit the earth in a heap¨Csoaked, shivering breathless. My chest heaved My vision swam. Iy still, naked and trembling, the roar of water fading behind me. The forest surrounded me again, eerily quiet. My limbs. were leadden. My thoughts raced. They saw me All of them saw me in wolf form. But I don¡¯t think they recognized me Not even Homan Chapter 23 Empty¨Chanded He couldn¡¯t have, right? Without my scent, how could he know? And yet How had the rogues ended up in that forest at just the right moment? That was no coincidence. Then I noticed it- The sky. Hints of orange and ck, staining the horizon like spilled fire. Dawn. No. +8 Pearls Panic crashed through me as I forced myself upright. My soaked hair clung to my skin, my heart thundering louder with every second I spun around. Unfamiliar trees surrounded me. No sign of the clearing. No familiar trail. No scent of the others. I was off course. Completely. The stream that had saved me had also cast me into the unknown. And the worst part? The bison. The prey I had hunted. Wounded. Nearly killed. The final kill that would prove my worth in this cursed trial¡­ The realization hit like a blow to the chest. Gone. I turned slowly, scanning the woods. The scent trail was faint now, fading too fast to track. Even if I found it again, I¡¯d have to fight it, finish it, and drag its massive body all the way back to the clearing.. before sunrise. I didn¡¯t have that kind of time. Not anymore. My breath came in shallow pants. My ribs ached with each inhale. Was this it? Was I going to lose? The thoughtnded harder than any fang or w. I lowered my eyes to the forest floor. My hands were scraped. My legs smeared with mud. My body ached, and still 1 trembled. All that effort. All the danger. The risk of discovery. The near assault. The defiance. All of it¡­ Only to end up here. Alone Empty¨Chanded. Lost My gaze lifted once more to the sky. Warm streaks of gold now k kissed the clouds like the first soft embers of a fire. Was thus how it ended? Was I going to fail? THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 24 Chapter 24 It¡¯s Over RONAN +8 Pearls ¡°Alpha Ronan Volkstane,¡± one of the Alpha instructors called out, marking my name on the list as I stepped into the wide clearing with a tiger draped over my shoulders. Its body was still warm, its weight pressing into me like the price of victory carved in flesh and blood. The instructors stood like statues along the edges, arms folded, faces unreadable beneath the flickering glow of torchlight. They offered a single nod as I passed. I didn¡¯t stop With a sharp motion, I hurled the tiger to the ground. Itnded with a dull, final thud¨Cits lifeless eyes staring up at the stars. already fading with the approach of dawn. Done. I straightened, exhaling slowly, and let my gaze sweep across the clearing. It was filling now. One by one, the Alphas returned, dragging, carrying, or hauling their prey. Warriors, all of them. Bloodied, bruised, exhausted¨Cand yet victorious. My eyes remained fixed on the forest.I spotted a familiar figure off to the left¨CFinn, with a coyote slung across his shoulder. He made it. But not ¡®him¡± My eyes cut to the forest¡¯s edge again. Stillness. The trees stood silent and unmoving. No figures. No movement. The same heavy silence I¡¯d been watching for minutes now. ¡°Ronan, you¡¯re finally back,¡± came Asher¡¯s voice from behind. I nodded once without turning. His pace was slower than mine, but he carried a massive wild boar. He dropped it beside my tiger with a grunt and wiped sweat from his brow. ¡°What the hell are you staring at?¡± I didn¡¯t answer. The wind stirred the leaves like whispers. Still, no movement. That¡¯s when Alpha Gideon stepped into the clearing. ¡°What¡¯s the report?¡± he demanded of the nearest instructor. ¡°Out of one hundred forty Alphas, only thirty have returned. Our scouts haven¡¯t sensed more than ten from the designated. range. It¡¯s likely the rest failed to secure their prey.¡± I perked up instinctively at ¡°The sun will rise in less than twenty minutes,¡± Gideon growled, disappointment curling through his voice. ¡°The weak will be weeded out today¡± Asher nced back toward the gathered Alphas, then followed my stare. ¡°You¡¯re expecting someone ¡°No.¡± I muntered. He blinked. ¡°Then maybe stop ring before your eyes bleed and you drop dead.¡± I turned my head to him slowly. ¡°Wanna die?¡± Chapter 24 It¡¯s Over +8 Pearls Heughed and leaned against a nearby tree, eyes scanning the clearing where five more Alphas had just emerged. ¡°Reed and Cassius made it back. But I don¡¯t see that bastard Seth Darven, he muttered, a scowl darkening his features. ¡°If he¡¯s alive. I¡¯ll kill him myself. I didn¡¯t respond. Just nced at him once before returning to the treeline. The morning crept in soft and patient. The sky began to bleed with the first colors of dawn, amber and violet streaks crawling over the horizon. Time was slipping away. ¡°You¡¯re definitely waiting for someone.¡± Asher said with certainty. I reached for the water bottle near my feet. ¡°Maybe¡± His ears perked. ¡°Who?¡± I uncapped the bottle and raised it to my lips. ¡°That¡¯s what I¡¯m trying to figure out.¡± I murmured, taking a slow sip. That white wolf shed through my mind. The one I¡¯d seen in the woods. The one who looked at me like they feared neither death nor judgment. Amber eyes Beautiful, haunting eyes. Eyes I couldn¡¯t forget. ¡°Dante¡¯s back,¡± Asher murmured. I turned my head. Dante had just dropped a massive elk beside the others. His gaze locked with mine across the clearing, and something in it was off. Before I could ce the feeling, an instructor called out another name, snapping me from my thoughts. I tilted my head, eyes drifting to the sky where the light was blooming. ¡°Morning¡¯s almost here.¡± Asher sighed. ¡°Let¡¯s go, it¡¯s over.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not over yet I didn¡¯t move a muscle. There¡¯s still five minutes left Asher stopped mid¨Cstep. ¡°What the hell could change in five minutes? Those capable of hunting have returned. I can¡¯t sense a single Alpha still out there. No one¡¯sing ¡°Over?¡± My gaze hardened on the trees. ¡°Then why doesn¡¯t it feel over?¡± That¡¯s when the ground shifted beneath us. A subtle tremor. Asher stiffened. ¡°Did you feel that?!¡± Every Alpha in the clearing froze. ¡°Was that an earthquake?¡± one of them whispered, voice tight with panic. ¡°Something¡¯s not right,¡± I muttered, eyes fixed on the trembling earth. Then came the shout, sharp and urgent. ¡°Look! The forest The forest erupted The trees trembled. The ground roared. ¡°Something¡¯sing¡± someone screamed, pointing toward the entrance of the woods. I squinted into the shadowed treeline, until a figure burst into view. ¡°It¡¯s Seth!¡± Finn shouted, his face beaming with happiness. Seth, covered in dirt and ash, raced from the forest with terrifying speed. But he wasn¡¯t alone. Behind him¡­ A stampede. A hundred wild bison thundered through the trees in his wake. ¡°What kind of lunatic is he?!¡± an Alpha cried in horror. ¡°He was supposed to bring one, not a damn army!¡± Technically, the rules never said the prey had to be dead. ¡°MOVE! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!¡± someone screamed. Chaos broke out. Alphas scattered like panicked ants. But L I stood there frozen, my heart taking a sudden race. Seth¡¯s eyes were locked on mine. He ran straight for me, like I was the only thing he could see. The next second, his hand seized mine, and he pulled me hard. ¡°Run¡°¡± Together, we bolted. ¡°Climb!¡± he yelled, pointing to a massive tree just ahead, aledar in seconds, a breath away from being trampled The clearing shook beneath us, thunder rolling from hooves and dust choking the air. The world blurred in panic and sound. Clinging to the thick branch, I turned. Seth ut boude me, breath heaving his amber eyes catching the light I stared into them. Chapter 24 It¡¯s Over ¡°Seth Darven.¡± I whispered, inching closer. He tensed ¡°What?¡± +8 Pearls My gaze dropped briefly to his blood¨Cstreaked lips before rising again to meet his eyes. I leaned in, just inches between us. ¡°I saw a white she¨Cwolf in the woods,¡± I murmured, voice low. ¡°Did you see it too?¡± THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 25 Chapter 25 Victory Breakfast SERAPHINA ¡°Alpha Seth.¡± A deep,manding voice cut through the moment Ronan and I shared. Still crouched high in the trees, we both turned our gazes downward. The bisons had dispersed, and standing in their ce. staring up at us with cold intensity, was Alpha Gideon. I immediately understood the gravity of the situation. Without hesitation, I leapt down from the tree,nding just a breath away from Alpha Gideon¡¯s towering frame. ¡°What was that, Alpha Seth?¡± he asked, raising a single brow. It was the first time he had ever directly spoken to There was a saying in the Lupine Academy that you would want to meet death rather than Alpha Gideon. The wolf lived for rules and regtion, hating weak offenders. A man whose attention meant your banishment from the Academy, it was better to pack your bags and walk out of the Academy on your own two feet when he started interrogating you. That was due to the fact that his interrogation ended with a physical punishment that barely any Alphas could handle. And right now I earned that beastly Alpha¡¯s attention. I met his eyes squarely. ¡°The bisons or the fire, Alpha?¡± His eyes narrowed. ¡°The fire,¡± he said. ¡°You started a ze in the forest to drive the bison here, but how exactly do you n to take responsibility for the damage? Does your victorye at the cost of the forest¨Cand the lives within it?¡± I straightened my spine. ¡°No lives were lost, Alpha. The fire extinguished itself.¡± The group of Alphas shifted slightly, intrigued. Alpha Gideon¡¯s gaze flicked to the spot where the smoke had risen moments ago, now there was nothing but mist. ¡°You set the fire along natural firebreaks?¡± he murmured, realization dawning as he met my gaze. gave a single nod. ¡°The fire was a tool, not a weapon. It was never meant to destroy, only to provoke the bison. No forest, n¨® creature, was ever in danger.¡± Alpha Gideon looked past me and addressed the figure behind me. ¡°What do you say, Alpha Ronan?¡± I froze. Ronan was still behind me? Was he there the entire time? He stepped closer, his chest brushing against mine. My fingers curled at my sides, trying to ignore the heat from our proximity that lit in my veins. Ronan spoke calmly. ¡°He used the rules to his advantage and found a loophole. Nows were broken. The fire was controlled, and the goal was achieved. I see no issue, Alpha.¡± I tilted my head slightly, eyes ncing at him. I hadn¡¯t expected Ronan to defend me. A small smile curved Alpha Gideon¡¯s lips. ¡°Interesting,¡± he said, looking between us, Then he turned and gave a simplemand: ¡°Join the others.¡± 1 exhaled quietly. Thank the Goddess he hadn¡¯t turned it into a bigger issue. But before I could walk away, I remembered Ronan was still there. Too quiet. Too close. I could feel his gaze lingering on my neck. His breath ghosted across my hair, warm and intentional. Panic coiled in my chest, Without another thought, I lifted my legs and strode off in long, purposeful steps, refusing to look back. What was that? Why was he so close? Chapter 25 Victory Breakfast +8 Pearls The outer clearing buzzed with life as dawn spilled golden light over the treetops. Rows of tents stood in perfect lines, canvas fluttering with the morning breeze. A long banquet table stretched beside a massive fire pit,den with steaming tters of roasted game, fresh fruit, and pitchers of juice and wine. The air was thick with the scent of meat and pine. They called it a Victory Breakfast. Alpha Gideon stepped forward and raised his wine ss. ¡°This meal marks your triumph. Let it remind you that every victory is hard¨Cearned¨Cand every bite, a testament to your worth as Alphas.¡± Around the clearing, packs of freshly washed Alphas howled in triumph and clinked their tankards together. Private shower stalls hidden behind the trees had been a blessing, especially for me. I had cleaned up too, at least enough to not smell like swamp water and smoke. The Academy had provided a spare uniform a simple ck set, snug, sterile, and far too clean to feel like mine. The Alpha Instructors mingled among themselves, leaving us to our celebration. The atmosphere was lively, loud with Jaughter and adrenaline¨Cbut my mind was stuck on Ronan¡¯s whispered words. ¡°I saw a white she¨Cwolf in the woods. Did you see it too?¡± My breath caught Why would he bring that up! He hadn¡¯t reacted at all when I was in my wolf form, didn¡¯t so much as flinch. But now, when I was standing here as Seth, he was asking about her? My fingers clenched around the coffee mug. And those eyes of his¡­ ¡°Careful.¡± Finn¡¯s voice cut through my spiraling thoughts as he moved my hand away from the scalding machine. ¡°Hm?¡± I blinked up at him, still dazed. ¡°You were about to burn yourself,¡± he said with a teasing grin. ¡°Where¡¯s your head at, champion?¡± I rolled my eyes. ¡°Don¡¯t call me that Finn chuckled. ¡°But you are the champion. Look around¨Cyou¡¯ll see what I mean.¡± I did, and he was right. Eyes were on me. Some stared with open surprise. Others whispered behind tankards, their nces sharp and spective. A few those who hated what they couldn¡¯t predict, red with something darker. Because I had returned. And I had won. ¡°No one expected you to storm in just before sunrise,¡± Finn said, grinning. ¡°Not with a hundred bison thundering behind you, while the rest of us dragged in thest of our catches. You were bloodied but victorious. Every jaw dropped.¡± I smirked, reaching for a te of sizzling steaks the cook had just set out. ¡°I wasn¡¯t trying to prove anything to them. I was just focused on finishing the trial. They judged me for my size¨Cbut I don¡¯t give a damn what they think. Anyone who gets in my way¡± My eyes flicked toward a cluster of Alphas watching me coldly. ¡°I¡¯ll tear them down.¡± Finn¡¯s smile faded slightly, sensing the tension. ¡°Careful,¡± he murmured. ¡°the Alpha Instructors are still watching/ ¡°I need water, Without another word, I walked away. I grabbed a bottle, then headed toward the opposite beneath a tree and sat down alone with my food. The wind rustled gently through the leaves. Peaceful, just what I needed. But the peace didn¡¯tst. A presence. I felt it. I turned my head, and nearly choked on my own spit. Ronan Leaning against another tree just across from me, smoking casually. His gaze locked on mine, unflinching. Had he been watching me this whole time? And then, he said the most absurd thing I¡¯d ever heard. ¡°Are you following me?¡± ¡°What?!¡± I choked.. THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 26 Chapter 26 Emotional Distress. SERAPHINA ¡°What?¡± I snapped, stunned into disbelief. ¡°You think I¡¯m following you?¡± Ronan didn¡¯t blink. He leaned back against the tree trunk, ankle over knee, fingerszily flicking ash off his cigarette. ¡°I don¡¯t think. I observe. Andtely, you¡¯ve been showing up in ces I don¡¯t recall inviting you.¡± My mind went nk for a moment and the imagines of him and his wolf chasing me in the forest, hunting me instead of his assigned prey and poking his nose in my business in every possible point shed in my mind. I locked eyes with him, barely holding the frustration. ¡°Are you high or something?¡± I raised an eyebrow at him. ¡°It¡¯s you who is always following me. You are the stalker and bully here. Please, I didn¡¯t even see you here. You¡¯re not that hard to ignore.¡± His mouth curved around the cigarette, slow and devilish. ¡°Mm, that¡¯s not what it looked like when you nearly dropped your, te after spotting me. I gritted my teeth, heat crawling up my neck. Was this man for real? ¡°That¡¯s because I didn¡¯t expect to find a parasite parked under my tree. I did not care if he got offended or worse at this point. I just wanted to shut this Alpha¡¯s mouth and wipe that arrogant smirk on his face that screamed that he was a celebrity chased by a fan girl. He chuckled, low and husky. Then he pushed off the tree withzy grace, flicking the cigarette away like he was done with it- and everything else. Except me. He closed the distance in slow, deliberate strides towards me. ¡°Careful,¡± he said, his voice lower now, like gravel dragged across velvet. ¡°Parasites tend to get under your skin,¡± he paused for a moment, his eyes brushing over my lips for a moment before continuing. ¡°Next thing you know, you¡¯re itching to find them again.¡± My hand shook slightly at his meaningful words, ¡°You really think highly of yourself, don¡¯t you?¡± His smile didn¡¯t reach his eyes. ¡°No, I just know the effect I have on arrogant little Alphas who talk too much and look too long¡± My heart gave a violent lurch, but I didn¡¯t blink. ¡°I wasn¡¯t looking.¡± I said tly. ¡°Mm.¡± he mused, sliding more closer. His gaze dipped to my lips again like it didn¡¯t care whether I noticed. ¡°That¡¯s why your pupils dted the second you saw me.¡± Something inside me snapped, ¡°I was surprised. You¡¯re like a rash¨Cshowing up where you¡¯re least wanted.¡± I growled. He grinned, devilish and maddening. ¡°And yet¡­ here you are. Still talking to the rash.¡± I clenched my fists, ¡°Yeah, I should have walked away the moment I caught sight of you instead of wasting my time having this unpleasant chat. My stupidity. I stayed to spoil my mood and appetite. Now it¡¯s time to fix the mistake,¡± saying that. 1 reached out to grab my te of food. Then, without asking, without even looking to get my permission, his hand reached. over and stole thergest piece of steak off my te. 1 stared at lum, stunned. ¡°Are you serious right now?¡± He bit into it slowly, jaw working with the kind of deliberate care that made it feel obscene. His tongue flicked to his bottom. lip, licking the Juice ¡°Hom, medium rare. Bold choice for a champion¡± My eyes narrowed to sluts ¡°Touch my food again and I¡¯ll break your fingers¡± He swallowed unbothered. Didn¡¯t know Alphas cried over a stolen steak. Guess your appetite is bigger than your bite.¡± I met his challenging gaze. ¡°I don¡¯t bite without purpose. But when I do. I draw blood¡± His gaze snapped to mine, the smirk vanishing reced by something quieter Sharper ¡°That supposed to scare me?¡± L16PM ¡¤ P ¡¤ Chapter 26 Emotional Distress ¡°No.¡± I said, voice cold as frost. ¡°It¡¯s a warning: Never touch or steal my food.¡± +8 Pearls He leaned in, licking his bottom lip as he swallowed. ¡°You owed me a meal. For the emotional distress of being called a parasite.¡± My fists clenched at my sides. ¡°You¡¯ll get a punch in the face, that¡¯s what you¡¯ll get.¡± ¡°Promises, promises¡± Silence hung between us. Not empty, electric. For a moment, neither of us moved. The wind whispered between the trees. The distant voices of Alphasughing around the banquet faded like background noise. Then he said. ¡°Funny thing about you, Seth. You walk like a ghost, fight like a wolf, but talk with a confidence about everything like someone who¡¯s been hiding something.¡± Thatnded like a punch to the gut. Because it was too close to the truth. I swallowed the burn in my throat and shifted my weight. ¡°And you talk like a man who needs to be heard, but has nothing new to say He gave a shortugh, inched so close that our faces came dangerously close. He stared down at me, unreadable, the fire between us ring brighter with every heartbeat ¡°Careful,¡± he murmured, his voice a dangerous purr. ¡°Keep talking like that and I might start enjoying our little chats.¡± I let out a breath I hadn¡¯t realized I was holding and gave him a tight smile. ¡°And that would be your first mistake.¡± Then I turned on my heel, grabbed my te¨Cminus the steak¨Cand walked away without another word. But even as I crossed the clearing. I could feel his gaze like heat on my back. Still watching. Still dangerous. And worse¡­ still intriguing That¡¯s when something else caught my eye. My spine stiffened. A little ways off, on therge dining table, I spotted Reed and Cassius sitting around Finn with their friends. Laughter echoed from their little circle of followers, but it wasn¡¯t the light, easy kind. No, it was sharper. A little too loud. A little too pointed. I think I heard my name too. And in the middle of it, hunched and trying to smile was Finn. His shoulders were curled in, eyes darting as Cassius pped a heavy arm around him. Reed leaned in, grinning as he whispered something in Finn¡¯s car that made Finn¡¯s smile disappear. Not teasing. Not harmless. Bullying, masked in brotherhood. Since the Alpha instructors were gone, no one was watching us. Reed¡¯s evil smile and dus dirty teasing brought the memory of them intending to violet me in the forest. My blood heated up at that memory just as I was a little distracted by my emotions, I ended up colliding chest¨Chrst into another body Hard I looked up and nearly cursed myself. It was Alpha Asher THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 27 Chapter 27 What¡¯s His Deal? SERAPHINA Alpha Asher¡¯s jaw clenched the moment his eyes found me. The same cheek I had pped yesterday was still faintly pink, and his re burned like wildfire. He stepped back, his expression twisted in fury, as if he were staring at his sworn enemy. ¡°You blind, you little bastard?¡± he snarled, voice low and dangerous as he stormed toward me, murder in his eyes. The clearing fell into a tense silence, every Alpha pausing mid¨Cbite, mid¨Cword. All eyes turned to us. ¡°You think you¡¯re a hero because I let you live after you smacked me?¡± He grabbed me by the cor, yanking me forward. Some of the Alphas around us lit up with excitement, cheering quietly as if waiting for blood to spill, and hoping it would be mine. ¡°Now that you¡¯ve touched me like you used me of touching you yesterday,¡± he growled, his voice sharp as broken ss, shouldn¡¯t I repay you a hundredfold?¡± His hand began to shift¨Cmuscles tensing, ws extending toward my jaw. But before I could even react, a hand darted between us¨Cstealing thest piece of steak from my te.. Asher¡¯s w froze mid¨Cair. ¡°Mm¡­¡± Ronan took azy bite of the steak, chewing slowly as every Alpha gaped in stunned silence. Then, with maddening nonchnce, he nced at me and murmured, ¡°Since you¡¯re about to die today, I figured this would go to waste.¡± He licked his lips with a bored expression. My lips twitched. What a great man. I ignored the gasping crowd and turned back to the Alpha still gripping my cor, One problem at a time. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Alpha Asher,¡± I said calmly. Asher¡¯s scowl flickered into something closer to confusion. ¡°I was wrong.¡± I continued, raising my voice so everyone could hear. ¡°I believed something that wasn¡¯t true. And I acted without hearing your side.¡± The air shifted, curious murmurs rippling across the clearing. Asher blinked, clearly not expecting this. ¡°You didn¡¯t touch me. You didn¡¯t deserve what I did.¡± Then my eyes flicked past him, past his shoulder, straight to the one who had ¡°But someone else did.¡± Reed. His eyes widened. The color drained from his face as the attention slowly shifted toward him, like a tide of judgment. Whispers began, usations cloaked in gossip ¡°You using me now, you little bastard?¡± Reed barked, his voice sharp and defensive. ¡°No,¡± I said with a tight smile. Im exposing you, dirty little mutt.¡± Reed¡¯s expression twisted in rage as I barely contained my fury I couldn¡¯t reveal the truth, not yet, not without admitting I was the she¨Cwolf in the forest. But I could warn him. ¡°Do you have any prout?¡± he demanded ¡°No, that¡¯s why you are still breathing. I remarked, ring at him. ¡°This is your first andst warning¡± I said coolly. ¡°Stay away from me Don¡¯t cruss my path again¡± ¡°Or what he spat, stalking toward me I smiled coldly ¡°Or next ti I¡¯ll shove that filthy hand of yours down your own i own throat a and twist your pretty little neck until Chapter 27 What¡¯s His Deal? Reed stopped dead in his tracks, face pale. A few Alphas snorted behind their hands, amused at his hesitation. That only fueled his rage This does not end here,¡± he turned sharply and stormed off into the trees¨Cfurious, humiliated. But he didn¡¯t go unseen +8 Pearls A little farther out, under the shade of an old pine, stood Dante. He watched the entire scene unfold while sippingzily from a silver sk. ¡°If I were you, Dante said, voice dry. ¡°I¡¯d either kill him or kill myself after being humiliated like that in front of the entire Academy Reed clenched his fists, practically vibrating with fury ¡°I¡¯m going to kill that little mutt,¡± he growled. ¡°The only reason he¡¯s still breathing is because Ronan¡¯s always hovering aroun like a damn shadow. But that ends now. His countdown has started. I¡¯ll gut him when no one¡¯s watching, when he least expects it.¡± Dante let out a disappointed hum. ¡°Such an easy death for such a grand humiliation,¡± he said quietly, almost with pity. Reed turned, confused. ¡°Then what? What do you suggest if not death?¡± ¡°Humiliation,¡± Dante replied smoothly. Reed¡¯s eyes gleamed with renewed interest ¡°How?¡± Dante tossed him a thick, dark berry¨Cone Reed caught midair. This. His grin curled wickedly. ¡°A death by humiliation, Dante murmured, ¡°just like Seth Darven brought low by his own shadow protector.¡± Reed studied the berry, and a cruel smile spread across his face. He already had a n. Dante, however, turned his gaze back to the clearing¨Cto Ronan and me. ¡°As I said,¡± he murmured to himself, ¡°uneptable.¡± Back in the clearing, I exhaled slowly and focused once more on Alpha Asher ¡°Sorry for the interruption. As I was saying¨Chere and now, in front of every Alpha who saw me strike you¨CI was wrong. And if a punch is what it takes to settle the matter, I¡¯ll take it.¡± There was a stunned silence. To my surprise, Asher¡¯s ears flushed red. He looked like apletely different person. He slowly let go of my cor. His gaze dropped, avoiding mine. ¡°I¡¯ll let you off this time,¡± he muttered, voice gruff. I blinked Was he shy? A small smile crept across my lips. ¡°Thanks, that¡¯s very kind of you¡± His checks flushed a deeper red, and I couldn¡¯t help but think he was kind of cute when he was flustered. But beside me, someone wasn¡¯t amused Ronan¡¯s expression darkened. Without a word, he tossed the half¨Ceaten steak back onto my te and stormed out of the clearing his aura simmering with fury 1 watched him go, frowning What¡¯s his deal? I muttered THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 28 Chapter 28 Are You Feeling Sick? SERAPHINA We returned to the Academy the next morning, and the moment I hit the bed, I passed out¨Cskipping lunch entirely. My body ached from the hunt, exhaustion pulling at my limbs, but catching any peaceful sleep in that dorm room was nearly impossible The constant yelling, growling, and vulgar absolute rogues, out of control. My head throbbed from theck of proper sleep, and the relentless chaos they caused only made it worse. I couldn¡¯t change. bathe, or even enjoy a moment of calm. They often walked around stark naked after showers without a shred of decency. And the way they talked about she¨Cwolves¨Cfilthy, crude, and utterly revolting¨Cmade me want to vomit. The peace I so desperately needed didn¡¯t exist, and over the past few days. I was slowly reaching my limit. It was bing impossible to live in that room with them, and a part of me suspected they were doing it all intentionally- to provoke me. With no hope of sleep, I sat up on my bed, casting a tired nce around the room. As expected, the Alphas were behaving like wild animals again¨Cand once more, Ronan¡¯s bed was empty. ¡°Why is he never here?¡± I murmured to Phina. I¡¯ve been wondering the same thing.¡± she replied. ¡°Hees and goes like he owns the ce, and he doesn¡¯t even follow the academy¡¯s curfew rules. It¡¯s like he only shows up to check on things I pressed my lips together, deep in thought, unaware that Finn had just entered the room with a can of juice in his hand. That¡¯s when it happened¨CCassius, with a sly smirk, stretched his leg out and deliberately tripped him. ¡°AHH¨C** Finn yelped as he fell forward, the can of juice flying from his hand. By the time I turned my head in confusion, it was toote. The juice hadnded on my bed, soaking it and the sheets. I sat there, stunned. The Alphas gasped in mock sympathy. ¡°Damn, that bed¡¯spletely ruined,¡± one of them said. ¡°Fion, you gotta watch your step, man! Now Seth has to sleep on a soggy a soggy mattress,¡± another added, pretending to care. Their fake concern didn¡¯t fool me. I nced from their smug expressions to my drenched bed. Finn scrambled to his feet, panic in his eyes. ¡°I¨CI¡¯m so sorry, Seth! I didn¡¯t thean to¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay.¡± I said quickly, rising to strip the soaked sheets. But my heart sank when I saw the juice had soaked into the attress beneath. There was no chance I¡¯d be issued a new one. hat.¡± Finn mumbled, clearly mortified. ¡°Here, switch mattresses with me. I¡¯ll take the ruined one I smiled softly, shaking my head. There¡¯s no need. Don¡¯t worry about it.¡± Even though I hated the thought of sleeping on a ruined mattress, I hated the idea of lying on another wolf¡¯s scent¨Csoakeil bed even more. I needed to figure something out. Of course it was at that moment something squelched under my bare foot. Hooked down Used nurs Sucky Sled. Full of Semen My skin crawled My stomach turned violently. Those sack bastards had been doing this every night¨Cmoaning like beasts in heat, tossing their filthy tissues around the room like trash. The scent of their release hung in the air like a suffocating fog all the time, and now I¡¯d stepped in it. Abrat rose in my chest, furled by rage and daugust I turned my gare to Reed and Cassius, who were already smirking. Chapter 28 Are You Feeling Sick? ¡°Stop leaving your trash everywhere.¡± I said, voice cold and sharp. They simply chuckled and turned away. +8 Pearls Furious, I mmed the cupboard door shut, ready tosh out¨Cbut before I could move, a voice thundered through the ¡°What the fuck!¡± Roman Every Alpha in the room froze. Reed shot up from his seat, his confidence dissolving into panic. Ronan¡¯s eyes narrowed like a predator¡¯s, his tone low and dangerous. ¡°Clean up your shit. And if I ever step on anything like this again, I¡¯ll bury you right here under this floor.¡± Reed looked utterly humiliated in front of his friends but didn¡¯t dare challenge him. Silently, he and Cassius began picking up the mess, casting me hateful res as they did. I returned their res with a cold sneer only to catch Ronan watching me. That gaze. Intense. Prating. As if he could see straight through me. quickly looked away, trying to pretend 1 hadn¡¯t noticed, and turned to Finn, starting a casual conversation just to escape Ronan¡¯s presence. But he didn¡¯t leave. Instead, he strolled to his bed, settled himself on it like a damn king, and kept staring At me. My heartbeat kicked up, thudding wildly in my chest as I felt his eyes fix on my back Why wasn¡¯t he leaving? Why did he always stare at my back like that? Every time he did, I felt like my disguise was slipping like the scent¨Cmasking perfume was losing its hold. I turned my gaze to meet his and to my surprise, he didn¡¯t look away. He held eye contact with me with unsettling calm. ¡°What are you looking at?¡± I demanded, voice sharp with unease. He parted his lips to answer, but his reply was swallowed by the sudden ng of the Academy¡¯s dinner bell. The metallic echo rang through the halls, drowning out his words. Was he toying with me? I frowned, irritation bubbling in my chest, and turned to leave. I had only taken a few steps into the corridor when Konan suddenly appeared before me. I stopped short, startled. He stepped closer, too close. -What are you Before I could finish lus fingers brushed my check ¡°Are you feeling sick?¡± he asked, his voice low and strangely tender My heart stuttered at his touch ¡°What ¡°Your face is flushed and your forehead¡¯s a little damp.¡°His fingers trailed gently down to my chin, featherlight. A jolt of heat shot through my core, spreading like wildfire beneath my skin. My breath caught Something was wrong, terribly wrong I¡¯d felt exhausted all day. My muscles ached. I¡¯d med it on the hunt, but now I wasn¡¯t so sure. My skin burned, and my face Chapter 28 Are You Feeling Sick? +8 Pearls felt far too hot No. No, no, no. I gasped inwardly and jerked away from his touch. He instantly caught the panic in my eyes. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± he asked, gaze sharp now, focused. I stumbled back, heart pounding. I couldn¡¯t stay, couldn¡¯t let him get any closer. Without a word, I bolted, pushing past him in a desperate rush. I could feel his eyes on me the entire way down the hallway. but I didn¡¯t stop. My legs trembled, and my chest was a storm of panic and dread. 1 was going into heat. Send Gifts THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 29 Chapter 29 Unless What? SERAPHINA Ever since I¡¯d decided to flee the wedding and join Lupine Academy, my biggest fear hadn¡¯t been being exposed or caught by my father¨Cit was my heat cycle.. Going into heat surrounded by Alpha wolves was practically suicide. That¡¯s why I¡¯d been so desperate for the witch¡¯s perfume. It wasn¡¯t just meant to conceal my scent, it was designed to suppress my heat entirely while I was at the Academy. A powerful potion disguised as perfume, created by an old witch, who had sent it with a grim warning: dying heat would double the painter. I¡¯d epted the risk. Whatever the cost, I would build my own throne¨Cand nothing, not even pain, would stop me. But now.. now everything seemed to be falling apart. Despite the perfume, the symptoms had begun. My body felt hot and achy, my temper frayed at the edges, and even Phin- who normally healed everything¨Cwas silent, which was so unlike her. I was running out of time. If I went into heat here, it would expose me. I couldn¡¯t hide, I couldn¡¯t leave. It would be the end of everything. Panic swirled in my chest as I sprinted through the Academy halls, thoughts racing. I needed to reach Lily. She was the only one in direct contact with the witch and had trained under her for years. But no cell phones orptops were allowed at Lupine. I had no way of reaching her, unless¡­ I turned a corner and nearly ran into the dormitory assistant as he exited a room. He was quiet, always kept to himself. A n clicked into ce. Slowing my steps and steadying my breath, I approached him with calm urgency. ¡°Alpha Seth Darven?¡± I said, stopping in front of him. He blinked. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t be here,¡± he said quietly. ¡°This area is dff¨Climits to regr Alphas.¡± Regr Alphas? ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± I replied with a sheepish smile. ¡°I didn¡¯t know. I¡¯ll remember next time.¡± I paused, then added, ¡°Actually, I was looking for you.¡± He straightened slightly. ¡°How can I help you?¡± ¡°My mattress got dirty,¡± I said, feigning embarrassment. ¡°I was hoping I could get a new one?¡± He hesitated. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but that¡¯s not possible. All Academy property is meant to be cared for. While recements are avable, damaged items are the student¡¯s ¡®s responsibility¡± I gave him a pitiful look. ¡°So what should I do?¡± He cleared his throat, softening. ¡°You can ask your family or your pack to send a recement. That¡¯s allowed.¡± Exactly what I needed. ¡°How can I contact them?¡± He gestured to the room he¡¯d just exited. There¡¯s andline in my office. You can use that.¡± I kept my expression stoic, though relief surged through me. ¡°Thank you so much. I¡¯ll make the call quickly He nodded and stepped aside, saying he¡¯d return in five minutes. As soon as the door shut, I dialed Lily¡¯s number with shaking hands. Thank the Goddess I still remembered it It rang four times before she picked up. ¡°Lily, it¡¯s me.¡± I said, my real voice breaking through my panic. Chapter 29 Unless What? ¡°Ser? Oh my Gods you finally called¡® Are you okay? Where are-¡± ¡°I think I¡¯m going into beat.¡± I cut in, urgency tightening every word. ¡°What she nearly shrieked ¡°Did you forget the perfume?¡± Tve been using in Lily¡± ¡°That¡¯s impossible. That perfume was made for you. There¡¯s no break in its effectiveness unless. I froze at her pune. Teless wi ¡°Unless you¡¯re intructed de or got too close to one My heart lurched. One name crushed through my mand¨CRonan I squeezed my eyes shut, trying no breathe. His touch still lingered on my skin like a phantom. ¨C Pearl ¡°The perfume relies on your wolf¡¯s emotional stability. If you¡¯re attracted to someone or if you lose control emotionally.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not,¡± I snapped, too quickly Tmi Lily was quiet for a bear ¡°Then ed to anyone I won¡¯t be I did. quickly. Her voice trembled on the other end. ¡°Sera, this might sound crazy, but either your wolf in reatung to a male, or ¡°Or what?¡± My voice was thin now frying ¡°Or someone¡¯s doing this to you? My thoughts went nk. Someone else¡¯s doing A different name rose now- Dante. ¡°If someone tampered with something¨Cfood, water, clothes, even a stent¨Ct could trigger this.¡± The memory of Ronan¡¯s cologne shed in my mind. It had smelled differena Lately. Berries! My stomach twisted What should I do? I asked, trying to steady my shaking hands ¡°First, stay away from male wolves. Second, if you¡¯ve applied the perfume your pheromoops shouldn¡¯t leak through¨Cunless you¡¯re around a dominating Alpha. Third, I¡¯ll walk you through a process to force your body to break the heat cycle¡± The method was brutal. But I didn¡¯t care. I¡¯d do anything I ended the call and left the office before the assistant returned. I didn¡¯t go ba
  1. om. I couldn¡¯t risk running into
Instead, I threw myself into a brutal workout on the Academy grounds, pushing pust every one of my limits, ignoring the pain. If my body was going to burn, I¡¯d make it burn my way All the while one name haunted my mind¨CRonan Why had his touch affected me so deeply Was it just timing or something more Midnight crept past When I finally returned to the Academy, the halls were dark and empty. I grabbed a change of clothes and slipped into the sbowen Go ster was the final step¨Cthree hour, minimum. Chapter 29 Unless What? As the icy stream hit my overheated skin, I didn¡¯t realize¡­ someone else hadn¡¯t gone to bed. +8 Pearls A thin curl of smoke drifted in the hallway shadows. A cigarette ember red orange, lighting the sharp edge of a jaw Ronar Silent. Still Watching- He took a slow drag, eyes glowing faintly in the dark. Hunger simmered behind that gaze as the corner of his lips curled into something dangerous. I¡¯d just wanted to escape the heat. But it had already found me. Send Gifts THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 30 Chapter 30 Lost ?SERAPHINA ¡°Phina Phina ¡°I gasped, standing beneath the icy spray of the shower. My body trembled as I moaned through clenched. teeth, pain raking through me. I knew it had only been half an hour¨Cfar too early for this to pass¨Cbut the heat flooding my blood and my wolf¡¯s growing need were driving us both to the brink. Phina whimpered weakly in my mind. She was fighting just as hard as I was, holding herself back from the primal urge threatening to consume us. My knees buckled. I copsed to the cold tile floor, panting. ¡°Just a little longer¡­¡± I murmured. ¡°I¡¯ll be over soon.. Truthfully, I didn¡¯t know if this trick would work. But I couldn¡¯t give up, not now. It had to work. The pain was unlike anything I¡¯d ever known. My vision blurred, my mind clouded with fog. It felt as if something was tearing my soul from my body. Desperate to stay conscious. I dug my nails into my arm, pinching and scratching at my skin. ¡°Don¡¯t faint..¡± I whispered to myself, though my voice was already fading, cracked and hollow from the strain. I fought to stay awake¨Cminute by agonizing minute¨Cclinging to the cold, the sting, the pain. Time dragged on until, slowly. 1 began to notice a change. The fire in my blood dulled. The ache in my bones eased. The haze in my head began to lift. My lips were chapped, my limbs numb, but I leaned against the shower wall and let the water wash over me. The worst of it was passing. My heat was ebbing away. Yet I couldn¡¯t move. My muscles had locked up, every inch of me sore and broken. My vision remained blurry, and my awareness dimmed. I only meant to close my eyes for a second¨Cbut sleep imed me before I could stop it. When 1 next opened them, my heart lurched. Footsteps. We passed out! Phina yelled, panicked. Morning light was already slipping into the room, and someone was approaching. I scrambled upright, my body still weak, and darted for my clothes. The pain had subsidedpletely, my heat was over. Phina¡¯s voice confirmed it. She was back. Whole, I wrapped my chest tightly, slipped into the Academy¡¯s uniform, and spritzed on perfume to mask my scent. Then I threw open the door and rushed into the hallway¡­. Only to find it empty. I froze, puzzled. I was certain I¡¯d heard footsteps. But now? Nothing ¡°Even if we imagined it,¡± Phina said, her voice steadier now, ¡°those footsteps woke us up. If we hadn¡¯t heard them, we might not have woken up in time She was right. Real or not, that sound had jolted me awake¨Cand spared me from disaster. Just then, the Academy¡¯s morning bell rang exhaled deeply, still trying to steady my heartbeat as I made my way toward the dorm The night had been the most terrifying of my life. But no one knew. And that was what mattered. Back in the room, the others were already awake. Finn was stepping out with a towel slung over his shoulder when he spotted me and blinked in surprise. ¡°You showered already!¡± Chapter 30 Lost +8 Pearls Relief swept through me. They hadn¡¯t noticed I¡¯d been gone all night. ¡°Yeah, woke up early.¡± I replied with a small smile. Reed shot me a cold re, and Cassius wasn¡¯t much better. I ignored them both as usual¨Cand thankfully, they didn¡¯t linger. But then my attention shifted. Ronan He sat on his bed like it was a throne, calmly buttoning his shirt. His gaze locked on mine the moment our eyes met. My pulse stumbled. The memory of his touch the way his nearness had sent my heat spiraling out of control¡­ it all surged back, unwee and far too vivid. I forced myself to look away, tearing my gaze from his. This Alpha.. I need to stay far away from him. He¡¯s more dangerous than I imagined. And now, only the two of us were left in the room. If I turned and left suddenly, it would look suspicious¨Cmaybe even cowardly. So instead. I walked to my bed, grabbed the dirty mattress, and headed for the exit under the guise of disposing of it Anything to escape those eyes. The rolled¨Cup mattress was heavier than it looked, awkwardly pressing into my hip as I made my way toward the back of the Academy building. The air was thick with early heat, but the inner courtyard offered a small slice of calm. This was where old bedding and broken furniture were left for the Academy¡¯s cleaners, some unseen force that whisked it all away by morning. 1 dropped the mattress with a tired sigh, brushed my hands, and turned back toward the dormitory halls. But halfway through the walk. I hesitated. ¡°Was it the left hallway or the one next to it?¡± I looked around confused. Wolves had a great sense of direction but this time I was not able to tell. The corridors looked identical same stone archways, same mossy corners, same rows of tall windows bleeding in slivers of golden light. Same pale walls, same torches flickering with enchanted mes, same sharp scent of cedar and fresh linen. I turned left instead of right, then veered down one corridor. And then another. Ten minutes passed. The air here felt, different. Quieter. Almost sacred. My boots echoed softly over the stone floor as I passed a row of polished wooden doors, all identical, all perfectly spaced and immactely kept. No nametes. No noise. No signs of life. A long line of doors ran along one side, each dark wood carved with ancient symbols. Dorms? Alpha instructors, maybe? I wondered, slowing my pace. ¡°Why is no one bere?¡± I wondered and looked around as if I could ask for someone¡¯s help to get back to where I belonged but there was no one My fingers skimmed along the wall as I passed door after door, until one caught my eye. The door was slightly ajar Was someone in there? I could ask them for directions. ¡°Hello, is someone inside?¡± I called and got only silence. I knocked this time, ¡°Hello!¡± I waited for a half of the minute and again no response. Chapter 30 Lost +8 Pearl: Looking around for a sign of life, I pushed the door open, ¡°Hello, sorry for my intrusion. Curiosity tugged harder than caution but I was cautious as well. I peeked in and then slowly stepped in,¡± I am lost. Can I¡­. My words caught in my throat and I gasped. It was beautiful. The room was absolutely stunning! Arge, sunlit bedroom unfolded before me, so unlike the bare¨Cbones quarters we students shared. The stone walls were smooth and warmed with amber¨Ctoned lighting. A king¨Csized bed rested in the center, draped in rich navy linens. The scent here was clean but masculine¨Cleather, forest. A private bath was visible through the archway on the side. This was someone powerful. Respected. High¨Cranking. It was luxurious. Silent. Sacred Whoever lived here wasn¡¯t just someone, they were important. But it was too clean and no one was here. ¡°Could it be a guest room?¡± I wondered. My gaze swept over the space as I stepped deeper in, drawn toward therge desk near the window where an open ancient book rested. ¡°What is this?¡± 1 grew curious. Gold¨Cscripted. Handwritten. I leaned in, scanning the odd cover. No photos, no scent. Nothing gave away the identity. My fingers hovered over the spine, then unsessfully I tried to read it but I could read one word. ¡®Rogue¡± My hand froze. Rogues? The memory of those rogues in the ruins shed in my mind. Was this book about rogues? Who were they? Why were they Then suddenly a voice came like smoke against my ear. ¡°You like touching things that don¡¯t belong to you?¡± I gasped, spine stiffening, heart leaping into my throat.. His scent hit me first¨Cstormy, rich, dangerous. Ronan I spun around, eyes wide, and heat ring all at once. I turned around my breasts bumping into his hard chest. Our eyes locked as he leaned down to whisper, ¡°What are you doing in my room, little wolf?¡± The book dropped froin my hand. ¡°Your room?¡± My heart skipped a beat. He leaned down towards my face even more, our breath mixing and our lips dangerously close as if they might touch any second, ¡°Yes, my room,¡± he whispered. Send Gifts »Ø THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 31 Chapter 31 His Room SERAPHINA Yesterday, the dorm assistant had pointed out that I was in a prohibited area and I had not seen other Alphas here. That meant I was in a prohibited area. ording to rules we were not allowed to be in prohibited or forbidden ces within the Academy or the only punishment was expulsion. I wanted to stay away from Ronan so how had I ended up wandering into his bedroom? How had things turned out like this? And moreover how had I gotten caught as well. ¡°I did not know it was your room. I got lost,¡± I instinctively stepped back, my spine brushing the edge of the desk as Ronan moved in like shadow and storm clouds. ¡°Really?¡± the corner of his lips curled up into a smile that screamed he did not believe me. ¡°Yes, I came to this area to drop off my mattress. And took a wrong turn. That¡¯s all.¡± ¡°Then just happened to end up in my bedchamber. I red at him, ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± Convenient,¡± he smirked. He smirked again, his eyes going to the book that I dropped, ¡°You even looked into the book?¡± ¡°It was open! I didn¡¯t mean to look,¡± I snapped, but my ears burnt with embarrassment. Moreover, he looked more handsome even if he had that irritating smile on his face, ¡°The door was half¨Copen. I didn¡¯t know it was your room. All the hallways look the same,¡± I exined. He chuckled, and it was low, rich, and thoroughly amused. ¡°No one ever ends up here¡­ unless they¡¯re¡­¡± he paused, decreasing the distance between us and added, ¡°¡­ looking for me.¡± My cheeks blushed and I snapped, ¡°I was not looking for you.¡°. This Alpha¡­.had such a wild imagination! ¡°Shame,¡± he murmured. ¡°Because I¡¯ve been thinking about you.¡± My breath caught over the way his gaze lingered on my features before locking with my eyes. He had been thinking about me? My heart started drumming in my chest with the feeling that I never experienced before. What was it? It felt simr to what had caused me to go into heat. No, this was dangerous. This was exactly the kind of trap I should be avoiding, not getting tangled up with him. The only Alpha who seemed to affect my wolf and my heart. I took another step back. My shoulder bumped the wall. ¡°Okay. Well, I¡¯m going to leave now.¡± I tore my gaze from him quickly, not knowing exactly how I should be reacting to his crazy statement about thinking about me. ¡°Sorry for infiltrating your room.¡± I tried to move past him toward the door, but he stepped sideways, blocking me with the case of someone toying with a smaller animal. ¡°Let me go.¡± He suddenly towered over me, his eyes on my face intensely, ¡°You looked tired,¡± he said softly, voice a thread of silk and danger. ¡°Rough night?¡± My breath hitched, How could he¡­ ¡°What would be rough about it? Move out of my way,¡± I stated confidently. He didn¡¯t. Instead, he tilted his head, eyes scanning my face¨Ctoo intently. ¡°You smell different today,¡± he murmured, almost to himself. ¡°Not bad. Just¡­ like the storm passed.¡± My heart dropped in my stomach. My heat was gone¡­ but was there a smell left? No, right? The perfume was working, So how¡­ I clenched my fist in panic. I had to get out. Before I made a mistake. Before he saw something. Found something. ¡°Nonsense, 8:17 PM P. Chapter 37 His Room let me go¡­¡± I started, attempting to slide past Ronan, but I barely made it two steps whemaknonkksmundte¨Camilthedtorm door creaked open before either of us could respond. ¡°Morning drop¨Coff!¡± chirped a familiar voice. My blood ran cold. The dorm assistant. No. He couldn¡¯t see me here. He must not see me here. If I were to be found in his room it would mean immediate expulsion A vition of the highest rule. 1 ¡°What should I do?!¡± My heart stuttered in panic. I froze mid¨Cstep. I looked around searching for a window. I did not know whaty outside that window but I could care less. I turned to jump out of it but Ronan moved faster than I thought In one fluid motion, he turned and stepped into me, his broad chest blocking my view of the open door right away. His body became a shield¨Cwarm, firm, immovable. ¡°Why are you¡­¡°I gasped, trapped between him and the cold wall. His arm came around me with silent precision, holding m steady but not forcefully, his other hand lifting to wave casually at the assistant. Just leave it on the table,¡± he said, his voice cool, unbothered. Not a tremor of tension gave anything away. The assistant didnot take another step further in. ¡°Yes.¡± Ikke holding my breath tightly and hid my aura as he moved to the table. But I could not hide my heartbeat that kept norausing with Ronan¡¯s violet eyes staring down into mine without blinking. Both of our bodies were so close that I didn¡¯t even wantto think how close we were. Anomenter, the door dlicked shuta Bull was still pinned. Soddluxe. Tanduxe again. His masculine scent wrapped around me like smoke. My chest rose and fell in rhythm with his, our breaths mingling in the nghspace. Ilitiitment his eyes, limewhe was watching me, but I couldn¡¯t look away either. My palins trembled where they pressed against the wall behind me. Id never began this die taumunbefore. Not like this. Not sharing the sun bath. Not with my body acting like ithudaminitofits own I was overheating again¡ªnotthomhan manfrom shume. Something else. Something worse. ¡°Can¡¯t put my reputation online.¡± he murmured howly, we brushing over my skin like velvet as he replied to my earlier question, The moment the words left him, showed gemiyanthis cheste¨Cat with fiance, hutsenough to create distance. Of course kne he hid me because of his reputation Not because he wantedite hipme ¡°That¡¯s good: I don¡¯t want to be seen with you sittin dipped away and fiethominis room without looking back, the tips o my ears and the back of my neck burning crimson. My puiker was still thundering by the tune Isshut the door behind unc. I didn¡¯t stop until I was halfway down the hall. Only then did I allow myself to breathe. 8:17 PM P. Chapter 31 His Room +8 Pearls Then again, how could that be Ronan¡¯s room? On top of it he even got a breakfast delivered over there? Come to think of it. I never saw him having any meal among the others in the cafeteria. What was going on? Send Gifts THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 32 Chapter 32 Leaderboard RONAN ¡°Don¡¯t want to be seen by me, huh?¡± I muttered under my breath as I crouched to retrieve the book from the floor. Its pages were filled with an ancientnguage I hadn¡¯t been able to decipher, until now. But had I heard Seth Darven read ¡°rogue¡±? I narrowed my eyes. The letters had shifted, reshaping into English only after Seth had nced at the page earlier. But that trantion hadn¡¯t been there before. Not until he saw it. 1 ¡°But how? And why?¡± I murmured, my fingers unconsciously brushing over the worn, yellowed paper. My thoughts raced back¡ªto the rogue in the ruins¡­ and again in the ckmoon forest. This couldn¡¯t be a coincidence. ¡°Ronan,¡± Asher¡¯s voice snapped me from my thoughts as he stepped into the room. I ced the book down carefully on the desk and turned to him. ¡°Here¡¯s your cologne,¡± he said, holding up the ck bottle. ¡°And your suspicion was spot on. The old wolf who makes your cologne confirmed someone tampered with it.¡± He handed it to me, his tone grim. ¡°It was infused with something¡­ strange,¡± Asher continued. ¡°A type of wild berry. Its exact origin couldn¡¯t be traced, but it carries a strong, natural effect on werewolves¨Cespecially during heat or rut cycles.¡± I stared at the bottle, expression unreadable. No one ever touched my things. Let alone tampered with them. But this time¡­ ¡°Asher,¡± I said quietly, ¡°who do you think did this?¡± He exhaled deeply and dropped onto the sofa across from me. ¡°Honestly? It¡¯s not hard to guess. You share a dorm with several Alphas. And one of them clearly had a motive. But here¡¯s the twist¨Cit wasn¡¯t meant to harm you.¡± He met my gaze ¡°This was meant for someone else. You were just the trigger. The catalyst.¡± My jaw clenched. I hated to be used. ¡°Clearly, you weren¡¯t the intended victim. You didn¡¯t suffer any effect, only noticed it. That means someone else was meant to react. You were just the delivery system.¡± He paused, frowning. ¡°But it looks like whoever nned this underestimated you. You caught it too fast. If you ask me in short, I think you were a predator to someone that was affected by these barriers but the n went south.¡± Listening to him, I leaned back in my chair and closed my eyes, ¡°This¡­¡± I whispered, voiceced with quiet fury, ¡°¡­is not what they should have fucking done.¡± SERAPHINA The breakfast bell rang. Since I had skipped yesterday¡¯s meals, I made it to the cafeteria first and started eating. It was delicious. But to my surprise no one showed up in the cafeteria even after I finished eating my food. Thankfully for the first time it was peaceful but still it left me curious where everyone was. Exiting the cafeteria, I made my way to the hall of the Academy only to find everyone was gathered, a sudden wave of energy swept through the air. I found Finn, ¡°What is going on?¡± I asked. 8:17 PM P. Chapter 32 Leaderboard +8 Pearls ¡°The rankings have been updated,¡± he replied, looking excited. The scent of excitement filled the air as every Alpha around me surged in one direction, toward the Academy¡¯s sacred Ranking Stone. I followed his line of sight to find the massive stone leaderboard etched with the names of the top Alpha contenders., the Hierarchy. I followed, half¨Ccurious, half¨Canxious to the massive stone leaderboard etched with names. ¡°Is it updated every after trial?¡± I asked. ¡°Yes and it changes dramatically everytime,¡± Finn exined. The stone stood tall and wide, weathered from centuries of use, its obsidian¨Cck surface polished like ss. Names glowed upon it in soft golden runes, shifting gently under the morning light. Only eighty¨Cthree would be listed. The rest would fade into failure. The closer I got, the louder the buzz of voices became but they slowly faded in my ears as I spotted my name in that list. Even if it wasst because I had made it backst with bison, I made it to the list. A small smile appeared on my lips. Finally¡­ ¡°Damn! He¡¯s not on it anymore!¡± someone eximed, attracting my attention. ¡°No way, he actually failed the hunting trial?¡± ¡°It¡¯s the first time someone from the top ten lost their spot.¡± Excited murmurs red like wildfire. Alphas were pointing, some stunned, others gleeful, eyes locked on one specific , absence. ¡°Shit, he really failed,¡± Finn spoke under his breath. ¡°Who?¡± I asked Finn. ¡°A member of the hierarchy!¡± My eyes widened and I immediately looked at the top ten on the stone leaderboard. There was an empty seat at the top. ¡°Now what will happen?¡± I asked. ¡°I honestly don¡¯t know. But I think I saw the dormitory assistant moving his stuff out of the hierarchy bedrooms.¡± My eyes snapped at me, ¡°Hierarchy bedroom? What is it?¡± ¡°You don¡¯t know?¡± he was taken aback. ¡°The hierarchy are given private rooms in Lupine academy. All top ten get them.¡± I froze as Ronan¡¯s room from earlier shed in my mind. ¡°But Ronan has a bed in our room¡­¡± ¡°Oh that. It was Ronan¡¯s bed for only a day or two when he joined the Academy. When he became number one he was given that room. He had not returned to our room once from that day until suddenly he showed up the day you arrived,¡± he exined. I stood there surprised. So that was why the dorm assistant had called me a normal Alpha? That¡¯s when Alpha Gidion came forward and stood in a higher ce, ¡°As everyone can see, one of the hierarchy is gone. It has happened for the first time in decades and it is shocking for us as well. But we are also thrilled that this year Alphas in this Academy are even capable of beating the hierarchy!¡± An excitement broke out in the crowd and most of them filled with pride. ¡°That¡¯s why, we have decided something for our Alphas!¡± My ears perked up like others. What was it? Alpha Gideon looked at everyone¡¯s excited faces and announced, ¡°Whoever wins the next trial will im the empty hierarchy room!!¡± 8:17 PM Chapter 32 Leaderboard +8 Pearls A wave of excitement burst through the crowd as I stood stunned recalling the private bathroom, shower and privacy that I had seen in Ronan¡¯s room. My eyes shined as I whispered under my breath excitedly, ¡°I will win that room!!¡± Unknown to me Ronan read my lips and his expression hardened. Send Gifts THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 33 Chapter 33 His Bold Remarks SERAPHINA Privacy. The thought alone made butterflies flutter in my stomach. If I won the trial and imed that hierarchy bedroom, I¡¯d finally have the one thing I desperately craved: privacy. No more worrying about sharing showers or changing clothes under constant watch. No more binding my chest every night just to keep my secret safe. It would be more than just a room, it would be a sanctuary. A blessing from the Moon Goddess herself. Finn and I locked eyes, and in that fleeting moment, our shared ambition was crystal clear. A spark of friendly rivalry passed between us. ¡°I¡¯m winning that bedroom,¡± Finn said with a smirk tugging at his lips. ¡°Well, I hope you¡¯re ready for disappointment,¡± I grinned back. ¡°Because I¡¯m not holding back.¡± We bothughed and dered in unison, ¡°Let¡¯s do our best!¡± As we walked off, chatting about how amazing the private room would be, I noticed something different about Finn. Determination burned brighter in his eyes than ever before. It made me smile. This time, he was serious¨Cand I loved that for him. What I didn¡¯t notice, however, were the watchful eyes following us from across the courtyard. A small group of Alphas stood at a distance, murmuring among themselves. Among them were Reed and Cassius, their gazesced with venom. The rest of the day passed in a blur¨Ctraining sessions, followed by a brief gathering with the Alpha instructor. But when dinnertime rolled around, something felt¡­ off. Finn was gone. He didn¡¯t show up in the mess hall. And when I returned to our room, it was empty¨Cnot just his bed, but also Reed¡¯s and Cassius¡® An uneasy feeling twisted in my gut. Iid down, trying to distract myself by imagining the luxurious bedroom and all thefort it promised. But the moment I closed my eyes, sleep dragged me into darkness¨Conly to be yanked back awake by a strange noise. The room was dimly lit when I saw him. Finn stumbled through the doorway, and my heart dropped. ¡°Finn!¡± I shot up from bed and rushed to his side. ¡°What happened?!¡± His usually sharp features were scratched and bruised, his hair disheveled, and blood stained the corner of his mouth. ¡°Nothing,¡± he said with a forced smile. ¡°I just slipped on the stairs.¡± Slipped? I stared at him in disbelief. No stairs did this kind of damage. He was lying. He¡¯d been attacked. ¡°I¡¯m just going to sleep,¡± he said quickly, brushing past me. ¡°But your wounds- ¡°They¡¯ll heal by morning. Don¡¯t worry.¡± He offered another weak grin before copsing onto his bed. Something about it all felt wrong. I turned back to my own bed, biting my lower lip as unease gnawed at me. Reed and Cassius still hadn¡¯t returned. A strange chill ran down my spine. 8:17 PM O P. Chapter 33 His Bold Remarks The next morning, I stretchedzily¨Conly to jolt upright at the unexpected weight beside me. Roman. He was sitting on the edge of my bed, looking entirely toofortable. ¡°Why are you on my bed?!¡± I gasped, heart thudding wildly in my chest. How long had he been there? +8 Pearls Before he could answer, the hum of a vacuum cleaner caught my attention. The room was being cleaned. Beds moved. Ronan¡¯s included. I whipped my gaze back to him. ¡°What¡¯s with that reaction?¡± he asked with a cocky smirk. Then he leaned in¨Ctoo close¨Cand murmured, ¡°Two dudes on a bed¡­ It¡¯s normal, right? Unless¡­¡± His eyes gleamed. ¡°You¡¯re into men?¡± ¡°You and your disgusting imagination!¡± I snapped, thrusting my pillow into his face, though my ears burned crimson. Ronan casually pulled the pillow away, still smirking. ¡°So you¡¯re saying you don¡¯t like guys?¡± My breath caught in my throat. And that¡¯s when I realized- The cleaner had overheard everything. Panic surged within me. If this conversation spread around the Academy, I was doomed. I wasn¡¯t actually Seth Darven¨CI was Seraphina, in disguise. And the real Seth, my cousin, was as straight as they came. Any rumors like this could ruin his name forever. ¡°What the hell are you talking about?!¡± I hissed, scooting closer and ring. ¡°Are you trying to ruin my image?! I don¡¯t like dudes, okay?!¡± My voice was loud¨Cloud enough for the cleaner to hear before he awkwardly excused himself from the room, closing the door behind him. Ronan¡¯s eyebrows lifted, clearly amused. He slowly leaned closer, his voice dropping to a teasing whisper. ¡°Is that so?¡± he murmured. ¡°Then that must mean¡­ you¡¯re into me.¡± My breath hitched. My heart skipped. ¡°What?¡± I choked. A wickedly handsome/smile curved across his lips. He nced at my mouth, then back to my eyes. ¡°You smell like me. You follow me. You sneak into my bedchamber¡­,¡± his voice dropped another octave. ¡°Seth Darven, are you trying to¡­seduce me?¡± My expression went nk at his bold remark. Stalking him? Smelling like him? Sneaking into his room? And now¨Cseducing him? Was this Alpha truly that arrogant? He was always the one crossing the line, not me. Every lingering look. Every whispered provocation. And yet now he had the nerve to throw those words in my face? I held his gaze for a long, tense moment before closing the space between us in a single, calcted move. ¡°Alpha Ronan.¡± I murmured, my voice low andced with challenge. His signature smirk faltered. He didn¡¯t expect me to step in. His back hit the headboard as I braced both hands on either side of him, effectively caging him in. Our faces were barely inches apart now, our breaths mingling in the thick silence. 8:18 PM Chapter 33 His Bold Remarks +8 Pearls ¡°You sure you want to act and speak so carelessly around me?¡± I asked softly, yet every word struck like a de. ¡°Just because you¡¯re bored and looking for a distraction?¡± His brows twitched ever so slightly, surprise flickering in those stormy eyes of his. Eyes that¨Cdespite their arrogant gleam- now reflected something else. Something¨Cprimal. I leaned even closer, my voice a whisper against his skin. ¡°Careful who you provoke, Alpha Ronan. Because the person you im is trying to seduce you¡­ might just end up iming you for real.¡± His breath caught. His eyes dropped briefly to my lips. But he didn¡¯t move. Didn¡¯t push me away. Instead, he whispered¨Cvoice low, almost reverent, ¡°I¡¯m looking forward to that.¡± My pulse skipped. My fingers trembled slightly against the mattress. What__? What the hell does he mean by that? There it was again¨Cthat maddening, breathtaking smile. Equal parts temptation and torment. And yet it rattled me more than I wanted to admit. ¡°You¡¯re insane,¡± I growled, jerking back and standing up. I stormed toward the door, heart thudding wildly, but froze after two steps. Dante. He stood by the window, half¨Ccast in shadows, watching. Silent. Still. Eyes fixed on me like he¡¯d heard everything. Thest time I¡¯d seen him was the day we escaped the cursed forest. But the expression on his face now made my blood run cold. That calm silence was anything but peaceful. It was dangerous. Konan stepped out behind me, and suddenly, I was caught between the two of them. I didn¡¯t say a word. Didn¡¯t look at either of them. I just walked past Dante and exited the hallway without looking back. Today was the trial. That was what I needed to focus on. Behind me, the air remained thick with unspoken tension as Ronan and Dante stood, facing one another, neither willing to back down. Their Alpha auras collided violently, like two storms on the verge of breaking. ¡°Don¡¯t get in my way,¡± Dante growled, voice low but brimming with intent. ¡°Then change your target,¡± Ronan shot back, his tone sharp enough to cut steel. Dante¡¯s lips curled into a slow, cruel smile. ¡°I might¡¯ve considered it. But now? It¡¯s toote.¡± Ronan¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°What the hell is that supposed to mean?¡± ¡°Because this target is not something have decided.¡± Send Gifts 639 THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 34 Chapter 34 Combat SERAPHINA The sun hung high by the time the Academy¡¯s training grounds were transformed into abat arena. The trial was finally beginning. A thick crowd of Alphas buzzing with nerves and adrenaline, formed uneven rows across the open grounds. The scent of sweat and tension clung to the air. Beyond the ring of Alphas, the hierarchy stood beneath a shaded pavilion, watching like royalty on a throne. I roamed my eyes to find Ronan standing there with Asher and in thepletely opposite direction like usual was Dante. Just standing there. Not dressed to fight. Not even warming up. Finn nudged my shoulder. ¡°They¡¯re not participating,¡± he told me. ¡°Of course, why would they? They already have those luxurious rooms,¡± I murmured, stretching my neck. Finn nodded, ¡°Yeah, they have nothing to fight for here. We are actually desperate for that room,¡± he chuckled. I could not deny it and chuckled as well. But I realised there was no one more desperate than me. I was ready to do anything to get that room! Privacy! I roamed my eyes around and found something strange, ¡°I don¡¯t think that all of the Alphas are here? Some of them are missing?¡± Finn followed my line of sight and nodded, ¡°I actually overheard that some of the Alphas love to live with their room mates and don¡¯t desire to be separated from their friends. So they are not participating in this trial even if it affects their ranking on the leaderboard.¡± I blinked in surprise, ¡°So we can refuse to participate in the trials?!¡± ¡°No, refusing to participate in the trial means getting kicked out of the Academy. But this trial is special and its purpose is to im that room, that¡¯s why it is considered optional¡± he exined. I nodded in understanding while my eyes subconsciously went to his swollen lips. ¡°Are you ok?¡± He knew what I was talking about and smiled awkwardly, ¡°Yes, I am fine. It¡¯s just my wolf is beingzy.¡± He grinned. I rolled my eyes and offered him my handkerchief for his lips. ¡°It is bleeding again. Are you biting your lips?¡± ¡°Oh, really? Where?¡± Finn eximed, trying to find where it was bleeding. ¡°Here,¡± I reached out to help him with my handkerchief by softly pressing it on the corner of his lips. Until suddenly a growl sounded across the Academy grounds, startling everyone. I almost jumped out of my skin and turned my head back to find the source of growl. It was none other than Ronan. He had his ring eyes fixed in my direction but his hand was grabbing the hair of an Academy cleaner who was fearing for his life after being grabbed by Ronan, ¡°Don¡¯t touch that!¡± Ronan growled at the wolf but never tore his gaze from me. My eyes went to the cleaner, cing the cup of coffee back at Ronan¡¯s side and then back to Ronan. Did he lose temper over a cup of coffee being touched by the cleaner? A frown crossed my face. What an arrogant jerk! I tore my eyes from him and focused ahead as the Alpha instructor stepped forward, his voice sharp andmanding as it cut through the murmurs. ¡°This trial will be conducted in three stages,¡± he announced, pacing in front of us like a wolf on patrol. ¡°First¨Cone¨Con¨Conebat. The opponent you face will be the one standing directly to the right of you. No switching. Noints.¡± 4 8:18 PM P P . Chapter 34 Combat 48 Pearls My stomach tightened. I nced to my right. Thankful that it was not Finn. I did not want to find my friend. But it was a broad¨Cshouldered Alpha with narrowed eyes that was already sizing me up, good. ¡°The winners will then face another one¨Con¨Cone round. This continues until only twenty Alphas remain.¡± The crowd shifted with renewed murmurs. Twenty out of nearly a hundred. Brutal odds. ¡°Those twenty,¡± the instructor continued, his eyes gleaming, ¡°will enter the final stage: ast¨Cstanding match. No alliances. No rules. The Alpha who remains conscious at the end will be the victor. They will be rewarded with the highest recognition and the hierarchy room!¡± My heart thudded harder. Among all of these Alphas, I had to be thest standing even if my body would be worn out. It was the cost of the freedom, the privacy that was of the utmost importance for me at this academy. ¡°Allbatants, to your starting marks!¡± the instructor barked. The arena buzzed to life as Alphas spread out across the training ground. I stepped onto the dirt¨Cpacked center and cracked my knuckles. Across from me, my opponent¨Ca cocky Alpha from the West pack¨Cflexed his neck like he was already celebrating. His mistake. A loud horn blew, signaling the start of the first round. He lunged. Sloppy. Predictable. I dodged his fist, twisted behind him, and drove my elbow into his spine. He staggered, then I swept his legs out from beneath him and pinned him to the ground in one fluid motion. A gasp rippled through the crowd. ¡°Winner: Alpha Seth Darven!? the instructor shouted. I stood and dusted off my hands, breathing evenly. As I made my way back to the line, I felt them. Eyes. I didn¡¯t need to look to know who they belonged to. Dante. He stood in the shade arms crossed, his gaze burning a hole through my skull. Cold. Curious. Possessive. But for some reason my eyes went to another figure just behind the railing Ronan. His eyes weren¡¯t cold. They were sharp. Focused. Watching me like I was something dangerous¡­ or something- I swallowed hard and turned away. ¡°Hey!¡± Finn¡¯s voice rang out as he jogged toward me, a grin splitting his face. ¡°We won at almost at the same time.¡± Iughed, bumping his shoulder. ¡°Of course you did. You¡¯re secretly terrifying¡± I had seen the silent and shy type Finn portrayed for who he really was. He was actually incredibly strong and powerful ¡°Shh. Let them keep underestimating me,¡± he winked. Iughed only to feel a pair of cold eyes drilling a hole in the side of my face I followed that feeling and found Ronan ring at me. What¡¯s his deal?¡± I said in my mind. ¡°Is he crazy?¡± Phina frowned as well, ¡°Yeah, what crazy mood swings this Alpha is having as if we have done him wrong in some way?!¡± Ignoring him, I stood side by side with Finn on the winner¡¯s side, sharing a moment of quiet pride before the second round was called. Finn said, ¡°I¡¯m gonna hit the men¡¯s room before the next match.¡± T 8:18 ¡£ Chapter 34 Combat ¡°Be quick,¡± I said. He quickly jogged off. +8 Pearls I stood alone for a while, watching others still locked inbat. Time passed. My nerves began to settle again. But as the second round contestants were being called¡­ Finn didn¡¯t return. I nced toward the dorm building. No sign of him. ¡°Alpha Seth Darven,¡± soon my name was called. I stepped forward and my opponent was a crazy Alpha with insane physical strength and height! He was close to seven feet tall When facing that kind of opponent, we needed a brain to defeat them as it was not a real life and death fight. So I finished it by catching him off guard and mming his head against the ground. He was knocked out and I won. I stepped out of the ring catching my breath when- ¡°Alpha Finn Hart, to the arenal¡± the instructor called. Heads turned. My pulse stuttered. He was still gone. I scanned the crowd. Nothing. Five seconds passed. Ten. Still no Finn. A quiet warning crept into my thoughts. Something was wrong. Very wrong. The second round was already underway. More and more victors were returning to the winners¡® side, bloodied and breathless, while Finn¡¯s name still echoed unanswered across thebat ground. The Alpha instructor¡¯s jaw ticked as he crossed his arms, scanning the group. His patience was unraveling fast. ¡°Alpha Finn Hart,¡± he called again, louder this time, voice sharp with authority. ¡°Final warning.¡± My chest tightened. Where the hell was he? I didn¡¯t even think. I sprinted forward, pushing through the crowd and toward the instructor before logic could stop me. ¡°Alpha!¡± I called, breathless as I reached him. His eyes narrowed on me, expression unreadable. ¡°Yes?¡± I forced calm into my yoice. ¡°Finn¡­ he¡¯s not skipping. His stomach, he¡¯s got a stomach ache. Something he ate earlier. But he¡¯ll be back. He just needs a moment.¡± The instructor raised a skeptical brow. ¡°Convenient.¡± ¡°I swear it¡¯s not an excuse. He¡¯s not the type to back out. He¡¯s probably doubled over in pain somewhere.¡± A beat passed Then, with a reluctant grunt, he nodded. ¡°Fine, but listen closely.¡± I stilled. ¡°From this moment on, he¡¯ll face whoever is left standing. That means the stronger the opponents, the worse it¡¯ll be for him. If he dys too long, he¡¯ll be up against the best.¡± 374 8:18 PM P P . Chapter 34 Combat I nodded quickly. ¡°Understood. Thank you.¡± He waved me off without another word, turning his attention to the next bout. +8 Pearls I backed away and returned to the winners¡® line, anxiety buzzing in my bloodstream. I scanned the area, still no sign of Finn. Where are you? I tried not to fidget. Not to pace. But time was slipping away, and so were his chances. Then it happened. Someone brushed past me. Fast. Intentional. I looked up, but the person was already gone, swallowed into the crowd. A folded scrap of paper now sat in my hand. I secretly unfolded it. One sentence. Scrawled in sharp, uneven ink. ¡°You sent your friend to die here in your ce? I thought so highly of you, Seth Darven. Now he is here and ready to die for you. I have to admit that¡¯s true friendship.¡± My heart plummeted to my feet. It seemed someone had asked me andid a trap for me but Finn¡­.he went in my ce. Send Gifts THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 35 Chapter 35 Watchdog SERAPHINA My breath caught as I reread the note, the words blurring slightly from the way my hands trembled. ¡°Finn¡­¡± Panic gripped me like a vice. The memory of Finn being attacked and woundedst night crossed my mind. I spun around, scanning the crowd¨Cwildly this time. Where were Reed and Cassius? 1 They were always lingering somewhere nearby. Shadowing me since the start of the trials. Watching. Whispering. Waiting. But now? Gone. I didn¡¯t like the coincidence. And it obviously was not one! And then¨Cbam¡ªI mmed right into a wall of muscle as soon as I spun around again. I stumbled back, and strong hands steadied me. ¡°Hey, careful.¡± I nced up to find Alpha Asher standing there. Obviouslyzing around since he was among the top three in the hierarchy and he also had one of those luxurious rooms. He looked down at the note that had slipped from my fingers and nowy open between us on the ground. He bent to pick it up, casually brushing the dust off as he read. A dry chuckle escaped his lips. ¡°Well,¡± he murmured, folding it with unsettling calm, ¡°this was bound to happen.¡± I blinked up at him. ¡°What was bound to happen?¡± He slid the note back into my hand, eyes unreadable. ¡°Being friends with a newbie Alpha¡­ a tiny one, no less, who was supposed to be weak and easy to ignore or bullied¨Cbut instead, turned out to be a savage little thing who beat every ass that¡¯s shoved in his way.¡± His gaze drifted toward thebat ring, where another brutal fight ended with blood on the dirt. Then he looked back at me, one brow arched. ¡°That kind of Alpha doesn¡¯t just earn respect,¡± he said, meaning it was all about me. ¡°That Alpha earns enemies. And being your friend? That just painted a target on your friends¡® back.¡± My chest constricted. Why had I not realized it before? Finn had been living a quiet life but since he became my friend and we started to hang out together he started being bullied more and more. It was all because of me. I clenched my fists and then I strode past Alpha Asher and ran toward the Academy building without another word. I didn¡¯t see the way the atmosphere around the had field subtly shifted. But Ronan did. He watched me sprint from thebat grounds with sharp, narrowed eyes. He¡¯d been watching me all along, his attention never straying But this¡­this was different. There was a weight to my retreat, a desperation in my posture, he noticed it all and once his eyes met Asher¡¯s, his jaw clenched. Ronan¡¯s gaze slid toward Dante¨Cstill calmly standing at the far end of the field, arms folded, eyes pinned to my back¨Cit all clicked. Ronan¡¯s eyes met his across the distance. 8:18 PM P P ¡¤ Chapter 35 Watchdog Something unspoken passed between them before Dante smiled and walked away as well. I burst through the door to the men¡¯s restrooms. ¡°Finn?¡± I called, heart racing. +8 Pearls The room echoed with silence¨Cstalls empty, lights flickering faintly. No sign of him. Not even the scent of his cologne. Phina growled in my mind, ¡°He hadn¡¯te here.¡± I turned and sprinted out, checking every hallway, every stairwell, even the supply rooms along the east wing. Nothing. No trail. No sound. Not a single trace of him. ¡°Where the hell are you?¡± I whispered under my breath, panic wing tighter with each passing second. When I rounded the main corridor near the dorm wings, I met with Asher. ¡°Why are you here?¡± He sighed and asked instead of replying to my question, ¡°Still can¡¯t find your friend?¡± I shook my head; chest heaving. ¡°He¡¯s not in the Academy. I¡¯ve looked everywhere. Every floor, every wing¨Che¡¯s just gone.¡± Asher¡¯s jaw tightened slightly. ¡°That¡¯s because he¡¯s most likely not inside the building.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°There are too many eyes in here,¡± he said simply. ¡°Instructors. Dorm assistants. Patrol wolves. If someone wanted to hurt him, they wouldn¡¯t do it where there was this much surveince.¡± A cold chill ran down my spine. ¡°That means¡­¡± I realized something. I didn¡¯t wait. I took off again, flying down the empty hall. The moment I crossed the rear courtyard, the air changed. It was quieter. Too quiet. Then I saw it¡ªthe abandoned building tucked into the far side of the academy grounds, half¨Cswallowed by shadows and wild ivy. Windows boarded up. Doors hanging half off their hinges. Without wasting another second, I shoved the door open and stepped inside. My heart stopped. Finn was there. He was on the floor¨Cbleeding¨Chis arms shielding his head as a group of Alphas surrounded him. Each one taking turnsnding kicks orughing. And among them¨C Reed and Cassius. My stomach twisted. Finn¡¯s blood was on their fists. I couldn¡¯t breathe. Couldn¡¯t speak. My body locked up. They didn¡¯t see me at first. My eyes were glued to Finn¨Chis swollen lip, the deep purple bruises already blooming on his cheek, the crack of blood on his brow. I stepped in slowly Then Cassius looked up, and that sickening grin spread across his face. ¡°Well, look who finally arrived,¡± he sneered. Reed turned slowly, grinning wider. ¡°You¡¯rete, tiny motherfucker. The show¡¯s already started.¡± 8:18 PM P. Chapter 35 Watchdog D +8 Pearls I did not look at them. I could not. All I could do was stare at Finn¨Cslumped, gasping, but alive. They all looked at me up and down as I continued walking in slowly. ¡°Hey Seth!¡± Alpha Asher stepped through the doorway, his presence like a de slicing through the thick air. The Alphas froze. Even Reed¡¯s smug grin twitched into uncertainty. Cassius narrowed his eyes. ¡°You brought help? Really?¡± Another one snorted. ¡°Can¡¯t even stand up for your weak little friend without crying for backup?¡± Reed red, ¡°Let me guess, this time Ronan refused to help you so you brought another one? Do you think you will be able to get out of here alive?¡± But Asher didn¡¯t say a word. His sharp eyes took in the scene¨CFinn on the ground, my rigid stance, and the circle of wolves that had clearly expected to have more time. His gaze flicked to me, ¡°Seth.¡± ¡°Alpha Asher,¡± I cut him off and tilted my head to meet his gaze, ¡°Can you do me a favour?¡± Asher raised a brow, his posture casually unreadable. ¡°Go on.¡± ¡°Take Finn.¡± My voice didn¡¯t shake. ¡°Get him to the trial grounds. His name¡¯s being called. The instructor is waiting.¡± The room silenced even further if that was possible. Asher froze in surprise. Reed scoffed. ¡°Hey, you think you can walk out so that you can go and y? Don¡¯t be so cocky little fucker. You are not leaving.¡± ¡°Who said I am leaving?¡± I quipped, not even sparing them a nce. ¡°I¡¯m sending Finn away seeing as I am here now, he does not need to be here. You wanted me here, right?¡± saying that I turned to Asher again, ¡°Please take him.¡± Asher looked at me for a long moment¨Ccalcting, unreadable¨Cthen nodded once. I strode forward and everyone had to make space for him. No one dared stop him. Because challenging Asher was as good as walking into your own execution. He moved forward, helping Finn to stand up. He was still dazed, his breath shallow, but his eyes flickered open the second he sensed movement. When Asher carefully pulled him to his feet, Finn stumbled but caught himself. Then his hand shot out and caught mine, gripping it tightly. ¡°Come with me,¡± he said hoarsely. ¡°You can¡¯t stay here. Let¡¯s go¨Cnow I smiled at him, small and warm. ¡°Soon.¡± ¡°Seth¨Cno- *Finn,¡± I cut in softly. ¡°You have to go. They¡¯re calling your name. You have to show up. The instructor is waiting. If you don¡¯t go now¡­ they¡¯ll disqualify you. And remember I am not letting you win so easily,¡® I grinned. He pursed his bleeding lips, eyes full of resistance and fear¨Cfor me. But finally, slowly, he nodded. 8:18 PM P Chapter 35 Watchdog +8 Pearls Asher wrapped Finn¡¯s arm over his shoulders and began to lead him toward the door. The Alphas stepped aside without a word, their sneers long gone. The moment they passed the threshold. I was alone in a room full of Alphas with unfinished business. Eight Alphas stood before me, shoulder to shoulder, forming a wall of muscle, ego, and bloodlust. Their sneers curled like smoke. ¡°This is where you die, motherfucker,¡± Cassius taunted, cracking his knuckles. ¡°And no one will even know.¡± I told you it would not end there,¡± Reed growled at me. ¡°But if you lick my shoes I might let you live.¡± They allughed¨Ccruel, unafraid, and confident in their numbers. I stared at them nkly. But then, as if struck by an invisible force, theirughter faltered. One by one, their grins slipped away, and their eyes shifted past me. Something had changed. I felt it before I heard it¨Cthe slow, deliberate footsteps, the shift in the air, the dark heat coiling behind me like a rising storm. And then¡­ A warm breath ghosted along my ear. ¡°You know,¡± came a smooth, low murmur, voice dipped in shadows and silk, ¡°eight versus one looks an awful lot like suicide.¡± I didn¡¯t flinch. Didn¡¯t turn. But every nerve in me lit up like lightning. Ronan¡¯s voice was dark velvet, threading around my spine as he leaned closer, face beside mine. ¡°If you cry out my name for help,¡± he continued, ¡°I might be tempted to save you.¡± I slowly titled my face a little to meet his smiling eyes. Then I slowly turned to face him. 7 His violet eyes glinted like moonlit steel, expression unreadable, but something in them burned, calling to decrease the distance between us and I rose on my toes. I slid a hand up into his thick soft hair, as I pulled him down slowly to my face and whispered into his ear¨Cmy lips grazing his skin. ¡°Alpha Ronan..¡± I whispered, soft but sharp as a de. His breath hitched, just a fraction, as our eyes locked. ¡°Help me.¡± A slow smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. But I wasn¡¯t finished. ¡­ Be my watchdog for a while,¡± I added, voice turning cold as steel, ¡°and make sure no one escapes before I¡¯m done with them.¡± ¡°What the fuck,¡± his smile widened, something dangerous gleaming behind it. ¡°And you say you aren¡¯t seducing me.¡± Send Gifts THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 36 Chapter 36 Balls SERAPHINA ¡°And you say you aren¡¯t seducing me.¡± The moment Ronan¡¯s words hit the air, the weight of what I¡¯d just done crashed into me like a freight train. I had slipped. I¡¯d broken character¨Cnot Seth, but Seraphina. I touched Ronan like a¡­I leaned in close, invaded his space. On top of that I did it in front of the very Alphas I was supposed to fool. I immediately let go of his hair and stepped back with a smoothness that masked my panic¨Ccontrolled, casual, as if I hadn¡¯t just nearly blown everything. I didn¡¯t meet Ronan¡¯s gaze. I couldn¡¯t. Instead, I turned to face the bastards in front of me. Behind me, Ronan let out a low, amusedugh. I heard the scrape of a chair dragging across the concrete, and then the creak of wood as he sat in front of the rotting door¨Csin personified. One leg crossed over the other, cigarette glowing between his fingers. ¡°Give me a good show, Alpha Seth Darven,¡± he murmured, smoke curling around his jaw like a halo turned to ash. I nced at him over my shoulder, shooting him a nk look. He just smiled, that irritatingly handsome smirk that somehow made things worse. I tore my eyes away and focused on the circle of Alphas. Most of them were tense, Ronan¡¯s presence unnerving them. But not Reed. He grinned like the devil with a secret. ¡°Hey Darven,¡± Reed called, ¡°you should¡¯ve cried for help from your new watchdog over there. But since your pathetic ego wouldn¡¯t let you, let¡¯s walk you straight into hell, yeah?¡± Laughter erupted behind him. I said nothing. I stared at them¨Cnk¨Cfaced, calm, quiet. But something inside me cracked. Theirughter scraped across my nerves like ss on bone. ¡°Why did you hurt Finn?¡± I asked quietly. ¡°What?¡± Reed made a mocking face. ¡°You should¡¯vee for me, you coward. You didn¡¯t need to hurt my friend,¡± I said, my voice barely more than a murmur, butced with steel. The amusement drained from his eyes. My calm unnerved him. He clenched his fists, nostrils ring. ¡°Still ying cocky, you little shit? How dare you look at me like I¡¯m beneath you?!¡± He roared and charged, Cassius and the others followed behind him like rabid dogs. The only advantage I had in this fight was that none of them could shift. Shifting without permission on the Academy grounds was a punishable act and they could all be kicked out. Because the Alpha instructors would immediately feel that someone had shifted and broken the rules. Reed lunged, half¨Cshifted ws aiming for my throat. I dodged, barely, His ws sliced the air where my neck had been. I spun andunched myself at Cassius, the nearest body, climbed his broad frame, and mmed his skull into the ground with a sickening thud. Everything stopped for half a second. The Alphas froze, shocked. Reed stared at Cassius¡® groaning form, wide¨Ceyed. I met Reed¡¯s eyes, and let my wolf rise. 8:18 PM P. Chapter 36 Balls ¡°I told you to stay away from me.¡± I growled, my voiceyered with my wolf¡¯s furious gaze. ¡°Now you¡¯ll dies Rage overtook him. ¡°You-!¡± he spat, blood rising in his eyes. ¡°You¡¯ll regret this!¡± He charged again, snarling. The others followed. And Ronan? He didn¡¯t move. Didn¡¯t speak. Just sauthere smoking, eyes trained on me¨Cnot missing a single twitch, a single breath. Even mid¨Cfight, I could feel the bur ofhis gaze on my skin. The first impact came fast¨Ca blur of fists and ws. My body moved on instinct, honed from years of training. My fist mmed into someone¡¯s ribs. Another grabbed for me, I twisted and drove my elbow into his throat. I felt cartge copse Theneath mysstrike.. Onediown. Whee Sillthey came. Apunch split againstmy check¨Csharp, stinging. I hissed and snapped my leg upward,nding a brutal kick into Cassius¡¯s chestras he tried to recover. Ele crashed into a rusted crate with a guttural groan. Another stille. Reed again. Ihalf¨Cshifted my arm and rammed my knuckles into his nose. Blood gushed. I followed with a kick strugghhumolisggut, undhing him back into the charging Alphas. They fell Stranilitoist. I didnt give themaghante Ishatteredithein rhythm¨Cbroke than hones, cracked skulls, left them gasping on the floor. ¡°FUCK!¡± Read round ditching his nibsaftor drove an elbow deep into his side. He staggered! Growling like a maddened bust, he frodhimself upright again. Then- Cassius lunged at me from behind.. I turned to counter him, only for Read to move like ashhuttowlidhindlime kooliast Something glinted in his hand. Metal. A rod. I pivoted just barely, It mmed into my forearm instead of my skuili Agony red white¨Chot. I gritted my teeth. didn¡¯t stop. surged forward, driving my knee into his gut 8:18 PM P Chapter 36 Balls D +8 Pearls He folded Spar blood. Still, he grinned through it. ¡°You¡¯re nothing but a weak link.¡± he growled. ¡°I¡¯m going to kill you today, you fucking freak!¡± My fist disagreed. The room spun with motion. Broken breath. Scuffling boots. Grunts and snarls and the dry scent of rage. I was all ready to turn it all towards the end when suddenly something slipped from a pocket. It hit the floor with a soft thund and rolled around. Something round. ck. Something familiar, a smell. No. I froze. I knew that smell. My eyes widened as I bent down, heart lurching. I plucked in from the cracked floor, squeezed it open and the scent nearly knocked me to my knees. My heat. That scent mixed in cologne. The one Ronan wore. The one that made everything worse. That made my body scream for things I couldn¡¯t have.¡± This berry¡¯s smell exactly. The one that made my body betray me. The one that made me ache, burn, crave. This wasn¡¯t a coincidence. This was deliberate. I looked up. Reed. The bastard stood there, feigning confusion¨Cbut his lips twitched with something else. ¡°You¡­¡± My voice came out hollow. Shaking. ¡°You did this?¡± He blinked, feigned innocence. Cassius chuckled behind him. ¡°Oh, now he gets it.¡± Reed paled, just for a moment, then grinned. An ugly, victorious grin. ¡°Yeah,¡± he said. ¡°I mixed ut. You were supposed to go into rut. Lose control. Parade your pathetic file self around the arena- naked, desperate, fucked senseless by Alpha Ronan because he was wearing it and should have been affected too and lose hus enses enough to understand gender and just fuck you.¡± My chest constricted. And once my eyes met with Ronan¡¯s calm ones I realised he knew about this berry mixed in his cologne. You were supposed to be humiliated. Ruined. But you got lucky. It didn¡¯t work. Too bad.¡± 8:18 PM P. Chapter 36 Balls He tilted his head. ¡°Guess I¡¯ll just kill you instead.¡± +8 Pearls My whole body froze at the revtion and all I could see was themughing. They thought I would go into rut but I actually went into heat. Their n had actually seeded and my whole future would have been ruined and sealed with the fate that my father had prescribed for me. I was about to lose myself, my existence and my everything. All because of¡­them. ¡°You wanted to see my balls?¡± I murmured, voice disturbingly calm. I crouched and picked up a jagged shard of broken ss from the shattered window. Panic sparked in their eyes. ¡°Hey hey! Fucker! What the hell are you doing?!¡°, I straightened. ¡°Now I want to have your balls¡­¡± I raised my eyes and smiled at them, ¡°¡­in my hand,¡± DANTE With one leg crossed over the other, I sipped my coffee, eyes fixed on the chaos unfolding across the Academy grounds. The bitter warmth coated my tongue as the taste lingered¨Crich, slow, and deliberate. A shadow loomed beside me. One of my wolves leaned in, his voice low against the shell of my ear. ¡°The in¨Cfighting has begun.¡± A slow smile curved my lips behind the rim of the cup. ¡°What a bad thing to do.¡± I put it down, got up and walked away with a smile. Send Gifts THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 37 Chapter 37 In¨Cfighting SERAPHINA I didn¡¯t blink. Didn¡¯t breathe. Didn¡¯t think, I just moved. ¡°Everyone catch this fucker!!¡± Cassius ordered. I sank my fist into Reed¡¯s stomach, twisted, then mmed his face into the ground. Someone grabbed my arm, I threw them over my shoulder into a broken shelf. My half¨Cshifted ws, slicing skin, spraying blood. Another tried to choke me from behind my elbow cracked their ribs and they went down screaming. They weren¡¯t wolves anymore. They were prey. Reed¡¯s lip split. My boot met his ribs. Over and over and over again. I didn¡¯t feel tired. I didn¡¯t feel anything but this sick, dizzying need to hurt. He wanted to break me? Then I¡¯d show him what broken looked like. ¡°You crazy fucker!!¡± Cassius lunged again,but not fast enough. My fist found his jaw with a sharp crack, and he hit the ground like a sack of meat. Before he could rise, I stomped hard on his leg. There was a dull snap. ¡°AAAAHHHHH¡­¡± he screamed at the top of his lungs, rolling on the ground. The wolves about to attack me froze in horror. ¡°You wanted to see me crawl naked?¡± I hissed, grinding my heel into his shattered knee. ¡°Let¡¯s see how you walk now. Then I raised my head to nce at the other six. ¡°Who is next?¡± None of them dared. Instead they stepped back and looked at the door to make a run for it but broke into cold sweat when they saw the one who had been guarding the door was another death to them if they dared. ¡°Cassius,¡± Reed¡¯s jaw dropped when he saw his friend rolling on the ground with a broken knee and then he set his shaking red eyes on me, ¡°You motherfucker!!!¡± roaring he tried toe at me from the side¨Cagain. This time, I weed it. I ducked low and mmed my shoulder into his gut, sending him sprawling across the broken floor. He rolled, wheezing. Tried to crawl. ¡®Did I say you could leave?¡± I murmured lowly. I was done ying fair. Done holding back. I stalked after him, picking up a piece of ss again from the ground and clenched in my hand like a promise carved from Vengeance. Reed¡¯s eyes nearly popped out and he started crawling back fearfully. ¡°No¨Cno, wait!¡± he scrambled, real fear leaking into his voice now. ¡°I¨CI didn¡¯t mean¨CIt was just¨Cjust a joke-!¡± he was breathing hard and looked like a pathetic dog who was spouting nonsense to save his little life. ¡°A joke?¡± I barked augh, kneeling beside him. 123 8:18 PM Chapter 37 In¨Cfighting 0 G +8 Pearls My knee pinned his chest to the floor. My hand grabbed his belt. ¡°If what you did was a joke then let me pull a little joke on you okay?¡± saying that I clutched his pants harder. He screamed. ¡°DON¡¯T¨D!¡± ¡°You wanted me to run around naked and see my little balls,¡± I said softly, a glint in my eye as I yanked his pants down just enough. The ss shard gleamed between my fingers. Now I¡¯ll take yours andpare with mine, okay?¡± I yanked out his cock, clutching it in my hand with my full strength. My wolf furiously surfacing in my eyes. ¡°NOOOO¡­.¡± Reed cried in fear of losing his manhood. But I didn¡¯t stop. Couldn¡¯t stop. I could not feel any shame or disgust. This wasn¡¯t rage anymore, it was something I could not control. Deeper. A fire I couldn¡¯t douse. I raised the ss with a steady hand. Reed cried out, a pathetic whimper. ¡°Please¨Cplease, no! I¡¯ll never¡ªI swear, I won¡¯t¡ª!¡± ¡°Sure you wouldn¡¯t get the chance.¡± I braced my hand. Then- A blur. A breeze. A voice, silk and shadow. 1 ¡°Whoa, whoa, wait a second.¡± An arm looped around my waist, warm and firm, pulling me back with shocking gentleness. I snarled and my head snapped at Ronan. ¡°Leave that ugly little thing,¡± Ronan murmured near my ear, not even flinching as the shard in my grip trembled. ¡°It makes me furious that you are holding a manhood.¡± 1 I red at him. It made him furious? ¡°Let go,¡± I growled at him in a warning. ¡°Oh, I will¨Cright after you stop trying to castrate my least favorite person that was supposed to actually be my prey.¡± He turned me slightly, just enough to force my eyes off Reed. ¡°Besides, why waste a good shard on that disappointment?¡± I growled, my body shaking with fury, teeth clenched hard enough to crack. Listening to him I did not castrate but my wolf refused to back down either. My blood was still boiling and all I wanted was to finish this bastard. But suddenly Ronan¡¯s hand came up and touched my cheek, let go of him,¡± he whispered, looking at me calmly but his eyes spoke volumes. He was grounding me. Reeling me back from the edge I didn¡¯t know I¡¯d already leapt from. ¡°He¡¯s already fainted with fear,¡± he murmured. I slowly nced at Reed and his eyes really were close. I blinked and slowly I dropped the shard. It ttered against the ground. 8:18 PM P. Chapter 37 In¨Cfighting Behind me, Cassius curled into himself like a broken animal, sobbing, pants around his knees. Reed hadn¡¯t moved. No one else dared. And around us? Silence. Even the wind held its breath. +8 Pearls I got up and faced Ronan, my breathing a little heavy, ¡°Why did you intervene? I thought you were going to y watch dog for me.¡± ¡°I was watching,¡± he stepped closer to me without breaking eye contact with me, ¡°¡­just figured if anyone was gonna make you pant and growl, it should be me.¡± Q ¡°What?¡± I made a face. What did he mean by that¡­ Before I could understand his meaning the sharp sound of horn rang. My head snapped at the direction and I froze in realisation. Thebate was over. Someone already won. But then the door of the building was kicked open from outside and there stood Dante. ¡°Guys, were you in¨Cfighting here?¡± he asked as if he did not know, his blue eyes filled with an evil light. ¡°In¨Cfighting?!¡± A furious growl broke into the building as Alpha Gideon entered the building. My heart dropped in my stomach in horror. How did Alpha Gideon get here? He saw Reed, Cassius, and everyone else on the ground then fixed his red furious eyes on me. And by my condition he could easily tell who had done it. ¡°Alpha Seth,¡± he called my name the way it made my heart race in fear. Because in -fighting at Lupine Academy was¡­ ¡°You are expelled from the Academy immediately.¡± Send Gifts 1 THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 38 Chapter 38 Suspicious SERAPHINA Expelled. The word rang through my skull like a death knell. My body remained coiled, fists still slick with blood, chest heaving as though I¡¯d just sprinted through fire. But the true fire burned in Alpha Gideon¡¯s eyes¨Cnot fury, not even outrage¨Cjudgment. Final. Irrevocable. ¡°I refuse,¡± I said between ragged breaths. ¡°What?¡± Alpha Gideon¡¯s face contorted with rage. He was a man ustomed to silence after he spoke, a man who had never tolerated disobedience. ¡°I refuse to ept your decision, Alpha Gideon,¡± I rasped, stepping forward. I didn¡¯t care how Ronan looked or what he might be thinking. My focus was on the Alpha who had just condemned me without trial. ¡°There was no hearing. No testimony. Nothing. You¡¯ve expelled me from the Academy without a single word in my defense.¡± ¡°You assaulted eight Alphas,¡± Gideon snapped. ¡°Inside Academy walls. Under Academyw, that alone warrants expulsion.¡± I wiped the blood from my chin with the back of my hand, my voice t and cold. ¡°And¨Cwhat if those eight weren¡¯t just Alphas? What if they were predators? What if I was defending myself?¡± Dante¡¯s voice cut in smoothly, his toneced with mockery. ¡°Eight Alphas allegedly attacked you, and somehow, they¡¯re the ones unconscious or whimpering on the ground? What a convenient little story.¡± Phina growled in my mind, a sharp, furious sound. ¡°Convenient?¡± I let out a bitterugh. ¡°Then maybe take a closer look at the Alpha with his pants around his knees. Or the one who¡¯s too terrified to even breathe.¡± Reed hadn¡¯t moved. Cassius was still crying like a wounded cub, clutching his broken knee. As for the others, not one of them met Alpha Gideon¡¯s eyes. Not a single one dared to speak. ¡°You think I started this?¡± I said, my voice louder, steadier. ¡°You think I just¡­ snapped?¡± ¡°He¡¯s lying!¡± one of them shouted. ¡°That Darven bastard attacked us first-!¡± My head snapped toward the Alpha with the shattered nose. He flinched under my re but continued spewing lies. ¡°Really?¡± Ronan¡¯s voice sliced through the room¨Csmooth, cold, lethal. ¡°You dare lie in my presence? I witnessed everything.¡± He paused, eyes narrowing with icy amusement. ¡°Or are you suggesting I¡¯m blind?¡± All heads turned to him. That Alpha lowered his eyes in fear, but still refused to speak the truth. That silence only made things worse for me. I turned to Alpha Gideon, locking eyes with him. ¡°I understand your anger over this brawl, but I beg you to look deeper. Nothing here is what it seems. Look at these so¨Ccalled victims¨Cbloodied, broken, afraid but nothing else to say other than ming me for everything. Look at Alpha Ronan, whose presence is not causal. Look at Dante, who somehow received word of this fight only after it ended. Isn¡¯t all of this suspicious?¡± I felt Dante¡¯s burning eyes on my back that I easily ignored but not Ronan¡¯s stare. My muscles tensed¨CI hated using him as leverage, but right now, I was ready to do anything to stop this expulsion. ¡°And you,¡± I said quietly, meeting Dante¡¯s eyes, ¡°arrived suspiciously fast, only after it was over. Yet here you are¨Ccalm, spotless, uninvolved? Please don¡¯t treat others like they don¡¯t actually have brains to understand your game,¡± Dante¡¯s expression remained perfectlyposed, all innocence and cool detachment. But Alpha Gideon¡¯s silence stretched long, and that disturbed him. I pressed on. ¡°I¡¯ve heard that you, Alpha Gideon, value justice above all. That you are a man of integrity. So I ask for a hearing, a chance to defend myself properly. If I¡¯m found guilty after that, I will pack my bags and leave the Lupine Academy without a word, respecting your decision.¡± 8:18 PM P. Chapter 38 Suspicious My words echoed through the building. +8 Pearls Alpha Gideon stared at me, searching my eyes for deceit. His gaze lingered, sharp and prating. Then he turned to Ronan, studying him for a long moment. His eyes swept over the eight injured Alphas sprawled across the floor. Finally, his attentionnded on Dante. Silence thickened, everyone¡¯s eyes on his changing expression. ¡°Fine,¡± he said atst. Ireleased my breath, my wolf rxing in my mind for a bit. However it did notst long. The next thing I knew, I was standing in the center of the Academy¡¯s disciplinary chamber¨Cthe Grand Office of Alpha Instructors. Alpha Gideon sat in the central seat of judgment, nked by two senior Alphas: Alpha Hugo and Alpha Jude. I had only seen these twomanding Alphas from a distance before¨Chandsome, middle¨Caged, and clearly not men to be trifled with. But now, standing before them in the flesh, I could feel it: their presence radiated a power no less formidable than Alpha Gideon¡¯s. Their eyes swept the room¨Cfirst to Ronan on my right, then Dante on my left, and finally to the limping figures of Cassius and Reed, thetter¡¯s left arm wrapped in a fresh ster cast. Both had just staggered into the disciplinary chamber, their injuries stark reminders of the earlier chaos. ¡°Well, this is what I call a mess,¡± Alpha Hugo muttered, dragging a hand through his silver¨Cstreaked hair. Frustration roughened his voice, the kind of irritation that came from long years spent dealing with youthful disasters. In stark contrast, Alpha Jude leaned forward, elbow restingzily on the desk, chin bnced on his hand. His eyes, cool and unreadable, fixed on me with a stare that felt like a slow dissection. ¡°Alpha Seth Darven,¡± he said, voice calm butced with sharpness, ¡°give me one good reason why I should sit here and waste my time on this performance of yours. Let me guess the ending, just another reckless boy who made a fucked up mess but doesn¡¯t wants to deal with the consequences.¡± The air shifted sharply. There was something almost rogue¨Clike in his bluntness¨Cso casual, so cutting. It didn¡¯t match the polished decorum expected in a ce like this, Lupine Academy¡¯s highest chamber of judgment. But I steadily met his gaze, my voice calm. ¡°Because I am innocent.¡± The atmosphere instantly thickened. Eyes snapped to me¨Csome curious, others skeptical. Alpha Jude chewed on a fingernail, still not looking away. ¡°Got any proof?¡± ¡°Proof of my innocence?¡± ¡°You could call it that,¡± he said, voice dry. ¡°Then may I ask,¡± I replied slowly, ¡°is there any proof that I was the one who attacked those Alphas?¡± Send Gifts THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 39 Chapter 39 Hearing SERAPHINA Silence followed my words, a silence so taut it hummed in my ears. Alpha Jude¡¯s fingers paused mid¨Cthought against his chin. Alpha Hugo leaned back in his chair, exhaling slowly through his nose, though his expression remained unreadable. No recordings?¡± I asked, tilting my head as my eyes flicked to Reed and Cassius before shifting back to the instructors. ¡°No witnesses beyond those in this room? Then it¡¯s all hearsay, isn¡¯t it? And if that¡¯s the game we¡¯re ying, I¡¯d prefer mine be heard in full.¡± Reed shifted uneasily. Cassius refused to meet my gaze, chewing the inside of his cheek like it might erase the whimpering he¡¯d done earlier. ¡°I asked a question,¡± I said again, calm but firm, directing it at the two Alphas. ¡°Is there any proof I struck first?¡± ¡°Why does this hearing revolve around who struck first?¡± Dantezily interjected from the corner, his tone almost bored. ¡°You assaulted them. They¡¯re injured. You¡¯re not.¡± Ronan¡¯s voice cut through the air like a de¨Csmooth, cool, and terrifying in its certainty. ¡°Injuries don¡¯t prove guilt. They only prove who lost.¡± All eyes snapped to the two of them. Curiously, they never looked at each other, not even while arguing. The Alpha instructors exchanged a nce, clearly mind¨Clinking. Then Alpha Hugo leaned forward and asked me directly, ¡°Alpha Seth, let¡¯s start at the root of the matter. Did you attack them?¡± My muscles tensed. The truth could doom me, dere me guilty before this hearing even began. But I straightened my spine and nodded. ¡°I did.¡± Their expressions hardened in unison. ¡°But,¡± I continued before any of them could speak, ¡°I had a reason.¡± Alpha Gideon¡¯s voice cut in, sharp as a whip. ¡°And what reason could possibly justify the extent of violence you used? A broken hand, a shattered knee-¡± I nced at Ronan. His expression was unreadable¨Cno worry, no tension, as if this dangerous hearing had nothing to do with him. He looked like a man watching a y he already knew the ending of. ¡°Alpha Ronan,¡± I said meaningfully. He rolled his shoulders in a casual shrug, then, without a word, nodded toward the door. A momentter, it opened. Alpha Asher entered quietly, bowed respectfully to the instructors, and approached the desk. He ced a small ck ss bottle in front of them, then stepped back. Alpha Hugo lifted it with a puzzled frown. ¡°What is this?¡± ¡°That,¡± I said, my voice unwavering, ¡°is Alpha Ronan¡¯s cologne. Tampered with. Reed and Cassiusced it with a rare wild berry known to trigger rut in unmated Alphas. Their intent was to humiliate me by making me lose control, and drag Ronan down with me.¡± The air in the chamber shifted. Alpha Gideon¡¯s gaze snapped toward Reed and Cassius like a bullet¨Csharp, deadly, and full of rage. ¡°Tampering to force an Alpha into rut?¡± he snarled. ¡°Are you out of your damn minds?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a lie!¡± Reed shouted, his voice cracking. ¡°We never¨Che¡¯s framing us!¡± 8:18 PM P. Chapter 39 Hearing +8 Pearls Cassius jumped in quickly, voice rough with panic. ¡°You asked for proof, didn¡¯t you? Then where is it? You expect us to believe this berry proves anything?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t expect you to believe anything,¡± I replied coolly. ¡°But I do expect you to listen.¡± I reached into my pocket and pulled out a small, crushed berry¨Cthe same one I¡¯d picked up in the chaos. I ced it beside the bottle. ¡°This fell from Reed¡¯s pocket during the fight,¡± I exined. ¡°That¡¯s how I figured it out. He even admitted it, in front of Ronan and the others. They all heard him.¡± I gestured toward the berry, its faint scent still clinging to my fingertips. ¡°Even squeezed and crushed, you can smell what was mixed into that cologne.¡± Alpha Jude leaned forward and brought the bottle to his nose. He inhaled, his eyes narrowing. A momentter, he looked at Alpha Gideon and gave a single, grim nod. Confirmation. Reed and Cassius visibly paled as Iid out every detail. Their six fellow Alphapanions might¡¯ve stayed quiet so far, but if summoned to testify, they wouldn¡¯t risk lying¨Cnot in front of the Alpha instructors. Those idiots would confess before they were even asked just to protect their own standing. Reed and Cassius knew that. And judging by the panic flickering in their eyes, they were terrified. Alpha Jude narrowed his gaze, his voice a low snarl. ¡°Is this true? How dare you two stain the sacred legacy of this Academy with such vile behavior?¡± Their gazes snapped to each other, exchanging a desperate look. Then Reed spoke, ¡°It¡¯s all a lie, Alpha. He¡¯s making it up. We don¡¯t even know what that berry is. Never seen it before.¡± Cassius quickly backed him up, emboldened by the strategy. ¡°Exactly, I¡¯ve never seen that thing in my life. Hell, does it even grow in this region? Is anyone here familiar with it?¡± He nced around triumphantly before locking eyes with me. ¡°See, Darven? Not even the Alpha instructors have heard of it. So how dare you throw around usations based on something this absurd?¡± For a brief moment, the instructors¡® expressions shifted¨Cuncertainty flickering in their Ah. So they wanted to y dirty? Fine. eyes. I tilted my head slightly and gave them a razor¨Cedged smile. ¡°Of course you haven¡¯t seen those berries before¡­ because someone else gave them to you. Am I wrong?¡± Cassius¡® face twisted. ¡°Another baseless usation!¡± he shouted, but the crack in his voice betrayed his nerves. ¡°Go on, then,¡± I said, voice silky¨Csmooth. ¡°Say their name. Or are you afraid of getting your ass handed to you for exposing them?¡± Cassius red like a bull ready to charge. ¡°Don¡¯t try that smart¨Cmouth shit with me, motherfucker! I¡¯m not afraid of any hierarchy-¡± ¡°CASSIUS!!¡± Reed snapped, eyes wide with panic. But it was already toote. The corner of my mouth curved up slowly. ¡°Interesting. I never said it was someone in the hierarchy, Alpha Cassius.¡± A hush fell All eyes turned on him, and I watched sweat break across his brow as the implication of his outburst sank in. Reed cursed under his breath and red at me. ¡°You really are a cunning mutt, aren¡¯t you?¡± He stepped in close, teeth bared in frustration. ¡°Provoking us into saying things we never meant to say.¡± ¡°You mean like identally revealing that someone with rank was involved?¡± I shot back, my tone deceptively light. ¡°Cassius dropped the word ¡®hierarchy.¡® And the only two involved in this mess with that kind of status are Alpha Ronan¡­¡± I paused, letting my gaze drift. 712 Chapter 39 Hearing ¡°¡­and Alpha Dante.¡± The moment his name left my lips, the entire room stilled. Every gaze turned, sharp and searching, toward Dante. His expression didn¡¯t flinch, but I caught the steel hardening in his jaw. A warning. +8 Pearls Cassius¡® eyes flickered in panic. Reed nced at Dante, saw the cold threat in his face, and instantly stepped between me and Cassius like a wall. He loomed over me again, chest heaving. ¡°Shut your mouth. Don¡¯t drag Alpha Dante into this. He has nothing to do with us! You got any proof, huh?! Any at all?! No? Then keep your filthy mouth shut, liar!¡± From the corner of my eye, I saw Ronan move. His presence, once calm and restrained, now bristled with power. The air around him thickened, darkened. But before he could step in- I gasped. Loudly. ¡°Wait. Did you just call Alpha Ronan a liar?¡± The whole room froze. Reed¡¯s bravado crumbled instantly. ¡°N¨CNo! I¡ªwhen did I ever say that?! I didn¡¯t even mention him!¡± A small smile appeared on my lips, ¡°But it is Alpha Ronan who says that it was Alpha Dante. Denying his im, are you not calling Alpha Ronan¡­¡± I paused and titled my head, ¡°¡­a liar?¡± The room fell into a dead silence. Reed¡¯s shaking eyes went to Ronan who pinned him with a nk yet challenging stare. I turned toward Ronan, walking slowly, deliberately, until I stood just in front of him. Our gazes locked. ¡°Alpha Ronan,¡± I said softly. ¡°Time to finish your job as a watchdog. I¡¯m returning your prey to you, just like you wanted back then.¡± A slow srnirk curled his lips. ¡°You really do know when to release the leash.¡± He stepped in, closing thest inch between us. ¡°But I have a feeling¡­ you will discard this dogter, saying you hate dogs, right?¡± He read me. He caught me. I held his gaze, unflinching. ¡°That depends.¡± My voice dropped to a murmur only he could hear. ¡°Maybe I¡¯ll start liking the dog¡­ if he shows me he¡¯s worth keeping.¡± Send Gifts ¡£ THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 40 Chapter 40 Fate Sealed Behind The Closed Door SERAPHINA As the words slipped passed my lips, something shifted in Ronan¡¯s eyes. In that instant, I realized what I¡¯d truly said. He held my gaze¨Csteadily, silently¨Cas if daring me to look away. As if warning me that whatever I had stirred inside him would burn me too, should I let it ignite. But then- ¡°Are we seriously doing this?¡± Dante¡¯s tone was casual, even amused, but the tightness in his jaw betrayed the crack forming in hisposure. He turned to the Alpha instructors, arms spread slightly. ¡°This is bing a farce. I¡¯ve been unnecessarily dragged into something I have no connection to. Not even a sliver.¡± His eyes met mine, and something colder than fury glinted in them¨Clike a predator insulted to be named. Q ¡°I¡¯m here to win a battle that¡¯s raged for a thousand years, one no wolf has conquered in the past century, and to im my throne. I am not some adolescent ying games with berries and colognes,¡± he added, tone clipped with disdain. ¡°Whatever drama these pups are indulging in, it has nothing to do with me.¡± The room stilled, Reed and Cassius, who had been wavering moments ago, seemed to regain theirposure, emboldened by Dante¡¯s confidence. The instructors exchanged uncertain nces, torn between suspicion and political caution. But Ronan didn¡¯t flinch. Slowly, he stepped forward¨Ccutting through the tension with a calm far more dangerous than Dante¡¯s sharp voice. ¡°You are connected, Alpha Dante.¡± Dante¡¯s head turned sharply. ¡°Excuse me?¡± Ronan¡¯s gaze was unreadable, but there was steel in every word. ¡°The berry used to spike my cologne wasn¡¯t just any wild berry. It¡¯s called Vorren Berry, a rare variant that only grows in the eastern region of the werewolf realm,¡± he paused, his eyes never leaving Dante¡¯s. ¡°And the only wolf in this Academy with roots in the East¡­ is you.¡± The tension snapped taut. All heads swiveled toward Dante. I studied his faltering expression, the twitch of doubt in his eyes. He was shaken. So Asher hadn¡¯t been wrong when I overheard him earlier, Ronan and Dante were enemies. And Ronan, calcting as always, would¡¯ve investigated the moment he suspected tampering. Even if Ronan had always been the true threat to my disguise, right now¡­ I needed him. For now, he was my shield¨Cthe enemy of my enemy. And right now I had no hesitation in teaming up with him to get out of this mess and stop my expulsion. ¡°Interesting usation,¡± Dante said tightly. ¡°If you¡¯re going to spin tales, go all the way. Why don¡¯t you exin how I supposedly acquired these berries here at Lupine Academy? Are you suggesting I teleported back to the Eastern Realm just to pluck a few berries?¡± ¡°You didn¡¯t need to,¡± Ronan calmly replied. Alpha Hugo raised an eyebrow, ¡°Exin.¡± Ronan turned toward the instructors. ¡°During thest trial in ckmoon Forest, I spotted Vorren Berries growing in the forest¡¯s eastern perimeter. You remember that trial, don¡¯t you?¡± He turned back to Dante, voice sharpening. ¡°You recognized them too.¡± Dante¡¯s mouth twitched¡ªbut he quickly masked it behind a hollowugh. ¡°You¡¯re grasping at straws. You want so badly to tie this to me. When there were hundreds of Alphas in that forest. Dozens from the East. Anyone could have brought those berries back. Why are you using me without any solid proof, Alpha Ronan?¡± he raised an eyebrow. Because Vorren Berries grow abundantly in the East¨Cbut in the ckmoon Forest, they only appear in one ce: the Open Forest sector. And during the trial, only one Alpha ventured into that area¡­¡± Ronan turned to the instructors. ¡°Alpha Dante, he was assigned the Elk as his prey.¡± Dante went rigid. 8:18 PM Chapter 40 Fate Sealed Behind The Closed Door He had been the only one hunting Elk. The instructors turned to Dante sharply. Alpha Gideon narrowed his eyes. ¡°Is that true, Alpha Dante?¡± +8 Pearls Dante clenched his fists, red at Ronan and me, ¡°It¡¯s a lie. Just because I had been hunting Elk and had been in the Open Forest sector does not mean I am the one who brought those berries back. Anyone could have gone there and done that.¡± ¡°You can¡¯t get out of this with this, Alpha Dante,¡± I coldly stared back at him. ¡°You know you did this.¡± Dante¡¯s nostrils red as he stepped closer to me, ¡°Watch yourself when you use me. If you have any witness that witnessed me doing it or involved in any other act then prove it,¡± he demanded. ¡°Alpha Cassius already spilled the beans on your involvement earlier, Alpha Dante. How much proof do you want? You should have chosen better pawns to assist you with your dirty work,¡± I pointed out looking deeply into his furious blue eyes. He could not say a word. His silence wrapped around him like a noose. Cassius looked ready to pass out. Reed¡¯s face twisted in silent panic as realization dawned¨Cif Dante fell, they would fall with him. ¡°Stop dragging this hearing out by involving innocent people!¡± Reed snapped. ¡°Innocent?¡± I chuckled, my voice low and dangerous. ¡°Yeah, we¡¯re fucking innocent! You¡¯re the rogue here!¡± he spat. ¡°You broke Academy rules, so pack your bags and get the hell out. Honestly, what could a malnourished wretch like you possibly do here? Don¡¯t tell me you dream of iming the throne. A pretty bastard with a bewitching, womanly frame like yours? You¡¯re only fit to be a male whore, kept to serve the king¡¯s needs-¡± ¡°Alpha Reed!¡± Alpha Gideon thundered, his voiceced with fury. But before the weight of the warning couldnd, I heard Ronan¡¯s boots shift against the floor. I didn¡¯t know what he intended to do, but I moved before he could. I stepped forward, cing myself just inches from him. Phina was snarling in my mind, demanding control, desperate to tear the arrogant Alpha limb from limb for daring to insult us in front of everyone. Reed¡¯s jaw clenched as he met my silent stare. ¡°What? Are you angry now?¡± I smiled. ¡°Yes.¡± His smirk vanished. Every Alpha watching stiffened. ¡°You should¡¯ve said anything¨Canything at all¨Cexcept question my worth for the throne,¡± I whispered. His eyes widened, panic flickering behind them as he instinctively stepped back. ¡°Pleasee in, Alpha Finn,¡± I called loudly. A momentter, Finn entered the room. He gave Ronan a quick nce, then surveyed the room before walking up to me. In his hands was a small leather¨Cbound journal. ¡°Here¡¯s what you asked for,¡± he said, handing it to me. ¡°Thank you.¡± ¡°-That¡¯s my diary!¡± Reed blurted, his voice rising with panic. ¡°Why do you have my-¡± He lunged, but I sidestepped and ced the journal squarely on the instructors¡® desk, pping a folded note down beside it. Alpha Hugo frowned as he picked up the note. ¡°This is¡­¡± ¡°Pleasepare the handwriting in this note and in the diary,¡± I calmly requested. 8:18 PM P. Chapter 40 Fate Sealed Behind The Closed Door P +8 Pearls The instructors leaned in, flipping through the pages and examining the note. Within seconds, their gazes hardened. All eyes turned to Reed, now sweating bullets. ¡°What the hell is going on here?¡± Alpha Gideon demanded. Finn stepped forward. His voice was firm, but his eyes found mine before he spoke. ¡°I¡¯d like to exin, Alpha.¡± And he did. Finn told them everything¨Cfrom being bullied, to sneaking off in my ce, to me stepping in to protect him. How Reed, Cassius, and the others had abused and manipted him in a scheme to trap me. How the events that led to this entire confrontation were calcted and cruel. By the time he finished, the room was silent. Dead silent. The instructors stared at us with unreadable expressions. None of them looked the least bit pleased. ¡°You little fools,¡± Alpha Jude growled, his eyes bleeding into red. ¡°You treated this Academy like a joke,¡± Alpha Hugo snarled. ¡°Everyone out!¡± Alpha Gideon roared. An Alpha assistant appeared, ushering us toward the doors, but I didn¡¯t move. I couldn¡¯t. If I walked out now, it was over. My fate would be decided without me. So instead, I stood my ground, raised my chin, and met the instructors¡® gazes. ¡°I fought to defend myself,¡± I began, my voice clear and strong. ¡°But I only became violent when I discovered the truth, when I realized these Alphas tampered with Ronan¡¯s cologne to ruin me.¡± Everyone paused at the threshold. ¡°They were just as violent. They came at me as a group. I reacted to the situation I was forced into. And I believe any Alpha- any of you¨Cif your dignity had been threatened the way mine was, if your name was on the verge of being tarnished forever by an act that vile, you would have torn them apart without hesitation.¡± My eyes locked on Reed. Then Cassius. And finally, Dante. ¡°If anyone here thinks this was some petty, avoidable squabble¨Cput yourself in my ce,¡± I said, turning back to the instructors. ¡°Now tell me¡­ what would you have done?¡± Silence. Not a single Alpha answered. I knew why. Their pride ran deeper than any sense of morality. For them, standing naked after a shift was one thing. But losing control during rut¨Cbeing forced, humiliated, branded forever as someone who¡¯d been tricked into rutting another male¨Cthat was a stain they could never outlive. Having finished what I needed to say, I turned and walked out of the room. The door shut behind me with a soft click, and I found myself standing between Ronan and Dante. Their wolves nked thern, both brimming with tension and dominance. I stood still, fists clenched at my sides, eyes fixed on the closed door where my fate would be sealed. THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 41 Chapter 41 Decision THIRD PERSON POV Behind the closed doors of the Alpha Instructors¡® office, silence reigned. The air was heavy with unspoken thoughts until Alpha Hugo leaned back in his chair with a weary groan. ¡°None of them are innocent.¡± Alpha Jude snorted coldly. ¡°Like we didn¡¯t already fucking know that from the beginning. Let¡¯s not pretend. We¡¯ve all known for a while, no Alpha in this Academy is pure. They¡¯re beasts when we¡¯re not looking.¡± Hugo nodded grimly. ¡°But this time, it¡¯s gone too far. This isn¡¯t just bullying, posturing, or the usual in¨Cfighting we might overlook. This is something darker¨Cdeliberate tampering, provoked ruts, violence that nearly escted beyond control¡­ and all of it buried beneath a web of lies too tangled to unravel without concrete proof or willing witnesses.¡± Jude¡¯s jaw clenched. ¡°This all has be difficult due to Ronan and Dante. I can clearly sense that Dante is the one who brought the berry into the mix but Ronan is not clean at all. He should have brought this matter to the instructors otherwise this situation would not have reached this point. Not to forget he actually sat in that building and watched the in¨Cfighting Jinstead of stopping it. Even without violence his crime is no less than Dante¡¯s. And I don¡¯t even want to fuicking start with Reed and Casisus, he furiously growled, crushing the note in his palm. Both Hugo and Jude turned to Alpha Gideon, who had remained stoically silent. Their voices dropped low with gravity. ¡°What do we do now, Gideon? This isn¡¯t something that can be cleaned up with the expulsion of one Alpha. Seven are involved. Seven, Jude emphasized. ¡°And every one of them is from an influential bloodline. Two are direct heirs. While we can sense who the real victim is, we don¡¯t have the solid evidence to punish the true instigators.¡± Hugo added, ¡°And if we don¡¯t resolve this quickly and quietly, this scandal will spread beyond these walls. The Council will hear of it. And if it reaches the Alpha King¡­¡± He trailed off, but the implication lingered in the air like a storm cloud. ¡°To be frank,¡± Hugo continued, ¡°if that cologne tampering had seeded, it wouldn¡¯t just be a petty matter. Alpha Seth Darven¡¯s name was on the line. His background, his pack¨Cthey carry enormous weight. And the other Alpha who was almost dragged into this? Ronan. I don¡¯t need to tell either of you what it means to provoke someone from that bloodline. And then Dante¡¯s bloodline¡­¡± Alpha Gideon exhaled heavily, his jaw tightening. ¡°This is a unique case. One where choosing a side¨Cany side¨Crisks. toppling the Academy¡¯s reputation. If we act with justice, it could be interpreted as bias. If we remain neutral, we fail our duties. And if this reaches the wrong ears¡­¡± He didn¡¯t finish. He didn¡¯t have to. Silence descended again, thick and suffocating. Finally, Alpha Hugo broke it. ¡°Then what do we do, Gideon? We can¡¯t deliver proper justice. But we also can¡¯t ignore what¡¯s happened.¡± Alphia Gideon¡¯s eyes were steely as he slowly rose from his seat, shoulders squared beneath the weight of authority and consequence. His voice was sharp, resolute. I have already made my decision.¡± SERAPHINA The hallway felt suffocating No one spoke, though many looked like they wanted to. An assistant Alpha instructor stood nearby, ensuring silence reigned. But that didn¡¯t stop Reed and Cassius from ring daggers at me. I refused to even nce in Dante¡¯s direction, though the uppressive weight of his furious aura filled the air like a thunderstorm waiting to break. I didn¡¯t care about anyone¡¯s hatred or hostility. My future was dangling by a thread, and the panic pounding in my chest threatened to choke me. I didn¡¯t notice that across from me, Ronan had been leaning against the wall, his eyes locked on the entire time. He had noticed, my nails scratching at my own skin so relentlessly that blood had started to drip down my fingers. I hadn¡¯t even felt it. No pain. No sting. Just numbness. 11:49 AM p p Chapter 41 Decision +8 Pearls Sometimeter, when the doors finally opened, the tension in the hallway spiked. Every Alpha standing outside straightened. instinctively bracing as the instructors stepped out¨Cgrim¨Cfaced, their silence more punishing than any spoken word. My heart started drumming in my chest. Alpha Gideon¡¯s gaze swept across on us like a de. ¡°What happened has tarnished the name of Lupine Academy. This isn¡¯t some brawl or juvenile mischief. This was a calcted attempt to destroy the reputation of a fellow Alpha through illegal substances, maniption, and force.¡± No one moved. Reed had gone pale. Cassius looked like he wanted to disappear. Even Dante¡¯s confident stance had a crack in it now¨Chis arms crossed too tightly, his jaw clenched in silent rage. ¡°We have no concrete evidence to pursue a full tribunal,¡± Alpha Gideon continued. ¡°No official witnesses willing to testify to every act. But we do have enough to deliver judgment.¡± He then set his eyes on Reed and Cassius. ¡°Reed and Cassius, for your role in inciting violence, manipting fellow Alphas, and contributing to a bullying and violence through intimidation, not to mention the sinful act of provoking nut from the other Alphas, your punishments are as follows:¡± Reed and Cassius held their breaths as Alpha Jude announced. ¡°You are hereby stripped of your dorm privileges. Effective immediately, you will be removed from your rooms and relocated to isted quarters on opposite ends of the Academy. You are forbidden from interacting with each other for as long as you attend the Lupine Academy or even be seen in the same vicinity unless under instructor supervision. No warning will be given if the orders are not followed. It will just lead to a direct expulsion.¡± ¡°What?¡± Cassius¡¯s face drained of color. Reed¡¯s jaw dropped in shock and he looked like he had been paralyzed. Alpha Jude added darkly, ¡°And as a personal reminder: every instructor will have eyes on you both. One misstep¨Cjust one- and you¡¯re out.¡± ¡°Your families will be notified. And let¡¯s see how proud they feel now. The wordsnded like stones for them. ¡°Alpha Ronan and Alpha Dante,¡± Alpha Gideon turned to them, gaze hard. ¡°Alpha Dante your involvement is still under investigation due to insufficient direct proof, but your indirect influence and presence in this scandal are undeniable.¡± Dante¡¯s face remained still, but his eyes darkened like storm clouds, ¡°And Alpha Ronan, your actions of keeping silent actually made the spark into fire. And this scandal got to such an ugly stage.¡± Ronan¡¯s expression hardened. Alpha Gideon paused and looked between the two of them as he announced, ¡°yos, two are stripped of your hierarchy ranks!¡± Dante¡¯s eyes widened while Ronan was indifferent. Both of them stared at the Alpha instructor as if they were about to shed blood Alpha Hugo added grily. ¡°Now you two are like other wolves, that means you are also stripped of the facilities the hierarclues are given. Moreover, if either of you are involved in any other scandal or fight in the future, you will face the consequences beyond anything that you could have never imagined.¡± The words boomed like a curse in the hallway leaving everyone, even me, shocked and speechless to no end. My heart froze as I looked at Dante Hisposure was fracturing. Rage danced behind his eyes like wildfire, but he held it back¨Cbarely ben looked at Ronan I didn¡¯t know if it was fate or coincidence, but he looked at me at the same moment There was anger in his eyes. No hatred just something hollow, unreadable¨Cand for some reason, it struck me harder than any punishment. 11:49 AM Chapter 41 Decision ¡°As for Alpha Seth Alpha Gideon started. I tore my eyes from Ronan and looked at him. +8 Pearts Everyone¡¯s eyes focused on me as I met the three Alphas gazes without blinking. I had said I would ept even expulsion if they allowed the hearing. And now I was ready for my consequences. The three instructors exchanged looks once before Alpha Gideon started. ¡°You defended yourself with force, but under extreme provocation. Still you used violence and were involved with in¨Cfighting. Your punishment stands as monitored probation. You will be assigned to an instructor for behavioral guidance andbat discipline. Since it was an act of defense. I take back my decision of your expulsion from the Academy.¡± I forgot to breathe. What did I just hear? My expulsion¡­they stopped it. Unknown to me Ronan had been looking at me the whole time, his lips curling when my face regained color and I breathed again. ¡°Everyone go back to your training. Alpha Jude ordered. Footsteps echoed down the corridor as the crowd dispersed, but I couldn¡¯t move. The three instructors were still staring at Alpha Gideon stepped forward. He stopped just a hand¡¯s breadth away and looked me in the eye. ¡°As a man. I¡¯ll admit¨Cif I were in your ce, I would have torn those two into a thousand pieces.¡± He held my gaze for a long moment. Then he turned and walked away, Hugo and Jude following behind. The hallway was empty now. I stood alone, motionless, eyes slowly drifting shut. My body had gone cold, weighed down by everything I had endured. I had done it I had stopped the expulsion. My hands trembled at my sides. And the next thing I knew, my head spun. The world tilted sharply. ! lost my bnce. But didn¡¯t hit the floor. trong and firm around my waist. An arm caught me mid¨Cfall, strong Gaping, I slowly opened my eyes, vision blurry with exhaustion, emotions, and confusion. Someone was holding me. L forced my vision to clear but could not see. ¡°What are you¡­¡± I whispered under my breath before I was slowly pulled into the darkness unable to hear what he whispered in my ears ¡°You can stand tall in front of everyone.. but when you fall, you fall into me.¡± Send Gifts THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 42 Chapter 42 Your Room? SERAPHINA Something warm seeped into my flesh. Not fire, not pain- something quieter. Familiar. It wrapped around me in my half¨Cconscious haze, like the sun resting on my skin through a window I couldn¡¯t see I wasn¡¯t walking. I was being carried. Who was it? Somewhere in the dark folds of my exhaustion, I could feel it: strong arms holding me steady, each step measured, each breath near my hair. My head rested against a solid chest, and for a fleeting moment, I let myself fall into it. That quiet strength. That unexpected peace. And then it was cor gone. I blinked, slowly surfacing from the fog. White walls. Soft sheets under my palms. I was lying on a bed. Definitely not mine.. Where was I My gaze shifted around the room- unfamiliar and yet oddly quiet. It did not look like an Academy dorm! This one was smaller, tucked away, and far too clean. My throat was dry, and my arm¨Cmy left arm¨Cached beneath the bandages wrapped from shoulder to wrist. The door creaked open, and a man stepped inside¨Ctall, lean, with a clipboard in one hand and a worn badge hanging around his neck. ¡°You¡¯re awake,¡± he said with a small smile. ¡°That¡¯s good.¡± ¡°Where¡­ am 1 1 rasped, voice hoarse from sleep. ¡°You¡¯re in the Academy¡¯s secondary medical wing and I am healer Aran.¡± he replied, walking over and checking the IV drip beside me. I blinked. I never knew the Academy had healers. ¡°You fainted due to blood loss and exhaustion. Nothing life- threatening, thanks to your wolf¡¯s healing abilities¨Cbut you gave us a scare.¡± I frowned, confused. ¡°Blood loss?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± he nodded. ¡°Your arm. There was a deep puncture wound and bruising it looked like it was caused by a metal rod, possibly silver¨Ccoated. His expression hardened slightly. You should have here as soon as you were injured. You¡¯re lucky it didn¡¯t go deeper.¡± I pursed my lips. It was Reed who had hit me with that rod. Of course at the time I was about to be expelled from the Academy and I could have cared less about the pain and bleeding in my arm. ¡°You¡¯ve been treated, and your wolf has already started the internal healing. But still I suggest you stay in bed for a few more hours. Let your system recover,¡± he exined. I nodded faintly, though my mind had already started spinning in a different direction. ¡°How long have I been here?¡± ¡°A little over ten hours¡± My eyes widened and my head snapped to the clock on the wall. It was already evening! Then you should rest,¡± the healer started to leave but I stopped him. ¡°Who bought me here?¡± I asked. He paused, straightening up. ¡°I don¡¯t know his name, he admitted. ¡°He didn¡¯t speak much. Just a tall, handsome Alpha. With a strong build.¡± he exined, 11:49 AMP P. Chapter 42 Your Room? then turned and left. 1 sat there confused. Tall handsome Alpha? That was almost the description of every Alpha, tall and strong build, in this academy and handsome too. Tall Alpha Something in my chest shifted. +8 Pearls Except for the phantom echo of arms that had held me¨Ctoo carefully for a stranger, too silently for someone who didn¡¯t care. I nced at the clock as I got out of bed. I could not stay here and rest. Too many hours had passed. What would have happened in the Academy. I exited the healer wing and walked in the dorm building. ¡°Seth!¡± Finn¡¯s voice snapped me out of my thoughts just as I stepped into the dormitory corridor. He jogged up, concern etched into his face. ¡°Where did you disappear to? I¡¯ve been looking everywhere for you- He stopped mid¨Csentence, his eyes dropping to the thick bandage wrapped around my left arm. ¡°What the hell happened to your ann?¡± I shook my head slightly, trying to downy it. ¡°It¡¯s nothing serious,¡± I murmured, brushing off his concern. ¡°Just a wound. It¡¯s already healing¡± He didn¡¯t look convinced. ¡°That doesn¡¯t look like ¡®nothing: Seth. Did that happen back during the fight? ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± I repeated, forcing a faint smirk. ¡°You know me, I¡¯ve had worse.¡± Before he could press further, a dorm assistant approached. He was holding a tablet and wore the ck¨Cand¨Cgold uniform of the Academy. ¡°Alpha Finn?¡± he asked. Finn straightened. ¡°Yeah?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve been instructed to inform you that your belongings have been relocated to the hierarchy housing floor. Your new room is ready. Please report to the dorm office for confirmation,¡± he said before turning and walking off. blinked, surprised. ¡°Wait¨CFinn, you won in the finalbat?¡± Now his injuries from earlier made sense. Finn gave a modest nod. ¡°Yeah.¡±¡± ¡°Wow Congrattions!¡± I smiled. But then a flicker of guilt crossed his face. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± I asked, confused. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± he admitted ¡°I feel like I only won because you showed up at that building to help me. You couldn¡¯t make it to your own match because of ine. It feels like I stole the spot that was meant for you.¡± A shortugh escaped me ¡°What nonsense are you thinking in that head of yours? How could you steal something that was ine to begin with! You fought You won That spot belongs to you. Finn And I¡¯m really d it¡¯s you.¡± ¡°Really?¡± he asked softly I said, more firmly this time. ¡°My mother us in my destiny. And honestly. I¡¯m okay with that¡® say we only receive what¡¯s meant for us aths that room 11:49 AM PP Chapter 42 Your Room? Relief visibly softened the tight lines on Finn¡¯s face. +8 Pearls We started walking down the hallway together, and he filled me in on what had happened while I was unconscious. The entire Academy was in an uproar. Reed and Cassius had been punished, they were forbidden from speaking to each other and had already been booted from the dorms. But that wasn¡¯t what had everyone on edge. The e real shock was that Ronan and Dante had been stripped of their hierarchy status. And I didn¡¯t have to guess who the Academy med. As I passed through the corridor, dozens of eyes followed me¨Cjudging, hostile, disapproving. The message was clear in every nce: This was my fault. We stopped at a fork in the hallway. ¡°You¡¯re heading that way, right?¡± I asked. Finn nodded, his expression still a touch hesitant. ¡°Will you be okay?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll be fine.¡± I said with a soft smile. We said our goodbyes, and I made my way back to the dorm room¨Cnowpletely empty. Finn had moved out. Reed and Cassius were gone. The space felt bigger, echoing with silence. I shut the door behind me and looked around. Without their beds and chaos, the room was almost peaceful. I took a breath. Alone. For the first time. It wasn¡¯t such a bad thing. I slipped off my zer and started unbuttoning freeze. Startled, I turned. my shirt when the soft click of the door opening behind me made my fingers Ronan. He stepped inside and calmly shut the door behind him. ¡°You!¡± I gasped. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± He said nothing, his eyes trailing from the bandage on my arm to the rise and fall of my chest, then lower¨Cwatching me like a storm about to break. And then he started walking toward me. Slow. Intentional. Predatory. I instinctively stepped back. ¡°What¡­ what are you doing?¡± ¡°What a person does in his room. Seth Darven,¡± he said, voice low, eyes locked on mine My heart thudded violently. ¡°Your room?¡± I echoed, eyes widening as the pieces clicked together. The hierarchy room, be¡¯d lost it. Which meant.. He was staying here Permanently. Alune Lark My back hit the wall just as he closed the distance, caging ine between his body and the cold surface. His gute dropped to my lips before lifting to my eyes, something dangerous and dark glinting behind them. 11:40 AMP P THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 43 Chapter 43 Countdown SERAPHINA ¡°Then¡­¡± he whispered, lips just a breath from mine, ¡°should we go to bed?¡± The air between us thinned. My heart mmed against my ribs, wild and fast like it had forgotten every rule it ever followed. His words shouldn¡¯t have curled down my spine like they did. They shouldn¡¯t have awakened that low, aching pull in my stomach¨Cor that terrifying warmth unfurling in my chest like a re ready to ignite. ¡°Have you lost your mind?!¡± I reached out to push his chest away but he pinned my hand beside my head. ¡°To sleep. I have to lose my mind?¡± he asked, the smell of coffee on his breath filling my lungs as my entire body froze at being handled by him this way, ¡°From now on it¡¯s just you and me behind this closed door. Every night. No one else.¡± Every night? I flushed hard¨Cfreaking burned¨Cfrom my neck to my ears. -You¨Care you on drugs or something?! Let me go!¡± I struggled in his grasp and for some reason I felt no power in my limbs. What was this? I could easily break free but suddenly when it was him I could not do anything other than struggle. Could it be because of weakness due to blood loss? Whatever it was, the timing could not have been worse. I had to get away from him or my heat¡­ What if my heat returned?! ¡°Let goll¡± I growled, this time furiously. He met my eyes without blinking, ¡°Why? Didn¡¯t you say you would start liking the watchdog if it showed his worth?¡± I froze mid struggle in surprise. He still remembered that? Was that why he was acting this way? But then again¡­ had not I dug my own grave promising something like that? Liking the watchdog meant liking Ronan. And that was something that I could not afford. ¡°About that¡­¡± I stammered, looking everywhere but at him. ¡°I actually tried to like it but you know¡­¡± ¡°But what?¡± he raised anieyebrow, clearly not liking the way I was talking. I quickly tried to think of something, anything to get out of this disaster. He felt like a sword at my throat, studying my every expression. So I blurted out whatever came to mind, ¡°You are dude and I could not bring myself to like a dude.¡± Ronan froze at my response for a moment before his eyes turned nk and he looked scary. I secretly swallowed and summoned all my strength to yank my hands out of his grasp, pushed him away and quickly moved to any cupboard under his gaze. I quickly pulled out my clothes for the night and exited the door without looking back. I did not stop until I was at the end of the corridor. It waspletely empty and that¡¯s when I stopped. I leaned against the wall and clenched my chest and tried to catch my breath. What was this feeling? I felt like crap treating him that way. I felt as if I had betrayed him or something. But what I did was for the best. I had to stay away from him or my disguise was at risk. It was my top priority, he was never a part of my n or my aim then why did I feel this way? For a long time I could not move until a shadow fell over me. Phina awoke in my mind recognizing this presence. I slowly lifted my gaze to meet a pair of blue eyes. Dante. I hadn¡¯t expected to run into him. Not here. Not like this. He wasn¡¯t wearing the elite jacket anymore. The crest had been stripped from his chest. And yet, somehow, he still looked like a member of the hierarchy ¨C untouchable, unwervingly still Our eyes locked and in that moment, I knew I should not be around this man. Especially after what happened. ¡°Running away?¡± he asked. I had barely taken two steps away. Before I stopped and turned towards him, ¡°Yeah, Fin not in the mood to be around. He chuckled, ¡°Met Evil¡± He stepped closer to ine, ¡°Just this little incident has you scared of me? Seeing you stand in front of 11:49 AM P P ¨C Chapter 43 Countdown +8 Pearls the Alpha instructors and fight to stop your expulsion, I felt as if you were a long shot racehorse. If you start getting scared this early, how are you going to stand the uing storm?¡± Every word out of his mouth held a hidden meaning that made me uneasy on many levels. I stared deeply into his eyes and asked, ¡°You don¡¯t want me in this Academy, right?¡± as the words left my mouth, his expression changed. I guessed correctly. ¡°Why?¡± I asked, talking a step closer to him, ¡°it can not only be because I ruined your shirt on the day that I came here, right?¡± He stared at me coldly but I did not stop. ¡°Tell me, why are you so eager to kick me out of this academy?¡± ¡°You should not have interfered.¡± he suddenly said, voice low but razor¨Csharp. ¡°What?¡± I cocked my brows. He stepped forward, just once. Not enough to be threatening. But enough that the shadows didn¡¯t hide his face anymore. ¡°You were expelled. But instead of yielding, you rebelled. You fight and you win. You challenged the willid before you, like you thought you could outmaneuver fate.¡± His eyes pinned me in ce. ¡°But when someone dares to rise against what the threads that destiny has spun, they don¡¯t just trip. They fall¨Chard. And when they fall, they drag others down with them.¡± My spine stiffened. ¡°What the hell are you talking about?¡± He suddenly got closer to me and grabbed my arm, ¡°I am saying that you fucked yourself,¡± fury burned in his eyes as he leaned down into my face and growled, ¡°The count down has begun. ¡°Disaster always follows those who think they can outrun destiny. And your density is no longer in control from now on.¡± Send Gifts THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 44 Chapter 44 Does He Knows SERAPHINA Dante¡¯s words clung to me like a shadow long after he disappeared down the corridor, echoing through my mind even as 1 changed in the bathroom stall. ¡°Disaster always follows those who think they can outrun destiny.¡± My footsteps echoed too loudly in the empty dormitory hallway, the overhead lights flickering like even they were uncertain. But it wasn¡¯t just what Dante said, it was how he said it. It hadn¡¯t felt like a warning. It felt like a countdown had begun. As if I¡¯d already triggered something I couldn¡¯t undo. What was it? I inhaled slowly, trying to shake the weight of his gaze¨Cthe steel certainty in his voice. But it lingered in my chest like smoke. Thick. Suffocating. Toxic. What had I done? I survived. I fought back. I protected myself¡­ my future. But in doing so, had I tugged on a thread that kept something far darker at bay? My steps slowed as I reached the dormitory floor. My pulse quickened again, but not because of Dante this time. Because of him. Ronan. The moment I pushed the door open, I felt it a shift in the air. It was thick with tension, heavy with dominance, threaded with something wild and feral. The room was dimly lit and there he was. Seated on his bed like a fallen king, his posture rxed, but his wolf¡¯s eyes were anything but. Violet and sharp, they burned like twin embers in the low light, locking onto mine with bone¨Cdeep intensity. My heart kicked into a sprint. I had hoped¨Cstupidly¨Cthat he would¡¯ve gotten bored. That he¡¯d moved to another room. That he was done with me. But he wasn¡¯t done. He hadn¡¯t even started, I could tell from his gaze. ¡°You¡¯rete,¡± Ronan murmured, voice low and smooth¨Clethal in its calm. ¡°I was starting to think you ran away.¡± His gaze dragged slowly over me, possessively, pausing far too long at my chest. I froze by the door, hand tightening around the knob. ¡°What are you still doing here?¡± He didn¡¯t answer right away. Instead, he leaned back with a slow, predatory stretch, the tight ck shirt clinging to the ridges of his torso. Shadows curled along his sharp jawline, making him look like he¡¯d been carved from storm clouds and stone. ¡°I sold you,¡± he said evenly ¡°This is our room now.¡± My Ingath caught in my throat. Had hepletely ignored what I said? That I wasn¡¯t into men? That I didn¡¯t like him? -I 1- told you, I¡¯m noi- My voice faltered. Before I could fuush, he pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it aside¨Cnever breaking eye contact. The smooth, deliberate way he moved made my skin thush despite myself 11:50 AM Chapter 44 Does He Knows ¡°What?¡± he asked, voice slow, dangerous. ¡°Not undressing?¡± Panic wed up my spine as realization struck. I spun around, reaching for the door¨Cbut in the blink of an eye, two strong hands pped onto the wood on either side of me, caging me in.. I froze, trapped between the cold door and the heat of his body. His chest brushed my back, close enough for me to feel every breath. ¡°Seth Darven,¡± he whispered, his breath warm against my hair as he leaned in, inhaling. ¡°Did you really think you could toy with me and get away with it?¡± My throat dried instantly. His voice, it wasn¡¯t just low. It sank into me, stirring something primal in my wolf, something that no other man had ever touched. ¡°Did you not realize¡­¡± he continued, voice a dangerous purr, ¡°that the watch dog you seduced would bite if you tried to abandon him?¡± Those words¨Cthose wordsnded like sparks on dry tinder. The moment 1 feh the unmistakable pressure of his chest pressing into my back, my body reacted before I could think. Spinning around, I raised my hands to shove him away- But he was already prepared. He grabbed my hand and pulled me closer to his chest. ¡°Not again. Tonight you are not running out of this room. His whisper sent chills straight to my bones. I mmed my heel into his foot, using the jolt of surprise to wrench one arm free and shove him backwards. Not graceful, not clean¨Cbut enough to make him stumble. I didn¡¯t look back. I ran. But the next second, he grabbed me by my waist and pushed me on the bed. My body bounced two times on his bed as I watched him climbing on the bed. I turned to get out but he pulled me back by my leg, causing me to fall face¨Cdown on the bed. My chest pressed into his mattress, my arms beneath me, and he seemed to be using just enough of his weight to pin me in ce, without fully crushing me. ¡°What the hell are you doing?!¡± I snapped, breath catching as panic surged the moment he climbed over me and I realised how dangerous of a position we were in, ¡°Let me go!¡± I shouted, this time really terrified of his intentions. He leaned in close, lips brushing the shell of my ear. ¡°What are you so scared of? Me? I wonder why?¡± My heart mmed against my ribs. ¡°What the hell are you talking about?!¡± I snapped, my voice sharp, but my panic sharper. ¡°Why the fuck would I be scared of you? Sure, your creepy actions are making my skin crawl, but that¡¯s not fear¨Cit¡¯s disgust.¡± I twisted, struggling beneath him. ¡°You¡¯re pinning a man to your bed and asking me, What I¡¯m afraid of¡± 1 let out a bitter . ¡°Is this your idea of proving how powerful you are? Is this how desperate you are to feel superior¨Cby doing something this sick?¡± If I couldn¡¯t outmatch him physically, I had to get in his head so that I could break this dangerously close proximity. Throw him off. Push him back where it hurts most. His pride as a man. ¡°Don¡¯t you feel disgusted. Ronan?¡± Hussed. ¡°Doing this to a man?¡± The room drujiped into heavy silence¡ªthick, suffocating. For two seconds. I thought I got him but then came a chuckle, Low Suft. Dangerous. A shaver snaked down my spine ¡°Man¡± he repeated. Its leath grazing my car, cach word slower, darker, more deliberate than thest. ¡°You move too uefully. Always on alert. Always calcting¡± Hp igers brushed the curve of my waist and I instantly stiffened 11:50 A AM Chapter 44 Does He Knows +8 Pearls ¡°You dodge every touch like it might burn you. You flinch when someone brushes passed. You never undress in front of anyone, not once. You sleep fully clothed. You walk like you¡¯re hiding something buried under your skin.¡± My breath caught, frozen in my chest. ¡°You mask your scent. You¡¯ve never shifted, not even inbat.¡± He paused, just long enough to let the weight of his words settle into my bones like ice. ¡°And you shower every night.¡± he whispered. ¡°Alone. In the middle of the night. Like you¡¯re scrubbing something away that no one¡¯s supposed to see. I nearly stopped breathing. Each word carved deeper than thest. He¡¯d been watching me. Not just casually, not in passing. He¡¯d studied me. Observed Measured. And he¡¯d seen far more than I ever intended. ¡°Seth Darven.¡± he murmured, dragging me out of the storm of my own thoughts. He hovered above me still¨Ccalm, quiet, predatory. Like a wolf savoring the stillness before the kill. And then- ¡°And you look away from my manhood when we both had the same beast between our legs,¡± his hand slid from my waist, slowly rising- Toward my breast. ¡°Or not?¡± I snapped. Fueled by sheer panic, I twisted violently beneath him, shoving with every ounce of strength I had. He staggered just enough for me to slip free, and I scrambled upright, heart hammering, breath shallow. ¡°If you ever y this sick game with me again,¡± I growled, voice raw and shaking as I yanked open the door. ¡°I¡¯ll kill you.¡± I didn¡¯t look back. I bolted It wasn¡¯t until I rounded the corner of the hallway that my knees gave out. I copsed against the wall, sliding down like a puppet with its strings cut My lungs heaved, my fingers trembling as I clutched my chest. ¡°Does he know Send Gifts 11.50 AM Pp. THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 45 Chapter 45 The Scent Of A Lic RONAN Beforebate started that afternoon to im the hierarchy room. Asher handed me a ck folder I¡¯d asked him to dig up ¡ªthanks to a few favors owed from internal staff. The Academy liked to believe its files were sacred. Sealed Secure. But once the right offer is made¨Cone too tempting to refuse¨Csacred and sealed lose all meaning. I flipped it open.. The name I expected. There it was. The Seth Darven. Pack of Ironshade Ridge. Age: 20. Only son of Alpha Benjamine and Luna Marrisa. I scanned the records. Combat experience. Evaluation history. Standard aptitude metrics. But something felt¡­ wrong. Too clean. Too limited. Too polished. And the photo: Missing. Just a ceholder silhouette. Someone probably hacked into the records and smoothly crafted everything to decisive people. Or the data simply belonged to the real Seth Darven It really had fooled the others. But me? At present, the door mmed with a sharp crack that echoed long after Seth¨Cno, she was gone. ¨C I remained on the bed, unmoving on the wrinkled sheet from our scuffle. It was still warm from her thin body twisted beneath mine. My lips curled into a slow, dangerous smile. She hadn¡¯t looked back. Not once. Good. back The wolf inside me stirred, restless, ears perked, pacing in tight, agitated circles. He hated being denied. Hated the lies. The deception. But he loved the chase. And this chase? It was bing delicious. Delicious like the way her heart had beat intently and her breathing barely rested in her lungs. 1 lowered iny gaze to my hand¡ªthe same hand that had slipped beneath the loose hem of her shirt, brushing skin so soft it made my blood pulse with something primal. I brought my fingers to my nose and inhaled deeply Her scent was faint So faint l¡¯almost missed But it was there. Not sweat. Not musk. Not the usual reck of testosterone musked with harsh cologne or scent hiding perfume she always wore. This scent was different Subtle Clean, Femiume. Suh like wildvender in the rain. Earthy like skin that had never been hardened by true battle. 11:50 AM Chapter 45 The Scent Of A Lie +8 Pearls A woman¡¯s scent. Her. My pupils dted and before I realised my wolf had been trying to take control of me, wanting to break free. That curved back, too flexible. The lithe way her hips shifted when she moved¨Ctoo precise, too fluid. The pale, sweat¨Cslicked skin at her neck, her breath catching when my hand touched her waist. Everything about her screamed danger. Not to me. but to herself. A chuckle escaped from my lips as I bit my lip staring at the closed door. My heart pounded in a rhythm that wasn¡¯t entirely mine. It belonged to something older. Wilder. My wolf. He was wing beneath the surface now, intoxicated by every inch of her, growling for more. Not just to taste her, but to possess her. She¡¯d made the mistake of tempting me. Of toying with me. of lying to my instincts, and thinking she could get away with it. Bur wolves? Wolves didn¡¯t let prey go just because it runs. SERAPHINA I found myself back in the Healers¡® Wing¨Cback in the sterile, moonlit hospital room I¡¯d fled from earlier. I could no longer return to the dormitory room¡­ not when the wolf who¡¯d nearly devoured me was waiting there like a patient predator. With the back of my hand covering my eyes, Iy on the bed, struggling to calm the rapid, erratic beat of my heart. My breathing was uneven, ragged with the weight of what had just happened. ¡°He doesn¡¯t know¡­ right?¡± I whispered to my wolf. Phina didn¡¯t respond. She was just as shaken as I was. But even in her silence, her thoughts mirrored mine¨Cunspoken but undeniable. We both remembered the way Ronan¡¯s gaze lingered on my hips, how he always seemed too aware of my movements, how his uniform had been tailored to fit me with unnerving precision. He had always breached that invisible line of distance¨Ctoo close, too observant, too dangerous. ¡°No.¡± I signed, eyes squeezing shut, gripped by panic, frustration, and the cold sting of regret. My carelessness been enough to ruin everything. it might¡¯ve I slowly opened my eyes, staring nkly at the ceiling as the moonlight filtered through the curtains. I needed a n, I couldn¡¯t hide in this room forever. My punishment, monitored probation, would begin tomorrow. I¡¯d be assigned to an instructor for behavioral guidance and discipline. The n was simple: I¡¯d fake pain from my wound, enough to justify staying here for two days while undergoing the punishment. The instructor could return to my dorm. I¡¯d have to face him again. What am I supposed to do now, Goddess? Two days passed in a blur. My wound had nearly healed. My probation had ended. But I still hadn¡¯t really slept¨Cnot with every creak of the infirmary door sounding like Ronan¡¯s approach. Not when every shadow felt like his voice curling in the dark, whispering truths I waui¡¯t ready to face. And somehow, that unsettled me even more Sull. I couldn¡¯t stay hidden. If I didn¡¯t leave the hospital wing now, I¡¯d miss another trial¡ªand I¡¯d already been barred from thest one. My rank was slipping Everything I¡¯d worked for was teetering on the edge.
Chapter 45 The Scent Of A Lie But if Ronan had said something¨Cif he¡¯d told anyone about me¨Cnone of it would matter anyway. My thoughts were spiraling as I stepped into the hallway.. ¡°Alpha Seth Darven,¡± a voice called out, 1 froze. ¡°Yes?¡± I asked, trying to keep my voice steady, Was this it? Has Ronan told someone? Was I being summoned, to be exposed? Expelled? +8 Pearls ¡°You¡¯ve got a delivery,¡± the assistant said, eyes on his clipboard. ¡°Mattress request. Head to the front unloading bay.¡± My heart nearly leapt out of my chest, a delivery. So¡­ it wasn¡¯t that. I forced myself to nod, hiding the tremble in my fingers. ¡°I¡¯ll grab it¡± But inside, I was reeling. Had he not told anyone? Why? Or maybe he had and they were biding their time. My mind screamed with the weight of the unknown, panic wing up my throat. the The loading bay sat at the edge of the Academy campus, hidden away from the main training grounds. As I approached, a familiar unease took root in my stomach. A tall, broad¨Cshouldered ¡°delivery man¡± stood near the transport truck, tugging a wrapped mattress down the ramp. His cap was pulled low over his face, concealing his features. ¡°I¡¯m here. That¡¯s mine,¡± I called out, my tone even and distant. The man nced up ever so slightly, adjusting the cap. Then ¡°Sera¡± My heart stilled. My eyes snapped up. That voice. That voice. ¡°Lily?¡± 1 gasped. Send Gifts THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 46 Chapter 46 Before They Find Me SERAPHINA ¡°Lily.¡± I sighed in disbelief. ¡°How did you¡­?¡± She looked up from beneath the cap, her eyes glinting with mischief. ¡°Did you forget I¡¯m a soon¨Cto¨Cbe witch¡± Relief crashed over me so hard my knees nearly buckled. She cast a wary nce at the Academy building before murmuring. ¡°But my limbs are still shaking just thinking about you entering this wolf¡¯s den alone. I couldn¡¯t help it after that phone call. You were in heat, and I¡¯ve been dying of worry ever since. I had to see you.¡± I pressed my lips into a tight line. ¡°Let¡¯s not stand out here. Someone might suspect.¡± She nodded and handed off the mattress with a grunt, and I stepped in quickly to lift the other side. We didn¡¯t say another word. Not here. Not yet. Two wolves moving in perfect sync, we hauled the oversized mattress toward the dormitory. Anyone watching would¡¯ve seen two ¡°men¡± struggling with a delivery. And since every Alpha here was an asshole, thankfully no one was going to jump in helping me.But l¡¯had to actually avoid Finn. Because if he saw he would definitely rush to help. I walked and walked, but halfway through the second hallway¨CI tugged us down a side corridor. No windows. No patrols. I pushed the nearest door open with my foot. We slipped inside with the mattress and led the door behind us. Only then¨Cwhen the silence wrapped around us like a cloak¨Cdid Lily finally yank off the cap and drop the disguise. No, more like lifted her magic that was actually her disguise. I stared at her, throat tight. ¡°Lily, you should not havee. If the pack finds out then¡­.¡± ¡°You have no idea how much I¡¯ve missed you.¡± She rushed to The for a hug. My heart warmed and I could not finish what I meant to say; that if my pack found out she e came here she would be banished or worse. ¡°I missed you too,¡± I hugged her back. Lily grinned, and then her eyes filled with tears. ¡°You, my crazy Alpha,¡± she whispered, pulling away from me and taking my hands. You always do things that no one can have ever imagined. But this time you have put everything you have ever worked for on the line, Sera,¡± she squeezed my hand. She was scared. ¡°I had no choice. You know my wedding was not even a day away. I had to escape or I would already be pregnant by now and living in a gilded cage for the rest of my life.¡± Lily¡¯s eyes shook, she was well aware of the fate of an Alpha¡¯s daughter. A obedient daughter, a perfect Luna and then sacrificing mother She nodded, taking a deep breath, then her expression turned sharp. ¡°So? Tell me what is going on? I am sure your heat blocked and you win it but you look disturbed for some reason. Is everything alright?¡± Thesitated. Then whispered the words that had haunted me for two nights. ¡°There¡¯s an Alpha here. He might know.¡± Laly went still. ¡°Know what?¡± I didn¡¯t need to say it. She already knew. Her face drained of color. I don¡¯t know how much he¡¯s figured out.¡± I added quickly ¡°But he¡¯s watching me. Closely. Too closely. And he¡¯s smart, Lily 11:50 AM PP Chapter 46 Before They Find Me 48 Pearls Too smart. ¡°This is a disaster!¡± She gripped my arms. ¡°You need to run. If he exposes you¡ª¡± ¡°I can¡¯t.¡± I said hoarsely. ¡°If I leave now, I will leave with nothing. My escape from the pack would have been for nothing, my hard work to make a spot in the Academy would turn to nothing but ash. I came here for my throne and I am not leaving without it. Especially when I know that the world outside is no safer¡­.¡± I trailed off, closely watching her changing expression. ¡°Am I correct right? What is happening outside! Tell me.¡± The silence was thick as Lily slowly sat down on the mattress, her eyes wide and shaking ¡°It¡¯s true,the world outside is a trap that¡¯s been set for you,¡± she admitted quietly and fearfully. My heart pounded. ¡°What happened after my escape?¡± Lily stared at the floor like she was reliving it. ¡°Your father¡­ he went mad, Sera. Not just angry. Unhinged. The entire pack wa locked down. Every werewolf pack was checked. And he did not even spare your aunt¡¯s pack. She was investigated for days but she did not spill the beans. Of course, that only added fuel to your father¡¯s anger and the humiliation that he felt over your escape.¡± 1 clenched my fists. ¡°He¡¯s still looking?¡± ¡°Every second. Every shadow.¡± Lily looked up. ¡°And now¡­ now there¡¯s no wedding. I blinked. ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°I mean if they find you, it won¡¯t be an altar waiting for you,¡± she whispered. For some reason, I had a very bad feeling; as I started to ask, ¡°then?¡± + Sera ¡°It¡¯ll be his bed. They¡¯ll drag you to the Alpha King like a debt paid in flesh. No vows. No ceremony. Just a sealed fate.¡± A chill ran down my spine. My mind conjured the image against my will¨Cmy father¡¯s pride shattered, his rage volcanic. He wouldn¡¯t tolerate humiliation, especially not in front of royalty. In his eyes, the moment he arranged that marriage, 1 already belonged to the Alpha King as his Luna and wife. ar Lily reached out, gripping my hand. ¡°So you can¡¯t be discovered. Not by that Alpha here. Not by anyone. If your secret gets out, they¡¯ll take you straight to the Alpha King. Run Sera. Run away!¡± ¡°No,¡± I shook my head, my heart quickening every second with emotion. ¡°I ran here to achieve my dreams, my future, and if I ran from here now, I will be running for the rest of my life.¡±. Lily¡¯s eyes widened, ¡°Sera¡­.think wisely. That Alpha¡­.that Alpha that knows¡­you¡­¡± ¡°I am at the point in my life where the throne has not be only a dream that I wanted to achieve but the only ce where no one will be able to drag me back or dare to touch once I take my ce on it,¡± I looked at my hands that were no longer cold or shaking ¡°Now I will gain my throne even if the almighty Alpha who might know my secrets stands in my way Send Gifts THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 47 Chapter 47 No Way To Turn Back SERAPHINA Lily was silent for a long time as she listened to me. Then her voice was soft but sharp as a dagger. ¡°Sera is the Alpha who is suspicious of you the same one who triggered your heat?¡± I froze. ¡°No.¡± I said immediately. Too fast. Too defensively. Lily narrowed her eyes. ¡°Are you sure! You know heat is directly connected to a she wolf¡¯s emotions and that is ny nine percent triggered by a male that we are attracted to. I already told you that before. Of course, a girl like you that no male had not been able to attract so far is attracted to an Alpha here is a huge danger_ ¡°I told you I am not.¡± I sharply cut her off. ¡°How could he trigger my heat when I can¡¯t even pick up his scent due to my own perfume.¡± I reasoned. But the heat simmering under my skin told a different story. A sh of memory hit me¨Cthe faint scent under that cologne, dark and maic, pulling me under. The way my pulse raced when he was near. The way my control shattered when he touched my forehead or check I clenched my fists. No. It wasn¡¯t him. It couldn¡¯t be him. He could not trigger my heat. And why the hell he would? Why only him? I forced the words out. ¡°It was Dante. He tampered with the cologne using some kind of berry to mess with me. That¡¯s what triggered my heat. Lily tilted her head, curious. ¡°Dante? Who¡¯s that?¡± ¡°Another jerk Alpha like Ronan,¡± I muttered. Thanks to him, I was about to be expelled, med for in¨Cfighting and violence¡± ¡°What an evil act to perpetrate,¡± Lily frowned. ¡°What¡¯s his full name?¡± ¡°Alpha Dante ckwood,¡± I answered casually. Lily went still. ¡°ckwood?¡± ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± I raised an eyebrow. Her expression darkerled with something close to rm. ¡°Sera, that¡¯s not just any name. If he is the heir from the ckwood family then hees from The Bloodfall Pack, one of the most powerful parks in the East realm. Their wolves are feared by everyone and the heirs are seen as the biggest threat to the werewolf realm. Especially Dante ckwood- I frowned, ¡°Why?¡± ¡°Because his mother¡¯s side they always made people uneasy! I blinked. ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°No one knows much about her, just whispers. That she was once part of something dark. Some say she was a shadow¨Cwalker. Others say she vanished after giving birth to him. The council never talks about her openly¡± I felt a chill ripple down any spine. I knew Dante had secrets, but this¡­ this was more than I expected. He always suuled like he had a de hidden behind his back. But now that de felt real Lily kept watching me, as if expecting me to connect the dots. But my thoughts drifted, spiraling Dante His obsession with kicking me out of the Academy. His hatred. And of course his threat. Then there was..his ryes his wolf watching me during the trial. his silent states it was something A sudden bang mmed against the door. 1150 AM PP Chapter 47 No Way To Turn Back Both Lily and I jumped out of our skins in surprise, + Pearls My heart leapt into my throat as I stared at the door. No one used this room so no one should havee this way unless I held my breath tightly, realizing that someone had been watching this whole time. ¡°Who is it?¡± Lily quickly got up and rushed beside me as we stared at the door. Another bang louder. Heavier. Something pounded against the door like a battering ram. ¡°They¡¯re breaking in. Lily hissed. My heartbeat quickened and I quickly looked around. ¡°Window, Now.¡± I said, shoving her toward the back. ¡°Don¡¯t get caught.¡± ¡°Sera ¡°Go! We can¡¯t be seen together. You know what¡¯ll happen.¡± Another blow shook the entire frame. Lily didn¡¯t argue again. She nodded once and rushed to the window, slipping out just as the door burst open, mming against the wall with a deafening crash. My eyes snapped to the door where Dante stood. His eyes scanned the room like a hawk. He caught the faintest glimpse of someone escaping through the shadows of the window. He smiled. ¡°Having a secret meeting, huh? He started walking towards the window. I moved. Before he could take a step forward, I was in his way. Solid. Unmoving. ¡°Dont,¡± I said, voice low. ¡°So desperate. You really have a lot of secrets, huh?¡± He tried to sidestep. I blocked him again. His jaw tensed. ¡°Who was that?¡± his eyes darkened. ¡°None of your business.¡± ¡°I think it is- ¡°No, it¡¯s not,¡± I said sharply, and then¨Cbefore I could think better of it¨C1 shoved him hard against the wall seeing as Lily was not in her disguise and we both could be exposed if Dante saw her. His back hit it with a dull thud He was taken aback by my sudden move but I did not care. I had to stop him or I waspletely fucked at this point. I caged lum ini, pressing my hands to the wall on either side of his shoulders, any body angled dangerously close to his. Too cluse ¡°If you¡¯re so desperate to chase someone.¡°I whispered, my breath brushing his check, ¡°maybe you should start chasing your sannty first. I¡¯m not your game. And this isn¡¯t your den¡± His eyes changed, locked with mine, I could feel the shift in him. The crack in his mask or whatever it was. The sudden re of heat that sparked behind his eyes like wildfire. His scent spiked, rich and feral Then I realised how dangerous the situation I was in was. But I casually put my hands down to free him from the cage and took a step back just enough to make sure he couldn¡¯t look away 11:50 AM Chapter 47 No Way To Turn Back +8 Pearls Lily was gone, probably outside of the Academy¡¯snds and he was surprised enough to not chase after her. ¡°Don¡¯t act like a rogue, just to tell me how much you hate me. I murmured, each syble slow. ¡°Or I¡¯ll remind too.¡± you I hate you Saying that I tore my gaze from his unblinking one. I grabbed the mattress and walked through the busted door, not sparing him another nce. Not until I was safely out of sight. Out of the room. And as I walked down the corridor, I finally let out a breath that I had not realised I had been holding behind the calm facade. And my heart¡­it was drumming in my chest. But thankfully things had not gone wrong. At least that¡¯s what I thought. But unknown to me back in the room, Dante had his head lowered, the half of his face in shadow before the corner of his lips curled up and a smallugh escaped his lips. Dark. Unsteady. Almost hungry. He slid down on the ground, against the wall, biting his lip. ¡°You should not have gotten that close, Dante murmured to himself, eyes gleaming, ears flushed red, his wolf wing just beneath the surface. He grinned, wide and wicked as his head tipped back against the wall. ¡°Now there¡¯s no way to turn back¡­¡± Send Gifts THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 48 Chapter 48 Surrounded SERAPHINA The mattress dug into my shoulder as I approached the hallway leading to my room. My arms ached, my boots scuffed against the stone floor, but my mind was somewhere else entirely. On Lily¡¯sments, on Dante¡¯s arrival, and Ronan that I would be sharing a room with. I did not know what was going to happen from this point but I knew things had changedpletely, But why was everything so quiet in the Academy? Had he not revealed my identity? Why? Could it be that he was just messing with me that day? Was he unsure? Was he only suspicious and did not have strong proof? Or more likely he did not have a single idea and I was over thinking?! The more I thought about it the more I felt like going crazy. That Alpha was incredibly mysterious and unbelievably nerve wracking- I barely made it to the corner when a voice called out from behind me. ¡°Alpha Seth Darven, hold on. I froze, instinctively tensing before turning. It was the dormitory assistant. ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°The Alpha instructors have requested your presence at the training grounds. Now since you have been discharged from the healers hospital and are physically fine. I blinked. ¡°Me?¡± My voice came out lower, raspier. He nodded briskly. ¡°Yes, immediately. It¡¯s a direct order,¡± My pulse stumbled. My first thought¨CWas I now allowed to participate in a trial? But I quickly dismissed the thought. I knew today¡¯s participants had already been chosen, and my name wasn¡¯t on the list. Due to the punishment. So why the hell was I being called? Did Ronan finally tell Alpha Gideon? My hands shook on my sides. So was it finallying? My wolf stilled in my mind as well. The uncertainty of our future made both of us still. pu The Academy¡¯s training grounds were lively with the Alphas chatting. I did not move to go among them. I stepped into the shadows along the arena¡¯s perimeter wall and immediately noticed it. The crowd was thinner. There were fewer Alpha candidates. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me the realization coiled like a cold snake in my stomach Puina said in my mind. Two trials have already taken ce over the past two days. And we missed both.¡± ¡°shit¡± 1 groaned as from afar one of the instructors gestured for me to take a seat. My boots raped the gravel path as I found a shaded bench nestled to the side. It was close enough to see but far enough to remain inconspicuous. I sank into the seat, hands braced on my knees, letting my eyes scan the grounds. The remaining Alpha candidates stood in a loose formation, their numbers notably reduced. And those who remained were sharper. Harder. Quieter Even from a distance, I could feel the simmering tension in the air. many had fallen and been eliminated from the Academy?¡± I wondered, looking at all of their faces only to spot two familiar ones still among them. Reed and Cassius. Standing far apart but still talking with their eyes. They made a tluough so far,¡± I murmured and judging by their auras they had grown stronger than they had been during the p¨Chighting mcident. Every trial wed out our inner power and physical strength and with each step we grew into a better nsion of ourselves. However, the moment both of then set their hateful eyes on me, I knew their growing strength just spelled impending danger for me. And that they had not learnt anything from their fall or punishment. As I was lost in thoughts suddenly a shadow fell on me. I nced up And froze. 11:50 AM p p. Chapter 48 Surrounded +8 Pearls Ronan. His tall, broad build blocked the sun behind him, casting his sharp features into a faint silhouette. But I would¡¯ve known that presence anywhere¨Ctoo powerful, too calm, too dangerously controlled. My pulse quickened. His expression was unreadable. Not hostile. Not warm. Just nk¨Ctoo nk. But I felt it, the tension lingering like a scent only I could sense. I blinked, chest tightening as the memory of ourst encounter rushed through me: the closeness, the scrape of his voice at my ear, his fingers brushing my belly and his hand moved up to my breasts before he whispered my secret I was called here by an Alpha instructor and he came here as well. Did that mean he finally told them about me? My heart. grew colder. Before I could even gather my thoughts, another figure appeared behind him. Dante. His white¨Cblond hair caught the light like fire, his gait slow, smooth, and utterly deliberate. His blue gaze locked on mine, unreadable but far from indifferent. Then he stopped. Right beside Ronan. My heart kicked into my ribs as Ronan dropped into the seat directly across from me without saying a word. The bench groaned slightly under his weight, but his posture was like carved stone¨Cone ankle crossed over his knee, hands rxed, eyes. locked on mine. Dante didn¡¯t move at first. He just stared. Long enough for me to feel the burn crawl up my neck. Then, with the most infuriating confidence, he lowered himself beside Ronan. What the actual hell? My brain short¨Ccircuited. But the universe wasn¡¯t done. Not even close. Boots scuffed gravel behind me. I turned sharply just in time to see Finn appear on my left, Asher on my right. They didn¡¯t even hesitate. Finn slumped down beside me with a small smile Asher took the remaining seat on my right like at silent storm. I was surrounded. Enclosed Caged. I stared at all of them like they¡¯d grown second heads. Roman Dante. Finn. Asher Why¨Cwhy¨Cwej the strongest Alphas of the Academy now forming a perimeter around me? ¡°What.¡± I said slowly, voice low but sharp, ¡°the hell is going on here?¡± Send Gifts THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 49 Chapter 49 ckmail? SERAPHINA ¡°What the hell is going on here?¡± I slowly asked. It did not feel right on so many levels that all of them were here. Finn was the first to speak, his voice quiet but certain. ¡°We were summoned by the Alpha instructor. Just like you.¡± I blinked, surprised. ¡°Why? Shouldn¡¯t you all be participating in the trial?¡± Ronan said nothing. Dante¡¯s gaze didn¡¯t waver. But Asher finally nced my way, his expression taut ¡°You really want to know?¡± he asked with a clipped smile. ¡°Everyone involved in the in¨Cfighting scandal was punished. None of us were allowed to join thest two trials. Even me, despite the fact I barely had a role in it.¡± I blinked rapidly, the implications sinking in. That punishment would¡¯ve impacted his rank too. No wonder he looked so pissed. I pressed my lips together, unsure how to respond. I snuck a nce toward Dante and Ronan, but both were still staring- Dante with that cold detachment, Ronan with his usual unreadable expression. I deliberately ignored them, especially Ronan. I refused to meet his gaze. Crossing my legs, I sat up straighter, scanning the gathered Alphas. Why had we all been called here? Was another punishmenting? If so, it would be a disaster for my standing. ¡°Are you not going to apologize?¡± Asher¡¯s voice cut into my thoughts. ¡°Apologize?¡± I arched a brow. ¡°To whom? For what?¡± He crossed his arms coolly, lips tightening. ¡°Thanks to you, we were all dragged down. Some of us were stripped of rank. Others lost the chance to climb further. And you- his eyes narrowed.¡°¨Cyou sit here lookingpletely unaffected.¡± Augh escaped me, dry and humorless. ¡°Ever heard the saying: don¡¯t poke your nose into other people¡¯s business?¡± 1 looked at each of them in turn. ¡°None of you had any right to get involved. Finn wasn¡¯t supposed to go in my ce. You¨C1 looked pointedly at Asher, had no reason to follow me into that building. Then I turned to Dante, my tone sharpening. ¡°Someone was never supposed to mess with me.¡± Finally, my eyesnded on Ronan. ¡°And someone was never supposed to treat me like I was his sole source of entertainment.¡° A heavy silence followed, thick with tension. Then Finn¡¯s voice came, quiet and guilty. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Seth. I acted on my own and only made things worse for you.¡± I softened. ¡°It¡¯s alright. I know you were worried. But please don¡¯t put yourself in danger like that again. I¡¯d feel terrible if something happened to you.¡± ¡°Okay,¡± he murmured, lowering his eyes. He looked so pitiful, like a guilty puppy. It was actually kind of adorable. Then Asher¡¯s cold voice came from my right. ¡°You understand him so easily His tone was almost using. ¡°I followed you because I knew something bad might happen. I even helped you get Finn out of there!¡± I couldn¡¯t help but smile at how he was clearly fishing for appreciation. ¡°Thank you. Alpha Asher. If it weren¡¯t for you, Finn might not have made it to thebat trial. You turned out to be an unexpected ally.¡± His ears flushed red, and he quickly looked away. ¡°Yeah whatever.¡± 1 blinked. Was he actually shy? Again Gods, he really was cute when flustered. Before I could dwell on it, a drej,zy voice rolled in like thunde There¡¯s a thin line between messing up and getting yourself exterminated.¡± Dante¡¯s gaze met mine, slow and steady. ¡°Don¡¯t get confused. One wrong step, and it might cost you more than you can afford¡± 11:50 AM Pp. Chapter 49 ckmail? For a moment, I froze. That voice. That look. It held something dark. Something lurking just beneath his skin. A threat? Was I imagining it? Was this just because of Lily¡¯s warning? No¡­ maybe I was overthinking things. +8 Pearls I pasted a smile on my face¨Ccold, tight. ¡°Alpha Dante seems overly concerned for me. But do me a favor. Keep your precious attention to yourself. I might just return it¨Cand when I do, people tend to lose what they never had to begin with.¡± His expression darkened. A sh of something primal crossed his face, like his wolf was wing just beneath the surface. But I didn¡¯t flinch. Didn¡¯t look away. He started this fire. Let him burn in it. And then- A soft, dangerously amused chuckle slid into the air. My heart stilled. I turned. Ronan. His lips curved at the edges, and he leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees truly entertaining.¡± My heart began to thrum. ¡°What¡¯s so entertaining?¡± Asher asked, frowning. Ronan didn¡¯t even nce at him. His violet eyes were locked on mine. ¡°You are,¡± he said quietly. Then¨Chis gaze trailed downward, unhurried, from my face. to my chest. My breath caught. ¡°You¡¯re breathing just fine, right?¡± he asked. My face went cold. ¡°What?¡± Finn asked, brows furrowing. ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t Seth be able to breathe?¡± My stomach twisted violently. Oh no. No. No. ¡°So entertaining, he murmured. ¡°Really¡­. Ronan¡¯s lips curled, eyes gleaming. ¡°You¡¯re not suffocating under all that, are you?¡± ry single day. He was talking about the bindings. The ones wrapped tightly around my chest every He Loew He wasn¡¯t guessing. He wasn¡¯t specting He knew I was a woman 11:50 AM PP ¨C Chapter 49 ckmail? Ronan. Knew. Everything. 1 couldn¡¯t breathe. Panic rose like a wave crashing in my chest. If the others caught on¡­ if Dante- Ronan looked at me like a predator toying with its prey. ¡°You should loosen up a bit, you know. Even men have¡­¡± His gaze flicked down again, and my skin burned. ¡°Alpha Ronan!¡± 1 shot forward, grabbing his wrist before he could speak another word. Everyone stared at us, startled. Ronan¡¯s brows lifted slightly in surprise, our eyes meeting. ¡°Let¡¯s talk,¡± I said, my voice low and tight. +8 Pearls Everything fell silent, none of us moved as the momentter a small smile tugged in the corner of his lips, ¡°Should we?¡± Next, I held his hand tighter and dragged him out of there. Everyone¡¯s eyes followed us while Dante had a different look in his eyes that was quite unsettling. Leaving the academy training grounds, we entered the academy¡¯s empty hall and to my surprise Ronan did not speak a word or try to get out of my hold until we were in our room. As the door was closed, I let go of his hand and red at him, ¡°What the hell were you saying in front of them?!¡± I demanded. furiously. ¡°What was I saying? Did I somehow offend you?¡± Ronan slowly tilted his head, ¡°I only said to loosen up a little bit. I wonder if you have arge¡­¡± he paused his eyes going to my breasts again, that it had to be tied so tight to prevent showing?¡± heat rushed to the back of my neck and ears. I clenched my fists. Could I still lie to myself that he did not know my secret or that he was just suspicious? Could I really¡­ I dug my nails deeper into my palm and met his gaze, ¡°Are you just trying to ckmail me?¡± He raised an eyebrow, ¡°ckmail¡± ¡°Then you are not doing that?¡± I growled lowly, ¡°What you were saying in front of them¡­was not that ckmail?¡± He took a predatory step toward me, decreasing the distance between us that was not much to begin with, ¡°ckmail is quite disturbing word you know,¡± he murmured. ¡°Then are you threatening me?¡± I asked, my breath bing slightly uneven as his chest slightly brushed against my breasts. ¡°You think I want to expose you?¡± he whispered, his hand raising but stopping just a inch away from my cheek. ¡°Don¡¯t you?¡± I whispered back. ¡°Sure I want to, he put his finger under my chin and titled my face up. ¡°But to myself.¡± I was taken aback to see the possessiveness in his eyes. ¡°All to myself. Only to myself,¡± he whispered. My breathing hitched and my heartbeat quickened. ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°I would strip this disguise off and see the real you¡­¡± he leaned down towards my face and whispered close to my lips. ¡°Seraphina¡± My heart skipped a beat. He knew my name. THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 50 Chapter 50 The Perfect Strangers SERAPHINA The moment his voice whispered my name. it didn¡¯t just brush against my ears. It sliced straight through me¨Cpassed my skin, into breath¨Cuntil it lodged deep within my soul. My heart stuttered, skipped. then thudded back into rhythm like it had briefly died only to be resurrected in the space of a heartbeat. ¡°Seraphina. The way i¨Clow, deliberate and intimate¨Cwrapped around my wolf like a binding spell, dragging her into something vast, dark, and unnamed. ¨C But why why was his wolf speaking my name like that? With him? Seraphina wasn¡¯t just a name anymore. It was a lifeline. A secret. A wound. When he had said it, it felt like he¡¯d reached into the most protected part of me and yanked it out into the light. For a fleeting second, my grip on reality slipped. My breath caught and refused to move, caged between disbelief and dread My name sounded foreign, yet intimate and familiar all at once¨Cbecause no one here was supposed to know it. Not Ronan. So how did he¡­. -Seraphina Nightbane had no ce within these walls. I buried her the day I concealed my scent, applied that perfume, and bound my body in of silence and lies. She was the girl destined to be a perfect Luna¨Ca pawn I had long ago rejected. That identity, that name¡­ was meant to be hidden. For as long as I wanted. But now¨Chere¨CRonan had brought her back with a single word. Something inside me cracked. Even fully clothed and wearing perfume, I felt naked in front of him. How? How did he know? A sharp panic red through me, hot and electric. My mind raced to find an exnation¨Cany exnation. But none of them made sense. He hadn¡¯t left the Academy grounds¨CI¡¯d watched him too closely for that. And if he had tried to sneak out, the Alpha instructors would have known. Leaving without permission was grounds for immediate expulsion. Not to mention the border wolves weren¡¯t guards, they were monsters. Escaping unnoticed was impossible. That left only one possibility: a background check, But even that didn¡¯t track. Even if he¡¯d dug into Seth Darven¡¯s records, he wouldn¡¯t have found me. Seth and I weren¡¯t siblings. We didn¡¯t grow up same house or pack. We were cousins- our connection was tied only by our mothers, twin sisters married into different packs to different Alphas. No documents linked me to Seth. Nothing legal. Nothing traceable. So how did he know! His fingers still brushed beneath my chits, and his violet eyes burned possessively into mine. I staggered back, every cell reamed danger. This Alpha was dangerous. The Reaper that everyone called him. But it didn¡¯t matter. The damage was done. He knew too much. More than anyone ever should in the Chapter 50 The Perfect Strangers +8 Pearls More than was safe And worst of all the way he looked at me¨Cit wasn¡¯t just with knowing. It was iming. His gaze pinned me like his words earlier still echoed between us: ¡°I want to strip this disguise and see the real you.¡± Only the thought of those words made my heart race. What was this feeling raising in my chest? It was as if he were possessing me. The fear inside me shifted, twisted, grew sharp. Because the kind of want that he had in his eyes for me was far more dangerous than hatred. ¡°Alpha Ronan,¡± I finally spoke, my voice low like a murmur, ¡°I admit that you got me. My wolf looked at him secretly and silently as I continued, ¡± And I also admit that you¡¯ve been a threat to my disguise from the very beginning. That¡¯s why I disliked you, avoided you, refused to engage with you at all.¡± My voice cracked slightly, breath hitching with rising emotion. ¡°I still can¡¯t believe that you and I are at the point where you know my secret. And you know too much. So much that I just want to kill you,¡± I said thest part with my wolf, her fury threading through my voice. He didn¡¯t flinch, He didn¡¯t so much as blink. He just stared¨Cunmoving, unreadable, terrifying in his calm. ¡°Killing you would be easy,¡± I continued, taking another step back, ¡°but I know it¡¯s not that simple. You¡¯re not someone who will die easily,¡± I knew this truth deep in my heart but I hid the fact that I did not kill people around for my own selfishness. ¡°I don¡¯t know why you haven¡¯t exposed me. I don¡¯t know why you¡¯re so¡­.interested in me. And honestly, I don¡¯t want to know what kind of madness is behind the things you said earlier. I just want you to stop.¡± He finally blinked as if his soul had just returned to his body, ¡°stop?¡± his voice was low and deep. ¡°Yes, stop,¡± I calmly stated. I had too much to lose, too much to bear, and too much to face if I were exposed. And I refuse to ept that fate. So even if I had to change my way of getting into Ronan¡¯s head then I was willing to do that as well. I was ready to use a soft approach. ¡°I will not get in your way and you do the same,¡± I offered. ¡°Forget what you saw, what you heard, and what you found out about me. Let¡¯s be perfect strangers to each other.¡°¡± Silence fell between us. But inside me, chaos reigned. Had I convinced him? Could I trust that he¡¯d let this go? Ronan was always hard to read. But he held my greatest secret in his hand¨Cand if he decided to crush it, I was finished. I could not let it go without confirming if he was an enemy or ally. Finally, he spoke. ¡°Perfect strangers?¡± he murmured, and then¨Che smiled. Slowly. Darkly. ¡°I refuse.¡± My heart dropped to my stomach. ¡°Why?¡± He stepped closer, his movements unhurried, deliberate. ¡°Because I hate it,¡± he said softly, towering over me, voice like velvet and smoke. ¡°Hate what?¡°I whispered. Being a stranger to you,¡± he said, and his eyes darkened. ¡°Because I can¡¯t be.¡± He leaned down, voice barely above a whisper. ¡°We¡¯ll never be strangers, Seraphina. Not in this life. Not after this ¡°Why?¡± I blurted, before I could stop myself. gaze didn¡¯t waver. ¡°Because it¡¯s not your disguise or your beauty that draws me in. 11:50 AM PP Chapter 50 The Perfect Strangers He inhaled deeply to my scentless body, close enough that his breath grazed my skin. ¡°It¡¯s this.¡± He gently took my hand and ced it over his chest. Right over his heart. Where it thundered wildly. Just like mine. ¡°That,¡± he whispered, ¡°is why¡­why this heart only beats like that¡­ for you.¡± +8 Pearls Phina stirred violently inside me, awakened by the pulse of his soul pressing into ours. His wolf had reached for her just separated by an invisible wall between us. His heart beats for me? My own heart betrayed me, leaping out of rhythm, chaotic with emotions I was never supposed to feel. 1 jerked my hand away, breath ragged. ¡°I¡¯m pretending I didn¡¯t hear that,¡± I snapped, turning swiftly toward the door to get away from him. But just as I reached out for the doorknob, a hand turned me around and the next thing I knew I was caged against the door with both my hands pinned above my head. ¡°What are you doing?!¡± I gasped as Ronan pressed his chest into my breast, both of our bodiespletely pressed together. ¡°You can run all you want,¡± he leaned down towards my face, his wolf surfacing in his eyes looking deep into Phina, ¡°You can hide all you want behind that perfume but make sure you do a wonderful job of running. Seraphina,¡± his hot breath brushed against my lips as he nced down to my breasts and then back to my eyes. ¡°Because now this Alpha is not going to stop until he sees the girl with Amber eyes who makes him feel a way that no other girl ever has.¡± My lips parted and eyes widened at his confession as he pressed his lower body into mine, making me feel his hardness, ¡°And when I find her and the reason behind these feelings¡­¡± he met my gaze and smiled, ¡°I am gonna do the exact thing that you are thinking about right now.¡± Send Gifts 10 THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 51 Chapter 51 Seductress SERAPHINA He would do exactly what I thought? The only thought that came to my mind was his manhood pressing against my belly and what could happen between us. The hard pressure of his arousal pressed low against my belly, burning through the thinyers of cloth between us. My wolf and I felt the same heat for a fleeting moment from his arousal before I realised what was going on. My breath caught violently. No. Panic surged up my spine, cold and feral. His confession about his heart. His closeness. His touch. All of it blurred into something dangerous, something I couldn¡¯t afford to acknowledge let alone feel. This wasn¡¯t supposed to happen. This wasn¡¯t allowed to happen. I thrashed against his grip, every instinct in me screaming to get away. With an effort that felt like I was moving through at swamp, I yanked one hand free and shoved it against his chest¨Cright where his heart had dared to race for me. ¡°Don¡¯t y with me!¡± I snapped, my voice sharp and louder than I intended, covering the tremble in my limbs with fire. He nced at my hand and then back to me, ¡°I don¡¯t care what¡¯s happening to your body or to your heart¨Cnone of it is my fault. I¡¯m not the cause of whatever chaos you¡¯re drowning in.¡± I couldn¡¯t look down at his hardness. Not at the heat still pressing against me. Not at the raw need I could feel pulsing through him. So I only looked into his eyes, at the wolf hiding behind them. ¡°I¡¯m not here to be an Alpha¡¯s release if they went into rut,¡± I hissed, indicating his hardness that he med me for, ¡°I¡¯m not here to be imed, used, or devoured just because you¡¯ve uncovered something I didn¡¯t want to share.¡± My breath heaved. I wanted to step back, to make the space between us but there was the door behind me. -Unfortunately, the information you did not want to share came into my hands,¡± he murmured, loosening his grip on my pinned wrist, ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you be soft with me instead of hissing and growling at me? You already caused me enough emotional damage by lying, ying and then discarding me, what if I get angry?¡± My heartbeat quickened, picking up the meaning behind his remark. ¡°So you are finally threatening me to expose my secret if I do not obey you?¡± I growled, barely containing my rage while also trembling. I knew this wasing, ¡°Then go ahead. Expose me,¡± I dered, confidently meeting his gaze. His eyes narrowed, ¡°Did I not just say that I want all of you for myself? I would not¡­¡± ¡°And what makes you think you can decide to have all of me for yourself?¡± I raised an eyebrow, ¡°There is no way you can have your way with me, Alpha Ronan, you know my secret and that¡¯s the only thing you have to use against me. But just now you said that you would not and want me for yourself but let me tell you something. Without exposing me you will never rip off this disguise and never bring the Seraphina out¡­¡± I freed my other hand too and put both of my hands on his chest and gave a slight push sessfully gaining space. ¡°Alpha Ronan you will never get the chance to see Seraphina in this lifetime¡­. Saying that, I turned the knob and strode out of the room with quick steps. Unknown to me back in the room, Ronan who was supposed to have his ego seriously bruised had a small smile ying on his lips as he nced at his bulge and put a hand over his smiling lips. ¡°Never going to see Seraphina in this lifetime!¡± he echoed softly, his grin widening. ¡°What a seductress.¡± I didn¡¯t stop until the grand training grounds came into view My heart still thundered from everything Ronan had said. From everything I felt. Thete afternoon sun bathed the arena in golden light, but there was no warmth in my bones. Only a crawling unease. As I neared the center, I spotted then¨CFinn, Asher, and Dante¨Csitting still under the shed, I straightened my posture and forord the emotion from my face. 11:50 AM p p. Chapter 51 Seductress ¡°Seth.¡± Finn was the first to notice me. He gave a grin, ¡°it¡¯s good you are back. Alpha Instructor must being. I nodded. Asher, his arms crossed and expression unreadable, barely nced my way. Dante, though.. Dante¡¯s gaze hit me like a de. +8 Pearls There was no greeting in his eyes. Only a sharp flicker of displeasure. What was wrong with him? What was that look supposed to mean? He wasn¡¯t looking at me, exactly. No. his gaze shifted past me, over my shoulder, narrowing in suspicion. and something darker. That¡¯s when I realised that someone wasing from a distance behind me. Ronan Dante¡¯s eyes hardened. His nostrils red subtly, almost imperceptibly, but I saw the shift in his jaw. The silent judgment. He wasn¡¯t just looking at me, he was sensing. Unknown to me his eyes flicked to my flushed ears. He had also picked up on Ronan¡¯s scenting from me. Then he turned slowly towards me, his gaze never looking away. I remained silent and casual, never looking at him or Ronan. Before the tension could thicken any further, three shadows fell over us. Alpha Gideon, broad andmanding as always, strode toward us with Alpha Hugo and Alpha Jude nking him. We all stood up and faced them. Finally they were here. ¡°All five of you,¡± Gideon said, his voice firm and deliberate, stopping before us. ¡°It¡¯s good you are all together.¡± I swallowed, shoulders squared. Whatever this was, it wasn¡¯t casual. We were obviously not called here for my expulsion because Ronan had not revealed anything so what could be the reason? ¡°You¡¯re probably wondering why the instructors summoned you,¡± Gideon continued, eyes scanning each of us¨CRonan, Finn, Asher, Dante, and finally me. ¡°It¡¯s not just to re or give lectures.¡± Behind him, Hugo raised an eyebrow. Jude looked vaguely amused. ¡°The trial is reaching its peak,¡± Gideon said, voice tightening. ¡°The rankings are going to shift drastically starting today. Those who seed in this next phase may earn a ce that is going to head into some important stage.¡± I blinked. Important stage?! What did that mean? ¡°But His gaze darkened. ¡°You five have been barred. Because of your previous offenses, you¡¯ve been excluded from participating in several core trials. And under the current rules, you wouldn¡¯t qualify for today¡¯s trial at all.¡± Silence dropped like a hammer. And everyone tensed. ¡°However,¡± Alpha Jude finally said, stepping forward with a slight smirk, ¡°the instructors believe that redemption should not be out of reach, if you¡¯re willing to prove that you¡¯ve learned from your mistakes.¡± Asher¡¯s brow twitched like Finn. Konan renamed still like Dante, unreadable. I kept my eyes ahead, heart thudding Gideon nodded to Jude, then looked back at us. ¡°If you want to get back into this race, you have to prove The words hit harder than expected. ¡°We¡¯re giving you one chance,¡± Alpha Hugo revealed, ¡°all of you will be on one team. One trial. To show that you can follow the rules, work as a unit, and rise beyond your egos¡± 11:30 AM P Chapter 51 Seductress My stomach dropped. Did he just say¡­. ¡°Teamwork Finn asked aloud, mirroring everyone¡¯s thoughts +8 Pearls ¡°Yes,¡± Alpha Hugo confirmed, lips twitching in amusement. ¡°All five of you. Together. If any of you fail, the others will fail as well.¡± The ground slipped out from under my feet. Wait, did that mean I had to work with both Dante and Ronan?! Send Gifts THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 52 Chapter 52 When The Mountain Opens SERAPHINA ¡°The mountain?¡± one of the Alphas muttered, frowning at the looming terrain ahead. All of us stood at the base of the jagged ridge, having been brought here by the Alpha instructors for the team trial. No wonder it had taken nearly twelve hours to reach this ce. Even from the foot of the mountain, the wind was colder¨Ccrisper, biting against skin and clothing alike. Around me, the other Alphas looked tense. Some were stiff with anticipation, others crackled with adrenaline. But then there was the group I was part of four Alphas who looked like they¡¯d strolled into a pic rather than a trial that could end our futures. Finn was casually chewing gum like he was wandering through a garden, entirely unbothered. Asher had his hands tucked in his pockets, humming a tune that somehow sounded like a haunted luby¨Conly the Goddess knew why. Dante had earphones in his ears, and I couldn¡¯t even begin to understand how he¡¯d smuggled those in when electronics were strictly banned at the Academy. Then there was Ronan¨Cleaning back slightly, exhaling smoke from a cigarette like it was just another Tuesday, not a vition of at least three Academy rules, Cigarettes, alcohol, or the use of any kind of drug was forbidden. And me? I clenched my fists tightly at my sides. While they looked like they didn¡¯t have a care in the world, I was brimming with unease¨Cnot due to the trial itself, but of the fact that they were my team. If I were alone, I could move freely. I could take risks, shift if I had to. But now? Now everything was tangled and strode forward, his dark cloak trailing behind him like smoke dancing from fire. His voice boomed across the clearing. ¡°Everyone, stand in your teams!¡± His sharp gaze swept across the crowd and lingered on us¨Cme, Ronan, Dante, Finn, and Asher for a beat longer than the others. I noticed for the first time that there were eleven groups in total. Fifty¨Cfive Alphas remained. The energy in the air shifted, tension pulled taut like ¨¤ bowstring. Alpha Gideon¡¯s voice cut through the wind. ¡°As you¡¯ve probably guessed, this is a team trial. But unlike anything before¡­ you will be told nothing about it. No rules. No maps. No briefings. Nothing.¡± u¡¯ve faced The murmur of confusion rippled through the groups. I wasn¡¯t immune to the unease. He continued, eyes sharp as steel. ¡°Because in the real world, danger doesn¡¯te with a handbook. It doesn¡¯t announce itself. It arrives suddenly, shifts shapely, and wrecks every n you thought was solid. Only those who can adapt¨Ctogether- make it out.¡± He paced slowly in front of us, every step purposeful. This trial is about more than just strength. It will test your instincts, your leadership, your trust in one another, Especially when nothing makes sense.¡± Then he stopped, facing us all again. ¡°This is not an individual challenge. If one of you falls, the whole team falls. If one fails, everyone fails. If one of you makes a mistake, your teammates will pay the price I felt my breath catch. My pulse skipped. This wasn¡¯t a test. It was a trap with teamwork as the primary weapon. Alpha Hugo stepped forward ¡°We¡¯re not here to see how strong you are alone. We¡¯re here to test how far you¡¯ll go to keep one another alive. One death means failure for all¡± That was when Alpha Jude delivered the final blow The team that returnsst, or returns with a missing or dead member, will be disqualified from the Academy¡± Silence fell like a de It wasn¡¯t just a challenge anymore. It was a warning Our futures were in each other¡¯s hands. ¡°Hal¡± Alpha Jude added, ¡°the team that returns first, with all team members alive, will turn the entire leaderboard upside 11:50 AM PP Chapter 52 When The Mountain Opens +8 Pearl: Anniversary Celebration You havepleted the task, congrattions on receiving a prize,e and im it. meant by flipping the leaderboard, but I wanted it. Whatever it was, I wanted it. Read Alpha Gideon raised his arm and pointed toward the mist¨Cveiled wilderness beyond the mountain ridge. Then let the trial begin.¡± A chilling bowl echoed somewhere in the distance¨Csharp, long, and unnatural. The Alphas exploded into motion, each team surging forward toward the wild unknown. Except ours. I nced left. Finn and Dante. Then right Asher and Ronan. Not a single one of them moved. Not a single one even looked at each other. There was no unity here, no bond. Just silent hostility, cold rivalry, and mutual disinterest. This wasn¡¯t a team. It was a disaster in the making And I was right in the middle of it. Steeling myself, I took a deep breach and stepped forward, heading toward the mountain alone. I wouldn¡¯t be thest to move. Not today. Secondster, I heard footsteps crunching behind me. I turned my head just slightly, and saw all four of them following. I pressed my lips into a thin line, gaze locked onto the fog ahead as I started running and all four of my teammates matched my pace as we finally entered into the darkness. This wasn¡¯t just a trial. This was going to be the hardest survival test of my life. Up ahead, sharp movement caught my eye. But when we reached ahead no group was there, it was as if they had disappeared. There was only a torch in a tree. ¡°There is something in that branch,¡± Finn pointed at the tree. Tucked between the branches of an old pine was a scroll. Dante stepped forward and pulled it free. As he unrolled it, a pen shimmered into existence beside the parchment, hovering mid¨Cair before falling into his hand. His voice was even as he read aloud: ¡°Choose the leader of the group within one minute with everyone¡¯s agreement and write their name on this note Or after every minute one of the group members will die.¡± What?¡± Asher frowned and my eyes widened. ¡°It does not seem like an empty threat,¡± Ronan murmured, his eyes going to the shining pen A strange pressige tightened in the air the moment he finished. The scroll pulsed faintly with golden light, and the pent shimmered ominously None of us moved Silvice stretched between us like a de. muttered, ncing around. ¡°We don¡¯t even know what the next trial is. How are we supposed to choose a leader for it!¡± My heart thudded. The tute wasn¡¯t just a prompt, it was a trap. ¡°Choosing the wrong leader could cost us everything.¡± I stated 11:50 AM p p. Chapter 52 When The Mountain Opens lowly. But the worst part? The clock was ticking. Still, no one spoke up. No one volunteered, But at no one refused either. +8 Pearls ¡°Twenty seconds left.¡± Dante pointed out as everyone looked at each other. If what the note said was true, one of us was going todic. ¡°How about we do it alphabetically? First letter of our names. Everyone¡¯s gaze went to Finn. It sounded fair and neutral. Then everyone¡¯s gaze shifted to Asher. A came first. He blinked in realization and then nodded, ¡°Alright, I don¡¯t have a problem with that.¡± Dante passed him the pen, and Asher stepped forward. He quickly scribbled his name across the scroll with neat precision. The moment he was done, the ground beneath us shook. ¡°What was that?¡± I murmured as all of us stilled, my wolf waspletely alert in my mind as the next second, the earth beneath us lurched. ¡°What the The ground tilted violently. My feet slipped out from under me as the tree behind us cracked open with a mechanical groan, like stone grinding against stone. fell. My eyes squeezed tightly shut as I felt someone¡¯s touch on my hand almost as if protecting me, before we went down, down, deeper into darkness. I hit the slope hard, rolling uncontrobly, dirt and roots whipping past me until we crashed against solid ground again with a thud. I groaned, blinking at the dim red glow surrounding us. ¡°What the hell¡­¡± Asher muttered beside me, brushing dirt off his arms as he stood. I staggered to my feet, and froze.. just like others. The walls around us were stone. Cold, slick, and ancient. Carvings were etched into the archways overhead. A thick metallic scent filled the air. And at the center of the underground chamber¡­. stood a throne of bone and blood. Dante swore low under his breath. ¡°This isn¡¯t a cave¡± ¡°No.¡± Ronan said grimly. ¡°This is a vampire den.¡± I held my breath. The trial had begun. And we¡¯d justnded in hell. Send Gifts THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 53 Chapter 53 The Den Of Fangs And Secrets SERAPHINA A vampire¡¯s den. Could things get any worse? The stench hit my nose. It smelled like rotting copper soaked into bone¨Cdry dust. As my vision adjusted, I found a pair of violet eyes eying me. My heartbeat quickened, the memory of our bodies pressing against each other surfaced in my mind and the way he made me feel his bulge. But why was he looking at me like that? I bore looked away. But that had not been a good choice either. Dante was looking at me too. I held my breath as his blue eyes deeper into me as if it were not him but his wolf that was watching me. My fingers moved slightly on my side. Since when has he been watching me? And why? Unknown to me the other two pairs of eyes were also watching me. That¡¯s when a strange voice alerted all of us. We all stood frozen and unmoving. ¡°What was that?¡± I murmured under my breath ¡°Vampires, I guess,¡± Finn quietly said. ¡°It seems we have to fight with the vampires to win the trial,¡± Asher murmured. ¡°I can feel them near me but can¡¯t see them.¡± Dante pointed out. ¡°They seem to be hidden but not really hidden, Ronan stated. We all looked at each other unmoving, our wolves screaming the danger and then all of our eyes went to the ceiling of the cave together. ¡°Fuck!¡± Ronan, Dante, Finn, and Asher cursed under their breath while my eyes widened like owls at the sight of the ceiling arched high above, but the rock up there writhed¨Cno, hung. Thousands. Thousands of bats. No. Not bats. ¡°Vampires,¡± Ronan breathed, his voice barely audible. Dante¡¯s blue eyes swept the ceiling at lightning speed. ¡°They¡¯re sleeping in bat form.¡± ¡°But not for long.¡± Finn muttered, and then his eyes came to me, ¡°Seth, what¡¯s wrong?¡± I started breathing again and shook my head. ¡°Nothing.¡± I forced a smile, looking everywhere but at Ronan as he might have an idea. 1 Since he knew I was a female he would also have guessed that I had never seen a vampire before. As Alpha¡¯s sons they all must have seen vampires at least once in their lifetime but being a she¨Cwolf I was not allowed to. Father could not tolerate any scar in my body or face that would affect my beauty. So fighting with them was out of the question let alone ever seeing them I had no knowledge of them other than what I read in books. So I slowly took a step back from all of them, deciding to be behind them so as not to make a mistake but as I did I found myself bumping into a hard chest. I gasped and looked over my shoulder to find Konan When did you¡­¡± I gasped. Was he not just on the other side? When did he manage to get behind me? And why? ¡°SHHH.¡± Asher lushed all of us, ¡°Don¡¯t make any noise or we are all fucked.¡± We all stilled. Dante questioned lowly, ¡°Are they not sleeping! The Sun is still high in the sky.¡± Aalter nodded seriously. ¡°Yeah, but now the rule of them sleeping during the day and waking up at night no longer exists werewolves broke into their territory. They can unell us even while they sleep. They¡¯re reacting to our scents already! Une wrong move, one loud sound, and they¡¯ll wake up. We¡¯ll be torn to pieces in seconds 11:51 AM PP Chapter 53 The Den Of Fangs And Secrets Finn clicked his tongue, unimpressed. ¡°So, we fight.¡± +8 Pearls ¡°No.¡± Asher stated strongly. ¡°We don¡¯t. That¡¯s not the trial. The real trial is escaping without waking them.¡± he turned to all of us, ¡°Seeing how they have not attacked us, we still have the advantage. Let¡¯s find a way out of here before they wake up!¡± Dante raised an eyebrow. ¡°And how the hell do you know that?¡± he clearly did not believe him or anyone here. And it was obvious since they were not friends. Ronan calmly revealed, ¡°Asher has been fighting vampires and killing them since he was sixteen.¡± My eyes went to Asher in surprise. Wait, how could I forget he was from ShadowMoon Pack! The pack that had been hunting. the vampire¡¯s in the realm for hundreds of years.. ¡°I think I saw one of them moving,¡± Finn whispered. Asher gritted his teeth. ¡°They are picking up our scent!¡± ¡°Asher, how much time do we have?¡± Ronan asked, getting motivated. ¡°I estimate we have about fifteen minutes. Thankfully none of us have shifted into our wolf form or we would barely have five minutes,¡± Asher muttered, sweat glistening on his forehead. All of them cursed under their breath, scattering around to find the escape but I stood staring at Asher. ¡°Why are you sweating so much?¡± I asked. ¡°Sweating?¡± he reached out to touch his forehead. And then it happened. Asher suddenly jerked, fell to his knees with a strangled gasp¨Cand in a blur of ck light, his body shifted into his wolf. The silence shattered inside me as everyone froze staring at the ck wolf among us ¡°What just happened?¡± I whispered under my breath, shocked. ¡°We were not supposed to shift and Asher shifted himself? Finn stated in disbelief as Asher¡¯s scent filled the cave. The slumbering bats twitched, an eerie ripple across the cave ceiling. ¡°Asher, why the hell did you shift?!¡± Ronan growled. ¡°Do you fucking want jo kill everyone?!¡± Dante¡¯s eyes turned red in furry. Asher did not answer. But I noticed him acting strange. He had been looking at Ronan, restlessly. ¡°I think he is saying something to you,¡± I turned to Roman ¡°And for the first time I can¡¯t understand him,¡± Ronan clenched his fists. ¡°What?¡± my eyes widened and then snapped to Asher, ¡°Could it be you shifted without your consent?¡± His wolf nodded. ¡°Then sluft back!¡± Finn stepped forward hurriedly. ¡°They are waking up due to your scent.¡± Asher gave no response. Dante clenched his fits, ¡°So now he can¡¯t shift into his human form?! And the time we have left in our hands is decreasing?¡± ¡°But there is no way of getting out. The cave seems to be sealed,¡± Finns quickly stated. Ronan murmured, ¡°Asher has been in such conditions since childhood, he knows how to get out of here.¡± scowled. ¡°And now he n¡¯t shin ormunicate Chapter 53 The Den Of Fangs And Secrets +8 Pearls Phina grew panicked in my mind. This was wrong. If the vampires woke up then we all would die but my disguise would be ripped off first. Vampires could smell blood and they would immediately realise I was a fernale. And from what I had learned vampires would dishonor she¨Cwolves in a worse way possible before killing them. Or they might keep them alive for future entertainment Ronan rushed to Asher, ¡°Asher, try to give me any hint.¡± Asher¡¯s wolf looked frantic and wild trying his best but he could not do anything. ¡°Fuck!¡± Dante groaned, ¡°it seems that this is because of some kind of spell. The moment the leader is chosen, the cave marks him as prey. It forces the shift to disrupt bnce. And it fucked us all up.¡± I clenched my fists. No, there was no way I could allow the vampires to wake up. That¡¯s when Asher dashed to the cavern wall indicating towards the long iron pipe embedded in the rock. ¡°Is he asking to get it out? Finn sighed, whistling low. He pulled off his jacket,id it on the ground, and reached into the cavern wall, retrieving the long iron pipe embedded in the rock. Asher¡¯s wolf made a slow noise that told us we had interpreted what he wanted correctly, Ronan¡¯s voice came from behind. ¡°Here is the crack in the wall,¡± he touched the ce where Finn had pulled our the rod. Dante, also inspecting the wall added, ¡°it seems there is a tunnel behind it.¡± They all exchanged nces and then met with Asher¡¯s wolf who nodded telling them they got it correct. But then the twitching of the bats increased even more. ¡°They are waking up!¡± I stated. The next thing I knew, Asher¡¯s wolf charged over to dig at the wall. Ronan, Dante joined him while Finn weakened the wall from the other side with the rod. I stood there watching them digging then looked at the bats. With the noise they made the bats were hurriedly waking up. That was when it happened. I held my breath as one of the bats turned into a human standing in the darkness, his red eyes locking with mine. ¡°A she¨Cwolf?¡± he murmured under his breath. My heart dropped in my stomach. No¡­. Send Gifts 11:51 AM Pp 49 THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 54 Chapter 54 The Tunnel That Betrayed SERAPHINA The vampire¡¯s words rang like a whisper in my skull¨CA she¨Cwolf. Fear gripped my heart. So it was not just a rumor. Vampires could really tell male or female by the scent of their blood. My perfume failed when confronted with vampires. Phina growled in my mind. ¡°But no one else heard him!TM bats on the ceiling I clenched my fists to help control my fear. Yeah, none of the Alphas had heard the vampire because of the b screamed. So loud that it hurt my ears. Thousands of wings exploded into the air, a sound like a tsunami made of bone and shadow. The bats¨Cno, the vampires- were awake.. ¡°AAAA!¡± Ronan growled, driving the iron rod into the weakened wall alongside Finn using all of his strength while Dante gave it a hard kick and Asher¡¯s wolf practically plowed into the wall like a truck hitting the wall. 1 gasped as the caye cracked, a splintering roar tearing through the den. Chunks of rock fell like hail. Sunlight burst through at hole, a glowing beam slicing the darkness. As the slight sunlight fell on all of us something happened. Asher¡¯s wolf jerked violently, his body convulsing as if struck by lightning. In a sh of flickering bones and skin, he shifted- back. Naked, panting, eyes wide with horror and adrenaline. Everyone¡¯s expressions were full of shock as Asher¡¯s curse was broken. ¡°Run!¡± he rasped, voice raw as he stared at us. ¡°The sunlight will notst for more t than five seconds. Movel Move!! Move!!¡± We didn¡¯t need to be told twice. Especially me. I had to get out of here before the vampires tried to catch me or revealed my secret. Without looking back, we sprinted over debris and dodged jagged rocks. Just like Asher had predicted, the sunlight quickly disappeared leaving us running in the dark tunnel. I could not tell who was ahead of or behind me. Behind us, a roar of fury echoed through the vampire den. My heart pounded louder than my footfalls. I could feel the chase even though they hadn¡¯t yet moved until the sunlight disappeared. The tunnel was narrow, slick, and steep. My fingers scraped against rough stone as we hurtled forward, and still I heard them ¨Cscreeches like ws against metal, voices that weren¡¯t human, weren¡¯t wolf, weren¡¯t anything natural. ¡°Keep going!¡± Asher barked. ¡°Don¡¯t look back!¡± My legs burned. My lungs screamed. The air was thick with earth and old blood. But then, I saw it Light. A sliver of golden salvation just ahead. We¡¯re almost there!¡± Finn yelled but his voice echoed in the tunnel confusing me as to where he was. Due to the rush and the vampires following us I could not focus enough to use Phina¡¯s vision to see in the dark. However, I could feel that meone was ahead of que kicking the obstacles out of our way while there was someone behind me, his chest brushing me never I stumbled on a random stone under my feet. But they never outran ine. Who was 10? Just as I thought it, I telt a hand trying to catch my hand in the dark and another hand attempting to find my other hand, Someule was on my right and left tuu. Who was it? In the next secund, slight sunlight came into view. Three figures reached the opening first,unching themselves into the sunlight like it was heaven itself. The sharp sunlight what they stood blinded me for a second and I could not tell who the three were Just as I neared the mouth of the tunnel, something groaned a deep, scary sound. The earth shuddered under iny feet. 11:51 AM P Chapter 54 The Tunnel That Betrayed ¡°Wait!¡± I choked. ¡°The tunnel¨Cf¡± But it was toote. I was at the point where I could have been killed by a rock falling on my head. ¡°No!¡± A hand wrapped around my waist from behind and pulled me back. +8 Pearls With a sickening crack, the roof above copsed in a rain of stone and dirt. I was flung backward as a boulder crashed between us and the sun.. The mouth of the tunnel sealed itself shut in front of my eyes and in thosest moments, I saw him. Ronan. On the other side of the tunnel, standing in the sun watching me with wide violet eyes as the tunnel was blockedpletely with thest stone. Gone. Falling on the ground but not getting hurt due to the strong and powerful presence behind me, I sat up in the sudden silence heart thundering. Dust filled the air, making it hard to breathe. For a moment, I sat there staring at the blocked exit horrified. My mind was too foggy to understand the situation. ¡°Are you okay?¡± A familiar voice breathed softly in my ears. I nced over my shoulder to see the person holding me. My heart drummed in my chest. Then a face came into focus that I never expected. ¡°Asher,¡± I whispered in shock. Phina froze in my mind. So it had been Asher behind me the whole time. He was the one who saved me. Not¡­him. Deep in my heart I realized that my wolf and myself were disappointed. Wait, why was I disappointed? So disappointed that my heart was squeezed to the point I felt it was painful. However, at that moment I had a horrifying realization, I was disappointed that it was not Ronan I wanted the person behind me to be Ronan. The person holding me. The person whispering in my ear. I wanted it to be him¡­ Send Gifts 65 THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 55 Chapter 55 The Beast Outside The Stone RONAN Thest rock fell with a final, echoing thud. And she was gone. Her beautiful Amber eyes looking into mine were gon Ope breath. That¡¯s all it took for the world to cave in. I stared at the sealed tunnel, frozen in ce. My wolf was no different than me. The sunlight warmed my skin, but inside, I was ice. Shocked and suddenly feeling a strange feeling rising inside me. She had been left inside. Not alone but with thousands of vampires. My chest heaved, air scraping my lungs, but it did nothing¨Cno air could reach the hole her absence tore open in me. What was this feeling? I wanted to rip something apart. Someone apart. A sound ripped from my throat¨Chalf growl, half something else. Something darker. ¡°NO!!¡± I lunged at the blocked tunnel, falling to my knees as I wed at the stones with bare hands, not caring that my fingers split open, that my nails cracked and bled. I did not even bother to wonder where Dante and Finn had suddenly gone, that they basically disappeared a few moments after all three of us made it out of the tunnel. I tore at the rock like a feral beast, ignoring the sting of pain, the warm slick of blood seeping into the earth. ¡°MOVE!¡± I roared at the wall, as if my voice alone couldmand the boulders to shift. ¡°COME OUT!! COME OUT WHILE LASKING YOU NICELY!!!¡± -But the tunnel remained shut, Cold Silent My wolf snarled so loudly in my head it drowned out the world. ¡°Get to her¡± ¡°Tear it down.¡± ¡°Bring her back. My vision tunneled. My body vibrated with rage I couldn¡¯t name. Why did it feel like my soul had been sealed behind that wali with herr Why was this this feeling so unbearable? She was an Alpha She could protect herself. She was a liar. A betrayer. she¨Cwell pretending to be something else. And yet Nour of that mattered now It didn¡¯t make it easier to breathe I kept digging and digging until a blur of movement caught my eye. My blood roared louder ¡°SERAPHINAIT¡± I roared. SERAPHINA dug to the cave floor. I couldn¡¯s hear anything beyond the roar of panic in my blood. second longer, the taste of dust thick on my tongue, the pounding in my chest louder than ever. My linger 11:51 AM p p. Chapter 55 The Beast Outside The Stone ¡°Seth.¡± Asher touched my face and made me look into his beautiful eyes. ¡°We have to go. They areing! +8 Pearls When he said that sense knocked back into my brain. The air had shifted, and the vampires wereing our way since the sunlight was blocked. ¡°Where¡± I gasped, standing up and turning my head sharply toward the sound of distant, scraping ws. ¡°Follow me.¡± He grabbed my hand. There was no time for grace. No time for anything except running. He pulled me toward a narrow tunnel curving off the side, one that had been hidden in shadow while the main exit was close. Now it yawned like the throat of a beast, darker and wider than I expected. We r?u. The ground was uneven, scattered with sharp rocks and old bones. My boots slipped in the slick mud. Water dripped from above, the walls wet and breathing, like the cave itself was alive and suffocating us slowly. There is no other exit.¡± Asher said between gritted teeth. ¡°This is clearly a fucking trap.¡± I nced at his hard expression and his wolf continuouslymunicating with him. His aura had grown so strong that even Phina realized that this Alpha would be anything but dead here. He had a higher level of survival skill than I had seen in anyone. But¡­. I nced over my shoulder as the shadow of the vampires following us fell on us. That vampire that had recognized me was desperately following us because of me. But Asher did not know. ¡°Asher, let¡¯s separate,¡± I slowly let go of his hand. ¡°What?¡± he frowned, grabbing my hand again, ¡°Stay with me. You will get caught easily. I pursed my lips, unable to admit that was the reason I wanted to separate. He would get caught thanks to me and when that happened my secret would be revealed first. If I was going to die here, I wanted to go with my dignity and no guilt about dragging him to hell alongside me. ¡°I just want to distract them,¡± I pressed. ¡°Don¡¯t lie,¡± he nced at me as if he could see through me, ¡°I will not let them catch us,¡± saying that he pulled me into another deeper darker path. My throat closed up. I didn¡¯t know what to say,how to respond to someone who meant it that deeply. I could not help but find myself trusting him. But the sound of wed feet scraping stone snapped us out of it. A scream Inhuman Close by. ¡°Asher, do you have a n?¡± I desperately asked. §Ó§Ñ He looked ahead. We¡¯d gone as far as we could, and the walls had widened into a cavernous opening again with no exit. wolf appeared in his eyes as a stubborn and absolutely crazy version of him. ¡°Hold me!¡± he said sharply, pulling me against his chest. Before I could ask anything more, he threw us to the ground. His ¡°Trust me he whispered, voice tight with urgency. Tien¨Che grabbed a handful of the slick, bloody mud beneath us and smeared it over my skin. 1 gasped He rolled, covering himself too, both of us pressed chest¨Cto¨Cchest is the thick mess. The coppery stench of old blood and 11.51 AM Chapter 55 The Beast Outside The Stone decayed flesh filled my nose. ¡°This is the only way,¡± he muttered. ¡°Mask our scents.¡± +8 Pearls Then, still holding me close, he dragged us into a tight crevice between two copsed stones where the wall caved just enough to hide us. Barely. Our bodies wedged close in the damp, suffocating gap. His heartbeat thudded against mine. I could hear the vampires now Dozens of them. Their snarls bounced off the stone. Their nails scraped the walls as they crawled, sniffing Looking for us. The scent of blood was everywhere¨Cfresh, decaying, old. Asher had gambled that it would be enough to drown out the scent of ours. I didn¡¯t breathe. He didn¡¯t either. Through the thin sliver of stone, I watched shadows flicker past. Pale figures twisted unnaturally, some crawling along the walls like insects. And then, one stopped. Just feet away. I was tense. Every muscle locked. The vampire sniffed the air. My heart stopped. It cocked its head. Moved closer. into mu My fingers curled into my own sides. ¡°Don¡¯t move. Don¡¯t move. Don¡¯t breathe, I reminded myself. The vampire bent low, almost looking through the stone. But then- It hussed. Snarled. And darted away, chasing a different trail. The others followed, scattering deeper into the cave. Cone. For now But I stayed fruzen in Asher¡¯s arms, unable to believe we were still alive. For a moment, just one moment, I realized how close I was standing to him. I slowly lifted my eyes to lok with his He looked deep into my eyes and confessed, ¡°You are so beautiful that I might fall for B 11:51 AM P P ¨C THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 56 Chapter 56 He Tore The Sky SERAPHINA The suddenpliment took me off guard. It was not the first time someone had called me beautiful. But right now I was disguised as a man. So, another man calling me beautiful at this moment was nothing but a threat to my disguise. What an unexpected thing to say in this kind of situation,¡± I let out a small casualugh, never tearing my eyes away from him. Asher finally blinked, realizing what he¡¯d just said. I was not sure if it was due to awkwardness or regret, his ears had turned red and he squeezed himself out of the narrow space, ¡°I must have lost my mind,¡± he murmured embarrassed. ¡°Sorry, that came out wrong.¡± he refused to meet my gaze. I also came out, sighing deep in my heart. ¡°It¡¯s okay. I get it alot because I look like my mother. Not my father, I inherited her beauty,¡± I casually stated. Asher finally lifted his gaze to meet mine and this time his expression was not shy or embarrassed but there was something else. What was it? I casually looked away and nced around. ¡°They are gone. But they might return once they realize we are hiding.¡± Asher murmured, ¡°They are already returning.¡± My eyes widened. ¡°Then now what? Is there no way to get out of here?¡± ¡°No,¡± he admitted through gritted teeth. ¡°There isn¡¯t. Not unless ¡± ¡°Unless?¡± He crouched low, fingers sweeping across the slick cave floor. This stuff¡­ It¡¯s bat guano.¡± ¡°Bat guano?¡± ¡°Bat shit,¡± he said simply, smearing some on his palm. ¡°This entire damn cave is covered in it. It¡¯s full of ammonium nitrate. That means. My eyes glinted realizing what information he has been hedging at. ¡°It burns!¡± He smirked, ¡°Yeah.¡± Smirking cooly when the vampires charged our way was so like Asher. But we needed to be quick and he already was on his feet, ¡°We just need a spark.¡± My mind raced. There are stones that we can use,¡± I rushed to grab the stones from the ground. Asher ripped the iron pendant from around his neck, the edges sharp. Then, dragging a jagged piece of stone from the floor, I put it in front of him as he mmed the two together. Spark Nothing Spark Spark. I held my breath, my eyes going to the darkness where Phina sensed the vampires. ¡°Asher they are o Asher gritted his teeth giving his everything as the next a small me tickered. Weak, but alive. Yes, fually I nced at the darkness again. ¡°They are close!¡± Les back, he instructed me I quickly took a few steps back as a pair of red eyes rushed from the darkness towards us. Ashhurled the guano toward the dampest, filthiest part of the cave. The fire didn¡¯t just catch¨Cit exploded in a sudden 11:51 AM P P. Chapter 56 He Tore The Sky +8 Pearls burst of orange and ck, racing across the walls with a hiss like boiling oil. The ammonia¨Cinfused floor lit up in a wave of fire, snaking toward the cave¡¯s entrance. The shrieks of the vampires turned to wails. Even better, the vampires could note to our side. They could not cross the bridge of fire. 1 flinched as the smoke hit my eyes, choking and blinding me. But the fire burned hot. Too hot. The air shimmered. The guano acted like oil, feeding the me in waves. The vampires, already sensitive to heat and light, violently recoiled. screeching in agony as the fire reached them. This scene alone was shocking. But it was our chancel ¡°Asher, let¡¯s go back to the tunnel and get out of here.¡± Since it was the only exit and the vampires would not be able to chase after us thanks to the fire we would have a chance to remove the stones blocking the tunnel and escape. ¡°Great n but I don¡¯t think I can apany you! ¡°Why?¡± Just as I asked, one of the bats tried to crawl past the mes. Asher snarled and hurled a sharp stone at its throat, silencing it. I gasped. ¡°Can they..¡± ¡°Not all of them are afraid of fire or death. Some are brave,¡± he nced my way in meaning. ¡°So now, I am afraid that you have to go down the tunnel alone and open it.¡± ¡°What? I can¡¯t leave you alonel ¡°One of us has to be here to stop them,¡± he groaned, killing another bat. ¡°You have to be the one to op open the tunnel and give me a signal. I promise I will meet you there alive,¡± he nced at me, saying that with a long look deep in my eyes. ¡°Now both of our lives are in your hands.¡± I clenched my fists. I still did not wish to leave Asher alone here to die but it was not the time to be emotional. We both could die. I immediately turned around and started running down the tunnel. I nced back once, just once, to see the vampires hissing behind the firewall, their fangs glinting like knives. But they didn¡¯t cross it However, it did not mean they were not trying to break through. ¡°They could not be kept at bay forever!¡± I ran faster. Heart pounding, lungs on fire, I tore through the cave toward the tunnel where we¡¯d once seen sunlight. If I could just remove some stones¨Cjust one¨Cthen Asher and I could escape before the fire died, before the bats descended again. But as soon as I rounded the bend, I froze. A pair of red eyes andrge fangs greeted, ¡°So I was not wrong,¡± the vampire from the earlier grinned. ¡°It¡¯s really a she¨Cwolf in disguise¡± My heart dropped in my stomach. He had been waiting. He knew we woulde back. And he had no intention of letting us leave. His ws gleamed like obsidian des. Blood red eyes watched me with chilling stillness. I took a slow, capnous step back. He mirrored it with one forward. ¡°Let us go. We are not here to disturb you. We will leave quietly. I decided to take a peaceful path with him even though 1 Is this some kind of joke?¡± He chuckled, his eyes glowing red. The silence between us was brutal. I could hear the crackling ut le far behind me. I could feel Asher fighting to keep the mes alive 11:51 AM PP. Chapter 56 He Tore The Sky ¡£ +8 Pearls I didn¡¯t have time. But this vampire, he had all the time in the world. ¡°After all these years, I am going to taste delicious female blood and you want to leave quietly?¡± he hungrily licked his lips before smiling so evilly that it sent chills down my spine, ¡°You are never leaving here.¡± My fists clenched and I took a few more steps back realizing his ill intentions. I had never fought a vampire before. I didn¡¯t know if I would survive. But I had no choice. If I didn¡¯t kill him, he¡¯d kill me. Even worse, he¡¯d go for Asher next. I took my stance all ready to shift if need be and set my sights on him. ¡°Stop He smiled. A slow, sinister curl of lips that promised pain. Then he lunged. I met him head¨Con. me if yo you can.¡± ws racked against knuckles. Fang against will. The cave echoed with the force of our impending collision, I knew this was
  1. it.
One of us would not walk away. I gave control over to Phina and just as I was about to shift the world rumbled. An explosion took ce leaving me deaf. A st of air and dust so powerful it knocked both of us off our feet BOOM! The roof above us erupted in a deafening storm of stone and sunlight. A violent shaft of golden light crashed through the ceiling¨Cblinding, searing, divine. As it happened the vampire screamed. I froze, my eyes widening at the sight of the vampire screaming as if his life was being stuck our of his mouth. It was the first andst sound he made. Sunlight devoured him like fire meeting dry leaves. His skin blistered and ckened. His body crumpled and curled as smoke poured from his shrieking form. Within seconds, there was nothing left but ash swirling in the hot light.¡± I was frozen in ce, gasping, unable to believe what I had just seen. And then¡­I felt it.. A presence. I slowly lifted my gaze to the gapingrge hole in the cave ceiling. And saw him. Ronan. My heart skipped a beat. Standing at the edge of the newly tom rool, violet eyes locked on mine like I was the only thing left in the world. His chest rose with the force of his breathing. His shirt was torn. His hands were bloodied from wing through stone. ¡°He did this,¡± Plina whispered in my mind as I watched him jump down without blinking. Hended like a storm before me ut a word, he strode closer to me and then pulled me into his arm Strong Warm. Desperate I gasped as my chest bumped into his hard yet warm one as he whispered into my ear. ¡°Did they touch you?¡± My heart skipped a be He sure the sky for me THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 57 Chapter 57 Thunder Beneath The Skin Seraphina. His strong arms wrapped around me, possessive and desperate, before I even had time to think. I froze. Not from fear, but from something far more dangerous. I had never¨Cnever¨Cbeen held like this by a man. Not with this much fire. Not with this much urgency, as if he¡¯d wed his way through hell just to find me. Just to touch me His scent¨Cmasculine,ced with sweat and a faint trace of smoke¨Cclung to me like a second skin, invading my senses until my entire body went limp in his embrace. His breathing was erratic, crashing against my ear like thunder. His heart wasn¡¯t just pounding¨Cit mmed against his chest, and with every beat, his grip tightened around me as if letting go might undo himpletely. And my wolf, Phina, went still. Just still All of her instincts, her fierce vignce and ever¨Cpresent guard, melted beneath the weight of this touch. For the first time since I dared to dely every rule, since I stepped onto this path toward the throne masked as someone I wasn¡¯t she let her guard down. It wasn¡¯t safety she felt. It was him. And it terrified me. A tremor ran through my chest, and I couldn¡¯t tell if it was from the fading adrenaline¨Cor the unfamiliar, forbidden sensation his touch had awakened in me. I could barely breathe with him holding me like I was something he¡¯d almost lost. Something that mattered. My mind was fogging over, dangerously close to unraveling, when sharp, fast footsteps pped against the stone floor- snapping me back to reality. Asher¡¯s voice. My heart dropped. He was saw us like this, he would know. He would see right through me. I shoved Ronan away, breath hitching as I tore myself from his arms just a heartbeat before Asher rounded the bend into the smoke¨Cfilled cavern. ¡°There you are!¡± Asher skidded to a stop. ¡°The vampires, they all burned the moment the roof- He paused mid¨Csentence when he spotted Ronan. ¡°Ronan,¡± he sighed, then chuckled. ¡°Of course, I should¡¯ve guessed you were the one who blew the roof open.¡± He stopped to catch his breath. Ronan didn¡¯t say a word. this hands were empty. His expression unreadable. But his eyes, those violet eyes, remained locked on me Because I had pushed him away Because I dared to act like lus touch hadn¡¯t let me reeling. Asher nced between us again. frowning at the sudden tension that hung thick in the air. Did something happen!¡± 11:51 AM PP. Chapter 57 Thunder Beneath The Skin I turned sharply, my jaw clenched so tight I could barely speak. +8 Pearls ¡°No,¡± I muttered, bitterness slipping into my voice before I could stop it. ¡°I¡¯m just jealous. You have a friend who¡¯d blow up a mountain for you.¡± I didn¡¯t dare look back. But I could feel it. That re. Hot. Piercing. Dangerous. It scorched across my back like fire licking at my skin. Ronan¡¯s silence was in no way peaceful. It was volcanic. 1 forced my voice to remain steady. ¡°It¡¯s suffocating in here. I¡¯m going out.¡± Before Asher could respond, I turned toward the crumbling stone wall, leapt onto a ledge, and climbed toward the gaping tear in the ceiling. My fingers dug into cracks. My boots scraped against rough rock. With one final push. Iunched myself upward, into the sunlight bleeding through the broken roof, leaving behind ash, smoke, and a man who had looked at me like he might devour me whole. I didn¡¯t see his face. But I knew If I were to look back, I would¡¯ve seen something I wasn¡¯t ready to face. But even with that misunderstanding, even with his silent fury, it was nothingpared to what awaited me outside. Because what I saw next was far more terrifying than I could¡¯ve ever imagined. The forest clearing around the cave was torn apart. The trees nearby stood broken, their trunks cracked and splintered, some scorched as though lightning had kissed them. The earth was ripped open in a jagged line, raw and steaming. ¡°What is all of this?¡± I whispered under my breath. ¡°Thunderstone,¡± my voice whispered back in disbelief. My eyes widened. I had only heard of it in theory. A rare, vtile stone infused with dormant lightning, found in deep underground veins. Nearly impossible to control, yet Ronan had. He had wed through the terrain, through solid rock, and driven the Thunderstone straight into the bed of charged earth. Combined with his wolf¡¯s force and the conductive minerals in the ground, the impact had detonated like a surge of pure ligianing, exploding the cave ceiling above me with surgical precision. He had calcted it Tirned it. Risked it. For for.me I took a step back, unable to ept the fact of this horrifying truth. Why had he gone to such lengths for me? It was crazy. He might have died but he he ¡°Where are Finn and Dante?¡± Asher¡¯s voice pulled me out of my thoughts. He and Roman walked side by side. I nced at Roman Qu ¡°Where the hell could they have gone?¡± Asher murmured and asked Ronan, ¡°Did they not exit the tunnel with you?¡± but quickly shifted my gaze to Asher and replied. ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± hey disappeared.¡± Ronan casually replied. Asher almost bit his tongue. Disappeared?¡± Roan nodded and nced down. ¡°I think this trial has just started,¡± he picked up the pen and the note from the ground. Again it asked us to choose the leader of the group. 11:11 AM Chapter 57 Thunder Beneath The Skin I could not help but walk closer to him to take a look at the note. ¡°Choose the leader? Again?¡± I cocked my brow. Asher frowned as he read further. The person already chosen earlier can not be chosen as a leader.¡± ¡°And it has to be chosen with every member of the group¡¯s agreement.¡± Ronan finished. ¡°But that is impossible when Finn and Dante are not here,¡± I stated. ¡°That¡¯s why this shit is useless, Ronan crushed the note and tossed it away with the pen. II I wanted to stop him but deep in my heart I knew he was correct. ¡°Let¡¯s find them and get off of this damn mountain! Asher growled. However, I stood there and nced at the note and pen on the ground. Why¡­did it feel so wrong? Send Gifts THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 58 Chapter 58 The re That Burned SERAPHINA ¡°The forest seems different,¡± I murmured, slowing my steps as my gaze lifted to the towering trees above. They were older here¨Ctwisted, dark, their thick branches tangled like ws grasping at the sky. Within half an hour, we had stepped into unfamiliar woods. The air held a different kind of dread. far more unsettling than the vampire cave we¡¯d left behind. ¡°The ground is too.¡± Ronan muttered, scuffing his boot against the earth. ¡°It was red before. Now it¡¯s ck,¡° 1 crouched, curiosity tugging at me. ¡°What is this red stuff anyway- I reached down to touch it, but Asher caught my hand just before my fingers met the soil. You¡¯re hurt!¡± I blinked, then looked at the back of my hand. The skin was scraped, the surface raw where the flesh had peeled away. ¡°Yeah¡­ but I¡¯m fine,¡± I said with a small shrug and a smile. ¡°No, you¡¯re not. The skin¡¯s practically burned off,¡± Asher¡¯s voice turned irritated as he gently wiped the dirt from the wound. ¡°I should¡¯ve been more careful when we were rolling on the ground earlier.¡± As he said that, I suddenly felt a chill crawl down my spine¨Ca pair of eyes boring into the side of my face. I turned, pulse stuttering, only to find Ronan ring at me, eyes dark with something untamed. His wolf burned just beneath the surface of his gaze, and the intensity of it made my heart falter. What was that look? ¡°Did you say you rolled on the ground together?¡± Ronan¡¯s voice was deceptively calm, but his expression betrayed him- tight¨Cjawed and unreadable. Still focused on cleaning my wound, Asher casually replied, ¡°Yeah, to mask our scents from the vampires. I guess I didn¡¯t hug Seth tightly enough if he still got scratched like this.¡± The words seemed to detonate in the air. Ronan¡¯s entire aura changed. Lethal. Electric. Possessive. The edges of his smile curled upward in a way that sent a shiver through me, not the good kind. The warning kind. ¡°Hug?¡± Ronan repeated, as if testing the word on his tongue¨Cand finding it foul. ¡°Yeah,¡± Asher said, looking up at me. ¡°Seth, are you hurt anywhere else?¡± I quickly shook my head and pulled my hand from his, forcing a polite smile. ¡°Really. In fine.¡± But I could feel the tension thickening around us. I could feel Ronan¡¯s fury, cloaked in a smile that felt sharper than a dagger. ¡°Check again,¡± he said, voice deceptively light. ¡°You might have more injuries¡­from when you were being rolled and hugged.¡± His smile was bone¨Cdeep unsettling, and for reasons I couldn¡¯t exin, it sent a jolt of panic through my chest. Why did he look at me like that? Like I had betrayed him. Like I¡¯d done something unforgivable. Was he seriously acting as though I¡¯d cheated? I blinked, caught between disbelief and confusion. Asher, oblivious to the storm brewing behind him, added without thinking. ¡°There were those sharp stones along the wall when we were squeezed in. I think you hurt your side- ¡°Asher!¡± Linterrupted, a little too loudly. He blinked, startled, ¡°What?¡± I darted a nce at Ronan, his expression had plunged into a depth of darkness that couldn¡¯t be described in words, Eyes TISTAMP P Chapter 58 The re That Burned stormy. Aura zing. Dangerous. ¡°There was a spider.¡± 1 said quickly, forcing a smile as I brushed at Asher¡¯s shoulder. ¡°On you, but it¡¯s gone now.¡± Without waiting for a response, I turned and marched ahead at lightning speed. ¡®s go. We don¡¯t have time to waste.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s I didn¡¯t look back. But I could feel him behind me. His gaze slicing down my spine. His aura was like sharpened steel. What the hell was wrong with that man? After some time the forest thickened around us. +8 Pearls The sunset light dimmed under a canopy of ancient trees, and even the wind seemed to hush. With every step we took deeper into the unknown, the air grew colder, heavier¨Clike the earth itself was warning us to turn back. ¡°We should¡¯ve found them by now,¡± Asher muttered beside me. Ronan said nothing. He walked ahead of us, silent as a shadow, but every line of his body was taut¨Cpredator¨Ctensed. His asionally twitched, his ears flicking to catch even the smallest of sounds. And then¡­ we saw them. s nose We all fr froze. ¡°This is a mess,¡± I murmured under my breath, finding myself surrounded by not one but dozens of skulls. Hung from trees with thorny ropes. Some cracked and hollowed. Others grinning with rotted teeth, split at the jaw as if they¡¯d been torn in half. Not all were wolves, A few were massive. Too massive to be natural. ¡°What the hell is this ce?¡± I breathed, heart pounding- No one answered. We didn¡¯t speak as we crept further, Ronan lifted a hand and crouched, motioning for us to do the same. The undergrowth gave way to a strange clearing ahead¨Ca ring of crude huts, made from dried bark, bones, and animal hide. And beyond them, the stench hit us. Blood, Sweat Rot. Something raw and primal that made my wolf recoil. ¡°We are definitely someone else¡¯s territory,¡± Asher cursed softly under his breath as we slithered into position behind a dense wall of shrubs and saw the source of it ¡°There are wolves,¡± I softly stated. ¡°But not like us. Ronan added. We looked at each other once before looking ahead. They were tall, skeletal, twisted in posture¨Cteral and wrong. Their eyes gleamed in unnatural colors, some yellow, some a sickly white. Their fur was patchy, matted with old blood. They spoke in a dialect I¡¯d never heard, guttural and clipped, {most like growls strung together into anguage. ¡°What are they cheering for?¡± Asher murmured as we all curiously nced to the other side. Dozens of them, surrounding a circle of hard¨Cpacked dirt, where a brutal fight raged between two wolves. One ck. One gray Snails chord across the clearing as they collided, mming into each other with enough force to snap bone. The gray run, but the ck one pounced. 11:51 AM PP. Chapter 58 The re That Burned What happened next stole my breath. +8 Pearls The ck wolf tore into the other¡¯s throat¡­and didn¡¯t stop. He ripped it open with his teeth and started to eat. Right there. In front of everyone. As if this was nothing unusual. The crowd howled their approval. Some mmed fists against the ground. Othersughed. One even threw what looked like a severed an into the ring. My mouth went dry. ¡°They¡¯re¡­ eating each other,¡± Asher whispered, horrified. ¡°These aren¡¯t rogues,¡± Ronan muttered lowly, ¡°They¡¯re something else. Something weird, a kind of us that does not know that we also exist just like we did not know they existed.¡± ¡°Flesh¨Ceaters¡­¡± I said, the word barely left my lips as my eyes widened like an owl when I saw the other side of clearing. A figure tied on a massive stake. ¡°Finn!¡± Send Gifts THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 59 Chapter 59 Rescue The Hostage Alpha SERAPHINA Ronan and Asher immediately followed my line of sight to Finn who was tied to a splintered wooden stake on the side of that grotesque camp. Blindfolded with his hands tied behind his back, Finn¡¯s shirt was red with his own blood, his head lolled to the side, but 1 could see the faint rise and fall of his chest. My nerves finally eased. ¡°He is alive!¡± I said letting ne out a a breath I hadn¡¯t released I was holding- But I suspect not for too much longer.¡± Asher pointed out. ¡°Those flesh eaters won¡¯t be keeping him alive for decoration.¡± While we were talking I saw Ronan looking around for something else, ¡°Dante is not there.¡± I froze, then quickly nced at where Finn was tied. ¡°Shit! He didn¡¯t let him get eaten by these wolves, right?¡± ¡°He is not someone who would be eaten so easily,¡± Ronan murmured. I nced up at him realising that even though Ronan Jand Dante never spoke to each other or even stood together Ronan knew a lot about his capability and the danger he could handle. I had even seen Dante eating the flesh of his own friend. Asher nodded grimly. ¡°The Dante I know would happily eat them instead of being eaten.¡± Judging by Asher¡¯s expression, I felt a strange feeling in my chest. ¡°Dante¡­¡± Phina whispered in my mind. Suddenly I felt a hand on my head that forced it lower. I blinked and found Ronan¡¯s face close to mine, his head ducked lower. That¡¯s when I realized that a few wolves were passing close to our hiding ce. I looked away from Ronan but he kept looking at me, his hot breath brushing my face. My ears turned red. The wolves¡® snouts twitched, tongues lolling with bloodlust. One of them sniffed the air but then trotted off, distracted by the shriek of another brawl beginning in the pit. We had already hidden our auras and scents so they would not be able to smell or sense our presence. We slowly lifted our heads to take a look only to find an absurdly tall wolf removing Finn from the wooden stake. Don¡¯t tell me they are going to eat Finn next!¡± My eyes widened ¡°Maybe¡± Ronan murmured. ¡°They¡¯ve created their own rules..and Finn¡¯s tied up like some kind of offering. Or punishment for the respasser. ¡°That¡¯s absurd. I don¡¯t think Finn would have walked in here of his own free will.¡± ¡°Of course he would not have, but he is still here. And it is enough for us to understand what it all indicates, right?¡± he nced down at me A sick feeling turned in my gut. ¡°A trial¡­ A small smile appeared on his lips. ¡°Rescue the hostage Alpha.¡± Asher groaned from my other side. ¡°Rescue? It should have simply been called jumping into the swap. We are outnumbered and the wolves that have taken the Alpha hostage have cannibalistic tendencies.¡± We all went quiet for a long moment, hudden by the undergrowth, watching the sick celebration continue. The tension in my chest sealed Lighter with each passing second My wolf snarled inside ine, pacing, angry not Tam wanting anymore. I will save Fin Drikusmen to me. Ronan nced at my desperation with an unreliable stare. ¡°It ser charge in¡± Asher added. ¡°We won¡¯t make it halfway to him before they rip us apart Themi d¨´nt change in.¡± I stated as my eyes moved to Bonan 11:51 AM P p ¡¤ Chapter 59 Rescue The Hostage Alpha Asher looked between the two of us, realizing the n. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me.¡± ¡°I will go save Finn,¡± I stated. ¡°And I will godistract those wolves,¡± Ronan added. +8 Pearls Asher¡¯s eyes snapped between us, ¡°I see both of your minds work perfectly together to put us on the path to getting killed easily. So I will make sure none of you die!¡± We looked at each other, before I turned and started quickly crawling on the ground with my elbows to avoid those wolves! attention. Within a minute, I reached behind the wooden stake ¡°Finn¡­¡± I whispered loud enough for him to hear. ¡°Finn¡­¡± Finn¡¯s cars twitched and be tilted his head slightly, ¡°Seth,¡± I let out the breath that I had been holding. Thanks to the Goddess he was not unconscious and also recognized my voice. ¡°I will untie the ropes and we will escape together,¡± I whispered the n as I slowly slid behind his back. Thankfully, hisrge form hid my small onepletely, so I stayed concealed from those wolves eyes. No, go back! They will catch you, Seth,¡± Finn whispered back. ¡°Don¡¯t worry they won¡¯t,¡± I started reaching for the piece of ss from my pocket as I nced at the ck Alpha wolf jumping into the clearing in front of the wolves and causing chaos. ¡°Not until he is standing¡­¡± I found myself staring at the ck wolf more than I should. Those wolves had be furious, I would even go so far as to say triggered over seeing a stranger werewolf in their territory. It led to all of them attacking Ronan. I knew he was strong but I did not know how long he could keep fighting and keep their attention on him. Our aim was not to kill them but to escape. So I focused on cutting the ropes that had tied Finn¡¯s hands. It was thick and took a lot of strength from me. It was harder than I had imagined. I put all my strength into it, keeping one eye on Konan¡¯s fur as it grew wet with blood from more wolves attacking him. ¡°Seth,¡± Finn suddenly called. ¡°It¡¯s almost cut,¡± I replied to him. ¡°Seti,¡± this time his voice was softer than before. froze and nced up at Finn who had his head turned back, his eyes still blindfolded, ¡°Would you cry if I die?¡± I was taken aback by the unexpected question. ¡°What are you talking about? I am not going to let you die!¡± Finn¡¯s lips curled up into a small smile and the next thing I knew he broke free of the binds on his hand like it was paper and stabbed his half shifted hand into the wolf¡¯s throat that was about to attack the from behind. 1 gasped as the wolf howled its me. At the same time Ronan¡¯s woll froze at seeing Finn almost hovering above me. ¡°Do you really have to sound so romantic?¡± Finn ripped off his blindfold and siniled down at me as his shadow fell on me, his eyespletely white,¡± when I can¡¯t see you¡± My heart dropped in my stomach. Finn had be blind Send Gifts THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 60 Chapter 60 Scrolls And Scars SERAPHINA My heart gave a violent lurch. For a moment, I couldn¡¯t breathe. I stared at Finn, still crouched under his shadow, but my thoughts had already spiraled far from this bloody clearing. Blind. Finn was blind. Ronan stilled too. Even amidst the chaos, he listened. ¡°No¡­¡± I whispered, as if denial alone could reverse what I¡¯d just heard. ¡°How could you go blind? That¡¯s impossible.¡± Panic red in my chest as I slid closer, needing to see his pale, unfocused eyes for myself. Before Finn could answer, a guttural growl sliced through the air. I snapped my head toward the noise, just in time to see Ronan¡¯s ck wolf form leap over us. His massive body collided mid¨Cair with a charging flesh¨Ceater. The crack of breaking. bones rang out as blood sttered across the dry ground. They saw me freeing Finn. Ronan a fleeting heartbeat, our eyes met his glowing violet gaze locking onto mine. We¡¯re running out of time. I spun back to Finn. ¡°How? How did this happen?¡± His expression was disturbingly calm, but his clenched jaw betrayed the tension simmering beneath the surface. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± he said, voice low and rough. ¡°I think I was unconscious. When I woke up, I was being dragged here. My whole body hurt. I could hear themughing. Then, one of them lunged at me.¡± He paused, his hands curling into tight fists at the memory. ¡°I killed it. Tore out its throat before it could take mine. I tried to escape. But then I stepped on something on the ground, it felt like a wooden scroll or¡­ maybe a relic. A secondter. everything went ck. I opened my eyes, and the world was gone.¡± My breath caught. ¡°A scroll? My gaze darted across the battlefield, scanning the wolves snarling and circling Ronan. ¡°That scroll, it must¡¯ve caused your blindness! We need to find it!¡± I hissed urgently, my eyes frantically searching every corner of the clearing. They must¡¯ve kept it close,¡± Finn said, urgency in his tone. And then My eyes locked onto a grey wolf at the edge of the fight, a thick wooden scroll tied around its neck with a ckened leather cord I jolted upright. ¡°That¡¯s att Esnan, mid¨Cbattle, caught my gaze across the chaos. His fur was streaked with blood, but his eyes never wavered. They burned into mine as if asking. ¡°Tell me. I didn¡¯t hesitate THERE Treamed, pointing straight at the woll 11E ONE WITH THE SCROLL AROUND ITS NECK! THAT¡¯S WHAT CAUSED FINN¡¯S BLINDNESS Kuna granded and crouched to luge TW&FI? I douted my voor sharja ¡°Don¡¯t touch the scroll! You might go blind tout¡± Busan da¡¯t hesitate if any dong, be surged forward with even more deadly intel b?c 11:51 AM Chapter 60 Scrolls And Scars +8 Pearls With terrifying grace, heunched himself into the air. The scroll¨Cwearing wolf tried to dodge, but Ronan was faster. He twisted mid¨Cair, mped his jaws around the wolf¡¯s spine, and snapped it clean in half. The crack echoed like thunder. The wolf¡¯s corpse copsed, twitching in the dirt. Without missing a beat, Ronan kicked the dead body toward us with a powerful swipe of his paw. Itnded heavily beside me, blood oozing from its throat. Finn flinched beside me, instinctively reaching out. ¡°What happened?¡± ¡°The scroll,¡± I breathed, grabbing arge leaf to shield my hand as I unwrapped it. I didn¡¯t know if this would work¨Cor if I might go blind too¨Cbut someone had to take the risk. Nothing happened when I touched it. No sh of pain. No loss of vision. There was only a bone¨Cdeep cold that settled over my skin. An unnatural energy pulsed from the scroll as I opened it. It felt ancient. Alive, Hungry. What was this? Seth, what¡¯s going on? Finn asked again, his voice tight with anxiety. ¡°You¡¯re not doing something stupid, are you?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± I murmured, eyes locked on the symbols. ¡°Just reading the scroll.¡± ¡°What does it say?¡® As I read, my eyes widened. ¡°This scroll is cursed.¡± ¡°Cursed?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± I confirmed. ¡°It says¡­ if someone not of this touches it, the scroll curses them with blindness.¡± Finn cursed under his breath, voice seething with rage. ¡°Those fucking disgusting wolves cursed me!¡± I looked at him¨Chis nk, unfocused eyes brimming with fury. He was losing control. Suddenly, a distant howl shattered the air. My stomach twisted. ¡°More areing,¡± I whispered. I turned to Ronan¨Cstill locked in battle, his ws and fangs shing through enemy after enemy. Alone. A strange ache bloomed in my chest, and I gripped the scroll tighter. ¡°What else does it say!¡± Finn asked quickly. ¡°There¡¯s nothing else,¡± I replied, frustrated. If this scroll turned out to be useless then how could we defeat those wolves and break Fina¡¯s curse? That¡¯s when the other wolves finally arrived and circled Ronan. But Aslier jumped into the fight catching them off guard as he started killing them alongside Ronan just like we had nned ¡°That¡¯s strange,¡± Finn muttered, attracting my attention ¡°I heard them say to roll it carefully so the letters on the back immediately turned the scroll over¨Cand sure enough, faint etchings appeared, nearly invisible. There is something else.¡± I said, narrowing my eyes. ¡°Faut letters, almost lost.¡± ¡°Really Fann gasped ¡°What does it say?¡± read carefully ¡°The blind curse may only be broken in two ways. First, the cursed one must die My hands clenched the scroll and I nced at Fun He went utterly still ¡°And second. ¡°I continued: ¡°The cursed que must ce the drops of their blood on the cursed object buried beneath the 11:51 AM p p. Chapter 60 Scrolls And Scars I stood abruptly, my eyes scanning the forest. ¡°What cursed trees it is referring to? I don¡¯t even know the names these! Behind me. the w wolves howled louder. More were arriving. We were running out of time. ¡°I¡¯ve been smelling something sweet and creamy since I was tied here,¡± Finn suddenly said.. My nose twitched, and I caught it too. My eyes shot to the tworge trees where Finn sat. ¡°Fig trees. er fir trees¨Cunder you. My blood ran cold. ¡°Fig trees are cursed. The scroll was buried under fig tr Finn gasped and scrambled back. ¡°Shit! Seth¨Cdig it out, now!¡± 48 Pearls of half of I looked around and spotted a rusty rod lying nearby. My gaze flicked back to him. ¡°I¡¯ll kill those disgusting wolves myself once this curse is broken,¡± he muttered. I studied him silently. ¡°Really?¡± Yest Hurry up, we¡¯re running out of time!¡± he urged. ¡°Okay.¡± I nodded, grabbing the rod and mming it into the earth beside him. Finn¡¯s ears twitched. ¡°What are you doing, Seth? I don¡¯t hear digging! Move faster or r or we¡¯ll all be killed!¡± ¡°I am tired,¡± I let out a long sigh, staring at Asher and Ronan continued fighting like machines. ¡°Tired?¡± Finn was taken aback. ¡°It¡¯s not time to joke around. Seth¡­¡± ¡°Do you think¡­¡± I cut him off in a low voice, ¡°if they died here, both Ronan and Asher¡­ that would eliminate thepetition for the throne, wouldn¡¯t it?¡± Ronan caught my words mid¨Cfight and threw me a nk nce. Finn tensed. ¡°Y¨Cyeah, that would be convenient. But my eyes- ¡°And Dante,¡± I added softly. ¡°It¡¯d be even better if he died somewhere too. Don¡¯t you think?¡± I murmured. Finn frowned. ¡°Yeah, it would be better if they all died. But this isn¡¯t the time to talk about that, Seth! We¡¯re in danger! Dig quickly. I titled my head to him and bit my lips softly. ¡°You¡¯re not blind, are you?¡± A dead silence fell between us. His shaking stopped. His unfocused eyes sharpened, and locked onto mine. His expression shifted. The innocence fell away like a mask. A slow smile crept across my lips as I asked, ¡°Who are you?¡± Send Gifts THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 61 Chapter 61 Obsession In Violet SERAPHINA ¡°Who are you?¡± I smiled, cold and steady. Those ssy pale eyes¨Conce dull with the e pretense of blindness¨Cwere now sharp. Focused. Alive. And trained on me like a predator who¡¯d grown bored of the chase. Then he smiled. Slow, Sinister. Tasting of secrets long buried. ¡°Well, well, he said, stretching his limbs with a satisfied groan. ¡°How long have you known?¡± 1 didn¡¯t flinch. Even as Ronan and Asher tore through the circling wolves, their movements sharper now, listening¨Caware. Ronan¡¯s growls. deepened, and with every word I spoke, his attacks grew more brutal. More lethal. I stared directly at the imposter. ¡°Since you cursed.¡± He raised a brow, amused. ¡°Finn doesn¡¯t curse,¡± I said, voice even. ¡°Not even when he wasered by Reed and Cassius the other day. He speaks softly. rarely raises his voice. His smile is gentle. And no matter how bad things get, he never talks about killing. Even when he probably should.¡± The imposter¡¯s expression twitched bitterly as I continued. ¡°If you were going to deceive us by pretending to be Finn¡­ you should¡¯ve done your research better.¡± I stepped forward, fury threading through every word. ¡°Finn would never let me touch a scroll that blinded him. He would never ask me to take that risk. Never push me to dig something that felt wrong in my bones. And he would never-¡°I bared my teeth, ¡°never agree to killing his friends. Not Ronan. Not Dante. Not Asher.¡± He blinked slowly. ¡°Huh,¡± he muttered, the fake innocence peeling away from his features. ¡°I must¡¯ve overestimated how well I mimicked him.¡± Then his voice dropped into something darker. ¡°No¡­ I actually underestimated you.¡± I didn¡¯t blink. ¡°Sure you did.¡± My hear thudded in my ears. ¡°Now tell me where Finn is His smile widened¨Cmocking, malevolent. ¡°Fun¡± he repeated. ulting his head. ¡°He¡¯s gone.¡± The world slowed ¡°E¡± I breathed, the word leaving me like ash Finn was dead?! tou ¡°Yeah,¡± he said all to casually, then suddenly ripped his shirt off, revealing skin etched in silver runes that shimmeres like liquid moonlight ¡°And now be started bring elugated terib. 1 scad you to bom!¡± fir lunged while my und was addled with the stuak of death his Tipi ws shed through the air and I borly docked in tine. His Engers grazed my check, drawing blood, Pran ferralce and fast that¡¯s what stunned me 11:51 AM P Chapter 61 Obsession In Violet +8 Pearls It was him. The idea the truth¨Cthat Finn was gone. I stumbled back as he came at me again,nding a solid punch to my ribs. My vision swam. The breath left my lungs in a sharp gasp. I hit the ground hard, causing Ronan¡¯s wolf to look at him, his Violet eyes full of fury. A scream tore from my throat¨Cbut I bit it back. Or Ronan mighte. And if he did our n could be ruined. He and Asher had killed almost all the wolves and only a handful were left. The n could not change before all of them were killed. Or all three of us would die. ¡°Come on.¡± he taunted, circling me like a vulture. ¡°Is that it? Is that how weak your grief makes you?¡± My fingers dug into the dirt. Another blow. I twisted just enough for it to clip my shoulder instead of my neck. He was fast. But sloppy. Arrogant. I rolled, came up on one knee. heart pounding. ¡°Still crying over your dead friend?¡± he sneered, circling like a showman in the arena. ¡°I could let you go, you know. Let you walk away alive¨Cif you just dig. But you fucking had to use your brain. Now all of you will die just like Finn.¡± His eyes gleamed with mockery, The mention of Finn¡¯s death crushed my grief and it turned into fury. I pushed to my feet, wiping the blood from my chin. ¡®Something isn¡¯t right, Phina sensed. ¡®I know.¡± His fighting skill was too graceful, grounded and calcted. This man fought like a beast with stolen limbs. Wild. Improvised. Detached. Just like Finn. And he hadn¡¯t shifted. ¡°Why hasn¡¯t he shifted into his wolf yet? Something is fishy!¡® Phina growled. Another swipe came, and I ducked, this time twisting beneath his arm andnding a punch into his side. But just as 1 about to attack his chest and silence him forever with my final attack, something on his lower belly caught my eye. I immediately changed my attack from his chest to shoulder. He grunted¨Cmore annoyed than hurt. ¡°You motherfucker..¡± ¡°Hey you, I cut him off with blood in my eyes. ¡°You have taken over Finn¡¯s mind right?¡± His face losi its color: ¡°What the Wis ¡°Einn is not dead. I growled and pointed at the small, reddish mark on his lower belly. ¡°Finn has that birthmark and that¡¯s his Body that you have taken over, right?¡± He clenched his jam and red at me. ¡°Finn is dead,¡± he growled. ¡°He alive.¡± I growled back ¡°AS LONG AS TAM ALIVE HE IS DEAD he roared like an insane beast and charged at me with a deadly attack 1 bed him with all of any strengths, our faces drew close as he tried to stab his ws into my chest. ¡°Final¡± I groaned, looking deeper into his eyes I know you can lear que He pred evilly. He is dead | 11:51 AM Chapter 61 Obsession in Violet My blood boiled and I screamed, ¡°FINN!!!¡± +8 Pearls The next thing I knew it was as if he was struck by lightning, his white eyes shook and Finn¡¯s real eyes surfaced. ¡°AHHH¡­ shouting, he pulled away from me and staggered back clutching his head. ¡°What the fuckkkkk!!¡± he yelled, as if fighting to himself. I breathed hard watching him. But after a couple of seconds he stopped yelling. His hands dropped and he slowly lifted his eyes and once again it was white. Telenched my fists on my side. Again white eyes! He chuckled and looked at me with a bloodlust, ¡°I did not expect him to return to life because of you¡± he took a step closer to me. Who the hell are you to him, huh?¡± a twisted smile appeared on his lips. ¡°Even though I have taken over this body, this guy¡¯s heart beat in the chest as if it would burst inside whenever he sees you. Are you sure you are friends or¡­¡± he grinned, I gasped at his words at the unexpected remark from him. Finn¡¯s heart act that way for me? But we were just friends. The imposter had to be lying. I decided to brush it off but unknown to me the ck wolf listening in the background was anything but calm. From the beginning I had suspicions as to why I found your small butt fucking attractive. But to think of it, I don¡¯t have my own thoughts yet in this body so these thoughts and feelings actually belong to this body¡± he murmured, walking closer to me as he grinned widely, ¡°You have spread your ass for this guy, right?¡± Something inside me stilled with shock and horror. And then suddenly he charged at me. Too fast. Too close. His ws aimed for my throat. There wasn¡¯t time to dodge. No breath to scream. But then- A blur of ck. A strong arm wrapped around my waist, yanking me back just as a second arm blocked the imposter¡¯s strike¨Chis bloody ws mming into muscle while being deflected like a child¡¯s p. A brutal growl split the air. Then a kick¨Cso hard and sharp it cracked bone¨Csent the imposter flying across the clearing, crashing into the cursed trees with a sickening crunch. I gasped, my breath stolen. My eyes shot up to the one who held me. Roman His violei eyes were lit with fury. Blood clung to his skin like war paint. His chest heaved, nostrils ring, muscles taut from the light. But grip on me was firm. Protective. Like he could hold back the whole world with one arm it u meant keeping me safe. ¡°Why did you shift!¡± I whispered ¡°Our n¡­¡± ¡°Now the as no n,¡± he growded, lus voice rough and vibrating with fury He nced down at me, and what I saw to his eyes stole the heath from my lungs Hath 11:51 AM PP. THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 62 Chapter 62 Never The Trial SERAPHINA ¡°Don¡¯t get hurt unless you want me to lose my damn mind.¡± His voice was low but thunderous, the kind that didn¡¯t just echo¨Cit carved itself into your bones. I was trapped in the violet storm of his eyes, just as he was lost in the amber of mine. But beneath his gaze fierce and devastating, I felt dread coil in my chest. He was going to kill the imposter. But that was Finn¡¯s body. Killing the imposter meant killing Finn. ¡°No, don¡¯t¡­¡± I tried to reach out, but it was toote. Ronan had alreadyunched forward like divine vengeance. He hit the imposter mid¨Crise, mming him into the earth so hard the ground cracked beneath them. ws. Fists. Teeth. Ronan fought like a wolf possessed¨Cmerciless, unrelenting. But the imposter¡­was using Finn¡¯s body. His strength. His fighting instincts. Every move mirrored the ones I knew fromte- night training sessions, quiet sparring beneath moonlight, and the gentle strength that had always been around me. The air split with the sound of ws tearing through bone and flesh. Every brutal sh between them shredded what was left of myposure. The trees trembled, the wind scattered ashes and blood through the clearing¨Cbut I couldn¡¯t move. My heart splintered. My soul screamed. This was wrong. Finn was still in there. I¡¯d seen it. I felt it. He¡¯d heard me. But Ronan all he saw was the imposter. Fury had consumed him, and I couldn¡¯t me him. But I couldn¡¯t let this end in death I had to stop them. I had to save Finn. My gaze mapped to Asher. He was finishing off the of the wolves. There wasn¡¯t much time. Then my eyesnded of the scroll, the cursed one the imposter had forced on me. It still hung at my waist. Fake. Useless. No runes, no hum of magic just lifeless parchment. A inck A decoy A trap Hied wanted me to touch it. That¡¯s why I could never go blind touching it. He wanted me to dig in that ground. My mind raced Inned sharply toward the two tig trees¨Cthe ce where it had all started. Where Finn had been bound. blinded varand With tasking Lean My hear thundered in my ears as I threw myself at the taller of the two trees and began to climb The board scraped my pals I did¡¯s care Ha needed to ser 11:51 AM P P Chapter 62 Never The Trial +6 Pearls Branches groaned under my weight as I pulled myself up. Just high enough to see the ground between the twin trunks. The clearing where the wooden pyre had once stood. And then¨CI saw it. A faint, pulsing light beneath the soil. Subtle. Like the glow of a buried ember. Flickering red, Breathing My breath caught. ¡°There¡¯s something there¡± It was a circr mark. Faintly glowing. Surrounded by a ssh of red¨Cblood, maybe. ck wildflowers twisted around the ring, with objects I couldn¡¯t even name ced in its corners. The glow pulsed like a heartbeat. Something powerful. Something buried. ¡°Isn¡¯t that where the imposter sat earlier?¡± Phina¡¯s voice echoed inside I narrowed my eyes. ¡°Yes that¡¯s where he made us dig.¡± ¡°He wanted us to dig there because he couldn¡¯t,¡± Phina growled. Which means whatever¡¯s down there¡­ he can¡¯t touch it himself.¡± I didn¡¯t need more than that. I leapt from the tree,nding with a thud that jolted up my legs. I didn¡¯t even pause¨C1 sprinted toward Asher, who now stood at the far end of the clearing, w raised over the final wolf. ¡°Don¡¯t kill hirn, Asher!¡± I yelled. He froze mid¨Cstrike, confusion shing across his face. But he obeyed. Instead of a killing blow, he smashed his ws into the wolf¡¯s legs, snapping the bones with a sickening crack. The creature howled in agony, rolling on the ground, shifting back into a broken human form, Asher shifted, too, blood staining his skin as he turned to me. ¡°Why did you stop me?¡± ¡°He¡¯s alive for a reason. He¡¯s going to talk.¡± ¡°What are you talking about?¡± ¡°This..I panted, ¡°this isn¡¯t a trial.¡± Asher¡¯s brows furrowed. ¡°What?¡± I nodded grimly. ¡°Our real trial ended at the vampire den,¡± ¡°Then what about the pen and the note that asked us to choose a leader?¡± I believe it was fake to confuse us Make us believe that we were still into the trial. And this this ce was never meant for We were pulled into someone else¡¯s game Someone else¡¯s ritual¡± ¡°Who he asked, voice low, guarded. 1 pointed to the glowing patch of earth between the big trees That Whatever¡¯s buried there is belumal this.¡± Asier jemed ¡°Buried the ugured wolf fury burning in my chest. I kicked him in the ribs. ¡°From the beginning. I wondered¨Cwhy Finn was kept alive when the rest of you were ughtering each other? At first, I thought maybe it was punishment. But now I Low, you were keeping him alive for a reason lu *Finn wasn¡¯t rajatutest i was chuchy to drag smao this territory¡± §Ô§Ñ§â§ß§à§Û Ivrouched low, marling. ¡°I saw the blood. The ck towers the cursed symbol. You used Finn¡¯s blood to fuel that circle. To ford whatever¡¯s beneath it You let that thing take over bis body. 11:42 AM PP Chapter 62 Never The Trial The wolf trembled, but stayed silent. ¡°Speak!¡± I snapped. ¡°I know you understand me.¡± Asher¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°How do you know that?¡± +8 Pearls ¡°Because that imposter, that thing in Finn¡¯s body, speaks ournguage fluently. I am guessing he learnt from the Finn when he took him over. Which means these wolves understand it as well¡± I leaned closer. ¡°Now tell me, what¡¯s buried under there? Who¡¯s controlling Finn¡¯s mind?!¡± Asher growled, crouching beside me. ¡°Speak. Or die.¡± The wolf whimpered, his broken body shuddering. Then, finally, he gasped. ¡°It¡¯s¡­it¡¯s our Alpha.¡± Asher and I froze ¡°Alpha?¡± We echoed together. He nodded shakily. ¡°Decades ago¡­our Alpha died while performing a dark ritual. He wanted immortality, for all of us. But the magic¡­it devoured him. His body died, but not his soul. It lingered¨Ctrapped, restless.¡± The wolf coughed blood. ¡°We buried him beneath the cursed tree to bind him. We waited years¡­decades, for the sign to return him. But when the time came, none of us could dig. We tried. But the ritual required outsiders. Someone different. Someone unbound by our blood outh. ¡°And that¡¯s when we arrived,¡± I whispered. ¡°Yes,¡± he nodded. ¡°We saw your group outside the vampire den. And among you was Alpha Finn¨Cstrong, noble, the opposite of our Alpha in every way. That¡¯s what the ritual needed. A body with the opposite essence, but strong enough to house the Alpha¡¯s soul¡± ¡°Wait a fucking minute. You people saw us outside the vampire den?¡± Asher growled, his eyes turning red. ¡°That means the exit off this damn mountain was around the vampire den. We could have left, ending our trial but thanks to you people we got caught in this mess?¡± The wolf hesitated, ¡°We¡­we used a ck magic to cover the exit so that you people would not see the exit off of the mountain. To trap you all. Then we captured Alpha Finn. Our Alpha took over his body, learned his voice¡­hisnguage in.mediately. And we, creatures of mimicry, learned it too.¡± ¡°But Finn fought back and ruined your n, huh?¡± Asher gritted his Jeeth. The wolf nodded. ¡°Hip will was¡­ stronger than we expected. Even unconscidus, he resisted. So we performed the final ritual, sacrificed a few drops of his blood to the grave. It gave our Alpha partial control. But not full possession. ¨C¡°He¡¯s still fighting.¡± I whispered. ¡°Still alive.¡± The woll looked away Toplete the rebirth,¡± he said bitterly. ¡°our Alpha needed you outsiders. He needed your outsider¡¯s blood. Your hands to dig Only then would the soul be fully unbound from the grave and take Finn overpletely. Then our Alpha will be reborn ins body¡± Asher clenched his fists and furiously punched the wolf. ¡°Fuck this tucker!!! My blood boiled hstening to how these people yed with us all. I reached out to grab his neck. ¡°Tell me how to stop it?¡± I boiled¨Chstening He grained evilly and sust. ¡°Yosi will never find outughing like crazy, be suddenly opened his mouth and shoved thing inside his mouths.¡± ¡°star¡± 1 immediately let go of the sheat and forced his mouth open. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare swallow it!¡± Mon Tucker!¡± Ashes ripped us out of my hands and yanked his hopen thought I would let you fucking swallow OB 11:52 AM Chapter 62 Never The Trial +8 Pearis The blood sshed onto me when he went absolutely crazy. He really ripped it out of the man through his mouth, pulling out what he had swallowed. He dropped the dead man on the ground, breathing hard as he nced down at the object that was actually a thin piece of leather with written on it i ¡°What the hell! I can¡¯t read it,¡± Asher groaned, frustrated. He irritatedly tossed it away. As itnded by my feet, I looked at the letters written on it that looked foreign to my eyes but I could read it? My hands turned cold. Why could I read it but not Asher? But what I read was the way to break Finn¡¯s curse and get off of this mountain. A sacrifice. I silently nce at Ronan fighting with Finn. ¡°Alpha Asher.¡± I called without tearing my eyes from Ronan. ¡°I have a way to break the curse and get off of this mountain. But you have to promise me, no matter what happens, take Finn and Ronan with you and leave the mountain.¡± Send Gifts 10 THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 63 Chapter 63 The Lie She Sold RONAN What was this rage burning inside my chest? It wasn¡¯t just fury. Fury, I understood. This was something darker. Wilder. Filthier. And it erupted the moment he dared to spew filth about her. I had killed before, without pause, without guilt. Age, gender, race¡­ none of it ever mattered. All I saw was the life I needed to take. But this bastard? I wanted more than his life, I wanted his heart in my hand, still beating, when I crushed it. ¡°Hey,¡± he grinned, blood staining his teeth, ¡°what¡¯s with the bloodthirsty re? It¡¯s not like we¡¯re enemies. We don¡¯t even know each other. Yet, you send that pretty little Alpha away and me? Am I missing something, or do you want a piece of his ass too?¡± The words detonated inside my head like a bomb, My ws shredded flesh as blood spattered across us both, but it was that wicked little smirk¨Cso calm, so amused¨Cthat cracked thest thread of sanity left inside me. With a feral roar. I mmed him into the ground. The earth trembled beneath the impact. But even pinned down, the bastardughed. ¡°Heheheh¡­¡± he rasped, his voice a sick blend of mockery and malice. ¡°You care that much for that soft li thing? You really came running back just for him? Or is it killing you inside that someone else might get to taste what you never could?¡± That was it. I didn¡¯t respond with words. Just rage. Brutal, primal, world¨Cending rage. He wed at my chest, slicing through muscle as if it were paper. I didn¡¯t stop. I couldn¡¯t stop. I drove my elbow into his jaw with a sickening crunch, grabbed his blood¨Csoaked body, and hurled him into a tree. The trunk cracked violently, splinters flying as he mmed into it and dropped¡ªonly to rise again. Grinning Lips split. Face soaked in blood. Eyes glinting with something far beyond madness. We collided again like monsters born from the depths of Hell. ¡°Stop talking about him with your filthy mouth!¡± I roared. ws tour through skin. Fangs snapped. Bone met bone in punishing blows. We didn¡¯t block anymore¨Cwe devoured the damage. He bit into my shoulder; I plunged my ws into his ribs. We crashed into rocks, into splintered logs¨Cinto anything solid enough to break a body. The wind howled. The forest shook. But we fought on. Through gritted, bloodied teeth, he hisseid, ¡°Stop talking about the pretty Alpha? But everything l¡¯in saying¡­ites from here He tapped his chest, grin widening. ¡°And these aren¡¯t even mine. These are his thoughts. I am just speaking it loud and trust me I love your traction¡± I drove my knee into his gut and gripped his throat again. ¡°What the fuck are you saying? That Fun thinks about Seth He sat blood in my face and smiled wider. ¡°Who wouldn¡¯t? That pretty lule face, dripping in seductive charm? Even Alpha Ashier can¡¯t look away¡± My staze snappeil to Asher. Just beyond the battlefield, he stood frozen, staring at Seraphina as she gripped a rogue by the that interrogating him with desperate fire in her eyes And Asher he looked enchantes, Possessed. Like he was seeing her 11:52 AM P P. Chapter 63 The Lie She Sold My mind nked. My breath caught. +8 Pearls The imposter¡¯s eyes gleamed¨Cand in that moment of hesitation, he lunged. I barely leapt back in time to avoid his ws shing through my throat. ¡°I¡¯ve only had this body for a few hours.¡± he growled, circling me like a predator, ¡°but I see everything. His memories. His desires. He didn¡¯t just feel friendship for Seth. It ran deeper. Much deeper. He licked the blood from his lips. ¡°And it¡¯s still in there, just buried beneath me, My fist mmed into his face with a bone¨Cshattering crack. ¡°shut. The fuck. Up!¡± ¡°Why should 12¡± heughed, dodging my next blow with a fluid backflip,nding like a king atop the bloodstained altar stone. ¡°Don¡¯t like hearing what Finn thought about? Then let me share all his secrets with you.¡± I froze. ¡°Secrets?¡± ¡°Everyone has them. Even you,¡± he smirked, stepping down from the altar like royalty descending to judge a peasant. ¡°But his? Oh, they¡¯re delicious. I could tell you everything¨Cwho he is, what he really thinks of that pretty Alpha over there and what his intentions are.¡± I never liked or disliked Finn. Honestly, I hadn¡¯t even known his name until Seraphina came along and formed a bond with him. But the way she smiled at him¡­and the way he smiled back? It made something inside me snap. Men know how to read other men. And I read him. I had read all of them¨CDante, Asher, Reed, Cassius. Every nce, every twitch, every flicker of desire they sent her way. I saw it all. And it enraged me. ¡°I¡¯ll make you a deal,¡± he offered, strolling toward me with arrogance. ¡°I¡¯ll tell you every one of his secrets. But in return, dig a grave and leave. Walk away without this Alpha. Because I¡¯m not giving him up. I like this body. It fits. I¡¯ll rebuild my pack. start over with that stronger Alpha who ughtered my wolves¨Cand the little one, too. You? You can walk away. Let me live. Let me win.¡± I stared at him, silent.. Then I smiled, cold and merciless. ¡°I have a better n.¡± I half¨Cshifted, my ws gleaming as I stepped forward. ¡°I¡¯ll kill you inside that body. So you never get reborn. Then I¡¯ll burn every trace of your existence from this cursed mountain.¡± His grin vanished. The mask of smug superiority cracked. ¡°You leave me no choice!¡± he screamed, and shifted. We shed again with monstrous fury Something snapped in my wrist as I blocked a brutal swing. I retaliated by raking my ws down his back, ying muscle from bone. He roared, spun, elbowed my jaw, tackled me to the ground. His ws came for my throat. I caught them mid¨Cswing and mmed my forehead into his skull with a thunderous crunch. Only one of us would leave this ce alive. It wouldn¡¯t be hum Llunged for his heart, ss poised to strike- Suddenly, Seraphina threw herself between us, blocking my attack with her own body: Behind her. Asher did the same¨Cintercepting the imposter¡¯s next strike and dragging hun away toward the other side of the rld ¡°¡°Stop¡± she whispered, her voice trembling as she met my eyes¨Cmy wolf¡¯s eyes. 11:52 AM p p. Chapter 63 The Lie She Sold +8 Pearls ¡°What the hell do you think you¡¯re doing?¡± I growled. If I hadn¡¯t stopped in time, my hand would¡¯ve gone clean through her chest. ¡°Stop. All of this. Now,¡± she said, voice low but unyielding. I shook my head. ¡°I¡¯m not stopping until that thing is dead.¡± ¡°You can¡¯t kill him. He¡¯s still Finn.¡± My blood boiled at the desperation shining in her eyes, for him. ¡°He¡¯s gone! He¡¯s beenpletely overtaken! He¡¯s not way. I know how to bring him back.¡± Her hand that was on mine trembled, but it didn¡¯t falter. She wouldn¡¯t let me kill him. Not while she still believed he could be saved. And even if I went after his life after that, I could tell she would block me with everything. The look in her eyes, for him, was unbearable. ¡°What if you fail?¡± I whispered, voice like gravel. ¡°I won¡¯t,¡± she said with absolute certainty. ¡°But I need your help.¡± My wolf went still Something in me, against all logic, believed her. Fine. But I have one condition.¡± ¡°What is it?¡± I abruptly dropped my hand, letting her stumble forward, then pulled her into my chest. ¡°The second this is over¡­ we leave. Together. Immediately.¡± Her eyes met mine. For a moment, something flickered in their depths, something I couldn¡¯t read. ¡°Okay,¡± she promised. Did I imagine it? She pulled away sharply, turning to the bloodied battlefield where Asher and Finn were locked in brutalbat. ¡°Asher, now!¡± she shouted, grabbing my hand and dragging me toward two fig trees. ¡°Rip the root, tie him to the tree! We jave one minute!¡± I didn¡¯t understand. But I obeyed. I tore a thick root free from the earth while Asher kicked Finn into a tree with a savage grunt, pinning him there as he fought and writhed ¡°Quick!¡± Asher bellowed, pressing him back. I charged forward, root in hand¨Cjust as I caught Seraphina in theer of my eye. Dropping blood onto the grave. What the hell was she doing. And then- ¡°Fun ising back!¡± Asher yelled. My eyes went to Finn¡¯s white eyes that were returning to norinal and then my eyes snapped to Seraphina whose¡¯s amber eyes started turning white as she stood at the edge of the cliff behind the fig trees My feet stopped and the root dropped my hand. you just do?¡± my voice rathe out dow as I realised she took the evil thing into herself and took a step back towards §ê§ä§Ñ§Þ§Þ§â §â Chapter 63 The Lie She Sold the edge. +8 Pearls -Don¡¯t you dare to do it, 1 shook my head, my wolf speaking with me as my eyes were full of warning. ¡°I swear I will find you and kill you if you¡­¡± ¡°I lied,¡± she whispered, throwing herself back over the cliff. My heart dropped into my stomach. ¡°NOOO!!¡± I raced to the cliff only to be held back by a pair of hands just before I was about to jump, my eyes locked with hers as she mouthed. ¡°I will be back.¡± She disappeared under the fog of a cliff. My mind nked, my wolf frozen in the depth of my mind. She had nned it all from the beginning. She performed the ritual to break Finn¡¯s curse but jumped off to kill the evil. She jumped into the fog forest. ¡°I will be back. Herst whisper, her dead white eyes lingered in my mind like a poison 15011 My And then every emotion within me was crushed. y hand covered my face as I looked at the fog from the gap between my fingers where she disappeared. THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 64 Chapter 64 Beneath The Fog SERAPHINA To break the curse, you had to take it on yourself. Those were the exact words etched into the weathered leather note I¡¯d read. A sacrifice was required. ¡°Offer blood to the grave. The spirit will be lured. Once it leaves its host, it will seek another body¨Cyours. Then you will have only five seconds to end it. The spirit that is tied to its grave cannot survive outside itsnd. Fall beyond the mountain¡¯s boundary¨Cbeyond the cursed mist¨Cand the evil dies with you.¡± That was the way out.. To save Finn, I had to invite the curse into me¡­and then throw myself off of the cliff to die. The wind howled like a chorus of des, cutting around me as I fell. Cold. Sharp. Suffocating. The mist rose to meet me like ghostly hands, curling against my skin, dragging over me as though it already imed me as its own. Inside me, the curse screamed.. A guttural wail echoed in my bones¨Cthousand¨Ctongued and ancient¨Cdesperate to flee, but bound. It wed at the walls of my soul, a furious beast trying to break free. Only it couldn¡¯t. I was no longer on itsnd. The instant I pierced the densest curtain of fog, a sharp pain shot through my entire being before it died. A violent, soul¨Cripping silence filled me. A void. And then came death¡¯s embrace with the fall. But 1, Seraphina Nightbane, was not ready to die yet. Below the cliff was no bed of rocks, but a forest¨Cwild and ancient. Its canopy was thick, its branches gnarled and vines tangled likes. If Inded just right, if the angle aligned¡­they might catch me. I had only one chance. strong. Branchesshed at my arms. Vines grazed my sides. 1 twisted mid¨Cair, grasping at vines, snagging on whatever I could. The impact mmed against my ribs. Still, I kept falling¨Cuntil a tight mesh of branches seized me. They groaned under my weight, cracked, but held. ¡°AHHH..¡± a painful cry left my lips. It hurt. Hurt more than I had been ready for. I gasped, lungs heaving in the damp, moss¨Cscented air. My whole body shook with pain. ¡°Goddess, it hurts,¡± I hissed, heart hammering wildly. Suspended in that tangled of branches, my limbs trembled. I shut my eyes to bear this agonizing sensation, but then. Ronan¡¯s face burst into my mind. The look in his eyes when I lied¡­and jumped. I knew I should not have lied to him, however I did not have a choice. My fists clenched. My heart quickened like a wild horse. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me he tried to jump after me,¡± I muttered. His violent eyes when I jumped. Why why did he have that look in his eyes? As if he lost something important Hunsell Above, the cliff was already swallowed by the fog I couldn¡¯t see Ronan, but I felt him. As if his gaze still burned through the mist trying to find ne ¡°No,¡± I whispered. ¡°Asher must¡¯ve taken both Finn and Ronan. I¡¯d exined it all to Asher. Once the curse was broken, the path would open. They would be able to exit the mountain, and 11:52AM T T ¨C Chapter 64 Beneath The Fog I +8 Pearls This fog¨Ccovered forest was still part of the mountain, just beneath the ce I¡¯d fallen should reach the exit around the same time as they did. With a deep breath, I carefully climbed down from the tree and scanned my surroundings. Fog. Trees, Vines. Everywhere looked the same. But as I examined the terrain. I spotted a narrow rill¨Cbarely a trickle, but sloping downward. That had to be it. If I followed the waterline, it might lead me out. ¡°We need to hurry.¡± Phina urged in my mind. ¡°They¡¯ll reach the base of the mountain in half an hour!¡± Half an hour. I had to match their pace. No time to waste. I took off down the rill, my steps wide and fast. My back throbbed from the fall, and my head spun slightly, but rest wasn¡¯t an option. This forest was foreign, and something about it unsettled me. Every sound, every movement made my nerves twitch. I listened closely, trying to track time by instinct, counting the seconds in my head. Then I noticed something strange. No animals. Not a bird in the canopy. Not a snake on the ground. Not even a whisper of wings in the trees. No sounds,only silence. Heavy, watching silence. ¡°What kind of forest is this?¡± I whispered, a chill crawling down my spine. The fog wasn¡¯t natural either. It wasn¡¯t just mist¨Cit was suffocating, almost¡­ sentient. Like it was watching me, ¡°Fifteen minutes,¡± Phina said, as I nced up at the Moon¨Cveiled now behind thick, ghostly clouds. ¡°Shit,¡± i hissed. ¡°Without the moonlight, I can barely see.¡± I¡¯d been relying on Phina¡¯s senses to guide me through the fog and dark, but without the Moon, even that was faltering ¡°We have to shift,¡± Phina insisted, urgency sharpening her tone. ¡°This forest won¡¯t end at this pace. Then everyone failed the trial because of us!¡± She was right. The rules didn¡¯t say we had to exit together, but it was a team trial. An unspokenw. If I returnedte¡­ we all might fail. Worse, I could be expelled for dragging them down. My pulse quickened. I reached to unbutton my shirt, preparing to shift I had to. But then¨Ca sound. A sharp, distinct crack, like something snapping in the undergrowth. 1 froze, ulting my head toward it. ¡°What was that?¡± I asked aloud. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Phina answered, just as unsure. Shaking it off, I resumed my pace¨Conly for another sound to reach me secondster. A different sound Subtle. Strange. My skin prickled. The hair on the back of my neck rose. A chill threaded into my bones. I halted mid¨Cstep, every instinct screaming. My eyes lucked on the fog ahead. Dense. Pale Oppressive. Something wasn¡¯t right I took a step back, heart pounding, and turned to leave¨Conly to stop cold. The path I¡¯d been following. Chapter 64 Beneath The Fog It looked the same as the one I¡¯d just turned from I spun again. Same path. Every direction, The same. A cold sweat broke out across my brow. ¡°How is this possible?¡± Was I lost? Trapped? Or was I going mad? +8 Pearls I had no choice but to move forward. Each step was hesitant, my body tense with dread. My heartbeat thundered in my ears. Panic simmered in my chest. There was something deeply wrong here. I didn¡¯t want to go any farther. The energy ahead was terrifying¨Cheavy, like death. Then, as 1 rounded a tree I hadn¡¯t seen before, the fog thinned slightly. And there it was. A river. With a figure standing beside it¨Ctall, familiar. My breath caught. ¡°Dante?¡± I gasped. He stood still, his back to me, hand raised to his face touching it? ¡°What is he..¡± Before I could finish, he moved. He ripped his hand across his scalp¨Ctearing hair and skin with it I pped a hand over my mouth to stifle the scream. Blood cascaded down his body as he peeled his face away like it was a I stumbled back, horrified. Then¨Clus head tilted. Slowly. Deliberately. His eyes met et mine. As if he¡¯d known! was there all along. And then¡­ he smiled. That slow smile as he whispered, ¡°Seraphina Nightbane¡­ you should have run.¡± Send Gifts When The Moon Hides Her Crown +8 Pearls THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 65 Chapter 65 Between Nightmare And Reality SERAPHINA I was never the girl who dreamt of fairy tales and white horses. While others clung to stories of princesses and castles, I found myself drawn to secrets, shadows, and the unexined. Mystery always captured my heart. And that day, I wanted to step into another mystery that was always pulling me in. However ¡°No, Sera!¡± Mother grabbed my wrist before I could step into the mist. ¡°Let¡¯s go back to the packhouse.¡± I was young, barely ten, and nestled among the thick fur of her wolf form as she carried me away. I craned my head over i shoulder, casting onest curious nce at the silver fog curling between the trees like beckoning fingers. ¡°Mama, why can¡¯t I go into the woods when the mist is out?¡± I asked. my ¡°Mists are not what they appear to be, Sera,¡± she gently replied. ¡°You might think it¡¯s harmless. Maybe even fun to y in. But there¡¯s an old tale about the fog. About the Mist Forest. Do you know it?¡± A flicker of excitement stirred in me. ¡°No¡­ what tale, Mama?¡± Her wolf paused. Slowly, she turned her head, her amber eyes locking with mine. ¡°Sometimes, the mist opens a path into forbiddennds¨Cces we are never meant to cross. And if we do we see things no one should ever see. Truths that should remain buried.¡± A strange chill ran down my spine. Her voice had shifted¨Cno longer soft or yful, but solemn and low. As if the forest itself might hear her. ¡°What happens then?¡± I asked, gripping her fur a little tighter without meaning to. ¡°When you see something you were never meant to witness,¡± she whispered, ¡°you are hunted.¡± The firelight in her eyes flickered. I had thought she was just trying to scare me out of mischief. But there was something in her voice, something hidden. Something real. ¡°So, Sera¡­¡± she warned, her tone softer but not eyes. ¡°If you ever see something in the mist, run. Don¡¯t speak. Don¡¯t stay. Run. Because they will for you.¡± And then his voice echoed in my ears. ¡°Seraphina Nightbane, you should have run.¡± My eyes fle open. A gasp tore from my throat as I jolted upright in bed, drenched in sweat. My heart pounded like a war drum against my ribs, fast and erratic, as though it were trying to escape the very cage of my chest. Dante tearing at his own face, bleeding and smiling at me shed in my mind, shaking me to the core. My head spun and vision was uncle eyes was white walls and a familiar scene in the air. unclear for a moment longer until I started seeing things clearly and what came front of my The sheets clenched my tists were white and soft, ¡°Healer¡¯s wing?¡± I whispered under my breath, my breathing still uneven. I nced around to the empty hospital room where I had been before ¡°How did I get here?¡± I asked mysel 1 remembered everything clearly from trial in the vampire den to jumping from the cliff and everything. The mist. Dante¡¯s 1Scrana Nightbane My limbs paralyzed, my soul left my body for a moment. A thick bead of sweat rolled down to my cheek as my mouth gaped Chapter 65 Between Nightmare And Reality + Pearls open ¡°He.. he called me by my name,¡± I whispered, the words sticking to my tongue like ash, My eyes shook violently, breath stuttering in my chest as fear wrapped its cold fingers around my spine. My heart thundered. so loud I could barely hear anything else. No. No. This can¡¯t be real. The memory yed again like a cursed reel I couldn¡¯t unsee¨CDante¡¯s bloody smile, his nails tearing at his face. 1 clutched the sheets, the white fabric twisting in my fists. ¡°What happened after that!¡± I desperately asked myself. ¡°Why can¡¯t I remember anything!¡± My eyes scanned the quiet room. No sound. No movement. No Dante. No Ronan. No mist. Just pale morning light nting through the thin curtains, Was it a dream? Was any of it real! The territory of those wolves that cursed Finn and me jumping off the cliff into the fog forest? Was it all a nightmare? It never happened and we exited the mountain finishing the trial in the vampire den? My mind raced, trying to grasp the reality that I could not go anywhere when suddenly the doorknob clicked. My spine jerked straight as a tall man stepped in¨Crobes rustling, salt¨Cand¨Cpepper hair tied neatly back. Healer Aran. ¡°You¡¯re awake.¡± he nced at me once and then to the IV in my hand. ¡°How are y you feeling?¡± His calm voice waspletely opposite to my frantic heartbeat. ¡°How am I here?¡± my voice was barely above a whisper. He nced down at me, ¡°You don¡¯t remember?¡± I shook my head, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, it might be the effects of being unconscious for the whole day. You will remember soon.¡± I gasped, ¡°I was unconscious the whole day?¡± Outside it was daylight. But I was in the fog forest. It was all dark. That meant I clenched the nket tighter with a thrill in my heart, ¡°It was a nightmare,¡± I murmured to myself, relief washing over me. Yet my body was still cold as ice. I had not had that dream about my mother for years and when it clicked with what I saw in the fog forest, Dante¡¯s insane actions, it terrified me to this point. However, everything was fine now because it was a nightmare. If it was real, Dante would have known my secret then he would have exposed it to the whole Academy by now unlike Ronan who had yet to do so. Healer Aran¡¯s attitude was like it usually was. Nothing seemed changed and I was still within the Academy¡¯s walls. It was enough to figure out my answer, ¡°Nightmare?¡± He tilted his head, ¡°Did you have a nightmare?¡± he asked. I nodded, ¡°Yeah but I am fine now?¡± and then changed the topic, ¡°By the way how did I end up here?¡± n messed up emotions calming. my tone was casual and Taking a seat by the bed, he crossed his legs and arms replying, ¡°You were found unconscious at the foot of the fog forest. Just beyond the exit of the mountain¡± ¡°What?¡± My heart dropped into my stomach, ¡°Fog forest?¡± How did he know that name? It was a part of my nightmare so how¡­ Wait. Why did I have a pain in my back simr to what I had experienced when I jumped from the clid? My throat clenched tight at hurt to breathe. No Chapter 65 Between Nightmare And Reality The fog forest. That was real. I had been there. So it meant Dante It was real. Everything was real. +B Pearls I was still for a long moment terrified before I flung off the nket and swung my legs over the side of the bed, panic zing hotter than fever through my veins. If it was all real then Dante would have exposed me. ¡°Going to check something?¡± Healer Aran¡¯s calm voice froze me in the middle of the room. I turned around to see his back. He sounded almost as if he knew why I was in this much panic. He slowly turned his head and met my gaze. ¡°Are you ready to face what is waiting for you outside?¡± My legs felt weak. The only thing that came into my mind was ¡°Dante¡® I clenched my fists and asked him instead of answering. ¡°Healer Aran, did my team win the trial?¡± He stared at me for a long time without any expression. It was enough to make me realize, we won. Of course Dante returned and we exited the mountain. And now my worst nightmare hase true. I was exposed. I turned to leave the room however just as I opened the door and took a step out he replied. ¡°Your team failed.¡± My mouth went dry. I could not even turn to look at him in shock. We failed? How? Why? Even Dante returned and everyone made it out together?! I forced my legs out to walk in the empty hallway before I found myself running. How could we fail? What was going on? Did our team returnte? Was any rule broken? My mind waspletely messed up. I could not understand a thing, until I ran into the dormitory building and looked at the massive stone leaderboard etched with the names of the top Alpha contenders. My eyes widened and my mouth gaped when I read Dante¡¯s name written in red. Dante was dead. Send Gifts THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 66 Chapter 66 A Pack Of Vultures. SERAPHINA The cafeteria buzzed with the low hum of afternoon chatter¨Cutensils clinking against trays, the lingering scent of eggs and meat broth hanging in the air like the ghost of an old perfume. I took another bite of my grilled chicken wrap just as the man seated across from me leaned back in his chair, one arm drapedzily over the backrest. ¡°Wow,¡± he said, loud enough for nearby tables to go quiet. ¡°Would you look at that? Murderers do get hungry.¡± The voice belonged to none other than Reed. Laughter erupted from his table like a chorus of jackals. Beside him. Cassius smirked and picked at his nails, as if we were all on a stage and he¡¯d memorized every cue for this performance. ¡°This tiny mutt¡¯s got nerves of steel, I¡¯ll give him that,¡± Cassius drawled, his voiceced with mockery. ¡°Most people lose their appetite when someone dies next to them. But him? He can still fill his stomach after killing a person.¡± I didn¡¯t blink. I didn¡¯t look at them. I simply continued eating my grilled chicken wrap. ¡°How about you show us how you killed him so demonically?¡± Reed added with a sneer. ¡°We¡¯d love to steal some skills for the next trialTM Moreughter echoed in the cafeteria as they all had surrounded me like a pack of vultures. every direction. 1 reached for my sd next, still ignoring them. That made both Reed and Cassius visibly bristle. Cassius mmed his boot onto the bench, the toe stopping inches from my tray. Crumbs scattered in He leaned forward, voice low and saturated with venom. ¡°You¡¯ve got quite the appetite for someone who killed an Alpha. Did you really think you could continue to live happily in this Academy after killing someone like him?¡± Finally, I looked up. Slowly. nkly. My eyes met his¨Cvoid of fire, void of sorrow, void of anything but silence. It was that silence¡­thatjunraveled something in him. His smirk twitched, faltered at the corners. Reed¡¯s fingers, which had been tapping against the table, went still. The others around therit didn¡¯t speak. In just a few days, everything had changed. My team had failed the trial because of Dante¡¯s death. Though it hadn¡¯t been officially dered a death at first, the grotesque state of his body made the cause unavoidable: murder. And since I¡¯d been found near the mountain¡¯s base, close to where his body had been discovered, I was marked as the primary suspect. But that was only the beginning. The hierarchy had flipped overnight. Those who returned from the mountain without casualties, who passed the trial, were catapulted to the top like gods among mortals Reed¡¯s and Cassius groups returned in first and second ce, respectively, which had earned them coveted spots in the top ten of the Academy¡¯s hierarchy. Now Reed was ranked fourth. Cassius, fifth. They dominated the Academy like self¨Ccrowned rogues, while I was their favorite prey. What the fuck are you staring at, motherfucker?¡± Reed snapped, eyes burning with hate. ¡°Lower your gaze, Seth Darven.¡± His voice cracked with the weight of authority he¡¯d only just recently gained. ¡°Know your ce. We are the hierarchy now.¡± Cassius deliberately moved his boot to the carton of banana milk beside my te and crushed it with a snarl. ¡°You used to walk around like you were untouchable Humted us in front of the Alpha instructors. Had us kicked out of our dorms and parated. And now?¡± He smirked. ¡°We¡¯re back, and high enough to crush in uts like you under our boots.¡± Winning the trial nut only earned then prestige but also erased their punishment. The prior restrictions, rules that barred +8 Pearls Chapter 66 A Pack Of Vultures them from being seen or speaking together, were dissolved. Now they roamed the academy like twin monarchs of chaos ¡°What the fuck are you being silent for, motherfucker?¡± a new voice boomed from another table. I turned slightly, eyes catching Finn¨Csurrounded by another group of wolves, including three from the new hierarchy¨Chis tray barely untouched, his lunch forgotten, ¡°Are you gonna pretend to be innocent now? After murdering Dante?¡± the boy barked. ¡°I still fucking can¡¯t believe you were in on it too.¡± Finn said nothing. He just stared at his food and chewed slowly. That was the worst part of it all Every member of my team, every survivor who failed the trial, had been implicated in Dante¡¯s murder. My gaze shifted to Asher, lounging in the back corner of the cafeteria. He sat with his feet propped up on the table, eating in silence. No one dared sit near him, let alone taunt him¨Cbut the res thrown his way spoke volumes. They screamed usations without saying a word. ¡°What the fuck are you looking at them for, fucker?!¡± Reed suddenly snarled, grabbing my jaw and forcing me to face him. My fury red. It took everything in me to keep Phina from snapping his wrist right there. But I couldn¡¯t. I shouldn¡¯t. Because Reed saw the rage burning in my eyes and grinned, eyes gleaming with cruelty. ¡°You can¡¯t do a damn thing, remember?¡± I clenched my fists beneath the table. We were being watched. Not just me, but Asher and Finn, too. I yanked my face away from his grip, my breathing ragged, the fury in my chest a wildfire barely held back. Cassius chuckled and leaned in. ¡°I love that look in your eyes,¡± he said softly. ¡°You can look at your little friends, but you can¡¯t talk to them. Can¡¯t defend them. Not even if they¡¯re bullied¡­ or die right in front of you. Just like we went through.¡± Phina growled inside my head, loud and wild, but I stayed still. I knew that even a flicker of retaliation could make things worse. Because we were under strict orders¨Csuspected of murder, we had been forbidden from interacting with each other until further notice. Being seen alone together or in unsupervised areas could be considered defiance, or worse, proof of conspiracy. They¡¯d even ced us on separate floors of the Academy building. that. Rock bottom. just three days, I¡¯d fallen all the way back to where I¡¯d started¨Cno, lower than that. And it was all because of Dante. It felt like his ghost still lingered¨Cwatching, smirking, binding me with chains of his own making- But that wasn¡¯t the only thing gnawing at my soul. The real reason I couldn¡¯t breathe! The sound of footsteps echoed sharply across the cafeteria floor, cutting through the tension like a de. Conversation died. Everyone looked away, pretending not to see him. Of course, no one dared to call him a murderer with their eyes or gestures But I looked up Ronan He strode past my table, as he had for the past three days, without ncing at me. As if I were invisible. As if I didn¡¯t exist. His face was unreadable, posture rigid, his stride exuding the kind of confidence that said he didn¡¯t care about the whispers at trailed bum¨Cmurderer. But I knew better is aura sand otherwise. 1152 AMP P. Chapter 66 A Pack Of Vultures ¨C Pearls I could still feel the phantom of his ws around my throat¡­ and the whisper in my ear that I felt every time he passed by in these three days. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t have lied.¡± Just as he was about to pass me by, his eyes met mine for the first time in three days. Within that gaze. I saw the promise. The threat The hunger. ¡°Seraphina Nightbane, now I won¡¯t just hunt you, his eyes said. ¡°I¡¯ll strip you bare.¡± Send Gifts THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 67 Chapter 67 Whispers SERAPHINA + Pearls That was all I could see, and then¡­.. ¡°Seraphina Nightbane, you should have run.¡± Dante. He was smiling. Half of his face was torn away and pping, blood gushed down his neck and muscr chest. Yet somehow, he didn¡¯t falter. His stance remained strong. His twisted smile never wavered. How How was t this possible? How could he still be on his feet after tearing his face off? How could he still be alive¨Cstill smiling? time, ¡°Run, Seraphina¡­¡± That smile sent a shiver down my spine as he whispered, louder this t When he called my name again, my mother¡¯s old warning echoed in my head like a cracked bell tolling in the fog. My body didn¡¯t think, it just moved. I spun so fast my feet barely touched the ground before I was sprinting down t branches¨CI didn¡¯t care. I just knew I had to get away. ¡°HAHAHAHA RUN, SERAPHINA NICHTBANE!! RUN!! the slope. Mud, moss, sharp rocks, broken Dante¡¯sughter exploded behind me, each syble scraping down my bones like a serrated de. He was chasing me. Laughing The sound reverberated through the forest, inhuman and manic, ricocheting through the fog like there were a thousand Lantes all around me His speed¡­it was monstrous. Unnatural. He wasn¡¯t running like a werewolf. He was moving like the wind itself bent to his will. hurling him forward in blur after blur of motion. THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE, SERAPHINAII¡± He was behind me in the blink of an eye. I screamed, nearly tripping over my own fear. Then it happened, my foot caught in the inud. My body pitched forward. The ground vanished. And there it was My mind went nk. My eyes widened in disbelief. How could there be a cliff here? Chapter 67 Whispers Dark. Endless Avoid of nothingness that reached up to swallow me whole. 1fell My vision ckened. Darkness consumed everything. hat suffocating ck, there was warmth. But in that Arms¨Cstrong as steel. hot as fire¨Cwrapped around me midair. I was lifted And then a breath¨Cwarm, close, whispering against my ear. ¡°Seraphina Nightbane, you are not allowed to die now 1jolted awake. Casping. I sat upright in my spot, heart pounding against my ribs like a caged bird. What the hell did I just dream? No, remember. + Pearls at day in the fog forest? Dante had chased me, and then someone¡­someone else¡­ Was it a dream, or did it actually happen that someone else was there. ¡°Ronan, Phina whispered in my mind, confirming what I feared. I pressed a trembling hand over my racing heart. Dante hadn¡¯t been the only one there that day. Ronan had been there too. But how? And why? What did hisment mean? You are not allowed to die now. Sweat gathered at my brow as I struggled to steady my breath. For the past three days, I¡¯d been wondering how I ended up at the foot of the mountain¨Calive. And now I¡¯d remembered part of it. Dante. Ronan. The two of them. Then the sound ofughter echoing in the bathroom gave me a reality check. ¡°He is taking so much time inside the toilet. He must be jerking off.¡± I pursed my lips, never opening the door of the toilet stall. They did not know who was inside and it was better that way. I had only in to wash my face but just as Reed and Cassius entered the toilet, I entered one of the toilet stalls to avoid trouble with them. They had been picking on me at every turn and I wanted peace for a little while, However, I did not realize that while I was waiting for them to leave I ended up dozing off and dreamed about that day. The Dante I¡¯d faced then hadn¡¯t been dying. He¡¯d been something else entirely A monter powerful. Intent on something. t on me. What had he meant by giving me ¡°onest chance¡± to run? Hun from what? From the Academy? He always w wanted me out of his way. this this sounded different. warning. A twisted mercy. Ora gaine. Chapter 67 Whispers And then Ronan¡¯s voice returned to me¨Clow, mad, dangerous. Now I will not hunt you. I will strip you bare My heart thudded wildly at the memory of his insane promise. As if the threat he¡¯d delivered with his eyes over lunch wasn¡¯t enough, now this. I hadn¡¯t even had the chance to reco +8 Pearls to recover from that searing look of his. And now I recalled something far worse, something! would have rather left buried I knew lying to him, was going to have consequences. But this? He was unhinged. Possessed. There was danger rolling off him like thunder miles away. I get it. But ¡°Why the hell is he acting like a lunatic?¡± I hissed, clenching my fists. ¡°If he was angry about me failing the trial, I¡¯d j this.this is something else entirely.¡± He wasn¡¯t just angry. He was a walking dagger, bleeding me with his aura and intentions alone. I had to avoid him. Completely. Forever, if possible. Besides, he couldn¡¯t touch me or harm me ne within the Academy wall. That wasaline even he wouldn¡¯t cross I looked at my hands, steady now. No longer cold or trembling. This entire situation was temporary. The Alpha instructors had been investigating Dante¡¯s murder in the fog forest for the tomorrow my name would be cleared. I hadn¡¯t killed Dante. Once I was cleared, I¡¯d return to my rightful ce and im iny throne. All I had to do now was avoid Ronan at all costs and focus, three days. And tomorrow¡­ With that thought, I shoved away thoughts of both Dante and Ronan and prepared to leave the bathroom stall when I heard. someone whispering ¡°Did you see Ronan this morning training on the grounds? He waspletely unbothered with the same arrogance as before, after killing Dante who was the biggest obstacle to the throne. And with theck of proof everyone including Ronan would be free. He is truly a monster! It must have been him that killed Dantel¡± ¡°How can you be so sure? Why do you call him a monster?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t you know about his mother?¡± My ears perked up as they paused and the air thickened ¡°What about her inother?¡± The answer came after a suffocating long pause, ¡°He murdered his mother.¡± My breath hitched in my lungs. And my wolf stilled just like me Ropan killed his mother? Everything fell still in my surroundings as I could not think of anything else. But one thing I realised was that I did not know Hojan at all Chapter 67 Whispers +8 Pears That¡¯s when a sudden announcement red: ¡°All Alphas report to the Academy Hall immediately.¡± The Alphas rushed out of the bathroom at lightning speed. Phina stirred Why were they called suddenly For the murder case? The investigation was over? That meant I was proven innocent! I rushed to the hall, where most of the Alphas had already gathered. Some red. Some sneered. I ignored them all and took my ce at the back, holding my breath as Alpha Instructor Hugo stepped onto the raised tform I braced myself. He had been leading the investigation. This had to be it. ¡°My name will be cleared,¡± I whispered to myself. Then Hugo¡¯s voice rang through the hall¨Cloud, clear, final. ¡°From this moment forward, the run for the Supreme Alpha throne begins!¡± My world cracked. What I froze, unable toprehend what I¡¯d just heard. Hugo pulled down a velvet curtain, revealing a gilded list behind it. ¡°The Alphas listed here will enter the race for Supreme Alpha,¡± he dered. ¡°Your trial starts now!¡± Excitement erupted around the room. Cheers. Cries. Celebrations from those who made the cut. Crushed silence from those who didn¡¯t And I I stood frozen I didn¡¯t breathe. I couldn¡¯t move. My eyes locked on the list, scanning it again and again. My name wasn¡¯t there. Send Gifts THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 68 Chapter 68 Until Tomorrow SERAPHINA The Supreme Alpha throne was the highest seat of power in the entire werewolf realm¨Cuntouchable, absolute, and revered. A position second only to the Alpha King¡¯s. It was a title imed by only one in a generation, born not merely of brute strength, but of unshakable dominance. Even the most powerful, elite Alphas bowed before the Supreme Alpha, whose word wasw and whose presence could silence kingdoms. To sit on that throne was to hold the fate of all packs in the palm of your hand, to shape the future with your will alone. It brought freedom, authority, and unmatched strength. It was feared, coveted, worshipped¨Cand it was the very reason I had risked everything by entering this Academy. If I couldn¡¯tpete for the Supreme Alpha title, then what the hell was I even doing here? I hadn¡¯t wed my way into this Academy to be a pawn. I hadn¡¯t bled on the mountainside, watched my ranking crumble in blink, been used of murder¨Cjust to be a spectator. I came to im the throne. And now, they were ripping that right from my hands. My mind nked, and I didn¡¯t register a single word about the trial or its rules. I didn¡¯t even notice when the Alphas dispersed to begin their assignments. Not until the silence around me became so heavy, so absolute, that it sliced through the fog in my brain like a de. I was standing alone. Everyone had left. Alpha Hugo was gone. Something inside me snapped. My wolf roared in my mind, and my blood boiled like moltenva. This couldn¡¯t be happening. I would not, could not, ept this fate. I rushed through the hallway, desperate, until I spotted him speaking to another Alpha instructor. ¡°Alpha Hugo!¡± I called out, my voice sharp and urgent. He paused mid¨Cstep and turned, his face unreadable. I approached him quickly, my breaths short and uneven. ¡°Why am I not on the list?¡± I demanded. His gaze turned stern, and his voice cut cold and clear. ¡°A murderer has no ce in this Academy, let alone in the race for Supreme Alpha.¡± I froze. The breath was knocked clean out of me. ¡°A murderer? Who? Me?¡± He growled, his tone full of finality. ¡°Yes. My investigation into the murder isplete, Alpha Seth. And without a shadow of doubt, you are the killer. As of now, only I know this¨Cbut soon, the other instructors will be informed The ground slipped out from beneath me. ¡°That¡¯s impossible!¡± I yelled, disbelief twisting through every word. ¡°I didn¡¯t kill Dante!¡° ¡°You dare to deny it?¡± he snapped, clearly disappointed. ¡°You had a good reputation in my eyes, because of your behaviorst time. That¡¯s why I gave you the benefit of the doubt, even though you were found at the scene. But now, the truth is clear. You are the murderer.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not¡± I yelled again. louder this time, voice msing without control. ¡°Just because I was found near his body doesn¡¯t mean I killed him! I had no reason to kill Dante, how could I kill someone like him?!¡± ¡°¡°Enough with your lies, Alpha Seth. A witness has alreadye forward and named you. That¡¯s all the proof I need.¡± He turned to leave. I stood there frozen, stunted like I¡¯d been struck by lightning 11:53 AM Pp. Chapter 68 Until Tomorrow A witness? Where the hell did this witnesse from? Who would lie like that? Why? +8 Pearls My limbs started to go numb. My head throbbed, threatening to split open from the pressure of what I¡¯d just heard. This couldn¡¯t be real. If I was dered guilty. I¡¯d be expelled by morning. The news would spread. My father would find out. What woulde next. I didn¡¯t even want to imagine. My hands trembled violently at my sides. ¡°Alpha Hugo!¡± I shouted, making him halt mid¨Cstep. The empty hallway echoed my voice like a thunderp. ¡°How can you believe someone without any proof?! That witness is lying! I am innocent,¡± He turned slowly, a bitter frown creasing his face. ¡°Are you challenging our judgment?¡± he growled. ¡°No, but all I am telling you is that I am being framed. If I did not kill Dante then how could that witness have seen it? It makes me sure that they are lying. If you can listen to the witness then why can you not do the same with me?¡± The witness risked their life to testify. Would you do the same to prove your innocence?¡± His eyes narrowed. ¡°Can you swear your life on it?¡± ¡°Yes!¡± I straightened my back, my voice ringing with unwavering defiance. ¡°Throw me into fire or drown me in the sea, I¡¯U face death if I have to. But give me a chance, just one chance, to prove my innocence, Alpha Hugo!¡± The words echoed down the corridor, bouncing off the cold stone walls like a war cry. For the first time, he faltered. The stern mask he wore, etched with fury and judgment, wavered. His brows furrowed slightly, his jaw ckened. Beneath the rigid lines of his authority, I saw it. A flicker of doubt. The smallest crack in his certainty. The fire in my voice had touched something he hadn¡¯t expected¨Cconviction. His eyes scanned me, not like a judge weighing guilt, but like a man reevaluating what he thought he knew. He was quiet, studying me as if hearing me speak for the very first time. Then, finally, he exhaled. ¡°Very well,¡± he said, the words slow and heavy, as if each carried the weight of a gamble. ¡°You have until tomorrow morning prove your innocence.¡± My heart leapt in my chest so violently I thought it might burst. The tension hadn¡¯t left, but a sliver of light cracked through the darkness surrounding me. I stepped closer, the air between us taut. ¡°What do I have to do?¡± I asked, my voice steadier now, but no less urgent ¡°Make the witness take back their testimony,¡± he said bluntly, as if daring me to even try. ¡°Convince them. Prove your innocence to them, beyond doubt.¡± My pulse thundered in my ears. I¡¯d thought he might ask for a duel. A trial by fire. A physical test. But this? Changing the mind of someone who already betrayed me? That felt like walking into a den of knives with no armor Sull. I nodded. ¡°Who is the witness?¡± I asked. breathless with dread. They¡¯ve already left for their next trial, he muttered, ncing down at the parchment in his hands. ¡°Each Alpha has been dispatched to a different forest. The witness was assigned to Thornfall Forest¡± My blood chilled He looked up, his eyes sharp as des. ¡°If you can do it¨Cif you can make them retract their statement¨C111 close the murder investigation. Not only that, I¡¯ll reinstate you in the Supreme Alpha race.¡± 1153 AM Chapter 68 Until Tomorrow My ears began to ring. +8 Pearls I couldn¡¯t process anything else after that. Just those words. I¡¯ll reinstate you. My ce. My title. My right. Everything I had bled and suffered for. I could still reim it My fingers clenched into trembling fists, nails biting into my palms. My jaw tightened, and I whispered the vow to myself through gritted teeth. ¡°Il make them take it back.¡± With nothing but that oath burning in my chest, I left the Academy. The winds of Thornfall Forest howled like they mourned something long dead. The twisted trees stood like guardians of secrets, their shadows long and unmoving. Until there, in a clearing shrouded by mist and menace. I saw the witness. Him. An Alpha sat atop a massive stone b as if it were a throne built for gods. One leg rxed, the other draped over the edge, his body a portrait of effortless arrogance. He looked like he belonged there, as though the forest itself bowed to him. He was waiting. ¡°Seraphina Nightbane,¡± he said coolly, his voice sliding over my name like velvet dipped in poison. My breath caught in my throat. My heart mmed against my ribs. I stumbled to a halt as his face came into view. My eyes widened in disbelief. ¡°You¡± Ronan¡¯s lips curled into a wicked smirk, his eyes glinting with amusement and danger. ¡°Why is it you¡­¡± He slowly bit his bottom lip, like he¡¯d just unwrapped a long¨Cawaited prize. ¡°Time to strip,¡± he murmured. THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 69 Chapter 69 When Madness Wears A Smile FINN The wind carried the scent of pine as I stood in the second¨Cfloor corridor, by a cathedral¨Cstyle window that stretched from floor to ceiling, my eyes on the slender figure moving swiftly through the garden and slipping passed the outer Academy gales. Soft rap of boots echoed behind me. I didn¡¯t turn. Alpha Hugo¡¯s scent hit me before his voice did¨Cleather, power, and steel. With a low growl, he tossed something at my feet. A crumpled envelope slid across the polished floor and came to a stop by my boot. The letter. My letter. ¡°I am warning you,¡± his voice was rough, edged in anger, but quieter than I expected. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare threaten me like that again.¡± I didn¡¯t look at him. Just kept my gaze locked on Seth¡¯s silhouette vanishing into the trees. ¡°Thank you.¡± I said softly. ¡°For changing your mind.¡± ¡°Nothing has changed,¡± he snarled. ¡°I have only given him a chance to prove his innocence by tomorrow which is impossible. He will meet his fate and everything is fixed. It¡¯s just Seth Darven that wants to change something that is impossible. He paused, his voice colder now, ¡°And you¡­¡± I felt his eyes on the side of my face. ¡°You¡¯re not the type to beg or bluff. Let alone threaten me with this letter when you admitted Killing Dante, just to save Seth.¡± he narrowed his eyes and asked, ¡°Why the hell are you acting this way for that boy?¡± Silence fell between us. I didn¡¯t answer. A cold wind brushed passed me. My eyes dropped to my hands as Seth¡¯s voice, shouting my name when my mind was lost- when I was gone. ¡°Finn:¡± It echoed in my mind. It wasn¡¯t strength It wasn¡¯t magic. It was Seth¡¯s voice that had pierced through the madness. But his will. His fury. His belief in me. That sound it still echoed inside my bones. My hand rose to my check, I pressed my palm there, grounding myself in that impossible warmth. ¡°I wonder that too,¡± I linally whispered. Alpha Hugo stood in silence for a long moment behind me. Then he left. My mind went back to Seth¡¯s impossible soft touch and the thin melodious voice that slipped from his lips under the pressure and light without him realizing. I slowly opened my eyes at what that evil thing whispered to me. It was too talkative, ¡°How much it spilled out.. SERAPHINA 11:52AM P Chapter 69 When Madness Wears A Smile ¡°Time to strip.¡± he murmured, his voice low and deliberate¨Ceach word a deced in silk. His smile made me breathless, almost more than his words did. Konan. He wasn¡¯t supposed to be here. My thoughts spun, colliding into one another like shards of shattered ss. +8 Pearls Alpha Hugo had been clear, every Alpha was sent to a different forest. One Alpha per forest. That was the rule. That was the system. So how¡­.how was he the only one here? And then it hit me. Like a thunderp. Like a trap snapping shut. The fog in my mind cleared with terrifying rity. He had lied. He¡¯d nned this. Ronan had told Alpha Hugo he¡¯d witnessed Dante¡¯s murder. He had framed me. Not because he truly believed I was guilty. Not because he stood to gain anything from it. But because he wanted this. Me. Alone With him In Thornfall Forest, where no one else would be watching. A trap dressed as testimony. My heart thundered violently, an erratic rhythm of rage and disbelief. Heat surged beneath my skin like moltenva, boiling over and threatening to erupt. ¡°You Thussed, eyes burning, blood roaring in my ears as I red at him. ¡°How dare you y with me? I didn¡¯t care how I looked¨Cugly, furious, wild, Let him see it. Ronan¡¯s smile faded, his expression hardening into something far colder. ¡°That¡¯s what I asked myself countless times,¡± he said, his voice low and lethal. ¡°How I let you y with me. Again and again. And still let you go. His words were calm, but the darkness in his tone was suffocating My fists clenched. ¡°What the hell are you talking about?!¡± He didn¡¯t inch He didn¡¯t patise ¡°I let you break your promise I let you lie¡± His voice dropped further, velvetced with steel, 1 let you escape. I let you betray me +8 Pearls 11 53 AM Chapter 69 When Madness Wears A Smile He stepped closer His gaze locked onto mine, and for one horrifying moment, I saw it all. The memories. The truth behind his usations. The moments I had walked away. The promises I¡¯d left behind. The fury I felt a heartbeat ago copsed into a tidal wave of shame and confusion. ¡°And then,¡± he murmured, dragging his gaze down my body. ¡°I remembered why I let you do it.¡± He paused. His stare scorched me with its intensity. ¡°I wanted to strip you.¡± I froze, paralyzed by the heat in his gaze, by the authority in his stance. His words weren t just a threat. They were a promise. ¡°Now strip, Seraphina,¡± he said again, voice like dark silk. ¡°Or I¡¯ll do it for you.¡± My limbs went cold. The air shifted, heavy with his dominant aura, and I instinctively took a step back. ¡°Crazy,¡± I muttered under my breath, willing myself to stand my ground. ¡°You¡¯ve gone insane.¡± I met his eyes, unflinching. ¡°There is no way I¡¯m ying this sick game of yours. I¡¯m leaving.¡± I turned sharply, heart hammering in my chest as I marched away. Every instinct screamed at me to run, to get out before it was toote. But after barely ten steps, I collided with something. Hard. Unseen. Unmovable. I staggered back, panic rising in my throat. ¡°What¡­ what is this?¡± I gasped, reaching out in confusion. My hands met nothing but resistance, an invisible wall. I could see the trees, the path I had taken to get here, the familiar forest behind me¡­ but I couldn¡¯t move forward. ¡°Let me go!¡± I shouted, mming my hands against the unseen barrier. ¡°Let me OUT!¡± ¡°You can¡¯t,¡± came his voice¨Clow, near, and far too calm. I froze as warmth pressed against my back, a solid chest caging me between the invisible wall and his body. ¡°Once you enter the trial. you can¡¯t leave until it ends,¡± he whispered beside my car. His breath grazed my skin. ¡°What?¡± I choked, horror and disbelief twisting through my veins. ¡°You¡¯re lying. Tin trapped here with you?¡± He pressed closer, his body fiting against mine like a vice And then he said it¨Cbas lips brushing my ear, huis tune dark and possessive ¡°And this trial won¡¯t end until I say su, Seraphi My lungs refused to work. My heart stuttered 11:51AM P P Chapter 69 When Madness Wears A Smile Worse, I could feel him¨Chis body against mine. His arousal. The hard pressure of it against my ass My instincts took over. With every ounce of strength I had, I shoved him back. He stumbled. Just a step, but it was enough. 1 spun around to run, but before I could even take another step, his hand caught the back of my shirt. His strength met my momentum like flint meeting steel. RIP. The buttons of my shirt flew off, scattering to the ground like fallen teeth. I gasped and spun around, but he already had a fistful of fabric. His grip tightened and the remaining buttons popped off, tearing away what little barrier remained. Ronan¡¯s eyes changed and moved. +8 Pearls He stood motionless, gaze locked on me¨Con my chest, wrapped tightly with the band of cloth I used to hide the truth. His throat moved in a slow swallow. ¡°Beautiful,¡± he whispered, voice reverent, almost broken. Send Gifts THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 70 Chapter 70 Stripped SERAPHINA My shirt. It was open and buttons ripped off. I was standing practically exposed to him. Ronan¡¯s ¡®s eyes never left me. Not even for a heartbeat. They lingered on the rise and fall of my chest, the smooth skin of my belly, the band of white cloth still wrapped around my breasts like a fragile barrier. His gaze roamed slowly, devouring, drinking me in as if the sight of me had quenched his day long thirst, He wasn¡¯t even pretending to look away. His breathing deepened, and so did mine¨Cmy pulse drumming louder than thunder. The more he saw me, the more I realized how I lost it to a man. For the first time in my life. Shame tried to rise in my throat. But something hotter overpowered it. With only the rip of my buttons, he made me feel all of those things that I never experienced in my life. Rage. Humiliation and shame. Without thinking, I stepped forward and pped him. The sound cracked through the forest like thunder. His head turned with the impact, a red mark blooming across his cheek. But he didn¡¯t stumble. Didn¡¯t retaliate. My breathing became wilder and my hand hurt and burned. I had used all of my strength and put all my anger but he straightened slowly, jaw tightening¨Cand then he smiled at me. Slowly and handsomely. wer into the p That same infuriating, arrogant smile that made my heart race for some reason. And it was enough to enrage me even more. ¡°Finally,¡± he said, eyes gleaming. ¡°You touched me.¡± I was taken aback for a moment at his insane statement. Then my hands balled into fists again, but he only stepped closer, like I¡¯d just rewarded him instead of punished him. ¡°Does your hand hurt?¡± he asked. Anotheryer of shame rose within me. ¡°You¡¯re disgusting.¡± I spat. ¡°You tore my shirt knowing I am a woman. You are intentionally doing all of this. And now you¡¯re enjoying it?¡± ¡°Every second of it, he shamelessly admitted. Anger exploded within me and I drew closer to him, ring into his eyes, ¡°And you call yourself a man? I see what kind of man you are!¡± That I will show you when I strip this disguise of yours offpletely,¡± he inched closer to me and murmured, ¡°I¡¯ll enjoy it even more when you stop pretending that you don¡¯t feel it too¡± ¡°Feel what?¡± Lred hatefully ¡°This feeling¡± his fingers mononed between us, catching me off guard. This chaos between your body and mine. You think Haven¡¯t noticed the way your breathing changes when I touch you? Or the way your wolf reacts to mine whenever we are In my mind Pluma, who had been in the same panic, ashamed, and enraged as me, went absolutely still. Heat rushed to my neck when the memories of us shed in my mind. The proximity and touch. That was always hard to ignore but- 11:52 AM P P Chapter 70 Stripped I clenched my fists and shoved away all thoughts that could make me weak.. +8 Pearls ¡°The chaos between your body and mine?¡± 1 angrily chuckled. ¡°It is just a normal physical reaction between man and woman. You should know better. Everything ends after a quick fuck and the chaos you are talking about is actually what a man feel towards any hole he gets his hands on,¡± I said in the one breath as Ronan¡¯s expression changed with every word. ¡°Don¡¯t treat me like the girls you have yed with. Alpha Ronan. You can rip off this shirt of mine but never my disguise. You can only dream about it!¡± Our eyes remained locked the entire time I spoke, while he never blinked, never looked away from me as if carving every line of my face into his memory. But I believe it was just a facade to cover his bruised ego, however what I did not expect was him to smile. ¡°Can¡¯t rip off your disguise but still can rip off your clothes right?¡± I forgot to breathe the moment he revealed his intentions and the next thing I knew, I had taken a few steps back from him at lightning speed. ¡°If you dare do it, I will kill you, I growled, taking a fighting stance, my eyes zing. His smile deepened, slow and sinfully amused. ¡°Good. Try. Because I am not stopping until I will strip you, Seraphina.¡± Saying that he walked towards me, soon with his wolf¡¯s speed. Then get ready to die, I lunge My fist flew toward his jaw, but he caught my wrist midair, spinning me with infuriating case. Before I could even blink, his arm was around my waist, pulling me back into his chest, ¡°Fast,¡± he murmured into my ear, ¡°but not fast enough!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t touch me!¡± I growled, yanking away and twisting to strike again. This time my foot connected with his leg, making him stumble half a step back. I went for his shoulder next, ws almost emerging, but I stopped them. No. I wanted this to be bare. Real. Human. I swung again, and again, and he dodged each strike like it was a dance¨Cnever countering with harm. But he was touched.. Every defense was a caress. A hand grazing my waist. A palm brushing my thigh as he stepped around me. His body pressed into mine when I tried to flip him and failed. He trapped both my wrists above my head once, and I almost screamed¨Cbut not in fear. ¡°Let go of me,¡± I snarled. ¡°You¡¯re the one who attacked me, remember?¡± he whispered, eyes burning with heat. ¡°And Goddess, Seraphina, you¡¯re so damn beautiful when you¡¯re angry.¡± My heartbeat quickened without my knowing and heat rushed to my ears. ¡°You call this a fight I hissed, swinging again. He caught my hand, then slipped belund me, both arms around my waist now. ¡°Leall this forey¡± I snarled and elbowed him in the ribs, heughed. Laughed My blood boiled. 11:53 AM Chapter 70 Stripped ¡°You¡¯re not fighting me, I growled, heart racing from both rage and the brutal proximity. ¡°You¡¯re ying.¡± ¡°I am,¡± he agreed. ¡°But you¡¯re not.¡± saying that he suddenly reached out and tore off my shirt entirely. +8 Pearls I gasped and spun around once before I found myselfpletely exposed to his gaze, left only in my pants and binding around my breasts. My skin turned red with shame and it increased the way he looked at me. My nails dug in my palm as I growled under my breath. ¡°I will kill you, Ronan,¡± My hands half shifted as I raised my hand towards his neck but before I could do anything in a blink I found myself caged in his arms, his lips nearly brushing my car again. ¡°Then end me. Do it. Tear me apart. But I¡¯ll keep touching you until you do.¡± I flipped, grabbed his wrist, and used all my strength to throw him¨Cbut he twisted mid¨Cair andnded smoothly. I charged again. He ducked. I kicked. He blocked I aimed for his throat. He caught my hand and twisted behind me once more. Then his mouth was at my neck. ¡°You¡¯re trembling ¡°From disgust.¡± ¡°From want,¡± he corrected, his voice like hot ash on my skin. I ripped away, spun, and this time pped him again. Harder. He grinned. 1 finally snapped. 1 tackled him to the ground. We crashed against the forest floor in a heap of limbs, breath, and tangled fury. I straddled him, hand at his throat. But he didn¡¯t fight back.. Me just stared up at me, wild and starving, arms at his sides, like he wanted me to finish it. ¡°You lost,¡± I whispered, my chest rising and falling as I tried to catch my breath.¡± ¡°Did I the corner of his smile curled up slightly. A victory smile? Why? 1 had him under me, his neck in my grasp and he could not rip off what he wanted so why.. My thoughts were cut short when something wet and cold dropped onto my face. My grip on Ronan¡¯s neck loosened as l nced up at the dark cloud One drop of water. Secund Thurd and then they continued to drop My eyes shook and my mouth gaped. No it was raining! It was raining hard. My eyes met Roman¡¯s Tace. ¡°It¡¯s He knew it be knew. I unmediately got off of him and was ready to run into the woods to hide from the rain when suddenly a strong hand grabbed me and stopped me from doing so 11.53 AM PP Chapter 70 Stripped ¡°Let go!!¡± I screamed at Ronan, turning around only to be pulled into his chest. +8 Pearls ¡°Seraphina,¡± he whispered. I froze when I saw myself in his violet eyes and I saw was my true self. The perfume I wore was gone with the rain, revealing my longer hair. He really¡­really stripped off my disguise. I held my breath as he slowly slid his hand into my hair, titled my face up and brushed his lips against mine. ¡°Now there will be no more running from me, Seraphina.¡° Send Gifts IR THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 71 Chapter 71 Saved For You SERAPHINA My heart skipped a beat when his lips brushed slightly against mine. I didn¡¯t know what to do, didn¡¯t know how to move, when Ronan slid his fingers¨Cslow, deliberate- even deeper into my rain¨Csoaked hair, my knees almost gave out. The strands clung to his hand like they belonged there. His touch wasn¡¯t rough or aggressive. It was reverent. Worshipful.. Like he was touching something sacred, forbidden, and holy all at once. Then there were his eyes. Those beautiful violet eyes watched me like I was a myth unraveling before him. He was breathless. So was I. His gaze dipped to my lips, then lower, dragging over every inch of skin the rain had revealed. It wasn¡¯t lust alone. It was something dangerous, like he wanted to consume me. Not just my body. Me. When was thest time a man touched me like this? Never. I never gave a man permission to get this close to me in the past. I was an untouchable fire that no one dared to y with. Except Ronan¡­he was not only touching my body but reaching a forbidden part of myself that I had locked away. I should¡¯ve pped him. Should¡¯ve cursed him, pushed him, screamed until he bled for the way he ripped the disguise I¡¯d built around myself with such care. But all I could do was pull away. Not as quickly as I wanted. Not as harshly as I intended. It came out soft, like the hesitant touch between lovers, and that only made my heart race faster. My face burnt with a heat I could not exin, my heart mmed against my ribs like it was trying to escape my chest, like it didn¡¯t know whose side it was on anymore. I couldn¡¯t meet his gaze. I didn¡¯t dare. Because if I looked into his eyes again, I was afraid I¡¯d forget every reason I had to hate him. Phina, my wolf, was no better. She wasn¡¯t growling or resisting him. She was still. Watching. Almost¡­drawn to him. To hist wolf who was still watching us. 1 turned around, chest heaving, arms crossed to hide what little modesty I still had. The rain drenched me, heavy and relentless, like the sky itself was trying to peel away everything I¡¯d hidden. The binding around my chest soaked and slipped. I had to get out. I had to Even if I didn¡¯t know the way. Even if this forest was keeping me from leaving, I¡¯d rather be alone than stand here half naked. I started walking without looking back at him. ¡°Seraphina,¡± his voice was low behind me, like velvet and smoke. And then I heard his footsteps. ¡°Lion¡®.¡± Thissed, voice cracking as I kept walking. ¡°Don¡¯t near me¡± But he did Before I could take another step, his hand curled around my wrist. ¡°The forest is dangerous.¡± Ispun around and snapped. ¡°Let me go!¡± ine He didn¡¯t. His grip was firm but not cruel. He nkly stared into my eyes while his band kept holding the like a chain curled around my wrist ¡°I said it gu¡± I tried yanking free, fire and humiliation rising in my throat like bile: ¡°Are you not satisfied yet? What more do you want it me?¡± I screamed, the sound ripping through the trees like a wounded animal. 11.53 A Chapter 71 Saved For You He didn¡¯t speak. Not at first. +8 Pearls But his eyes, still so damn possessive, still devouring me like he couldn¡¯t get enough¨Cstared down at me with something that should¡¯ve made me p him again. Instead, it made the panic thrum harder in my chest. Why wouldn¡¯t he speak? Why did he look like he was about to pounce on me? Then suddenly- BOOM! A red light shot into the sky, burning through the dark canopy. 1 flinched and looked up in the evening sky. ¡°What the hell was that?¡± Another red re lit the sky, equally loud, its tail trailing crimson sparks before vanishing into the clouds. Ronan¡¯s face changed. He cursed under his breath. ¡°Shit.¡± Then without warning, he grabbed my hand again, tighter this time, and took off running. ¡°We have to run I gasped, finding myself unknowingly matching his pace. ¡°What¡¯s going on?! Where are you taking me?!¡± His expression was stern and deadly serious, ¡°Deep into the woods,¡± he said, yanking me behind him, rain pping our faces as we ran through the thick brush. ¡°We don¡¯t have time. ¡°For what?¡± He nced back at me, eyes zing. ¡°This is the trial.¡± ¡°A trial!¡± My feet faltered ¡°A trial?¡± ¡°The Survival Trial,¡± he said. ¡°An overnight survival trial in this forest. No teams. No guides. One night in the forest. With a hunter after you.¡± My blood went cold. ¡°A hunter? A real werewolf hunter?¡± ¡°Not sure,¡± he murmured, dodging a low branch and pulling me along with him. ¡°The only information given is that one trained assassin is sent into the forest. Their aim is to hunt down the Alpha. And your job? Survive. ¡°And those red lights? I could not help but ask. ¡°They give away the locations. Two res. The first one reveals where the hunter is. Second one..¡± He paused. ¡°It reveals the hunt¡¯s location.¡± My stomach dropped. ¡°Which means now the hunter knows our location,¡± he said. He exined the trial in the short. However, it made me realize something else. ¡°Why the hell are you making me run? l¡¯im not ot even i part of this danm trial- ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter, he cut in sharply, his voice like steel. ¡°You¡¯re with me now.¡± I stared at him, disbelief flooding my chest. ¡°With you?¡± I snapped, trying to yank my hand free. ¡°Let go of me. I can walk out this forest unharmed. You can y this ridiculous game alone¡± He abruptly stopped. His eyes locked with mine, piercing, unreadable. ¡°You really have the heart rave me behind sharp,tterugh 11 you want the truth. I¡¯ve go throw you to the hunter myself 11:53 AM Chapter 71 Saved For You His jaw twitched as he stepped closer. ¡°So you don¡¯t care about me at all?¡± +8 Pearls My breath caught. Where was this conversation going? I forced my voice to steady even as my pulse thrashed. ¡°Why would I care about you?¡± I muttered, frowning as I backed away. ¡°Stop lying. His hand shot out, grabbing my arm and pulling me against his chest. My heart jumped violently as I met the heat in his gaze. ¡°Lie? What are you- Before I could finish, he suddenly lifted me off the ground and flung me over his shoulder. ¡°What the hell do you think you¡¯re doing, Rouan!¡± I hissed, too afraid to raise my voice in case the hunter heard us. I pounded my fists against his back, wing at him. ¡°Let me down! Where are you taking me?!¡± But he said nothing. He didn¡¯t flinch.. He moved like a man possessed, cutting through the woods with terrifying purpose. His aura was sharp, seething, like barely caged fury. Eventually, he entered a cave¨Clike opening hidden beneath a thick curtain of vines. The air was damp, the stone cold. He dropped me down without warning and before I could push him away, his entire body pressed into mine, caging me between the wall and his heat. ¡°What the hell are you doing, Ronan?¡± I snapped, but something cold slithered down my spine. A strange fear crept in, one I hadn¡¯t felt before. We were alone. He was strong. No one could hear me scream out here. He leaned in, his lips brushing my ear. ¡°I¡¯m hard,¡± Ronan whispered. My breath hitched violently. My heart crashed inside my ribs. ¡°You¨CYou bastard,¡± I stammered. ¡°If you try anything, I swear to the Goddess, I¡¯ll kill you.¡± I meant it. Mostly. But when his face dipped lower and came so close, I squeezed my eyes shut on instinct, bracing for something¨Canything. ¡°Seraphina,¡± he whispered again. Something in his tone made me slowly open my eyes. Our gazes locked, and the storm in his eyes stilled. ¡°I want to tell you something,¡± he said softly. ¡°Something no one else knows.¡± My throat dried. Despite everything, I asked, ¡°What?¡± He exhaled deeply, then gently took my hand in his and guided it to his chest. His heart was racing under my palm, ¡°I¡¯m a virgin,¡± he said. I wentpletely still. What? This Alphat The arrogant, domineering wolf who haunted every inch of my sanity! Id always imagined he was the kind of man who devoured hearts like candy, not the kind who¡¯d saved his own. I forgot to breathe. My mund nked, struggling to process it Why I blurted out before I could stop myself. 11:53 AM PP Chapter 71 Saved For You He held my hand tighter to his heart. His violet eyes burned into mine. ¡°Because I was saving myself¡­ for you.¡± Send Gifts B THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 72 Chapter 72 Untouched SERAPHINA ¡°Because I was saving myself for you.¡± His words echoed inside me like a thunderp. What did he mean? No, what could he mean? My hand stayed pressed against his chest, feeling the fierce rhythm of his heartbeat beneath my palm. It wasn¡¯t steady. Neither was mine, I could feel the frantic pulse hammering in my throat, wild and disorienting, like my body was no longer mine tomand. The air between us thickened¨Csuffocating, charged. I couldn¡¯t breathe properly. I couldn¡¯t look away either. Those violet eyes..Goddess, they weren¡¯t just looking at me; they were unraveling me. Confusion twisted with something I didn¡¯t dare name. My knees wobbled, my thoughts scattered like ash in the wind. I should¡¯ve scoffed, I should¡¯ve said something cold, sharp; anything to keep him from stepping closer. But the words never came. Instead, I stood there¨Cstunned, burning, shaken¨Clike he¡¯d just confessed something far more dangerous than virginity. Because he had¡­hadn¡¯t he? He hadn¡¯t said. ¡°I¡¯ve never been with someone.¡± He said, ¡°I was saving myself for you.¡± Me ¡°Are you are you saying this like a..¡± I hesitated. Like a confession of love? I couldn¡¯t even bring myself to finish the sentence aloud. He didn¡¯t flinch. Didn¡¯t look away. He just watched me as if every breath I took, every blink of myshes, mattered. My heartbeat raced like a wild horse, and my wolf¡­she was frozeh, breathless, staring at him like he was the Moon itself. my skin. Not that ache in my chest. Not that fluttering No, no, no. I wasn¡¯t supposed to feel anything. Not that heat beneath vant deep in my core. Then it hit me, how truly dangerous this moment was. My hear and my wolf reacted like this, to him. Not just anyone. He was Alpha Ronan Volkstone. Mysterious. Lethal. Devastatingly, sinfully handsome. The man who saw through my disguise if it were made of anist and tore it away with such case, I couldn¡¯t help but wonder if he¡¯d always known I wasn¡¯t a man, but And now he stood here, saying he had saved himself for me? A virgin? An Alpha of all people, at twenty¨Cfour, still untouched? With that face, that body, and all those Alpha hormones raging through han! He saved himself for me? Impossible He had to be lying ying with me. Testing my defenses. 11:53 AM PP Chapter 72 Untouched +8 Pearls I slowly withdrew my hand from his chest. ¡°I¡¯ll pretend I never heard that, Alpha Ronan,¡± I said, forcing my gaze to break from his. His breath ghosted over my face; hot, heady, tempting. ¡°Pretending, or scared of your own feelings for me?¡± My eyes snapped back to his. My heart thudded in panic as I blurted out, ¡°Why would I feel anything for you? You¡¯re just saying that because¨Cbecause we¡¯re stuck in this stupid cave, the rain hasn¡¯t stopped, and you think this is some kind of moment. I stepped back. trying to put space between us, but he didn¡¯t move. Instead, he leaned in closer, his voice velvet¨Csoft. ¡°Some kind of moment? What kind is that, Seraphina?¡± Heat flooded my cheeks. Was he serious? Did he really want me to say it out loud? ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± I muttered, cing both hands on his chest to push him away. But he refused to budge, his body a wall against mine. ¡°Why are you shying away?¡± he teased, voice low and dangerous, making my heart pound harder. ¡°I am not. ¡°You are. You think I¡¯m saying all this just to get under your skirt? You believe I¡¯m using this heat, this moment, to seduce you? To get you in my bed?¡± He said it. What I¡¯d been thinking. I swallowed hard and met his gaze. ¡°Isn¡¯t that the truth?¡± I asked coldly. ¡°Or do you actually expect me to believe that an Alpha like you is a virgin?¡± He tilted his head slightly. ¡°Is an Alpha being a virgin so hard to believe?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve spent my youth training among males,¡± I replied tightly. ¡°I know them better than they know themselves. Alpha or not, they can¡¯t wait toe of age just to find something to fuck and me it on their hunger, their wolf. The highlight of their lives? Their rut. Their sacred excuse to lure in she¨Cwolves and devour them. You¡¯re no different.¡± I managed to edge away from him, barely an inch of space, but it felt like victory. Then it hit me. Why was I even arguing about this? Why did I care? His virginity had nothing to do with me. And yet¡­. He listened in silence, calm and unblinking. Then, softly, ¡°The males you trained with were part of the crowd. But the man standing before you¡­is Ronan Volkstone.¡± His voice dropped, rich and sensual. ¡°And we Volkstones are born with a tendency. A sacred instinct.¡± I held my breath. ¡°We are born to have eyes only for our fated mate. We remain untouched, pure. If we never find them, we stay celibate. But we do not betray our other half by crawling into another¡¯s bed¡± This words stole the air from my lungs. My gaze stayed locked with his, our breaths mingling, hearts pounding. His wolf stirred, inching closer to mine, curling around ine like smoke. Iparted my hips, whispering. ¡°Then you¡¯re giving up on that tendency now?¡± I paused. ¡°Standing this close to me, getting hard over me, touchung ine, saying all this¡ªaren¡¯t you betraying your mate?¡± ¡°Betray?¡± he repeated a crooked smile tugging at his lips. ¡°What¡¯s betrayal to you, Seraphina?¡± He leaned down, lips a breath ¡°This ¡°Heathed, our mouths nearly brushing. ¡°This is a betrayal¡± H 11:53 AM PP. Chapter 72 Untouched +8 Pearls Ronan bit his lower lip, the look in his eyes wicked and tender all at once. He stepped in, erasing that My fingers curled into my pants. ¡°What is it?¡± I asked before I could stop myself. ¡°In our bloodline,¡± he said, locking his gaze with mine, ¡°we don¡¯t get our scent until our twenty¨Cfifth birthday¡­¡± Send Gifts THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 73 Chapter 73 His Scent On My Skin. SERAPHINA Since my perfume hadpletely washed off in the rain, I was too panicked to notice a far more jarring truth, Ronan¡¯s body. carried no wolf scent. Not a single trace. What kind of bloodline did that? I had never, not once, heard of a werewolf without a scent. A woll¡¯s scent was as everything: part of their identity, their signature. It was the first sign of maturity, blooming in adolescence. Even pups had a developing scent as their wolves grew stronger. But Ronan? Nothing. Just the maddeningly clean, masculine scent of rain, earth, and worn leather. Just Ronan. That meant everything he told me was true. He hadn¡¯t been lying. What was worse, my wolf felt it too. She stirred in my chest, not in rm¡­but in agreement. Silent. Still. As if recognizing something sacred. That¡¯s when the weight of his earlier confession crashed over me. I¡¯ve been saving myself for you My heart stuttered like a wild animal trying to outrun a snare. My wolf stirred again¨Crestless, confused, drawn to him by something that defied all logic. No. I couldn¡¯t let myself fall into this trap. I couldn¡¯t afford to believe what he might be implying. Because if I was wrong if I read too deeply into this¡­. I wouldn¡¯t just lose my disguise. I¡¯d love my heart. ¡°I¡¯ll leave when the rain stops,¡± I said, pushing the words past the tightness in my throat. I slipped away from him slowly, Carefully. His eyes followed me¨Csilent, intense, too steady for a man who had just unraveled my entire understanding of him with a single truth I moved toward the cave¡¯s entrance, trying to calm my heartbeat. It thundered in my ears like a war drum. My wolf had never been this out of control. Why now? Why hum fuceded space. I needed rity While behind me. I could still feel his gaze Unwavering Heavy I told myself not to turn around Being alone with him in this cave was already dangerous, especially after what he¡¯d just said. 11:53 AM p p. Chapter 73 His Scent On My Skin +B Pearls Outside, evening bled into night, the forest turning darker by the second. The cold crept in, piercing through my wet clothes. Normally, werewolves didn¡¯t feel cold the way humans did, but this forest had its own rules.. Maybe it was because I was half¨Cnaked. Soaked. Shivering. ¡°The rain¡¯s not stopping anytime soon,¡± Ronan¡¯s voice broke through the silence. ¡°Sit down. Regain your strength¡± I turned, startled. And froze. Ronan was shirtless. He had shrugged off his soaked shirt and wrung it once before draping it over a jagged rock The flickering shadows of the cave fire danced over his sun¨Ckissed skin and defined abs, each muscle carved like stone. The sight made my breath catch in my throat. I didn¡¯t move. I couldn¡¯t. He stared at me for a beat¨Ccalm, unreadable¨Cbefore walking around. He gathered dry tinder and old wood, then pulled out ja knife. Scraping it against stone, he coaxed sparks into a small fire. Within minutes, mes licked at the cave¡¯s cool air, crackling softly, Only then did I see them, the scars. Long, deep, and jagged. Some thin and silvered with age, others newer, angry and dark. Each one a story he never told. A past he never shared. And I, Goddess help me, I found them tempting ¡°Wanna touch?¡± Ronan suddenly asked, catching me mid¨Cstare. His voice was low. Dangerous. yful. Heat rushed to my face. Shit I¡¯d just eye¨Cfucked an Alpha Without answering. I hurried to the fire, dropped down, and held out my hands for warmth. He hung his shirt close to the mes, adding more wood as I squeezed the rain from my hair. My soaked pants clung to my skin like an icy second skin.¡± While I was distracted, unaware, I didn¡¯t notice his violet eyes darken. Didn¡¯t feel the slow, hungry path his gaze took over me¨Cover the glistening raindrops trailing down my corbones, the slope of my shoulders, and the barely¨Ccovered swell of my breasts, The white cloth I¡¯d wrapped around my chest had be nearly transparent. stered against my body, it outlined everything. Every curve. Every breath. His wolf responded to it. I saw it sh in his eyes. Suddenly, I felt heat again, but not from the fire. My eyes snapped to hip, catching him staring directly at my chest. My heart jumped, shame flushing through me as I instinctively covered my breasts with my arm. ¡°What are you looking at?¡± I hissed. His gaze met mine, shameless, amused. ¡°Your clothes are soaked. You¡¯ll catch pneumonia.¡±¡° I pressed my lips together. He said it with concern, but his eyes told a different story. Tm fine. I muttered. If I were alone. I would¡¯ve stripped off my wet clothes long ago. But not with him here. Not with Ronan 11:53 AM P Chapter 73 His Scent On My Skin Even though I¡¯d shifted in front of countless males before, he was different. I clutched the waistband of my pants, trying to anchor myself, and stared hard at the me. His gaze never left me. He wasn¡¯t even trying to hide it anymore. +8 Pearls Soon, my skin began to itch. Badly. I fought the urge to scratch my chest. The wet fabric against my skin was unbearable. That¡¯s when somethingnded on my head. I flinched, ncing up. Ronan stood over me. ¡°I¡¯m going to find something to eat,¡± he said, his voice low and unreadable. ¡°I¡¯ll be back in ten minutes,¡± Without waiting for a reply, he strode into the storm. I looked down. He¡¯d dropped his shirt on me. Warm. Dry My heart fluttered without permission as I clutched it to my chest, trying not to think about what it meant. Did he¡­.. I couldn¡¯t even finish the thought. I looked toward the mouth of the cave. He had really gone out into the heavy rain. Now I was alone. I looked down at the shirt again, his scent clinging to it. With a shaky breath, I peeled off my wet clothes, wrung them out, and hung them near the fire. Then I slipped into the shirt. It hung loosely on me, brushing my thighs. ¡°It smells like him.¡± I whispered to myself. Phina, my wolf, always sensitive to scents, curled into it as if it werefort itself. I lifted my gaze toward the rain outside. Somewhere out there, a hunter was lurking. And Ronan still hadn¡¯t returned. Something twisted in my chest. I stood, walked toward the cave mouth¨Cjust as arge figure appeared through the curtain of rain. 1 gasped, heart leaping in my chest Roman His hair was drenched, his body dripping, his violet eyes gleaming in the dun light. ~Were you worried about ipe?¡± he asked, a smirk tugging at his lips. My cars turned crimson. ¡°Why would I be worried about your 1-1 was just checking if the rain had stopped, so I could leave.¡± His smirk deepened. ¡°Is that so!¡± My cheeks burned hotter. ¡°Yes! Don¡¯t misinterpret the situation THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 74 Chapter 74 Sexy RONAN I hated sharing my things. I absolutely loathed when others touched them. But she¡­she looked so damn hot in my shirt. Too hot. The hem brushed mid¨Cthigh, revealing smooth, toned legs that glistened in the firelight- skin shimmered in the amber glow, wless and soft, unmarred. The shirt hung loosely on her petite frame, swallowing her damp from the in. Her bare shoulders and arms, but clinging to her hips just enough to hint at the curves beneath. Every time she shifted, the cor slipped a little lower, revealing the elegant dip of her corbone. I¡¯ve seen plenty of beautiful she¨Cwolves in my life, ones who were instantly attracted, easy¨Cgoing, blushing at the slightestpliment. But her? She raised her brow and said with all the confidence in the world, ¡°I was born sexy. Your shirt is just adding anotheryer to Silence fell between us. Our eyes locked, and a small, uncontroble smile tugged at my lips as my heartbeat quickened. She always left me speechless. And, I loved it. ¡°Oh, that¡¯s a relief then,¡± I said smoothly, taking a slow bite of guava, ¡°or I might¡¯ve thought you were wearing that shirt just to punish me.¡± She narrowed her eyes, calcting, like she was deciding whether to throw another smug remark or simply roll her eyes. She didn¡¯t respond aloud but the slight tilt of her head, the flick of her damp hair over her shoulder, and the spark in her eyes said more than words ever could. Want something to eat?¡± I asked again, taking another bite of the ¡°No,¡± her tone was clipped. ¡°There¡¯s a hunter outside. He could show up at any moment. How can you be hungry at a time like this? ¡°A hunter and hunger are two different problems,¡± I said, settling down beside the fire. I added more wood and popped thest piece of guava into my mouth. She stared at me, battled ¡°Yeah, I see. To you, this feels more like a pic than a life¨Cor¨Cdeath situation.¡± Grumbling under her breath, she turned toward the mouth of the cave. Her eyes scanned the clearing with barely contained tension ¡°The rain¡¯s letting up!¡± her eyes shope. My wolf growled in my mind at what she was clearly thinking. She still wanted to leave. ¡°You can¡¯t go. 7 There¡¯s a hunter out there. It¡¯s not safe,¡± I warned She alowly turned around, expression defiant. Tm not a part of this trial. The hunter has no business with me.¡± ut the hunter doesn¡¯t know that.¡± I snapped, voice sharp ¡°Then I¡¯ll knock that knowledge into his thick skull if he darese near me,¡± she said, walking over to where her clothes were hanging near the fre grabbing her I moved yukly, grabbing her wrist before she could reach them. ¡°I said you can¡¯t gu.¡± 11:54 AM P P Chapter 74 Sexy She frowned, annoyed. ¡°Why?¡± +8 Pearls The eagerness in her eyes irritated me. I didn¡¯t think¨CI just pulled her down. making her fall right on top of me. ¡°What are you doing?!¡± she gasped, her hands syed against my chest, her wide eyes locking onto mine like a startled owl ¡°Don¡¯t forget why you came into this forest in the first ce,¡± I murmured, keeping my grip firm Her entire body tensed. ¡°You came to change my mind. To make me take back my testimony. Do you really think walking away now is the right move?¡± I arched a brow, challenging her. The firelight danced in her eyes, eyes that now zed with rage. ¡°You gave false testimony,¡± she hissed, ¡°and instead of being ashamed.now you¡¯re threatening me? How shameless can you be ¡°More than you can imagine,¡± I whispered, gripping her wrist tighter as she struggled. ¡°So far, you¡¯ve done absolutely nothing to please me. You¡¯ve red, snapped, and tried to leave. If you want me to change my testimony then stay and please me.¡± She let out an angry, breathyugh. ¡°Have you eaten something rotten, Alpha Ronan? Why would I please a pervert like you?¡± Her voice was sharp, but her eyes. so damn expressive,remained captivating. ¡°I¡¯ll find another way to prove myself to Alpha Hugo. I¡¯ll- I pulled her closer, cutting her off mid¨Csentence. ¡°But you only have until morning, right?¡± I said softly, just beside her ear. She froze in my arms. ¡°The race for Supreme Alpha has begun and you have only until morning to prove your innocence. If you¡¯re not registered by then, you¡¯ll never even make it to the list. Are you really willing to throw all of it away?¡± She satpletely still now. Her eyes, usually so fierce, wavered, trembling slightly with realization. -Why are you going to such lengths to make me stay here?¡± she asked, frowning, clearly displeased. ¡°I just¡­¡± I slid my hand around her waist. don¡¯t want to be alone.¡± Her expression changed. Something flickered in her eyes. Her heartbeat sped up, even as she tried to look away. She pulled back and sat up straight. ¡°I¡¯ll stay,¡± she said quietly. ¡°But you have to take back your testimony.¡± ¡°Sure, I sat up beside her, a slight smile forming as I handed her a guava, ¡°Eat.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not hungry,¡± she said immediately. Lic ¡°I can hear your stomach growling from here.¡± Her cheeks Hushed Embarrassed, she growled back. The hunter is still out there. I don¡¯t want to eat and fall asleep.¡± She looked beyond tired, like her body was barely holding itself upright. Whatever sleep she had gotten in the past few days, it clearly hadn¡¯t been enough. ¡°One guava won¡¯t put you to sleep. It¡¯ll just vanish in your stomach,¡± I said, pressing it into her hand. Seeing she was still tant I added. ¡°Eat and in return. I¡¯ll tell you anything you ask. I offered, knowing she wouldn¡¯t be able to resist. She binked, nced at the guava, then back at me. ¡°Anything I ask?¡± 11:54 AM Chapter 74 Sexy ¡°Anything After a moment of thought, she hesitantly took a bite. +8 Pearls I watched her lips close around the fruit, her teeth sinking in, juice glistening on her lips. I quickly turned back to the tire before my gaze lingered too long. ¡°Were you in the Fog Forest that day?¡± she asked. My hand slowed. Her breath caught realizing that what she saw wasn¡¯t a dream. ¡°Then were you¡­. My eyes flicked to her guava. She got the message. With a sigh, she took another bite. ¡°Did you bring me down from the mountain?¡± ¡°Yes, I answered simply. She bit into the guava again, a little faster this time. ¡°How did you even get to the Fog Forest?¡± Her words came out muffled by food. I reached out and wiped the corner of her lips. ¡°Chew.¡± She paused, held her breath, and swallowed hard. ¡°You didn¡¯t answer,¡± she reminded me. I wiped another drop of juice from the edge of her lips and brought my finger to my lips, sucking the sweetness off. ¡°I followed you.¡± Her eyes widened. ¡°You¡­did you¡­¡± Her voice trailed into a whisper as her eyelids (luttered, and she started to notice that everything was going dark. She looked at the guava in confusion that it was pulling her into the darkness, did you jump¡­¡± The half¨Ceaten guava slipped from her hand, her eyelids slid closed and her body went limp. ! caught her before she could fall. Her unconscious defenseless formy in my arms, her breathing calm, her face even more beautiful in sleep. ¡°Yes, I jumped.¡± I brushed a strand of damp hair from her face. My finger traced her cheek as I added, ¡°But the fog. it took me to the edge¨Cand you to Dante.¡± Dante¡¯s name came bitterly out in my mouth as I recalled his shadow vanishing in the fog when I had caught Seraphina that might ¡°Alpha¡± outside the caye, a figure wet and tall enraged from the shadows like a wind, and kelt down, ¡°I buried the hunter you hunted¡± Mace stated, lowering his eyes. I tucked Seraphina¡¯s wet hair behind her car, my eyes never leaving her. ¡°Then now go and dig out what was buried in ck wood¡¯s terrory four days ago.¡± Send Gilts €19 H 11:54 AM p p. THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 75 Chapter 75 The Note That Shouldn¡¯t Exist ASHER The soft glow of dawn spilled through the tall, arched windows of the Grand Library, stretching golden fingers across the polished marble floor. The silence was thick and reverent, broken only by the asional crackle of candle wax or the distant shift of ancient tomes settling on their worn shelves. I stood in front of the west wing¡¯s forgotten aisle, where books older than the Academy itself lined the wooden shelves, some barely holding together despite years of careful preservation. The brittle pages of the volume in my hand had my attention. its spine cracked with time and its ink faded slightly. Another page turned under my fingers¨Cslow, deliberate, searching. Then ¨¤ voice cut through the silence. ¡°You refused to attend the overnight survival trial even though your name is cleared,¡± Alpha Instructor Jude said evenly. stepping into view, his silhouette tall and sharp against the rising light. ¡°Now, you¡¯ve spent the entire night in the library. breaking curfew and rules.¡± I didn¡¯t lift my gaze. My thumb brushed the corner of the next page as I flipped it calmly, eyes scanning a line of jagged symbols that seemed to pulse beneath the candlelight. ¡°I already exined my reasons, Alpha Jude,¡± I replied, my voice quiet but resolute. ¡°You suspected all four of us during the murder incident, and cleared only three names. I understand that Dante¡¯s lineage makes him untouchable. The Academy is likely under pressure from his pack after his death. But the way Seth Darven is being treated. I find uneptable.¡± Alpha Jude stood still for a long moment, watching me, I could feel the weight of his gaze, trying to read more than my words. ¡°For that boy you are willing to put your future on the line, you¡¯re not friends with Seth Darven,¡± he said finally. ¡°You weren¡¯t even close. So where is this sudden concerning from?¡± Silence stretched between us like a drawn bowstring. But in my mind, I was no longer in the library. I was back in that vampire den as vampires chased us through the darkness Seth¡¯s soft hand in mine, warm and firm despite the cold, never letting me go. We were pressed together in a crevice between rocks, his beauty stealing breath from my lungs. My wolf lived that moment once again in my mind when I saw something that I could never forget. ¡°I was the team leader in that trial,¡± I said slowly, ¡°as the team leader I want all of my team members back and running in the Supreme Alpha Race¡± Jude¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change, but I could tell he was measuring something behind those cold eyes. ¡°That boy has chosen to challenge Alpha Hugo¡¯s decision and went to prove himself. His destiny is in his hands now and will be decided in a few hours However.¡± His gaze dropped to the open book in my hands, then drifted to the stack beside me. ¡°Is he also the reason you¡¯re suddenly interested in ancientnguages?¡± he asked. My hand froze. From that distance he could tell the book in my hand was ancient? I finally looked up. Our eyes met. ¡°Alpha Jude,¡± I said, voice steady, ¡°can you read the ancientnguages? He nodded, ¡°Over the years I have learned it through the English trantion¡± ¡°What about thenguages that haven¡¯t been tranted into English? Can you read them?¡± ¡°No one can,¡± he answered, frowning faintly Anynguage we¡¯ve been able to decipher is already tranted and archived. The rest well, some say they¡¯re just gabberish Symbols from extinct tribes. Unreadable.¡± My lingers curled around the spine of the book i held, its cover thick and dark, the scent of dust and time heavy in the air- vums fragile pages, tucked carefully like a secret, was a note. The note that I had secured. The note that I had ripped from that wolf¡¯s throat after he swallowed it contained the secret that led to Finn¡¯s broken curse. The handwriting was thin. Not Tragmented Wenten in steady, deliberate strokes But was not found in any ancient book and no one could read it 11:54 AM P P ¡¤ Chapter 75 The Note That Shouldn¡¯t Exist Bur Seth had just read it. Like it was nothing. +8 Pearls Then¡­¡± I asked, more to myself than to Alpha Jude, ¡°is it possible someone can read anguage we don¡¯t even know exists?¡± He shook his head. ¡°That¡¯s impossible.¡± With that, he turned and walked away. ¡°Leave the library quickly. Only this once will I pretend that I did not see you breaking the rules, his footsteps echoed down the aisle until silence reimed the space. But I stood there, unmoving. My eyes fell again to the note. My mind returned to that moment¨CSeth understanding them, his expression too calm, too familiar with the unknown. Suddenly, the silence in the library felt less like peace¨Cand more like a mystery. ¡°Then why could Seth Darven read it?¡± I murmured under my breath. The question hung in the air, unanswered. I gently closed the book, sliding the note out from the pages, Seth¡¯s beautiful smile and melodious voice that slipped once in the trial. ¡°Seth Darven¡­¡± I whispered under my breath, ¡°it¡¯s not what I am thinking, right?¡± Send Gifts THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 76 Chapter 76 The Warmth Before The Storm SERAPHINA Warmth. That was the first thing I felt¨Cpure, breathing was slow, unhurried. My body, usually stiff from tension and exhaustion, felt¡­rested. Too rested. Too rxed. My eyes blinked open to the soft amber of early dawn painting the cave walls. My heart skipped. Dawn?! My eyes flew open. How had fallen asleep? Thest thing I remembered was¡­talking to Ronan, chewing on guava, asking questions- then¡­being pulled inte was that possible! That guava was there something in it¡­ But I brushed it aside and hurried, I tried to sit up¨Cbut froze mid¨Cmotion My eyes subconsciously went to the figure sleeping beside me that I had somehow failed to see in panic. My breath hitched. Ronan? He was sleeping beside me. Close. Too close. sleep. How Our faces were turned toward one another, barely an inch apart. I could feel the warmth of his breath on my cheek, soft and steady. His darkshes rested against his skin, his jaw rxed in sleep. His hair had fallen slightly over his forehead, and for the first time, he didn¡¯t look sharp or cocky¨Cjust peaceful. How did we end up like this? Panic rose in my chest. Did something happen between usst night? I carefully pulled back scanning myself in haste. I was still in his shirt. I didn¡¯t feel any difort, no signs of disturbance between my legs or any body part, no evidence that he had..done anything. He didn¡¯t touch me. My heartbeat slowed, shame creeping in for having even feared it. But still why was he sleeping beside me? But then, the weight of everything hit me all at once. The hunter. The trial. Alpha Hugo The deadline. I reached out to wake hun up but then I remembered that I was naked under his shirt 1 had to change I shot up with the speed of lightning, stripping off Ronan¡¯s shirt in one swift move. My pants, now dry from hanging near the fire were hastly pulled on. I turned my back to Roman and tied my chest biddings quickly on, breath heaving with urgency at?d turned slowly around applying the perfume to hide my seem and huair 1 whirled around, eyes wide Bojan was already awake, sitting up wals one arm restingzily over his bent kure, watching me. His gaze was unreadable, but there was a flicker of amusement of interest My face flushed hot 11:54 AM PP Chapter 76 The Warmth Before The Storm How long had he been watching me? Did he see-? I wanted to dig a hole in the ground and disappear if he saw me naked. -When did you wake up?¡± I could not help but ask. +8 Pearls ¡°Just now, when you were applying the perfume,¡± he replied casually but why did I have the feeling he actually saw more than that! He grabbed his shirt from the ground and wrapped it around my shoulders. ¡°Wear it.¡± My heartbeat took a sudden race at our proximity. I could not go back to the Academy without the shirt so I slowly slid my arms into the sleeves. However, just as I finished buttoning, the current situation hit me. ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± my voice was sharp as I grabbed his hand. Thankfully it was no longer raining and had stopped long ago. ¡°Where he blinked. ¡°It¡¯s already dawn and the hunter will be still out there. But the trial is about to end. We have to leave the forest!¡± ¡°The hunter won¡¯t find us now. I took care of themst night,¡± before he could finish. I grabbed his wrist and pulled him out of the cave, into the morning light. He matched my speed as we ran out into the forest. Honestly. I was shocked by what he said about the hunter. He dealt with the hunter while I was sleeping? How deeply had I slept I nced at him and stated, ¡°It¡¯s good that there is not a hunter but we have to leave the forest before morning. I¡¯m taking you to Alpha Hugo. He gave me only until morning. If we don¡¯t make it back before sunrise¡­it¡¯ll all be over.¡± We ran across the damp forest floor, leaves.crunching under our feet and breath puffing in the cool air. This was myst chance. Ronan¡¯s testimony was going to fix this messed up situation for me. I could not let it go. I was so lost in those thoughts that I did not know Ronan had his eyes on our hands still sped together. Suddenly I felt him slip his fingers into mine, intertwining them. I nced at him again, finding our hands still held together but this time he was holding me. My heart skipped, then raced. No oned ever held my hand like that. Not in affection. Not imunity. Not while running beside me like we were something more than just wolves in the trial. The moment our eyes met, my heart skipped another beat. Heat rushed to my cheeks and I quickly looked away. Ronan didn¡¯t say a word. But I saw the faint smirk pulling at the corners of his lips as if he knew exactly what he was doing. We were close¨Cso close¨Cto the edge of the forest, where I had once felt an invisible barrier, a wall that kept me from crossing My pulse quickened. ¡°We are almost there,¡± my chest filled with happiness. But then- A guttural growl split the air with the loud sound of shooting in the air. My heart shook at the danger that I felt in the air with the presence of someone extremely powerfully. The growl reverberated through the trees like a warning That was when I saw a figure running towards us from the corner of my eye. ¡°Move!¡± Ronan¡¯s voice roared just as the figure tharged from the trees, a blur of ck and bone white ws cutting through the mist like a style. The air whistled around me as I was shoved to the side by Ronan, falling hard into the underbrush. I barely caught my breath as I scrambled back out my hands and knees. Chapter 76 The Warmth Before The Storm +8 Pearls ¡°What is going on?¡± I quickly looked ahead to find a masked tall person now standing before Ronan, not cloaked or hiding. but visible and monstrous. His face was obscured by a bone¨Cwhite mask etched with runes. his form crouched like a beast about to pounce again. Ronan stood tall, blocking the hunter¡¯s path. His muscles coiled, eyes glowing fiercely as he bared his teeth. They shed, Alpha and predator. No¡­ Theld my breath when I realised who the predator was. The hunter. THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 77 Chapter 77 Shadows And Sunrise SERAPHINA Roman said he took care of the hunter then who was this?! Phina growled in my mind, ¡°It seems there were two hunters in the trial!¡± +B Pearls I clenched my fists. This was a disaster. Twists were expected in the trial but the dawn! And the hunter was living up to hi name. the timing could not be worse. It was already Ronan and the hunter were a blur of ws and fury. I could barely keep up, my eyes straining to follow the deadly choreography unfolding in front of me. Every time I thought 1 caught the edge of a movement, another strike came from a different angle¨Cfaster, sharper, impossibly precise. The sounds were sickening: the sh of bone against bone, the hiss of air whistling around ws that could tear through skin and soul alike, and the low, guitural growls that rumbled from deep within both their chests. Konan moved like a storm, his body a weapon forged by rage and purpose. The hunter, however, was no less terrifying. He was lithe and silent, crouched low with a bone¨Cwhite mask etched in runes that glowed faintly under the dying moonlight. His strikes were clean, calcting. Ronan¡¯s were fueled by instinct. ws tore through bark and left gashes in the trees. Rocks splintered. Earth flew. While I stood frozen, helpless¨Cwatching them destroy each other. The edges of the forest trembled around us, as though even nature recoiled from their battle. ¡°No,¡± I whispered, backing away. This fight was never going to end but I did not have that much time. I had to meet Alpha Hugo! I spun around toward the forest¡¯s edge, my chest heaving. The invisible wall that had once repelled me shimmered faintly with magic, like heat waves rising off sunlit stone. My hands mmed against it. ¡°Let me through!¡± I yelled, shoving, wing at the barrier. ¡°Let me out!!¡± My voice cracked. The trees didn¡¯t answer. Behind me, the sound of bodies colliding echoed like thunder. ¡°Alpha Hugo¡­I choked, turning my back to the fight, trying to get the barrier open. ¡°I have to get to him! Just a minute¨Cjust one minute, please¡ª¡± But it was no use. The wall held, pulsing with cold rejection. It was only going to let me through when Ronan won the trial or the trial itself ended I turned, desperate, and saw blood stter the earth. Ronan¡¯s shoulder had been shed. The hunter¡¯s mask was cracked slightly around his eyes. Their breaths came hard and ragged, but neither of them slowed. They fought like two halves of destruction itself,neither willing to fall, nor surrendering. Arge bead of sweat rolled down my clicek, hot and angry I couldn¡¯t stop them. I couldn¡¯t end this trial. I could do nothing!! But if I could do nothing then that meant I would lose¡­. The light suddenly changed, ripping through my thoughts, adding a of horror within rue. A shalt of gold split through the trees. The sky cracked open with color. +8 Pearls Chapter 77 Shadows And Sunrise I turned slowly, watching the horizon bleed into morning. Orange and pink lit the sky like fire had kissed the world. I warched, numb, as the final seconds of my chance dissolved into light. It was over. My legs b gs buckled beneath me. I barely managed to stand on my own two feet. The morning hade. I had failed. prove my innocence and had be a murderer. I could not take Ronan to Alpha Hugo, I could not prove my it My mind went nk at that point, I did not realise the fighting between Ronan and the hunter stopped behind me. An invisible force separating the two of them. Silence swallowed the forest. And then- A sharp ripple cut through the air like a sheet being torn. The barrier around the forest dropped. I looked up just as the world shifted. Light exploded across my vision, and I stumbled, blinded and breathless, before falling forward onto smooth stone. The forest was gone. I blinked against the sunlight. When my vision cleared, I found myself standing on the main grounds of the Academy¨Cjust in front of the wide, crescent staircase of the main building. What- Ronan was beside me, chest rising and falling withbored breaths, blood streaked down his arm. The hunter stood across from him, mask still in ce, his posture rigid but equally bloodied. I found myself between the two of them. And surrounding us¨Cwere all of them. The Alpha instructors.. My heart dropped in my stomach. They were all there. Did Alpha Hugo¡­tell everyone¡­ Alpha Gideon stepped forward from the line of authorities, his arms sped behind his back. His dark hair was slicked down with precision, and the steel in his gaze was unmistakable. He nced at me once then at Ronan and the hunter. ¡°The hunter and the hunted,¡± he said, voice cutting through the silence like a de, ¡°Both have made it to sunrise.¡± he looked between two of them and added, ¡°The trial ends in a tie.¡± A dead silence fell in the room. I swallowed hard, the weight of those words mming into me. How could a Did the the not ran both Ronan and Hunter won! t1 I did not know what Ronan¡¯s expression was but I clearly sensed his aura darkening. The next thing I knew the hunter walked past me. I nced up trying to see through his cracked mask. But what I did not know was that he was already watching me The pair of sharp eyes locked with ine, sold and powerful. He strode to the Academy building without a word. was he going in therer 11:54 §¡§Þ §â§â. Chapter 77 Shadows And Sunrise ¡°Alpha Seth Darven. Alpha Gideon stepped closer, his eyes now settling on me. I forgot everything instantly and fear curled in my chest. He stared at me coldly. +8 Pearls I looked past Alpha Hugo. His expression was unreadable. Since I had failed he had told Alpha Gideon that I murdered Dante. I secretly clenched my pants in fear. Was I finally being expelled from the Academy? Did they already inform Seth¡¯s father? Did father get a word from my uncle? Did he figure out I hade here disguised as Seth? Was it all really over for me? ¡°Alphas Seth Darven, Wee to the supreme Alpha race, Alpha Gideon stated. My body froze in shock. Wait. What did he just say? I made it¡­. I? ¡°Why are you standing here like a statue?¡± Ronan¡¯s voice came from the side startling me. I nced up at him as he suddenly threw his arm around my neck and leaned towards me, ¡°Help me to the healers¡® wing before I die.¡± I stared at him with wide eyes and then at Alpha Hugo. He stood there silent even when Ronan made me walk past them to the Academy building. No one stopped me. No one called me out as a murderer. As soon as we entered the healers quiet wing, I hurriedly asked Ronan, ¡°What is going on with all of this? Why didn¡¯t Alpha Hugo call me out?¡± ¡°He probably found the letter that I left on his desk before leaving for the trial,¡± he nced down at me. ¡°What letter?¡± I eximed. What could be written in it that saved me and also absolved me from the murder charges. Suddenly Ronan¡¯s arm around my neck forced me close to his chest. I gasped in surprise as he stood tall, towering over me, both of our bodies touching, ¡°If you want details..¡± he whispered, leaning closer to my lips, ¡°¡­give me a kiss.¡± Send Gifts Ä¿ THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 78 Chapter 78 The Second Hunter RONAN ¡°Give me a kiss,¡± my breath fanned her lips, our breathing mingling together. The way she blinked once, twice before her cheeks turned as red as a tomato yed with my wolf. She had clearly not been kissed by a man. She held her breath as the heat of my chest pressed into her, an arm looped around her neck pulling her flush against my body ¡°Y¨Cyou¡¯re insane,¡± she blurted, cheeks igniting. ¡°You¡¯ve lost your damn mind.¡± ¡°Is this how you act after¡­ I murmured, my voice a low purr. ¡°Taking advantage of me in the cave?¡± Her eyes instantly widened like an owl and heartbeat increased. ¡°W¨Cwho took advantage of you?! It is you who took advantage of me when I she paused. never able to say that we slept together. I raised my brows, ¡°What? Tell me how I took advantage of you?¡± She clenched her teeth, shoved lightly at my chest, pushing herself out of my hold. Next time y with me and I will p you!¡± she spun away, quickly walking away to hide her red face. I watched, amused and secretly satisfied, as Seraphina¡¯s cheeks med brighter than the morning sun. A soft chuckle escaped me, she was breathtaking, even when furious. I found myself eyeing her hips once again until a familiar figure came in my view, in front of Seraphina ¡°Finn!¡± she gasped at seeing his bandaged shoulders. ¡°What happened to you¡­. ¡°Seth!¡± Before she could finish, he practically enveloped her in a hug ¡°I was waiting.¡± he murmured. My wolf froze in my mind. His arms had wrapped around her back so smoothly, so easily. How dare he embrace her so easily? I barely held myself back as my eyes desperately watched her back wanting to see her reaction but all she did was just freeze, her hand hesitating at her side but she never pushed him away nor did she say anything. She let him hug her. ¡°I am sorry for worrying you, Finn. I am fine but did you she pulled herself slowly away. ¡°These injuries are nothing. I heard the rumors that Dante¡¯s murder case was closed and the charges against you were dropped. I could not wait to see you myself.¡± ¡°Yes, that¡¯s true,¡± her voice was full of smiles that mirrored his. Relief and joy washed over him, ¡°That¡¯s wonderful, Seth! I missed you so much.¡± Anger curled in my gurl How dare he touch her? Their easy touches and hugs burnt me like acid, reminding me of the evil presence that had hinted at Finn¡¯s thoughts for Seraphina. Those thoughts were definitely not ones he had in mind for a friend. They turned around, walking together and I stayed close, masked by distance and hard wou restraint. ¡°Alpha Finn your treatment is not finished, one of the healers stopped him. ¡°Please¡­¡± Finn frowned and said reluctantly. ¡°Alright, I aming,¡± saying that he turned to her, ¡°I wille find you.¡± Seraphina nodded with a smile, asking him not to make the healer wait. As Finn turned to follow the healer¡¯s call. Seraphina exited the building, my eyes following her the entire way. I watched her until Asher appeared, fresh from training. ¡°Seth!¡± When he saw Seraphina his face brightened Chapter 78 The Second Hunter ¡°Asher,¡± she blinked in surprise. ¡°Youing from training right after you came from the trial?¡± ¡°I did not go to the trial,¡± he revealed More than her, I was surprised to hear that. ¡°Why Won¡¯t it affect your position in the Academy?¡± she asked worriedly. +8 Pearts He smiled. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, saying that he touched her arm and drew closer than he ever had to any other girl before. Tell me how you are doing?¡± Even though he brushed the reason off. I read Asher¡¯s eyes like an open book. He did not participate in the trial because of her. My wolf growled lowly at this realization Asher fell into step beside her, asking gently about her wounds and congratting her on making the Supreme Alpha race list. Their easy smiles and muted intimacy ignited something wild in me, something close to hatred. I watched both of them drift like two birds freed from their cage with a silent rage burning in my chest. There was a pair of eyes watching me and following my line of sight all the time silently. Healer Aran. He stepped next to me. He didn¡¯t speak, just observed my dark mood for a moment. ¡°You¡¯ve brought Seth Darven in here every time he¡¯s been hurt,¡± he said, voice calm. ¡°But he left with Asher. He still doesn¡¯t know it was you who had been treating his wound every time before the healers arrived.¡± I snorted low, ¡°And he never needs to know.¡± Aran lifted his gaze, understanding the silent meaning behind my remark. He turned and spoke sofily, ¡°Come inside, Alpha Seth looks healthy, but you¡­ you don¡¯t look well. He wasn¡¯t referring to my wound. My eyes were hooded, heart pounding with anger I refused to admit. I followed him inside, noticing the hunter¡¯s mask resting on his desk. My mind immediately drifted to the masked hunter. Stronger and real. But had hidden his scent and aura and he had entered the Academy building. 1 paused mid¨Cstep. ¡°Healer Aran.¡± I asked quietly, ¡°you know the details of this overnight survival trial, yes?¡± He paused for a moment and then shrugged, ¡°I¡¯m a healer, my work starts once an Alpha returns injured. And ends with their recovery. That¡¯s it.¡± I raised an eyebrow. ¡°You can wander corridors, overhear whispers and even hang out with the Alpha instructors. I guess, you do have some power being a healer who can get close to everyone and know their secrets and even trials.¡± He gave me an amused smile. ¡°It¡¯s true. Healers see more than they speak. But I¡¯m not here to gossip. However, I will tell you this time,¡± he gestured for me to sit down. As I let him address the bleeding wound he was satisfied and asked, ¡°So what do you wont to know?¡± ¡°Were there two hunters in the trial?¡± I asked, voice thready He paused for a moment and exhaled slowly. ¡°Only one¡± My wolf growled deep in my chest and stated, ¡°So that damned hunter I¡¯d fought at dawn wasn¡¯t alone?¡± ¡°Or probably the one I hunted was not actually the hunter,¡± I replied to my wolf cal hunter was the second hunter and he had nted the first hunter to confuse us,¡± my wolf packed it too. Leietiched my jaw, recalling how he had hidden his scent and aura the entire time and he actually entered the Academy Moulding Who the fuck was this hunter? THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 79 Chapter 79 Snap SERAPHINA The Next Day: Thete morning sun filtered through the high academy windows, gilding the halls with light. My arms ache slightly under the weight of the box I held against my chest, but I didn¡¯t care. I was free. After so many days that actually felt like forever, I wasn¡¯t under suspicion, wasn¡¯t locked away in that prison¨Clike suffocating room. Though it had an attached bathroom and even a window, it felt more like a gilded cage than any sort of living space. But now¡­now I was allowed back into my room. My dorm room. I pushed the door open with my shoulder and stepped inside, the familiar scent of clean linen and pine¨Cscented soap Jinstantly grounding me. My bed was exactly the way I¡¯d left it¨Cneatly made, the darkforter folded at the foot. 1 inhaled deeply and smiled faintly. Home. Or at least, the closest thing to it. Setting the box down on the bed, I moved around the room, returning everything to its ce¨Cmyb, the cracked mug I kept for tea, my worn training pants, and the old photo of my mother that I always kept safely in the drawer. However, looking at her, the dream I had with her and Dante the other day once again appeared in my mind. In reality I still could not believe that Dante was dead. He was like a ghost living inside my mind, chasing me andughing as he shouted at me to ¡®Run. The most terrifying fact about the whole exchange was that he knew my real name. My chest tightened. How could he know my name? No matter how clear my name was, nothing about his death sat right with me. He had been a monster in the end¡­.but who killed him? I shook my head, pushing the thoughts down as I walked to the mirror. With a sigh, I peeled off my uniform shirt, then the rest of my clothes, until 1 stood in front of the mirror in nothing but the binding around my chest and my ck cotton underwear. That¡¯s when it hit me. I had no injuries. Not a scratch. No bruises, no bloodied knuckles, or twisted joints. For the first time since entering this Academy, I¡¯d returned from a trialpletely unharmed. Because of him. Konan My breathing slowed at the thought of him. I slowly ran my fingertips along the smooin skin of my waist, remembering his arm around me and his hand possessively holding mine as we ran through the rain, his fingers gripping mine like they¡¯d never let go His voice yed in my head¨Clow, rough, teasing. ¡°Give me a kiss.¡± I squeezed my eyes shut and curled up on the bed, heart thudding so wildly I could feel the pulse in my throat. Why did his voice linger in my ears like a song I couldn¡¯t shake? ¡°Why the hell am I thinking about hun?¡± I bit my lips and clutched my chest. F¡¯dineant to rest for only a moment, but sleep dragged me under fast, cradled in the warmth of memories I couldn¡¯t outrun. The loud ng of the lunch bell jolted me awake. I shot upright, eyes wide. ¡°Shut¡± Chapter 79 Snap +8 Pearls It was in the afternoon. Throwing off the nket, I scrambled into my uniform, brushing out my hair with quick fingers. My stomach growled like it had a grudge. If I got therete again, those assholes would eat everything. And I wasn¡¯t about to miss another meal I rushed out into the hall and weaved through a corridor buzzing withte stragglers. But then- A chill swept across my skin like a drop of ice down my spine. My wolf went rigid inside me, alert. Danger. High¨Clevel danger. My body paused mid¨Cstride, heart thudding, breath stilled. Someone had just passed me. A tall man in the Academy uniform, walking confidently down the corridor. His back was straight, his steps calcted and cold. The auraing off him was like knives in the air¨Csharp, deadly, and powerful enough to bring even an Alpha to his knees. Who? Iturned, but the moment I caught sight of him again¡­he was gone. Someone bumped my shoulder hard, breaking the moment. ¡°Watch it,¡± the man grumbled. I blinked, then shook my head. trying to chase off the lingering chill crawling down my spine. There was no one there. ¡°Did I imagine?¡± I asked myself. I exhaled and moved toward the cafeteria, brushing the incident off. The cafeteria was loud, as usual. Conversations dulled as I entered, but I kept my chin high, ignoring the eyes that burned holes into my back and the low, using murmurs trailing behind me like ghosts. I sat alone at a table by the window, focusing on the tray in front of me. Food. Just eat. ¡°Looks so delicious,¡± I stabbed at my roasted meat and potatoes, enjoying it fully and also noticing Finn had yet toe. Asher was also not there and Ronan either. ¡°Wait, why was I looking for him?¡± I clenched the fork harder, scolding myself.. Focusing back into the food as I was halfway through, shadows fell across my table. My hand froze. Not again. Cassius and Reed. With them, the rest of their venomous little entourage. They moved like snakes¨Cslow, slithering, and smiling far too sweetly to mean anything good. Reed sat across from me with Cassius and leaned in, arms folded. ¡°So, Seth,¡± he sneered, ¡°what strings did you pull to weasel out of a murder charges?¡± As expected they could not digest the fact that I was not the murderer and was still in the Academy. I ignored them and continued caling Cassius scoffed. ¡°Must¡¯ve given the investigator a really good time¡± They allughed. ¡°His ass must be worn out then someone said loudly to make everyoneugh. I didn¡¯t stop chewing. Didn¡¯t look up I calmly reached for my cup Too proud to answer now just because you escaped this time, you little fucker? Reed pushed, his eyes gleaming with cruelty. ¡°Or do you think you are some kind of big shot because you made it back aftermitting a murder? Should I be scared of you now?¡± heughed loudly with othe 11:54 AM PP Chapter 79 Snap +8 Pearls But no matter how low theirments became they could not get a response from me. Suddenly Cassius reached over and dipped his fingers into my food, scooping up a bite and shoving it into his mouth with exaggerated delight. My fork froze in my food as I slowly lifted my gaze and met his re, ¡°Hey Tiny, how dare you give us the silent treatment? I will fucking smash that pretty face of yours and pull your gut out.¡± Reed purred, ¡°Cassius, don¡¯t smash this pretty face¡­¡± he put his finger under my chin and grinned. ¡°¡­Until I get a good fuck out of his little ass today.¡± Everyoneughed and one of them said. ¡°Geez, you are so horny that you are willing to do it with a dude?¡± ¡°Dude? All I see is a eunuch?¡± ?¡± Cassius sneered, ¡°But as long as there is a hole, it does matter to me either.¡± Reed met my gaze, ¡°See, now Cassius also wants to have a piece of your ass, What do you say, Seth? Tiny tools like yours are as useless as your existence here, how about pleasuring us through your.¡± Snap ¡°AHHHHHHH¡­ Reed¡¯s scream startled everyone in the cafe. As an uproar broke out, ¡°HE BROKE REED¡¯S WRIST!¡± THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 80 Chapter 80 I Don¡¯t Bow¨Ci Break SERAPHINA I had never endured disrespect in my entire life¨Cnot even when I was a child¨Cbut at the Academy, I tolerated everything. 1 swallowed every provocation and endured every shove just to maintain my disguise. Staying quiet, staying small and not attracting much attention¡­it was how I thought I could survive. But today, something inside me snapped, All this time. I told myself that if I just ignored the provocations, things would eventually settle down. That if I kept my head down. I wouldn¡¯t be targeted. After hearing him say¨Cthose vile things, loud enough to stir whispers from every corner- that was thest straw. My wolf roared. Before Reed could even finish his disgusting sentence, my hand shot out and caught his wrist in a blur. Crack The sickening snap echoed like a gunshot across the cafeteria. His arrogantugh died in his throat, reced by a blood- curdling scream that pierced the air like a de. ¡°HE BROKE REED¡¯S WRIST!!¡± someone yelled in shock. Cassius¡® mouth fell open as he stared at his friend¡¯s wrist bent at an unnatural angle. ¡°REED!!¡± But I wasn¡¯t done. Eyes wild. I yanked Reed forward by his broken wrist until he was nose to nose with me. His pain¨Csoaked face twisted in confusion and terror. I sneered. ¡°You wanna fuck my ass?¡± I taunted, ¡°With what, your baby dick?¡± A horrified gasp rippled through the crowd. I raised my knee and mmed it into his groin without mercy. AHHHHH- He screamed, dropping like a stone as he clutched himself, writhing and howling. His face turned a violent shade of red as he curled in on himself. ¡°Crow a rea! carrot first, you horny little worm,¡± I spat, stepping back. Cassius lunged, his face contorted with rage. ¡°You fucking- But before his fat could even rise, I mmed my palm upward into his face with surgical precision. Crunch Klood instantly gushed from his nose. He reeled backward with a howl of pain, holding his face as his eyes flooded with tears. Casps exploded around us. Alphas backed away. Their little group of bullies shrank. startled and stunnel. ¡°YOU BITCH¡± Reed growled through his pain and charged at me again, madness in his eyes. wai (eady. I¡¯d already calcted how I¡¯d grab hum by the cor and m his face into the nearest table, but he never made it. sor else got to du Arge had seized Reed by the hair and yanked hu backward with brutal fore him lence 11:54 AM Chapter 80 I Don¡¯t Bow Break The entire cafeteria fell deathly quiet, as if the air itself had frozen. Standing behind Reed, towering like a dark storm, was Ronan. +8 Pearls His icy gaze locked onto Reed with a deadly stillness, his fingers tangled tightly in Reed¡¯s hair, pulling his head back at a painful angle. The tension in the air turned suffocating. Fear crept up everyone¡¯s spine. Ronan leaned close, his voice a dangerous murmur that echoed like thunder in still air. ¡°I see you¡¯re itching to fight, Reed,¡± he said coldly. ¡°So let¡¯s deal with that itch properly.¡± He paused and lowered his face beside Reed¡¯s trembling one, letting his wolf eyes sh. ¡°Meet me behind the Academy building tonight,¡± he whispered darkly. ¡°I¡¯ll make sure that pathetic little itch in your dick disappears¡­ for life¡± vanished. His breath hitched. Reed didn¡¯t move. He couldn¡¯t. His rage v Cassius whimpered behind him, still nursing his shattered nose. When Ronan¡¯s eyes flicked toward him, he paled even further, visibly shrinking back. Ronan¡¯s presence was overwhelming¨Craw, feral. The promise of violence was thick in the air. and both of them knew¡­ if they stayed, they wouldn¡¯t walk away in one piece. The atmosphere was so tense it was about to snap. ¡°Fuck Cassius breathed, panicked. ¡°We¡¯re leaving.¡± He reached out hesitantly, attempting to peel Reed away from Ronan¡¯s grasp. Ronan let go, but not gently. He shoved Reed away like he was filth. It was not how anyone treated Alphas like Reed and Cassius. It was a clear, brutal statement: You mean nothing here. ¡°Get lost,¡± Ronan said, voice as sharp as broken ss. ¡°If I catch either of you pulling this shit again, I¡¯ll break every bone in your worthless bodies.¡± Neither of them dared to speak. They slunk past him, heads down like whipped dogs. But a few stepster, Reed turned back and red at me¨Cso did Cassius. Their eyes promised one thing. This isn¡¯t over. I didn¡¯t flinch. I knew it wouldn¡¯t be. Not with snakes like them still slithering around the Academy. But_Cassius? Was that a smirk? A faint, Twisted, amused smirk curled at the edge of his blood¨Csmeared lips before he disappeared through the crowd. What the hell did that mean? Whispers exploded again. Students scurried back to their seats like frightened birds. But I stayed still, rooted in ce, staring the Alpha who now stood in front of me Roman My heart pounded wildly. He had helped me Why? What did at mean? What did it change? I wasn¡¯t the only one watching hum From the far entrance of the cafeteria a silent observer lingered in the shadows¨CAsher He had moved Just stood there, uneadable. Watching everything 11:54AM P P Chapter 80 Don¡¯t Bow- Break +8 Pearls I looked back at Ronan and felt faster my heart beat ett the pulse e in my throat throb. His stare was unrelenting, and the longer we locked eyes, the So I broke iL Casually. ¡°You¡¯re not seriously going to fight him behind the Academy tonight, are you?¡± I asked lightly, trying to mask the nerves in my tone. ¡°I don¡¯t make empty threats.¡± he said simply. My stomach sank. ¡°Don¡¯t hurt him. Or anyone.¡± His brows lifted slightly, amused. ¡°Excuse me?¡± ¡°Everyone saw what happened here. If you go after him now, it¡¯ll look like I need you to protect me. Or worse, that there¡¯s something going on between us. I don¡¯t need more rumors. I absolutely hate that idea.¡± His lips twitched, the barest hint of amusement flickering in his eyes. Like he¡¯d never met a girl who didn¡¯t want to be protected I looked away quickly before he could read more than I intended. Dragging my chair out, I sat back down in front of mypletely ruined lunch. ¡°Ugh¡­those assholes,¡± I muttered. My stomach growled. Everything was destroyed¨Cexcept, thankfully, my juice. Just as I popped it open, Ronan slid into the seat across from me. My hand froze mid¨Cair. ¡°Why are you sitting here?¡± ¡°To cat, obviously,¡± he said. He snapped his fingers. A cafeteria assistant immediately approached with two tes¨Cboth stacked high with fresh, steaming food. I blinked. He was going to eat both? I mean, sure, Alphas are a lot, but this Before I could question it, he pushed one of the tes toward me. ¡°Eat 1 staird He brought one for me? My eyes flicked between the te and his handsome face. So he noticed I hadn¡¯t eaten? That I was still hungry! Send Gifts THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 81 Chapter 81 Hierarchy Rewritten SERAPHINA ¡°Eat.¡± He said I blinked. So he brought this second te for: rine? Did h he know I was s still hungry? It was impossible¡­ right? +B Pearls Could he really have heard my stomach growling? His gaze slowly lifted to meet mine when I did not touch the te, and I felt my face heat with embarrassment. Shit ¡°I¡¯m full.¡°I muttered quickly, turning away and sipping my juice as if it could drown my shame. He chewed silently for a moment, watching me. ¡°What a shame,¡± he sighed. ¡°The food will go to waste then.¡± My head snapped toward him. ¡°Why? You should eat it. He ulted his head and pointed at the te. ¡°Once a te is served, it can¡¯t be returned or offered to anyone else. There¡¯s no way I can finish all this. It¡¯ll just end up in the trash.¡± He sighed again, this time with exaggerated pity, I stared at the untouched food. It looked too damn delicious to be thrown away. And truthfully, I was 1 hesitated. hungry Then, after a moment of quiet deliberation. I spoke. ¡°I don¡¯t waste food. And I can¡¯t stand watching others do it either¡­ so I¡¯ll cat it Without waiting for a response, I grabbed the fork and spoon and began eating quietly, quickly, and without meeting his nore on me than on his own food. Unbeknownst to me, a small smile tugged at the corners of his lips. His eyes lingered more on That¡¯s why I finished quickly and stood to leave, only to bear his chair scrape against the floor behind me. He was following me. Turned around with a frown. ¡°Why are you following me?¡± ¡°Following you?¡± he arched a brow, feigning innocence. ¡°I¡¯m just leaving the cafeteria. Am I supposed to fly out another way?¡± 1 narrowed my eyes suspiciously and turned without replying. I walked faster, weaving through hallways, turning corners at randon¡ªjust to see. Just as I suspected, he fallowed. Every turn. Every hallway Every shortcut. Every time, he had an answer that left me speechless When Freached the dour of the bathroom and found him still behind me, I finally lost it tell the you want Hiru He blinked. Hen widened his eyes dramatically ¡°How did you know?¡± I clenched my lists, stalking toward with an aritated ing him lue. ¡°Can you stop being creepy!? Hissi tamly faded. CHI SIAM P P Chapter 81 Hierarchy Rewritten) Then, without warning, he lifted his hand and gently touched my cheek.. ¡°To make sure you¡¯re safe in ces like this,¡± he said, voice low and sincere. ¡°I can be creepy¡± My heart skipped. His eyes were dark, protective, filled with something unspoken. Possession. Instinct. He was genuinely triggered by the thought of me using the male bathroom alone. And just when I began to feel that strange tightness rising in my chest again, an emotion I had no name for, an announcement rang out across the Academy¡¯s halls. It snapped the moment in half. Realizing just how close we were. I jerked away, mortified. My heart pounded for entirely different reasons now. If someone had seen us like that. in that proximity¡­. My disguise. Everything I¡¯d fought for, it could¡¯ve been exposed. I took another shaky step back from him, panic tightening my throat. His eyes never left mine. I¡¯d been so careful all this time. So cautious. So how the hell had I let this happen? How had my wolf allowed his wolf toe so close without resistance! The announcement echoed again, this time more urgent, summoning everyone to gather in the Grand Hall. Without a word. I turned and rushed away. What was going on with me? +8 Pearls Why did this Alpha affect me like this? Why was he slipping under my skin and setting my heart racing in ways it never should? I didn¡¯t stop running uinil the Grand Hall came into view. My breath was heavy, chest tight. I slowed, brushing my hands down my sides, trying to calm the thunder inside me before stepping into the crowd. -What the fuck¡­ someone swore beside me. ¡°Who is ¡°Did you see the boarder Confused, I pushed through the crowd, squeezing between taller bodies. My height made it difficult to see what had everyone so riled. But as 1 inched closer to the front. I finally saw it¨Cthe leaderboard. And what I saw made my stomach drop. Asher was no longer among the hierarchy. My eyes widened in disbelief. I turned instinctively, and there he was¨Cstanding beside me, staring at it with a nk, hollow look. His face was untratiable, but the tension in his jaw spoke volumes. This fall it had to be devastating Had he been removed because he didn¡¯t participate in the trial! But want¨CFinn hadn¡¯t participats slither I scanted die board desperately fours mator. 11:54 AM Chapter 81 Hierarchy Rewritten My eyes searched¡­.for his name but another name caught my attention. There, at the top of the hierarchy, was a name I didn¡¯t recognize. Alpha Ryker Wraithe¡­ I forgot to blink. ¡°Who is Ryker¡­ +8 Pearls Before I could finish the thought, the crowd stirred. A tall, breathtakingly handsome face,manding figure stepped forward and approached the leaderboard with smooth, deliberate steps. His eyes, icy blue, instantly locked with mine. My breath caught. ¡°Everyone.¡± a voice announced from the podium. ¡°please wee Alpha Ryker Wraithe, the only Alpha ying hunter whop returned alive from the overnight survival trial. And now, the new top contender in the Supreme Alpha throne race.¡± The air shifted. Heavy. Electric. My eyes stayed glued to his, sensing the same dangerous aura that I had felt earlier. He was that hunter that Ronan fought in the dawn. The one with the terrifying aura.N But¡­why were his blue eyes only on me? Send Gifts THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 82 Chapter 82 Ryker Wraithe RONAN It wasn¡¯t the fact that Ryker Wraithe had been the hunter during my overnight trial. It wasn¡¯t the fact that he was a wildcard unannounced, unchecked, and unreasonably powerful It wasn¡¯t even the fact that he was now one of my top challengers in the race for the Supreme Alpha throne. No. What had me clenching my jaw hard enough to ache¡­what had my wolf snarling just beneath the surface was the way Ryker Wraithe looked at her. Seraphina. That gaze of his: cold, unblinking, fixated. Like she was his prey, aim, and the end. Like he was already peeling back heryers with his eyes and iming her with that single stare. It didn¡¯t matter that he was hierarchy. It didn¡¯t matter that he moved like death and looked like an unsheathed knife. He was a threat for that reason alone, because he had the audacity to set his eyes on her. He hadn¡¯t looked away from Seraphina since the moment he stepped out here. My wolf growled violently in my mind. A newly joined Alpha Instructor said from the side. ¡°Alpha Ryker Wraithe, you¡¯ll need someone to show you around the Academy. If you would like, I will have an assistant¡­¡° Ryker¡¯s finger lifted and pointed directly at Seraphina. ¡°That one would be fine.¡± A still silence cracked through the hall like the prelude to a storm. Seraphina was taken aback while my jaw locked. ¡°Her?¡± My wolf mmed against my skin, howling to rip that word right out of Ryker¡¯s throat. He didn¡¯t even know her name. Still, she was the one he wanted ¡°It¡¯s set then. Everyone return to their dorm rooms,¡± the Alpha instructor ordered. The other Alphas also left but I stood there my wolf refusing to leave. Before I could speak, Asher¡¯s voice cut in, deceptively mild, ¡°Why, Seth Darten?¡± he frowned at Ryker with a growl. He sounded suspicious to the others but I could see there was something else beneath it. The protectiveness. It wasn¡¯t lost on me Something deeper, coiled tighter. Possession. My head snapped toward Asher, eyes narrowing. ¡°I believe you are busy Alpha Asher. The others as well. Moreover Alpha Seth is approachable and kind. So let Alpha Seth handle it.¡± Alpha instructor stated and nced at Seraphina. ¡°Alpha Seth, please show Alpha Ryker- ¡°No¡± Interrupted, sharp, deliberate ¡°Seth Darven has something else to do. Have someone che show him round¡± silence in the ru Then Ryker moved For the hose time, his eyes pulled away from Seraphina and locked onto mune. Unblinking Dark blue and void of anything ensions for myself,¡± he said, voice low. ¡°no some che¡± 11:54 AM P Chapter 82 Ryker Wraithe +8 Pearls else assist you. Or better yet, I slowly took a step forward, matching his stare. That goes for others as well. So have someone el roam the halls and figure out everything on your own The room tensed. The Alphas leaving held their breaths pretending as if they had not seen or heard anything. Finn stood by the door, arms crossed, watching silently, unmoving. Observing. Then Ryker stepped off the tform without a word. His boots thudded softly against the stone floor as he walked, not toward the instructor or anyone. Toward her. Then you better talk to Alpha Gideon yourself. Because he told me I could choose anyone.¡± He stopped directly in front of Seraphina and said in a smooth and cutting voice, ¡°And I choose this one.¡± My fists clenched, my eyes snapping to her face. That was tilted upward, blinking, confused. Staring at him My blood went molten. She wasn¡¯t speaking. More like staring at him without blinking and that made it worse. Was it because of his face? Hist cursedly perfect jawline and ridiculous handsomeness? Nonsense. As I was close to losing my mind when Asher¡¯s low growl broke in. ¡°Why is Seth Darven the only option?¡± His eyes were narrowed now, a new tension unraveling in his posture. Ryker didn¡¯t flinch. He smiled. That smile¡­ Looking deep into her eyes, he murmured, ¡°This face is quite beautiful. And I¡¯m a sucker for beautiful faces.¡± That did it. That did it. I shoved myself between him and her, and the growl that tore out of me before I could contain it. ¡°A sucker of what?¡± snarled, voice rising. ¡°Go ahead. Say that again!¡± We were face to face now. Inches apart. My wolf shing in my eyes ready to consume him whole. Ryker didn¡¯t back downH, instead he also stepped forward, ¡°Sure, for you I will say it again,¡± he smiled. My fists clenched like a hammer ready to break his jaw and waiting for him to say it again. I was seconds away from ending him right then and there when suddenly her voice sliced through the tension like ice water. ¡°Okay, let¡¯s go What? I turned towards her. She didn¡¯t look at me. She looked at Ryker. ¡°Since Alpha Ryker is a sucker for beauty, I don¡¯t want to disappoint him¡± A small smile appeared on Ryker¡¯s lips that was enough to blow my mind. Before I could take a step. Asher grabbed her wrist. ¡°Seth, you don¡¯t need to She cor him off with a small, calm unile ¡°It¡¯s just a tour, Asher. I don¡¯t mind My jaw clenched That smile, polite. That tour, petal Lake one of this mattered. And how she looked at Ryker as if he was a normal Alpha mcuur with hidden mouver She looked up and brielly met my gace, then turned to kyker 11H AMP P Chapter 82 Ryker Wraithe ¡°Follow me,¡± she said evenly. Then they walked. Side by side.. My eyes followed every step she took. My fists trembled at my sides. My breath was sharp. Ragged. +8 Pearls Because the only thing I could see as they disappeared through the doorway was her, walking next to him. Her face calm. Her eyes unreadable. The only thing I could feel was the crushing certainty that something had shifted. Ryker looked over his shoulder at me and as our eyes met I sensed something dark and evil within his gaze. When we had been fighting as hunter and prey, I had already found him strange but now he unsettled my wolf even more. Especially his interest in Seraphina I knew one thing for certain, if Ryker Wraithe hadn¡¯t already been my enemy before. He sure as hell was now. THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 83 Chapter 83 Halls Of Records RONAN The Academy¡¯s stone corridors were quict. The sun was setting, shadows stretched like ws over the marble floor. I moved with them, melting into their cover as I rounded the outer wall of the east wing. The Hall of Records stood like a relic from another era, a squat tower tucked into the back of the Academy¡¯s grounds, mostly ignored except during the start or end of the year. No guards. No patrols. Just a rustedtch on a side window half¨Chidden behind ivy. Though it was still a forbidden area. I tested thetch. Still loose from thest time I visited under less¡­sanctioned circumstances. It gave way with a soft creak. Slipping inside, Inded soundlessly on the floor, crouched low, eyes sweeping the darkness. The scent of old parchment, dust, and ink hung in the air. Wooden filing cabs lined the walls, drawersbeled by region, bloodline, rank. And someone was already here. A figure stood near the central desk, hunched over a file illuminated by antern¡¯s soft glow. I stepped forward, slow and controlled, my eyes outlining the familiar figure until his face revealed to me. Finn. He lifted his gaze¡­unsurprised. We stared at each other for a beat, the kind of silence that crackled. Then he held the file out to me. ¡°You¡¯re here for this, right?¡± he asked, tone quiet, neutral. I nced at the file containing Ryker¡¯s information then back at him. I didn¡¯t reach for the file. Instead, I asked, ¡°Why are you here?¡± ¡°For the same reason you are here,¡± he calmly murmured. My reason? All of my reasons and mind centered on Seraphina and he said our reasons were the same? My gaze hardened. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t be here. Stay out of things that don¡¯t concern you.¡± Finn dida¡¯t blink. ¡°If you¡¯re talking about Seth, then you¡¯re wrong. As a friend, he does concern me.¡± I stepped closer, enough so that thentern light caught the edge of my gaze ¡°You sure it¡¯s just friendship and nothing more?¡± His calm shattered, just a flicker. But I caught in ¡°The same kind of friendship that Seth has in his mind for you?¡± I raised an eyebrow at him. His jaw tightened, his eyes narrowed. But he didn¡¯t answer fast enough ¡°Becine,¡± I murmured, voice like ice as I finally plucked the file from his grasp, ¡°what I heard from the curse that took you over during the Trial what the curse screamed before the madness fully took you. ¡°I tilted my head, watching his pulse his neck. ¡°What you have in mind for Seth Darven is anything but friendship¡± A dead silence fell in the room as I studied his expression. His silence was deafening. Was guilt or fear, no definitely not fear. Something ebe tightened his features for a moment. Then he stepped back, his boots sruthing hightly against the stone 1154 AM P. Chapter 83 Halls Of Records +8 Pearls Without a word, he turned, walked to the same window he¡¯d clearly entered through¡­and disappeared into the night. The room fell silent once more. My wolf growled in my mind. ¡°We should have heard ALL his secrets and thoughts from that evil that day.¡± I hated to agree but now it was no use. Suddenly a strange sound caught my ears. My eyes snapped to the window where I hade in but now a figure covered his face with the scarf slipped inside. ¡°Alpha,¡± a familiar voice called me. It was Mace. ¡°I apologize for beingte. ckwood territory was highly guarded with hundreds of wolves along the border alone.¡± he walked over to me. I nodded in response. ¡°Did you dig?¡± ¡°I did, but his eyes were full of hesitation that was unlink unlinke Mace. ¡°But what?¡± I demanded. ¡°Please look for yourself,¡± he hesitantly reached for the phone in his pocket and handed it over to me. The moment I looked the photos on the screen, I was stunned. I had asked Mace to dig up Dante¡¯s grave on the ckwood¡¯s Alpha family¡¯s easy to kill. Nor would he die easily but whaty in front of me in the photo was a Dante in the grave. His face was torn up territory. I knew that Dante would not have been just like I saw was really dead then¡­ I opened Ryker¡¯s file with a flick of my wrist, and what I found stunned me even more. I flipped the pages and all I found was his full name. That¡¯s it. No other information about his background. just Ryker Wraithe. I clenched the file in my hand then nced at the photo on the phone. ¡°Seraphina¡­ Send Gifts THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 84 Chapter 84 Silent Strings And Shattered ss SERAPHINA The Academy wasrger than it seemed from the outside, an endlessbyrinth of halls, training grounds, towers, and weapon chambers carved into ancient stone and reinforced with modern steel. I had spent almost an hour showing Ryker around. guiding him through each floor with practiced words and clipped exnations. Yet for all my efforts, the silence behind me remained heavy and unnerving. He hadn¡¯t said a word. Not even a grunt of acknowledgement. I close. His boots silent despite their weight, uld feel his constant presence. Always a few steps behind. Close, but nevert his gaze a phantom heat I couldn¡¯t shake. It wasn¡¯t the Academy he was watching. It was me. I could feel it and it had me and my wolf restless deep in our heart. If Ronan and Ryker had not gotten so close to each other to the point where they were close to ripping each other¡¯s throats out. I would never have agreed to this. I just did not want a fight to break out because of me, it would attract too much attention. However, I never considered that this tour was going to be this nerve wracking. His aura was enough for me to realize that he was someone that I should not mingle with. He was dangerous. His silence wasn¡¯t from disinterest, it was deliberate. Measured. Observant. Predatory. Every time I turned a corner or climbed a stairwell, I could feel his eyes following the curve of my back, the sway of my hips. the tension in my shoulders. It made my skin crawl beneath the fabric of my uniform. I had been moving carefully, my strides and voice like a man but still the ufortable feeling kept rising in my chest. Now I just cursed the fact that Lupine Academy was so damnrge. lit into When we finally reached the far end of the western corridor, I stopped and gestured to the high¨Carched entry that split restricted paths. ¡°This is where the tour ends,¡± I said, keeping my toneposed. ¡°From here begins the Hierarchy Dorms that you must know by now since your room is located there, Alpha instructor¡¯s offices, the strategymand halls¡­and many ces that I am not aware of and I¡¯m not allowed to ess.¡± I¡¯m His blue eyes stared at, me quietly with a strange silence that tightened my muscles. It was almost as if he had been waiting for me to say something else. I didn¡¯t wait for him to respond, I turned slightly, ready to excuse myself. Until he lifted a hand and pointed. ¡°What about that door, he said simply. The first words he¡¯d spoken since we started I followed his finger. Therge wooden door to the side. My stomach twisted. ¡°The music room?¡± I asked before I could stop myself. ¡°Show me that room,¡± he stated: My hands shook slightly beside me I noticed that music room one day. It was out of ce in an academy where the Alphas minds were filled with tight, trials, war and winning a soundproofed chamber filled with instruments that almost no one I always avoided even ncing at this room because. ¡°It¡¯s just a music room,¡± I stated. 1155AM PP Chapter 84 Silent Strings And Shattered ss He stared at me once again but this time it felt like he was studying me, ¡°You hate music?¡± 1 secretly clenched my pants. He read me. A dull ache formed in my chest, unwee and all too familiar. It was the only space here that held softness. Memory. Melody. Her. My mother. +8 Pearls My mother was a perfect luna. A mate, a mother and a warrior. So of course she loved music. She used to y piano for me and my father loved that part of her. He used to link her musical talents with that of a woman¡¯s perfection. But after she died, my father started forcing me to learn the piano instead of paying attention tobat and fighting. For him fighting was just a part of the life of a woman, that it was enough to learn self defense and that was it. But my dream was different, bigger, for that he actually called me a rebel. When I did not obey him, he burnt down the music room out of anger..I treasured that music room; it was thergest physical representation of my mother¡¯s memory that she left behind. That was the moment I had experienced another big loss in my life. From that day onward I had cut music or anything rted to it from my life. But now.it could not be avoided. I wanted to end this tour quickly. ¡°Why would I hate it?¡± I met his gaze without any emotions and turned to the door. ¡°This way,¡± I muttered, pushing the door open and stepping inside. The room was dim, bathed in silver light from the tall stained¨Css window behind the grand piano, Dust clung to the corners. The cello stood untouched, violins still strung but forgotten. A harp sat like a ghost in the corner. ¡°There¡¯s not much here,¡± I said, turning slightly to nce at Ryker. ¡°Just instruments. The Academy doesn¡¯t exactly- Click The sound sliced through my spine. My head snapped toward the door just as I heard the soft snick of the lock sliding into ce. Did he just lock the door? ¡°What do you think you¡¯re doing?¡± I asked sharply, taking a step back from the piano. He didn¡¯t reply. He just started walking Slow. Measured. Like a predator closing in on prey. My wolf grew alert in my at the same time a panic rose in my chest with his sudden shifting aura. Has eyes were darker now, something unreadable brewing behind them. something going on between you and Ronan?¡± he asked, voice low, silk wrapped around steel. My breath lutched for a fraction of a second, but I masked it with a I started to instinctively back away, my pulse drumming Ryker¡¯s lips curved into a smile. ¡°So there¡¯s nothing?¡± my veins. ¡°Who the hell are you to re. ¡°What nonsense are you talking about?!¡± me such question ?? think I¡¯ll cower under these creepy actions of yours? Just take one step closer and I swear, I¡¯ll rip your you Before I could fish, its alink he was suddenly there Right in front of me. His hand wrapped around my waist with a grip that made my breath freeze. His speed wasn¡¯t normal, not even by Alpha standards No sound. No warning before thy nes 11:55 AM P. p. Chapter 84 Silent Strings And Shattered ss ¡°You better not be lying. he murmured, his breath brushing against my cheek. ¡°or I might really be disappointed.¡± I stared at him stunned, furious, locked in ce by the darkness flickering behind his smile. Then- CRASH. The window behind me shattered into a thousand sparkling shards, the cold air rushing in like a storm. +8 Pearls Before I could understand anything or move, a pair of strong hands wrapped around my arms and yanked me back, out of Ryker¡¯s grasp, right into the solid wall of another body. My heart thundered in my throat. Then I smelled him. Ronan. His arm banded across my chest, keeping me pressed against him as he faced Ryker with a re so sharp it could have cut ss. ¡°Then it¡¯s time for you to be disappointed,¡± Ronan growled, responding to Ryker, his voice a thunderous promise, ¡°because I already have a thing for him,¡± he dered. My heart skipped a beat.. What did he just say? THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 85 Chapter 85 The Moment He Said It Seraphina ¡°I have a thing for him, Ronan said. My eyes widened, and my heartbeat stumbled before it took off in a wild, uneven rhythm. What did he just say! My wolf stirred at the sound of his voice, touched by his, pulled in by him. Completely drawn to him. My chest tightened as hear surged through me, not the kind born of embarrassment or anger¡­but something far more dangerous. Desire. It coiled low in my stomach and raced up my spine like a wildfire I couldn¡¯t contain. I felt myself slipping, just a little, losing control over something I couldn¡¯t name. My breath caught in my lungs. What did I just hear? Until a shadow at the door pulled me harshly back to reality. Asher. And just beyond him, standing outside in the hallway- Finn. My heart plummeted into my stomach. No..this could not be happening. How long had they been there? How much had they heard? Panic exploded in my chest. I was disguised as a man. As Seth. So being held like that by another Alpha, having Ronan dere he had feelings for me in front of all the other men? It was a disaster. Aplete unraveling of the careful mask I wore. No! I could not let this happen! I instinctively yanked myself away from Ronan, like I had just stepped on burning coals. Before anyone could speak, I forced a light chuckle past the tightness in my chest. ¡°I asked for someone to pick up Alpha Ryker¡¯s tour from here, Alpha Ronan said smoothly, a faint, casual smile curling my lips despite the suffocating silence in the room. ¡°Not for you to barge in and give everyone a heart attack with your dramatics¡± Ronan¡¯s face became unreadable. Ryker¡¯s gaze was cold and t. Asher and Finn? nk¨Cfaced. Guarded. I turned toward the door, shing a polite smile at both of them. ¡°Are you two here to help Alpha Ryker with the rest of his tour? Perfect timing. I¡¯m grateful. Please apany him, I¡¯m going to grab some evering tea. With that. I stepped out of the room with practiced calm. 1 But the moment I turned the corner and the others were out of sight, the smile dropped from my face. My legs moved faster. My hands trembled at my sides. The panic. I¡¯d buried in the musk room surged violently in my chest, tightening around my ribs. I could barely breathe I needed air. I needed space. I needed ou I tied the academy building, my mind screaming, my heart mming against my ribs. I wanted to shift¨Cto let my wolf take Control, tear through the trees and outpace this storm building inside me¨Cbut I couldn¡¯t risk it. Not now, Not here. 11:55 AM P P Chapter 85 The Moment He Said It +8 Pearls As fast and far as I could, into the woods. My thoughts chased me. Images resurfaced over and over: Ronan¡¯s voice, Ryker¡¯s hands, the locked door, Asher¡¯s eyes, Finn¡¯s silence. Above all, Ronan¡¯s words. ¡°I have a thing for him¡± The deeper I ran, the angrier 1 became. Anger at the confusion he caused. At the power he held over me without even trying. At myself, for letting any of it affect me. Ipushed harder, faster. Until Arge shadow appeared in front of me. I skidded to a halt, breath catching, but not fast enough. I collided straight into a solid chest. Strong arms caught me before I could stumble back. I gasped and looked up Violet eyes My own widened in shock. ¡°Ronan¡­¡± He looked down at me, voice low and quiet¨Calmost like he wasn¡¯t speaking to me at all, but thinking out loud. ¡°Seraphina.¡± I stared at him, breathless. Had he followed me? How had he even gotten ahead of me? How fast had he run to match me, to outpace me? ¡°Why did you single question cracked something inside me. The anger, buried beneathyers of panic and confusion, exploded. ¡°You¡¯re asking me why?!¡± I yelled, shoving at his chest. He barely moved. I yanked myself back, seething. ¡°What the hell was that back there?! What did you just say?!¡± He tilted his head slightly, unfazed. ¡°You ran all the way out here just from hearing that once. Are you sure you want me to say again His calmness, his smug normalcy, only enraged me further. ¡°Lo you think this is a joke, Ronan?!¡± ¡°No¡± ¡°You do?¡± I sipped, fury boiling over. ¡°Everything¡¯s fun for you, isn¡¯t it? Or why else would you say something that ridiculous Trout of Hyker?! Asher and Finn were there! I don¡¯t even know if they heard what you sad but if they did, if they even suspect, my entire faire a rued!¡± That wouldn¡¯i have happened.¡± be said tly His inditierener pour oil gasoline on my fe ¡°His dar you jake my future slugtuly1usand, my your quivering ¡°They saw you bug me. You dered somethingpleach mane Do you think the world is dont they wouldn¡¯t notice something¡¯s off they start suspecting me!) I That y du an dugu will be exposed to expellent. My way will be erased, my purpose destroyed. And you? You¡¯ll just kong strutting and douwing your joint arend like a bug without cosepwe a wa Taigh Alpha 1155 AM P P ¡¤ Chapter 85 The Moment He Said it +8 Pearls ¡°What do you really know about me, huh? What right do you think you have to treat me this way? Honestly. I trusted you. When you discovered my secret and didn¡¯t expose me, I was grateful. I believed you were different.¡± My voice trembled. ¡°But I was wrong, Just like the others, you¡¯re selfish. Arrogant. You think because you know the truth, you can pull my strings. toy with me, make me dance however you wish.¡± His eyes darkened. That¡¯s enough.¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s not,¡± I snapped, stepping forward, ring at him with everything I had. ¡°What¡¯s the endgame, Ronan? Flirting with me, touching me, making me spend nights alone with you¨Cwhat is it that you really want? Huh? You¡¯re trying to trap me, aren¡¯t you? Make me desperate, make me need you, so that when I have no one else, I¡¯ll have to give myself to you. You¡¯re waiting for the day I fall so you can-¡± ¡°ENOUGH!¡± His voice thundered through the forest as he yanked me forward, locking me against his chest with a ferocity that made my breath halt. Don¡¯t you dare say things like that about me,¡± he growled, violet eyes burning. ¡°You think I¡¯m like them? That all I want is to sleep with you? That I¡¯d corner you just to take advantage of you?¡± My voice was quiet, but sharp. ¡°Am I wrong?¡± He didn¡¯t flinch. ¡°You follow Ronan?¡±
  1. me. You watch me. You flirt. You touch. You ask me to stay the night. If it¡¯s not lust driving you, then what is it.
His grip tightened. His voice dropped. ¡°It¡¯s love.¡± The world stopped. I froze in his arms, the anger bleeding out of me like smoke from a broken me. My heart thudded in my ears. ¡°What?¡± I whispered. He didn¡¯t back away. ¡°I stalk you,¡± he said, voice trembling with truth, ¡°because I can¡¯t stand having you out of my sight. I flirt with you because I Leed to know if you feel even half of what I feel. I watch you because I¡¯m terrified someone else will take you away.¡± His hand moved up from my waist to the curve of my neck, slipping into my hair. ¡°I keep you close at night because¡­¡± He leaned in slowly, his breath fanning my lips before he crushed his lips one mine, ¡°¡­because I love you.¡± Send Gifts THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 86 Chapter 86 Between The Crown And His Lips SERAPHINA ¡°I love you,¡± he confessed, crushing his lips to mine but my world titled His lips pressed softly against mine, not demanding, not rough. Just¡­warm. Gentle. As if he was afraid I might shatter in his arms. My eyes widened but I could not move. All I could feel was his lips on mine, the heat of him, the way his fingers cradled the back of my neck, the tenderness of that single moment, it stole the breath from my lungs and left my heart pounding so loud I could barely hear anything else. There was no force. No roughness. Just heat and an aching tenderness that wrapped around my bones like silk set on fire. My heart mmed against my ribs, each beat louder than thest. Every part of me stilled except my wolf, which moved without thought closer to his wolf, caught in his gentlemand. His kiss wasn¡¯t wild. It wasn¡¯t demanding.. It was hot. It was beautiful It was also my first kiss. The moment that truth sank in my breath hitched sharply. I stumbled back, the cool air hitting my kissed lips like a p. His violet eyes were steady, unreadable, but mine¨Cmine were wide, stunned, terrified. I didn¡¯t speak, I could not speak. I could not blink. I turned on instinct, My feet pounded against the forest floor as I ran, branches wing at my arms, my breathing shallow and burning. My face was flushed red and breathing wild just like my heart beat as I didn¡¯t stop until the outline of the Academy appeared through Without stopping. I ran inside the Academy and then all the way to my dormitory room. Once I was inside, I mmed the door shat belund me and sat on the floor with my hand over my lips. ¡°Wha¡­what did he ¡°I gasped to myself, my limbs cold and shaking love confessun edited in my ears again and again on repeat, making it hard for me to breathe properly as that confession was followed by the memory of the first kiss that he stole from me ¡°il den tam dass me¡­¡± mynts grew weak with the realization. My hugers touched my trembling lips, still hot and wet, still remembering han Bly madi huokoil at for silently as I found toyself staring at her ¡°Phing ¡°I whispered, Ikas Mana konkad back at me, and be the Best une I saw tax shaken. This all happened den to. Konan¡¯s wolf. I chucted no that aui numediacly kekod away topa kure, atrast of young wething that I would got handle. Sabowli jon og: Friam ile dosar atal sai ko itu wandse m?car ve kamoligde stily tell our mug fars you boman¡¯s per a ectod workings chechest sightly at my shishes, Phai hall too far a¡® je i gernd wine wo man abang. ¡°Ma kabroad sur les die afect mejm the helmy andy the nt the logerne side theute My seinen M, 1 canon oed any feeling a bug. Chapter 86 Between The Crown And His Lips +8 Pearls The weight of his lips still lingered on mine like a phantom touch. No matter how many times I blinked, how many breaths I took, it wouldn¡¯t leave me. That kiss was unexpected, overwhelming, perfect in a way I wasn¡¯t ready for, kept looping in my mind like a haunting melody I couldn¡¯t stop humming. And Ryker.¡ª His hands on my waist. His question and the craziness shing in his eyes when they locked with mine as if I was his. possession, it all unsettled me. 1 turned on my side, fists clenching beneath the thin nket. So much had happened in a single day, too much. My disguise felt thinner than ever, cracking beneath the weight of emotions I wasn¡¯t allowed to feel If this continued then 1 was doomed. Ronan. Ryker. I had to do something before it was toote. By the time the first hints of dawn crept in, I hadn¡¯t slept a single minute. I was so distracted that I had nned to take a shower before everyone woke up but now it was toote. I just had to wipe myself off for the day. Thankfully, I was alone in the room. Just as that thought crossed my mind, my eyes drifted to a bed other than mine. Empty. Cold. Untouched. Ronan¡¯s 1 sat up slowly, the silence of the room pressing against my skin. He had been staying in the healers wing due to his back injury but¡­ My hand subconsciously clenched on the nket and my heartbeat quickened. ¡°I have to do something.¡± I said to myself. Later that morning, when the others gathered on the training grounds, my eyes were on the Alpha instructors passing by. Shortly the person I had been waiting for came into view. 1 quietly slipped from the group, ¡°Alpha Gideon,¡± I called, jogging closer to him. ¡°Alpha Seth,¡± he stopped. I stepped closer and bowed my head slightly. ¡°Alpha Gideon, I have a request¡± His sharp eyes scanned me, unblinking. ¡°Speak.¡± I lifted my chin and after a pause I stated, ¡°I would like to be transferred to another roun He didn¡¯t respond immediately. The silence stretched. Then, a slow lift of his brow. ¡°Any reason?¡± Ronan¡¯s kiss and love confession returned to my mind as I murmured. ¡°I am afraid to lose myself as the race proceeds. I Just..¡± my voice stuck in my throat for a moment as I whispered¡­want to protect my heart. I wanted to say I wanted to protect my dicunt but I said. ¡°Myself¡± Send Gifts B ¡ª 11:56 AM I THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 87 Chapter 87 Deja Vu SERAPHINA Alpha Gideon was silent over my request for a long time as if thinking something over before he said, ¡°You should be aware that changing rooms is not possible, Alpha Seth. It is only possible if you be a member of the hierarchy one day. I pursed my lips harder. In the corner of my heart, I had a feeling he was going to refuse. The rules were enforced equally for everyone, only winning trials was the way to achieve such things in Lupine Academy. ¡°I understand,¡± I murmured, turning to leave. Just as I took two steps away, he stated, ¡°I don¡¯t actually know your real reason for such a request, Alpha Seth but stop running. I turned to o him in surprise. How did he know I wanted to run from that room? I secretly clenched my pa pants at my side and asked, ¡°Is it not wise to run instead of being hurt?¡± Alpha Gideon¡¯s gaze pinned me in ce. ¡°Wolves do not avoid pain,¡± he said, his voice like steel wrapped in shadow. ¡°They endure it. Learn from it.Then when the timees..they rise above it.¡± if the His eyes narrowed slightly, as they could see right through my skin down to the truth I was hiding- ¡°Running may keep you safe, Alpha Seth. But have you thought about how long you will run? At some point, you will have to face it and then ept it.¡± The words settled in my chest like a slow burn. I couldn¡¯t speak. Not because I disagreed- But because part of me¡­knew he was right. Alpha Ryker Wraithe His name had echoed through the Academy halls and lingered on everyone¡¯s lips since the moment he arrived. Not just because of his unnerving handsomeness or his wildcard entry that shook thepetition. No, it was more than that. It was the way he moved like a storm, sat like a predator, and stared at people as if they were nothing more than ants beneath his boots. Unworthy. Insignificant. Invisible. That was Alpha Ryker Wraithe. A man whose silent, unwavering gaze had rattled even me. The Alphas here were already struggling to ept his sudden inclusion, especially after so many had fallen during the previous brutal trials. He hadn¡¯t just joined the Supreme Alpha race..he dominated it. Rising to the top of the hierarchy in a blink, without shedding a single drop of sweat in the Academy like the rest of us. While others bled, wed, and fought to earn their ranks, Ryker carved his ce effortlessly, through sheer destruction Yet, no one dared to question him Herause Ryker Wraithe wasn¡¯t just a wildcard He was the hunter. The our who clinunated live powerful Alphas during the overnight survival trial. Five different forests. Five separate kills. He didn¡¯t want for the morning bell, he went from one Alpha to the next, forest after forest, like death itself was bored and hooking for sport For the past few days he had been the center of attention, the storm around which everyone orbited. Initially, I weed it With Hyker around, attracting all the attention no case noticed me Reed and Cassius had gone quiet since ourst encounter, clearly distracted Or maybe they were tumted by Ryker¡¯s overwhelmung presence. ent. I believed I could finally have som Uing ialspletely Chapter 87 Deja Vu +8 Pearls I was wrong I currently found myself stuck between Roman and Ryker in the library, two dominant forces seated on either side of me, exuding enough tension to make the air itself feel suffocating. Their auras were so heavy that every Alpha present pretended not to notice the silent war crackling between them. I tightened my grip on the book in my hands, internally cursing. How the hell did I end up between these two? They didn¡¯t even try to hide their mutual hatred, not since the moment their eyes shed during Ryker¡¯s introduction. That moment alone had been enough to confirm it: these two despised each other to the bone. As far as I could recall, when we were summoned to the library, I had quietly taken a seat at the back, wondering why there was a pen and a nk sheet of paper ced in front of me. I hadn¡¯t paid much attention to the desk beside mine, until the front doors opened and Ryker entered¡­ Then, the back doors opened. Ronan walked in. The both of them, without hesitation, took the empty seats on either side of me. Only then did I notice the extra pens and papers that had been out. Like this seating arrangement had been nned. nned for chaos. On my left was Ryker, who hadn¡¯t stopped staring at me since the day he arrived. On my right was Ronan, whose aura had turned razor¨Csharp ever since he noticed Ryker¡¯s gaze never wavered from me. And i I was caught in the middle. Between two Alphas who looked like they were ready to tear each other apart. In the past few days of brutal training on the Academy grounds, both Ryker and Ronan had proven themselves to be equally formidable. Whether it was physical challenges orbat drills, they matched each other blow for blow, never letting the other gam an inch. One particrly disturbing test, a supposedly harmless underground survival challenge meant more for amusement than evaluation, involved dropping the participants into a manhole¨Clike pit to see who could endure the longest. Most of us apped out within a few hours, myself included, unable to bear the ustrophobic feeling andck of oxygen. It wasn¡¯t even. an official trial. Yet Ryker and Ronan refused to yield. They remained down there for over eighteen hours, leaving the entire Academy in stunned silence. Fear began to ripple through the ranks when it became clear neither of them would out voluntarily. In the end, the Alpha instructors had to intervene, dering the challenge over and calling it a tie, again. It was a verdict both Ronan and Ryker seemed unwilling to ept. Wispers circted like wildfire some believed the tension stemmed from the overnight survival trial, how Ryker had iminated multiple Alphas but failed to take down Ronan. Others spected it was due to Ryker having taken Ronan¡¯s ce in the luerarchy, a rank no one else had dared dream of surpassing Either way, one thing was certain These two Alphas loathed each other with a depth that went far beyond rivalry However, deep in my heart. I had a sinking feeling that the real reason behind their hatred was me. Since that day when Ronan had kissed me. I had been avoiding him nevermind making eye contact Even though the entire time I felt his disapproving gaze burning me. Not that Ryker had been any different. I had just been living ou pins and edies Right now | was unable to endure the weight of their gates any longer. I decided to change seats but there were a limited numer of seats in the library as it some counted and was deliberate about it. But there were still two empty seats right ++8 Pearls 11:55AMP P Chapter 87 Deja Vu across mine, just as I thought about moving into one of them, two figures appeared and sat in them one by one Finn and Asher. I gasped as my eyes met with theirs. So they were their seats? Now I was surrounded by all of them. What was going on here: Why was this giving me deja vu? Send Gifts 1135 PP THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 88 Chapter 88 A She¨Cwolf SERAPHINA I kept my eyes low on the nk sheet in front of me, careful not to nce in their direction. Not just Ronan or Ryker but also Finn and Asher. Both were seated right across from me, this made me even more ufortable. The reason was¡­the other day I overheard the Alpha instructors saying that neither of them had participated in the overnight survival trial. Not because they were injured. Not because they didn¡¯t want to win. But because of me. Because they had pressured the instructors regarding the unjustful conclusion over Dante¡¯s murder. However, as a result of both of their actions, Asher¡¯s hierarchy position was gone. And Finnn who had secured a hierarchy dorim by defeating more than a hundred Alphas in thebat, he lost his as well. My stomach twisted. Why? Why had they done that? The weight of that unanswered question weighed on my chest. The guilt tangled with something worse, emotion. Something unnameable. Something that made it hard to breathe around them. I couldn¡¯t look at them. Not without all thoseplicated feelings wing back to the surface. Not when I didn¡¯t even know what I felt anymore. ¡°What the fuck is this?¡± A suddenlyzy yet familiar voice made everyone look at the man entering the library. Alpha Jude. Taller than most, broader than some, wrapped in a long dark coat that looked more suited to a battlefield than an academy. His hair was a little messy and eyes full of boredom like usual. His aura was feral, untamed like always. ¡°Is this some kind of fucking high school? Why is there a desk in front of the chair I am supposed to sit in?¡± Two men immediately rushed in and took away the desk before they were called. I blinked at his unexpected arrival. As he sat, it did not take him a second to light the cigarette and smoke when there was a rule of no smoking in the Academy. There was nothing disciplined or contained about him, he didn¡¯t wear the refined calm of the hierarchy, nor did he bear the pride of a bloodline Alpha. His presence was jagged, wild. Like a creature that had lived too long outside a pack¡¯s rules, too long without being challenged. And yet He reeked of power. ¡°Do you know why you¡¯ve all been summoned to the library today?¡± Alpha Jude asked, his eyes sweeping across the room. Silence answered him until Asher muttered dryly, ¡°Let me guess, we¡¯re here to write some pointless crap about the Supreme Alpha race. Like who we think deserves the final spot besides ourselves? Or who¡¯s worthy of the throne other than us¡± Aipha Jude bit down on his cigarette and grunted, ¡°Correct. We¡¯re here for that kind of bullshit. Do you know why?¡± His gaze sharpened as he scanned the room, clearly annoyed. ¡°Because most of you assholes ended up with fractured ribs, dislocated shoulders, and broken limbs during the trial.¡± The room shifted ufortably. The Alphas looked everywhere but at him, trying to mask their embarrassment. For all their bravado, even the most dominant of them couldn¡¯t stand being reminded of weakness. Male pride, especially Alpha pride, was fragile like that Still, I couldn¡¯t entirely me them. Thest trial had been brutal. Alinost half thepetitors had taken up residence in the healer¡¯s wing. Even Ryker was having his ribs checked daily after that brutal standoff with Ronan Alpha Jude¡¯s eyes lucked on Reed next. How the hell did you break your wrist a day after a trial?¡± Reed threw a bitter nce at me before muttering. ¡°Just a little ident. He couldn¡¯t admit the truth, that I had been the one to break it. Not when it would crush his image in front of the other Alphas Then Alpha Judes gaze shifted to Cassius, scowling at the sight of his still swollen, broken nose. The man looked like he was about to explode. ¡°Thus year ¨C baich is frustrating as fuck.¡± Alpha Jude snapped, exhaling sinoke with clear disdain. ¡°Why the hell am I even here today? 1155AMP p¡¤ Chapter 88 A She¨Cwolf +8 Pearls Before anyone could answer, a delicate hand reached in and plucked the cigarette straight from his mouth. ¡°You promised me you¡¯d stop smoking, didn¡¯t you?¡± said a melodic, feminine voice that instantly cut through the tension like a de. Every Alpha in the room went still. Eyes snapped in one direction, toward the slender, stunning figure standing beside Alpha Jude. A woman. A she¨Cwolf. The shock rippled through the room, Even I was stunned. I¡¯d believed Lupine Academy epted only males. Yet here she was gorgeous, poised, and radiating a calm confidence that could rival any Alpha in this room. Unlike me, whose presence was a well tended secret, she was no secret. Unlike me. the men weren¡¯t stunned into silence, they were undressing her with their eyes. d in a crimson, shoulder¨Cstrap bodycon maxi dress, she was all curves and confidence, her cleavage deliberately framed, her figure impossible to ignore. Alpha Jude narrowed his eyes, I never promised you anything.¡± he growled, lighting a new cigarette with practiced ease. ¡°Why are you here, Grace? There¡¯s no trial for the next two days, which means there¡¯s no reason for you to be wandering around. Go back to your father before he realizes you¡¯ve slipped out again.¡± The room tensed at once. Her father? ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Alpha Jude,¡± she sweetly replied, her voice as smooth as honey. ¡°I¡¯m not here to cause trouble. I¡¯ll deal with father.¡± with a different kind of I caught the ripple in the room, the collective sharp inhale. Every man was watching her now, but w emotion, mainly lust. Subconsciously I found myself stealing a nce at Ronan. His gaze was on her but unreadable, cool as ever. Until his eyes shiftednding on me. I instantly turned away, my pulse racing in my throat. Why was I watching him? ¡°Who¡¯s your father?¡± one of the Alphas blurted out. She smiled, her fingerszily ying with a lock of her dark hair. ¡°Alpha Gideon.¡± Gasps filled the air. my Muscles tensed across the room. Every scrap more than weight. Frar. Authority. Power. ap of lust or confidence drained from the Alphas¡® faces. That name held weight, No wonder she walked into the all¨Cmale Academy without flinching. ¡°She looks a little like lum, doesn¡¯t she?¡± Phina murmured inside me. I nodded silently. The emnce was there, in the sharpness of her jaw, the defisat tilt of her chin, the steel in her otherwise gentle eyes ¡°Now that you¡¯re done ying, go home, Grace Alpha Jude muttered without sparing her a second nce. ¡°This isn¡¯t a ce for you to parade around¡± She didn¡¯t inidge Instead, she sank gratefully onto the armrest of Alpha Jude¡¯s chair and gave him a dazzling smile. Tim not here to parade¡± she said softly. ¡°Tu here to find my mate. Alpha Jude¡± mned silence was followed by Excitement erigars like wildfice Several Alphas sat straighter, puffed out their chests. Hope bloomed on their faces, each one secretly wondering if he might be the lucky one yed un
  1. in. Disconnect
1155AMP P Chapter 88 A She¨Cwolf She, Grace Gideon, slowly swept her gaze over the entire room, scanning one Alpha after another. Her expression was unreadable. Observing. Until her eyesnded at the back bench. Where we five sal She smiled. And then said. ¡°Looks like the next two days are going to be my final search.¡± Send Gifts W THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 89 Chapter 89 A Lover SERAPHINA +8 Pearls Fun? I blinked. What was that supposed to mean? And why was she looking in this direction? I shifted a little ufortably. She said she was here to find a mate when I was actually a woman. What if she suspected something about me? I would be in great trouble. Grace turned to Alpha Jude and smiled, ¡°I¡¯ve received my father¡¯s permission to spend time with the Alphas here and find myself a mate, since there are no uing trials. I hope you don¡¯t mind.¡± Alpha Jude stood up from his chair in the library with all the grace of a predator bored of its prey. He didn¡¯t look back once. His cont swayed behind him, cigarette still burning between his lips, as his boots echoed across the marble floor. He was already halfway to the door when he spoke in his gruff, amused tone. you¡¯ll ¡°As long as nothing about it breaks the Academy rules, I don¡¯t care what you do,¡± he paused near the exit. ¡°But if any of you idiots even think about disrespecting her- his head tilted slightly, just enough to let the weight of his words sink in, find yourself at a major disadvantage in the next trial. And for the record, I don¡¯t give second warnings,¡± with that he resumed. his walk. The library, which had fallen eerily quiet in his presence, erupted again. Only this time, all attention had turned to Grace Gideon. She stood surrounded by a group of Alphas, their eyes gleaming with interest, hunger, and dangerous hope. Some asked her about her preferences. Others leaned in, smirking, flexing their rank and charm. But Grace..she wasn¡¯t looking at them. Her eyes trailed after Alpha Jude¡¯s disappearing form with an expression I couldn¡¯t quite read. ¡°Miss Grace,¡± one Alpha eagerly asked, ¡°what kind of guy are you into?¡± She didn¡¯t answer immediately. Instead, she slowly shifted her attention, her gaze scanning the room again. She wasn¡¯t looking at the Alphas crowding her. She was looking at us. At the back bench. The tive who hadn¡¯t moved a muscle since she entered: Asher, Ronan, Ryker, Finn¡­ and I. Something in her eyes changed. Her smile sharpened with interest as she replied to them, ¡°I am into handsome guys.¡± My muscle grew tit as she walked toward us, parting the sea of Alphas without a word. ¡°As well as something that is hard to get¡± The group fell into a shocked hush as her heels clicked with purpose. Unul she stopped in front of Asher The air in the library turned to ice as their eyes met and they shared silent eye contact for a long time. I could not help but notice Ashier¡¯s unchanging expression. What was going on! ¡°Asher Grace suddenly murmured softly, her voice warm, familiar. ¡°Long time no see¡± Asher rose slowly to his feet, siniling in surprise, genuine and soft in a way I rarely saw. ¡°Crace,¡± he said, his voice just as warm ¡°Didn¡¯t expect to see you here¡± ¡°True¡± she grinned and hugged ham in a way that had the other Alphas grash their teeth Asher hugged her a secondter. ¡°You did not grow taller than you were before.¡± bluked. Did Asher and Grace know each other? The sound of sharp, barely contained growls and shifting chairs rippled bough the library. Alphas weren¡¯t subtle when they barely¨Ccontained +8 Pearls Chapter 89 A Lover were jealous. Grace was probably unaware of that fact. Sheughed, light and pretty, still holding Asher¡¯s hand as if they¡¯d done it a thousand times before. you here¡± ¡°Luna never told me you applied to Lupine,¡± she said, brushing her hair over her shoulder. ¡°It was a shock to see ¡°She didn¡¯t know until I was already epted,¡± he replied with a chuckle. ¡°What about you? Sneaking into all¨Cmale academies again? Again! Has she done that in the past? ¡°I call it walking through the front doors,¡± she winked. ¡°With style.¡± It was obvious they had history. Close history. I remembered someone saying Asher¡¯s mother came from a strong bloodline of Alphas, maybe that¡¯s where the connection came from. The auraing from Grace was no less strong. She was a pure blood Alpha. They looked so natural together. So easy, Then. Grace¡¯s gaze slid from Asher, straight to Ronan Her eyes widened slightly. ¡°Damn,¡± she breathed. ¡°You¡¯re a little too breathtaking to be real.¡± Ronan didn¡¯t flinch and of course he did not get up like Asher. He met her gaze with utter indifference. ¡°I don¡¯t flirt,¡± he said bluntly. ¡°I already have someone in my heart.¡± His voice cut through the room like a de as I nearly choked in my own saliva at his bluntness. The silence was deafening. Even the rustle of paper stopped. I held my breath as my heart disappeared somewhere in my stomach. He said it. Openly. In front of everyone. Even though no one knew who he was talking about, I still panicked. Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I tried my best to keep my expression unreadable,pletely neutral, even as my fingers clenched under the desk. ¡°A lover!¡± Grace raised a brow, amused. ¡°Is she prettier than me?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Ronan said without missing a beat. ¡°The prettiest in this entire world,¡± I felt his eyes me and I lowered my gaze to the nk sheet in front of me as my heart skipped a beat. Send Gitts THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 90 Chapter 90 The Third Option SERAPHINA My heart started beating so fast in my chest at his words that I found it hard to keep my expression straight. Moreover, everyone¡¯s curious eyes were stuck on Ronan and screaming the unasked question ¡°His lover? Who was she?¡± But what unsettled me was Asher¡¯s gaze. He was friends with Ronan and they might know everything about each other. So Ronan¡¯s sudden confession must have been news for him. Ronan sat there unaffected by the others like before. Grace¡¯s softughter rang out, delighted. ¡°In that case,¡± she said, leaning slightly closer, ¡°I¡¯m even more interested in you.¡± He met her eyes but didn¡¯t respond. She didn¡¯t seem to mind at all. However, the moment her eyes met mine, a frown crossed her face. Surely it was not friendly. She looked me up and down for a moment with an unreadable expression that made me panic a little. Was she questioning something? But then shepletely ignored me as if I did not exist. I secretly let out a relieved breath and unknown to me Ronan had been watching me at that moment. I was not a man so I clearly had no interest in bing her mate or anything. It was better that she ignored me. Otherwise given to her status as Alpha Gideon¡¯s daughter she could cause me problems. Then, her gaze slid to Ryker and her smile slowly faded. She ulted her head. ¡°Have we met before?¡± As the words left her lips a dead silence spread in the library. I nced up in Ryker¡¯s direction to find him watching Grace without blinking but his face had no expression. That question hung in the air, curious and open¨Cended. Several Alphas leaned forward, eager for the answer. Ryker¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change, ¡°No.¡± His voice was deep as always, Her eyes looked at him with more intensity. ¡°Are you sure? It feels like I have seen you somewhere.¡± At my side, Ronan slowly looked between the two of them meaningfully. ¡°Or do you also have someone you love,¡± Grace raised an eyebrow him. He stared down at her with his usual gaze, ¡°I don¡¯t share my private life with strangers,¡± he tly replied, The other Alphas secretly frowned at Ryker¡¯s rudeness towards Grace. While Grace just studied him, eyes narrowing slightly like she was trying to remember something. Whatever it was, she let it go. A small smirk tugged at her lips before she looked Andnded on Finn Something shifted in her then that was almost magical. Her eyes lit up, lips parted, ani she stepped closer as if maically drawn I saw the ripple of unease among the other Alphas. They sat up straighter, clearly threatened. ¡°You she whispered. ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± Fun sened slightly under the weight of her attention lie looked to the side at me, avoiding eye contact with her, and quietly Her eyes shone. ¡°Such an innern yet handsome face! She looked like she had been holding her breath. ¡°You don¡¯t have a soulmate nigh Fins blusked and smiled awkwardly. ¡°I don¡¯t but I¡¯m a normal Alpha. Not the kind of guy you¡¯re looking for Grace¡¯s lips curled on you. The strength The quiet power¡±¨C Chapter 90 The Third Option +3 Pearls She reached out and took his hand. Finn looked at her, startled. The room practically burst into mes with envy, Cassius stepped forward frowning, ¡°Miss Grace, there are better guys here if you look carefully.¡± One of his friends joined him along with the others. ¡°Yeah, how about you look at those who are already interested in you? The kind of guy you are into¡­.. ¡°Miss Grace, what kind of mate are you looking for?¡± someone asked. Grace turned back to the room, eyes gleaming. ¡°Since you¡¯re all dying to know what kind of mate I want¡­¡± she paused, sweeping her gaze dramatically over every stunned face, ¡°I¡¯ll tell you.¡± ¡°I want someone who¡¯s stronger than me. Taller. Smarter. Richer. Handsome, yes¨Cbut more than that, he needs to hold my interest. Command it. Someone who could beat my abilities, challenge me, and still make me want to follow him into battle. Romance, strength, dominance. I want it all.¡± Every Alpha puffed their chest. bit the inside of my cheek. Of course, she wanted the whole package. Most of these Alphas believed they fit the criteria. But I had a feeling she wasn¡¯t done yet. She turned suddenly and pped once. And just like that, we were outside. A group of us stood in front of the massive waterfall that was not far from the Academy grounds. The sound of crashing water filled the air, mist dancing across our skin. At its base. the waterfall spilled into a deadly drop, a rocky descent into the turbulent sea. I stood at the back of the crowd, my eyes searching to find Graceing over while talking to Finn. They had disappeared for quite a while. And for some reason, Finn looked morefortable with her. Asher waszily lying at the base of a tree as if he had nothing to do with it while Ryker was nowhere to be seen, As for him¡­ I looked in the other direction and found Ronan by a tree, just there for formality. Grace stood on arge rock above us, her red dress a me against the grey spray. Beside her stood Alpha Jude with a bored expression, ¡°Don¡¯t make me run errands for you again,¡± he extended a scroll towards her. Grace grinned at him innocently, ¡°Please hold it for me, Alpha Jude,¡± saying that she turned to face everyone. ¡°Hell, why are you gathering these Alphas here? They are warriors, fighters not suitable for your doll house.¡± ¡°They don¡¯t have anything to do, Alpha Jude,¡± Grace pouted, ¡°and what is wrong with having fun and also getting a mate?¡± she smiled. Alpha Jude stared at her nkly and then looked away. Grace continued to the Alphas, ¡°So to win my heart,¡± she dered, ¡°you¡¯ll have toplete ten tasks. There will be no elinunation. Everyone will take part in all the ten tasks. The task begins now¡± She held up a string of luminous white pearls in her palm. ¡°I dropped a few of these into the sea earlier. Whoever retrieves one and returns it to me first, carns my favor.¡± She smiled Ju the end, whoever wins all ten trials will receive the nk Check¡± *nk check?¡± Everyone looked at her curiously. Me took the sealed scroll bearing the crest of Alpha Cadeon from Alpha pale, ¡°This¡± jude 11:55 §¡§Þ§â §â Chapter 90 The Third Option Gasps rang out around us. +8 Pearls ¡°A favor from Alpha Gideon himself,¡± she said. ¡°Write anything on it, anything within reason, and it will be honored. It will bew.¡± My mouth gaped and I could not believe my ears. It was truly a nk check! It wasn¡¯t just a prize. It was power. Everyone was tempted. Even me. And then- Chaos erupted among the Alpbas. They started stripping out of their shirts and were all ready to jump down into the sea no matter how high the water level was. Graceughed and yelled. ¡°Start¡± The Alphas surged toward the edge and began diving in. Dozens of them hit the water at once, sshing wildly, desperate to be first. Except me. I stayed frozen and frustrated. Because the moment I went into that water, everything would wash away: my perfume, my disguise. I couldn¡¯t risk it. But I really wanted to have that scroll¡­ I bit my lip feeling frustrated as I could do nothing but stand and watch, that¡¯s when I felt his presence behind me. ¡°Do you want that nk scroll?¡± Ronan¡¯s voice was low in my car. I secretly held my breath but did not react or flinch. I refused to turn around and meet his gaze, heart thundering from the memory of his kiss. I kept my tone neutral. ¡°What if I do?¡± I murmured. ¡°Would you drain the sea for me? Or change the location?¡± I casually looked ahead as if his presence did lid not affect me but he never answered. The longer he remained mute the more uneasy I felt. After a couple of seconds, I finally turned. But he was already gone. I blinked looking around only to find him standing at the edge. The most dangerous ce was that waterfall My face turned pale. ¡°Wh. what are you doing?¡± He looked over his shoulder, right at me, and smiled. ¡°I¡¯ll choose the third option.¡± Then he jumped Hight to the raging sea into 1 gasped and stumbled forward ¡°Ronan!¡± Iran to the edge heart in my threat, staring down into the churning water He¡¯d disappeared beneath the waves 11:55 AM PP Chapter 90 The Third Option +B Pearts All to win the scroll. All for me. THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 91 Chapter 91 A Face Prettier Than Truth +8 Pearls SERAPHINA The roar of the waterfall thundered in my ears, but it couldn¡¯t drown out the sound of my heartbeat. I stood frozen at the edge of the cliff, staring into the churning sea below, wind whipping my hair and cloak back as my hands clenched tightly at my sides. ¡°Ronan¡­¡± I whispered, my voice lost in the crashing waves. He¡¯d jumped. My stomach twisted as the frothing waters below swallowed thest ripple of his ssh. I gritted my teeth and stepped a little closer to the edge, squinting, searching the depths for any sign of his head surfacing. Nothing. Just crashing white foam and cruel waves licking at jagged rocks below. What if he didn¡¯te back up? What if A presence behind me cut through my spiraling thoughts. I turned slightly just enough to see her, Grace. I blinked once. Then again. She stared at me in silence. ¡°Can I help you with something?¡± I asked, breaking the tension. We stood face to face now. She was about my height, maybe a little shorter, but still somehow carried the kind of grace and poise that made me feel like a mountain of awkward limbs stuffed into borrowed skin. Her eyes raked over me¨Cup and down, slow and curious. Not in a flirtatious way. No, her gaze was ze was more.tactical, Finally, her lips curved slightly, and she said with a tilt of her head, ¡°How can you be so beautiful¡­as a man?¡± I was taken aback for a moment at her unexpected question. My throat closed. For a second, I panicked. Did she know? Could she know? Had something slipped? My voice? My scent? My I schooled my expression, forcing a confused blink. ¡°What?¡± Grace¡¯s expression became even more suspicious. ¡°That face, thoseshes, those lips.¡± She leaned in conspiratorially. ¡°You¡¯re prettier than most of the girls I¡¯ve seen at Luna balls,¡± she pointed out. My lips parted No words came. Because, well, how did you respond to something like that? She rolled her eyes. ¡°Ugh. Don¡¯t tell me it¡¯s natural. Please!¡± Ixleared my throat awkwardly. ¡°I don¡¯t really know what to say to that.¡± Oh, don¡¯t worry, I do? She stepped back, eyeing me with open frustration now ¡°I don¡¯t like it.¡± 1 tanked ¡°Pardon?¡± ¡°Talons like that you¡¯re prettier than me she said tatly. ¡°It¡¯s annoying. I came here to have fun and possibly find a mate. Not me,¡± 1155 AM P P Chapter 91 A Face Prettier Than Truth topete with the literal Aphrodite of this generation wrapped in a boy¡¯s uniform.¡± I nearly choked, ¡°1¨CI¡¯m not trying topete with anyone Grace narrowed her eyes slightly. ¡°Oh, rx. I¡¯m not using you of anything¡­yet ¡°Yet!¡± +8 Pearls She smirked. ¡°Look, you¡¯re obviously not into me or you would have jumped into the sea instead of standing here, which is fine. I¡¯m not into you either since I am into tall and handsome Alphas. No offense. I just don¡¯t want you trying anything funny, got it?¡± I blinked again. ¡°Funny?¡± You know charming me with thoseshes or brushing that hair back with a little mysterious ir. She waved her hand dramatically. ¡°I¡¯ve seen the way those four Alphas looked at you. It¡¯s infuriating. Four Alphas? Who she had been talking about? I coughed into my fist. ¡°Right. Got it. Not charming.¡± ¡°Good.¡± She tilted her head. ¡°But I suppose we could still be friends. If she wiggled her manicured fingers. ¡°you tell me your secret.¡± ¡°Secret!¡± Grace leaned in again, eyes gleaming. ¡°What kind of herbs are you taking to look like that? Is it Moonroot? Petal balm? I swear if it¡¯s something from the Nightshade pack, I¡¯ll throw someone off this cliff.¡± I stared Then¡­ughed. I couldn¡¯t help it. The absurdity, the tension, the honesty; it was such a shift from the formal posturing world of Alplus I¡¯d grown used to. She blinked at me. ¡°What?¡± I had a little hard time holding my real voice whileughing. ¡°Nothing. It¡¯s just¡­you¡¯re a really interesting person,¡± I answered honestly. I¡¯ll take that as apliment,¡± she sniffed. I could not help but smile only to have her eyes full of suspicion once again. ¡°By the way why did you not go after one of the pearls?¡± My muscles tightened. ¡°I have sea sickness,¡± I quickly came up with the excuse. She frowned and was about to say something when Finn jogged over with a bunch of beautiful flowers in his bands, ¡°Miss Grace, this is for you.¡± ¡°Wow!¡± she eximed so loudly that Alpha Jude who was sitting by the bonfire looked over. ¡°They are so beautiful!¡± she eagerly epted them and just as she took a sniff of thein she suddenly sneezed In the blink of an eye, Alpha Jude appeared and snatched the flowers from her hand. ¡°Idiot. Why do you ept these when you are allergic to them,¡± he growled. ¡°It¡¯s okay. These flowers are hard to find Finn found them for me around the mountains with so much difficulty. I will keep it to myself,¡± she took it back Alpha Jude grated his teeth. ¡°Are you stupid? They are just flowers. Throw them away before they affect your health,¡± Grace mici his gaer and shook her head. ¡°I can¡¯t break Fou¡¯s heart so I will keep them saying that she took Finn¡¯s hand and walked away, leaving Alpha Jude belund. Finn looked over his shouldes at me but Grace attracted his attention again. I took a deep breath. It seemed she really liked 11:55 AM Chapter 91 A Face Prettier Than Truth However, what I saw over the next hourpletely confused me. +8 Pearls Asher came over with a handful of her favorite berries and she ate them while practically clinging to his chest. I heard her impatience while waiting for Ronan, and describing him as her prince charming while we sat by the newly bonfire. Confused. I nced up at her. ¡°You seem to have a hard time choosing among all of them.¡± ¡°No, I am absolutely clear,¡± she tossed the sweet potatoes in the fire. ¡°Ohhh¡­.you just seem to be with everyone so far so I thought¡­¡± She cut me off. ¡°That¡¯s because I am into all of them.¡± I cocked my brows, ¡°Excuse me?¡° into harems.¡± She met my gaze and revealed. ¡°I I am inte The stick in my hand nearly dropped. Did she just say harem? She wanted them all: Finn, Asher and Ronan? I nced past her where Alpha Jude was sleeping at the base of a thick tree trunk. What if he heard her and told her father? ¡°Ohh¡­someone is finally back!¡± She got up excitedly. ¡°They found my pearl¡± I also got up as she ran past me to see the person. My eyes also curiously looked at, my heart taking a sudden race. Did Ronan find it! However, the face that came in front of me left me stunned. ¡°Alpha Ryker!¡± Grace eximed. Drenched in water, shirtless and showing off his eight pack abs. I blinked. So it was Ryker who returned with her pearl? When did Ryker jump into the sea? Was he also trying to impress Grace? Ryker stopped in front of Grace and smiled, ¡°Miss Grace, I think you dropped it in the sea,¡± he yfully slid the pearl ring. onto her finger. Grace blushed. ¡°Yes, it was my ring that I dropped,¡± she smiled happily and hugged him, ¡°You found it for me, Alpha Ryker. 1 like you.¡± Ryker hugged her with one arm but his eyes came to me as he stated, ¡°I like you too.¡± As he said those words looking me, a fear shot deep in my heart. What was this feeling? That same danger. That unspoken fear. Send Gifts 1195 AM PP. THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 92 Chapter 92 Ungrateful SERAPHINA The moment the words ¡°I like you too, slipped from Ryker¡¯s lips, the ground beneath me seemed to shift. His arm was wrapped around Grace¡¯s waist, his tone yful¡­ but his eyes? His eyes were locked on me Unblinking. They burned through me like embers licking at the edges of dry paper, and suddenly, I could barely breathe. The way his voice dropped when he said it. The faint smile curving his mouth. It was all meant for me. Grace.pletely unaware, beamed up at him, hugging him. And Ryker? He leaned in, his head bending ever so slightly while his fingers slowly syed across her waist and the intensity in his eyes deepening as they never looked away from mine. His touch was slow, deliberate; not hesitant, but almost mechanical. Possessive. Not with passion. Not with desire. He wasn¡¯t holding her. He was¡­performing for me. My pulse hammered in my throat. That uncase returned, the same sensation I¡¯d felt the night I first met Ryker. That chilling gur¨Cfeeling that I messed with the wrong person. I saw it. I saw it all. Ryker wasn¡¯t imagining Grace. He was imagining me. As for Grace, she looked frozen in his arms. Before I even realized it, my feet moved on their own¨C ¡°Excuse me,¡± I muttered, shouldering past a few stunned Alphas who just returned from the sea. I stormed across the clearing, heart pounding, and without warning. I grabbed Grace¡¯s hand, ¡°Miss Grace, pleasee with Grace¡¯s frels cked awkwardly on the grass and I was unaware of the expression on her face. She didn¡¯t say anything as I took her toward the path away from the cliff, somewhere away from the crowd, the sea, and especially him. It was only wi the sounds of the others faded behind and I was about to let go of her hand that she suddenly yanked her free ¡°What the hell are you doing?¡± she demanded, stepping back with sharp, startled eyes. 1 turned pulse still racing 1 had actually acted on instinct. I controlled my uneven breathing and replied, ¡°You¨Cyou looked thconfortalde ¡°Uncondortabile Grace cut in, voice high. ¡°You decided to drag me away like a jealous ex? Did I miss something?¡± Itsuk a breath to steady myself ¡°No That¡¯s not it I met her gaze, voice lower now ¡°Ryker isn¡¯t being honest with you. He durant mean the things he says He¡¯s strange Dangerous¡± auntightiyer | Grace crossed her arms tightly over her chest ¡°Stranger Langerous Aren¡¯t Alphas always like that?¡± ¡°Yes I said firmly ¡°I honestly don¡¯t know how to exin you but Chapter 92 Ungrateful ¡°Maybe you¡¯re not what I thought, she said coldly. That stung. I stepped closer. ¡°I was just trying to help-¡± D +8 Pearls ¡°Well, don¡¯t.¡± Her voice snapped like a whip. ¡°You ruined everything for me,¡± she looked somehow disappointed and angry at herself that puzzled me and then she growled, ¡°You should have minded your own business.¡± She turned on her heel and walked away without another word, leaving me standing there, stunned. The silence that followed felt colder than the sea breeze. I turned back toward the cliffside, just in time to see her walking right back to Ryker. My hands slowly clenched at my sides. I was trying to protect her. From someone I felt, deep in my gut, was a threat. Yet..she acted like I was the enemy. ¡°Such an ungrateful woman. Lreally should have minded my business.¡± That¡¯s when a voice came from behind me, ¡°Don¡¯t judge her too harshly.¡± Istiffened at the sound of Asher¡¯s voice behind me. I turned. He stood with his hands in his pockets, gaze thoughtful as he watched Grace rejoin the others. ¡°She¡¯s not what you think,¡± he said quietly. ¡°Grace isn¡¯t just bold and spoiled. She¡¯s kind. Pitiful, sometimes. And a little lost.¡± I let out a bitterugh. ¡°Are we talking about the same girl? I met his gaze squarely. ¡°Because the girl I just saw is flirting with every Alpha who breathes, chasing danger for the thrill of it, and ignoring someone who only wanted to help.¡± My voice hardened. ¡°I don¡¯t care if she wants a harem or dreams of collecting every Alpha in this Academy like trophies, it¡¯s her life. What bothers me is the way she flocks to anyone with good looks, but has no self¨Crespect or caution. She ran back to Ryker like he hadn¡¯t already insulted her back at the Academy. I thought she was different. But she¡¯s like everyone else, just trying to climb to the highest Luna status she can.¡± I just can¡¯t stand girls like her.. ey and position, they treated women like I wanted to also say that because girls acted towards toys that they could use and throw away whenever they wish. ¦°¦¥¦° based on their looks, money When I finally looked up, I realized Asher had been staring at me the entire time. His gaze didn¡¯t waver once. Leleared my throat, suddenly flustered. ¡°I guess you don¡¯t agree. Since you two are friends¡­¡± ¡°Grace and I aren¡¯t friends,¡± he said, leaning against a tree. 1 blinked ¡°You¡¯re not He smirked ¡°Guess again¡± My eyes narrowed ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re already part of her harem, I teases!, trying to lighten the mood with augh. Only Asher didn¡¯sugh. He didn¡¯t even spole Instead, his eyes stayed lucked on mine on my smule, as it memorizing it liis ¡°What if 1 aur¡± he asked softly. ¡°Would that make you jealous!¡± The tang smile faded from my hips. TIGS AM Chapter 92 Ungrateful +8 Pearls I suddenly became aware of his aura, its intensity, the subtle way it brushed against my skin, coaxing something wild from my wolf. It was the first time I felt it this clearly. Asher¡¯s presence pressing against mine, sharp and undeniable. My wolf stirred, restless. Why now? up its pace. My heart picked up might think you¡¯re gay.¡± and I looked away with a nervous . ¡°Careful,¡± I murmured. ¡°If someone hears you, they I tried to y it off, masking the unease in my chest. But then Asher stepped closer, too close, and his presence towered over mine. ¡°I don¡¯t care what anyone thinks,¡± he said, voice low. ¡°Straight, gay, bi¡­I don¡¯t care. As long as I like that person.¡± Then his eyes narrowed slightly. ¡°What about you, Seth?¡± held my breath. ¡°What about me?¡± I asked, trying to keep my voice steady. He moved even closer. The space between us vanished until I could feel the heat of his skin. ¡°I¡¯ve seen the way you are with Ronan,¡± he said. ¡°He doesn¡¯t let anyone¨Canyone¨Cclose. But with you¡­he¡¯s different. And you? You act like yourself around him.¡± I tried to swallow, but my throat was dry. ¡°You never showed any interest in Grace. None. You haven¡¯t flirted with a single soul. And you blush a little too easily for someone ying tough.¡± He tilted his head and used a finger under my chin to force me to look at him. ¡°Seth Darven¡± he whispered. ¡°Are you into men?¡± My heart dropped. But just as quickly, it climbed back into my throat because past Asher¡¯s shoulder, I saw a figure in the distance. Standing perfectly still. Watching us. Ronan His eyes were unreadable. Even though they were on me. Suddenly, I couldn¡¯t breathe Human saw Asher and me alone, close like lovers at a so secret meeting. Send Gifts THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 93 Chapter 93 Rage, Reined In By Her RONAN I climbed back up the jagged cliff edge, boots soaking, hair dripping, muscles aching from the violent current: but all of it dulled under the weight of the voices I overheard near the fire. A group of Alphas, soaked and defeated, were grumbling amongst themselves, their shirts half¨Cdried as they huddled for warmth. ¡°Can you believe Ryker? one of them scoffed. ¡°Yeah, the guy just appeared with that damn pearl ring. Gave it to Grace like it was nothing¡± ¡°And then that Seth guy? He just dragged her off. Like he owned her or something.¡± My steps slowed. Seraphina took Grace away? My brows drew together as I stared into the firelight, the unease in my chest rising sharply. She would never have shown. much interest in Grace like other male wolves here. I rubbed a hand down my wet jaw, droplets flicking off. Something wasn¡¯t right. I turned, intending to head toward the path away from the cliffs, where the trees thickened and the crowds thinned when I saw her. Grace. She was walking slowly, her dress slightly ruffled, heels dragging more than clicking. The brightness in her usually luminous. eyes had dimmed to something quieter. More guarded. But when her gaze found mine, her smile instantly bloomed. Perfectly practiced. I stepped forward. ¡°Why are youing from there?¡± I asked, but my eyes flicked toward the trail behind her, searching. For Seraphina. Had not both gone that way together? Grace snapped her fingers in front of my face, a yful smirk tugging at her lips. ¡°I¡¯m here,¡± she drawled, ¡°and waiting. Should I feel offended that you¡¯re more interested in the shadows than me?¡± I didn¡¯t answer. Instead, I reached into the pocket of my drenched pants and pulled out a small, broken string of white pearls, a delicate anklet, a piece of it I¡¯d found lodged in a rock crevice deep below the waves. Her eyes widened, lighting up with genuine emotion for the first time since she arrived ¡°My anklet.¡± she sighed, stepping closer. ¡°You found it?¡± I wordlessly held it out to her even though it seemed broken to me. She took it gently, her fingers brushing mine as if it were made of ss ¡°This means a lot to me,¡± she whispered, cradling the broken pearls in both hands. ¡°It returned to me again.¡± Her voice Trailed off but the paused before she would say something that she did not want me to hear. She looked up with something soft in her eyes. ¡°Thank you¡± Iremained silent and just nodded Then abe tilted her head, soulingg again, this tune with muschief. ¡°Sauce you already have a lover, I won¡¯t be bold enough to ask you to tie this around my ankle she teased, ¡°but you still went diving into the sea to find it. Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯ve suddenly fallen for me. Alpha Roman I mught just swODEL¡± +8 Pearls Chapter 93 Rage, Reined In By Her I chuckled faintly, the corner of my mouth twitching. ¡°Don¡¯t tter yourself. Herughter rang out, rich and amused. ¡°So then?¡± she asked, arching a brow. ¡°If you didn¡¯t do it for love, what do you want? Direct. Confident. She didn¡¯t beat around the bush. I respected that. ¡°I want information,¡± I said simply Grace blinked, taken aback for the briefest second before curiosity flickered in her gaze. ¡°Information?¡± I nodded. ¡°Earlier, you said something about Ryker. That you¡¯ve seen him before.¡± A shadow passed through her expression. The amusement faded. ¡°Right¡­¡± I stepped closer. ¡°Where?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not sure.¡± she admitted after a beat. ¡°It wasn¡¯t personal, I would¡¯ve remembered. But that face she clicked her tongue. ¡°Too unforgettable to ignore. He has the kind of handsomeness that bites.¡± Her fingers curled tighter around the pearls. ¡°Nevermind that aura,¡± she added. ¡°He¡¯s not just strong, he¡¯s got dangerous blood. The kind that makes even proud Alphas stand a little straighter when he enters the room ¡°You¡¯ve met him at one of the ceremonies?¡± Grace shook her head. ¡°Not directly, but I¡¯ve attended dozens of Luna ceremonies, Alpha balls, and council events with my mother since I was thirteen. If he was there, even once¡­I¡¯d recognize the aura, if not the name.¡± I frowned. ¡°But no personal introduction?¡± ¡°No¡± she paused, eyes narrowing slightly. ¡°Which means he¡¯s either very secretive¡­or very protected. His pack must be one of the ancient ones hidden, rich, and powerful enough to avoid gossip.¡± That tracked Everything about Ryker screamed secrecy, dominance, and danger. But Grace wasn¡¯t finished. ¡°You want to know who he is,¡± she said slowly, piecing it together. ¡°Because you don¡¯t trust him.¡± I didn¡¯t deny it Slur studied me carefully. ¡°Is it because of Seth?¡± Istilled Behind that yful tone¡­this girl was sharp. Sharper than anyone gave her credit for. ¡°Seth has nothing to do with it,¡± I muttered and stepped past her. ¡°Oh, really?¡± she casually said ¡°Then I suggest you don¡¯t go looking for him. You might interrupt something.¡± Her words made my steps halt. I turned to face her gaze cold. ¡°Interrupt?¡± Star only smiled and walked away pearls clutched tightly in her hand. That struir My woll bristled beneath my skin, unsettled My woll was deeply unestled by that stude of hers My head snapped back towards the woods. The next thing I knew was 1 cling for Seraphina since she had pertuine un 1 voi her presence air you into mend Asher a voice encred never pick up her scent, this time was no diferent but sull but she was not alone. 11:15 AM P Chapter 93 Rage, Reined in By Her ¨C Pearls My feet froze in ce at seeing Asher and Seraphina together and so close. My mind went nk. What were they doing: For how long? Why? My wolf growled aggressively and furiously, fighting for control over my sanity that was close to snapping But then¡­ Seraphina¡¯s amber eyes locked on mine. At that moment, the storm inside me stopped. ¡°I am not into men. Alpha Asher¡± she softly replied. She pulled slightly away from Asher, her voice steady. ¡°But I¡¯m definitely into the wild, but restrained kind.¡± She walked past Asher, every step measured, and as she passed me she looked up. ¡°Possessive, but thoughtful she added, her gaze unwavering. ¡°Crazy and jealous..but respectful enough to trust me.¡± The jealousy in my chest turned to smoke. My fingers brushed against hers as she moved by me¨Clight as air, but enough to ground me. A small smule curved my lips. Send Gifts When The Moon Hides Her Crown 48 Pearts Chapter 94 The Fifth Task SERAPHINA The clearing echoed with thunderous shouts and hollers, voices rolling like waves through the thick twilight air. Alpha energy pulsed all around, sweat, ego, and adrenaline. The fourth task had just ended, and the Alphas were aze with anticipation for what they had been witnessing with their own eyes. Something that they considered pure luck if they could achieve it themselves. Their eyes burned with one goal, Grace. She sat elegantly¨Cno, provocatively¨Con thep of one of the winning Alphas from thest task, giggling as she plucked fruit from a designer bowl and fed it to him like he was some spoiled prince. That Alpha was so proud to be treated this way by her and to have the others jealous gaze focused on him that he was in nine clouds. Grace¡¯s crimson dress bunched dangerously high along her thighs, the silky slit revealing far more than any respectable she¨Cwolf would dare in front of a pack of Alphas. But Grace? She looked entirely at ease. No hesitation. No shame. She tilted her head as she offered him another bite, her fingers brushing his lips, and the Alpha grinned like he¡¯d conquered the world. It was the fourth time today she had rewarded someone like this. Everyone here was fighting for it. I stayed back, partly concealed by the trunk of a wide tree, letting the shadows cover my stare. judgement but confusion. v muscles tensed, not from Because the truth was¡­I didn¡¯t understand her. The Grace that was in front of me was very different when we first talked, then she was different when she snapped at me over Ryker and now she was a person. After the pearl task, when Ryker returned her ring and Ronan gave her the anklet, I thought I had some vague idea of what kind of woman Grace was. Obviously, I was wrong. I did not understand this woman at all. The winner of the second task had been called to the center of the clearing, only for Grace to saunter forward and brand his bare chest, leaving a bold red lipstick mark like a trophy. He wore it with pride, howling like a pup as the others jeered and cheered. Then, the third task. I remembered how she leaned in,ughing as she looped her arms around the victor¡¯s neck and kissed his throat, slowly, deliberately, leaving a vivid hickey. He looked like he was about to copse from the honor of it. A pole dance in the first task. A lipstick brand in the second. A luckey in the third. And now, feeding grapes while sitting on his heat? My eyes flicked towards Grace again. Sheughed as the Alpha whispered something into her car, the kind of that would¡¯ve made any man believe he was the center of her universe. But I noticed lier eyes kept flickering toward somewhere else. It was not the first time I noticed it. It has happened many times already. Who was she looking at? My gaze followed her line of sight but there were many Alphas. Was I reading into it too much? when I noticed Roman. He sat quietly near the edge of the clearing, arms resting over his bent knees, watching the up like a king above a chessboard. His wet clothes had dried into something ruggedly tousled, his hair windblown and wild. The sea had leit salt on his jawline his sharp features cast in twilight shadow. After what happened back in the woods I had been once again abiding looking at him. Asher¡¯s doubtful question had caught me of guard, that could actually expase may disguse it he would have thought deeper and then Ronan witnessed us together. I did out want any argument or fight between friends because of some nonsense misunderstanding so I said all of that. I actually still could not believe I say such words. And then when he brushest our fingers. This memory still made my i 11:56 AM P P Chapter 94 The Fifth Task +8 Pearls I studied my breathing, forcing myself to not think about it and focus back on Grace. Who was now back to sitting between Finn and Asher. They hadn¡¯t participated in thest few tasks. They didn¡¯t need to. Grace had already dered them hers. They were hers with just a touch, a nce, a secretugh in the shadows. Even Ryker had stoppedpeting after the pearl ring. As for Ronan he hadn¡¯t moved since giving her the anklet. So why was she still ying this game? Why was she tempting more and more men? Was this her version of power? Was this fun for her? But why had I been feeling that there was something about Grace no one was able to see? ¡°Fifth and final task for the day!¡± Grace¡¯s voice rang across the clearing like a bell, drawing every Alpha to stillness. She stood now, a little flushed, hair a touch messy but still breathtaking. ¡°This one,¡± she smiled, ¡°is my personal favorite.¡± The crowd leaned in. ¡°The Blindfold Battle,¡± she announced. A chorus of excitement swept through the crowd. ¡°That already sounds fucking exciting!!¡± one of the Alpha yelled. Grace listened to all of them andughed, ¡®Of course it is,¡± she smirked, ¡°The rules are simple,¡± she exined. ¡°Each participant will be blindfolded and ced inside the arena with an opponent of my choosing. You can tap out, you can be eliminated if you fall on the ground for more than five seconds, and of course this fight will continue with no time limit. An Alpha will fight only the person chosen by me until the end. Thest one standing wins!¡± Several Alphas exchanged gleaming looks. A test of instinct. Of raw, primal strength. No scent. No vision. Just pure wolf and will. ¡°Also the Alpha who wins this task will make his way to he nk scroll like more than eighty percent!!¡± she announced I pursed my lips. These games only sounded simple but they were not a piece of cake. She seemed toe up with her own. No wonder she was Alpha Gideon¡¯s daughter. The Alphas started stepping forward to participate enthusiastically. I even saw Ryker stepping in this time. No wonder, he waned that scroll. That power. But Ronan also stepping in to participate shocked me. He had not been active in thest three tasks but now he was there and had already confirmed his participation with Grace¡¯s Omega. Phina whispered in my mind, ¡°Could he be participating because he wanted to win the scroll for us?¡± I froze listening to her. Something curled in my chest that I feared to name, realizing his motivation to participate. Suddenly he locked eyes with me and I found myself unable to look away from him. Then Grace held up her hand, silencing the murmurs. ¡°Seeing the excitement of the Alphas and how hard they are working. I have a special reward for the winner of this blind battle task,¡± she paused for effect Then, softly, seductively, she said. ¡°A kiss from me.¡± she touched her pink lips. A collective gasp appled through the clearing. One Alpha actually stumbled to his feet like he couldn¡¯t believe his luck. The uproar that her kiss as a reward was louder than any other rewards so far. My stomach flipped and my eyes immediately went to Ronan No our could beat him. Not in a blindfolded battle. Not when it came down to instincts, strength, and control. It means he would win Not only the task but also. Grace¡¯s kiss? THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 95 Chapter 95 Alpha Vs Alpha SERAPHINA The sky had burned down to a deep amber, and the clearing thrummed with electric tension. Alphas shifted on their feet, baring teeth inpetitive grins, snapping necks and cracking knuckles. Grace stood in the center like a queen holding court, herughter gliding like honeyed wine through the firelit dusk. But I barely noticed them. All I could see was Ronan. Just like he had been looking at me. The thought of him winning the kiss twisted something inside me. An unexpected unease bloomed in my chest like wildfire. I knew that if Ryker and Ronan were both in the task then either of them would win and the winner could be Ronan if not Ryker. Grace would kiss him. Her hands might touch his face. Her mouth would press against his. That single image jolted through me like lightning, stealing the breath from my lungs. I looked away, fast, before my expression betrayed me, before Ronan could see the raw, wing difort that gripped me from the inside out. But what I didn¡¯t know¡­was that someone else had seen. Ryker. Across the clearing, near the edge where the shadows licked against the trees, he stood still and silent as a predator. His bluet eyes locked on me, unreadable and unnerving. I could feel his gaze as though it were hands. Watching every twitch of my expression. Every subtle breath. Measuring me. Grace¡¯s voice rang out again. ¡°The pairs will be chosen by me!¡± she dered, arms outstretched as if she were some divine matchmaker. Two Alphas will fight each other. One will win. Only the one who remains conscious will move forward.¡± The clearing erupted in shouts and eager howls. 1 had a hard time controling my expression while watching her smile. Could she really kiss a random Alpha as a reward? She was from a reputed Alpha family and her father was respected like gud, just like my father. But she was still going for it. So confidently. If my father would have ever even heard that I held hands with a man let alone kissed, he would have torn that man apart first and then confined me in the packhouse for the rest of my life. Or marry me off to the first strong Alpha he found. In reality all the Alphas in the realin were controlling, narrow minded, and aggressive when it came to their soulmates and daughters. They felt powerful that way. That¡¯s why women grew cautious of their reputaticas especially if they are from prestigious and powerful werewolf parks and family But Grace did not seem to care. She was not even hesitant to kiss a man in front of so many people. My gaze darted instinctively toward Alpha jude sating by the bonfire. He must have heard it all. He could not be so calm and chull hearing all of that. Had he mund¨Clinked Alpha Gideon about it? Would Alpha Gideon be un his way here? All of this might take a very ugly turn. Then, shall we start the blindfold battle?¡± Grace yelled, signaling the Omega to ring the bell My woll grew uneasy and 1 was even more unsettled. I did not want to see this. I did not want to be here. ncing at Ronan our time. I slowly turned around to leave, but then Ronan¡¯s voice came. ¡°I won¡¯t participate¡± 11:56 Chapter 95 Alpha Vs Alpha 1 froze mid¨Cstep. The instantly clearing silenced, even the mes of the bonfire seemingly paused. Grace blinked, visibly startled. ¡°What?¡± ¡°I said.¡± Ronan repeated, stepping forward calmly, ¡°I won¡¯t participate. I withdraw.¡± +8 Pearls A ripple of confusion rolled through the crowd. Grace¡¯s lips parted as if she hadn¡¯t expected that answer from him of all people. ¡°But you know the rules,¡± she said carefully. ¡°If you don¡¯t participate, you might lose your chance at the nk scroll.¡± Ronan met her gaze without flinching. ¡°That scroll isn¡¯t worth making my woman jealous.¡± My heart jumped so violently I nearly gasped. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t touch another woman let alone kiss one,¡± he said, voice deeper now, eyes scanning the crowd until they met mine burning. ¡°Not even as a reward or game.¡± Every muscle in my body tensed. I could feel my wolf melt. The entire clearing seemed to fade around me. His words didn¡¯t justnd, they sank deep, pressing against something raw and vulnerable inside. My lips parted slightly. My cheeks heated Was he talking about¡­me? Of course he was. But I couldn¡¯t let myself react¨Cnot here, not in front of everyone. Grace, unfazed for once, crossed her arms with a sigh. ¡°Well, that¡¯s noble of you, Alpha Ronan,¡± she drawled, ¡°but you already confirmed your participation in my Omega not long ago. If you withdraw now we will be short one fighter. Under those conditions this task will not be how it should be. That is very bad. I also believe that you don¡¯t want to ruin this for everyone else, right?¡± she blinked slowly at him. Murmurs started again. Ronan replied to her without blinking, ¡°Then let¡¯s fill that spot with someone else.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t mind,¡± she replied calmly. However, just as Ronan shifted his gaze past Grace to where Asher and Finn stood.¡±Sorry but Alpha Finn and Alpha Asher are already mine, Alpha Ronan,¡± she said with a cheeky grin. ¡°They don¡¯t need to participate, so they can¡¯t fill that spot for you.¡± Ponan frowned slightly but did not argue with her. Grace¡¯s eyes swept the clearing and then squarely on me. ¡°Which leaves one person,¡± she smiled, a glint in her eye. ¡°Alpha Seth Darven.¡± Honan¡¯s frown deepened ¡°Why don¡¯t you take Ronan¡¯s ce?¡± she asked me I blinked, atunned ¡°Me?¡± ¡°You want the scroll, don¡¯t you?¡± the arched a perfectly plucked brow. ¡°But you seem too shy to participate in the earlier tasks Now is your chance¡± She let her voice linger a moment before adding. ¡°If you win, you¡¯ll draw closer to win the scroll and also get my kiss Every head turned. It actually earned Reed and Cassius te, which was not desired attention. They instantly saw me as a badrance: But other than them I also felt Asher, Finn, and Ryker¡¯s gaze on the I did at look at any of them but I had a feeing ill avoided it this time they would be suspicious of me. Asher had been almost doubtful of me earlier and had noticed that I was different with Ronan When others were so much into Grace and 1 was different they might doubt that I was not a man or something. It would really be a problem. 11:56 AM P P¡¤ Chapter 95 Alpha Vs Alpha Moreover I filled the spot for Ronan. It meant if he did not participate he would not win or get the kiss¡­. ¡°Wait, why the hell am I bothered by that¡­¡± my teeth clenched. ¡°Alpha Seth!¡± Grace¡¯s voice pulled me out of my thoughts. I lifted my gaze and met hers. I wanted that scroll. +8 Pearls Moreover, if I participated it would show my interest in Grace and no one would question my disguise. Yes, it was all about that. Taking a sharp breath, I stepped forward. The crowd let out an approving rumble, some in s surprise, others in excitement. Grace pped her hands once, glittering. ¡°Perfect. But when I met Ronan¡¯s gaze, he did not seem happy about it. Momentster, I stood among the chosenpetitors, blindfold already secured across my eyes. The world turned dark. sound sharpening into crisp, echoing detail. I could smell pine. Grass. Sweat. Earth. A mix of testosterone and territorial tension. My breathing slowed, my muscles coiling with readiness. I had no idea who I¡¯d be fighting. That was the point. Grace hadn¡¯t revealed the names yet. But she started doing it. The siren rang, a shrill howl that made my wolf stir under my skin. Then came her voice, bright and loud as she shouted. ¡°Alpha Seth Darven, your opponent.is Alpha Ryker!¡± At that moment, my heart dropped. No¡­ Send Gifts THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 96 Chapter 96 The Price Of Withdrawal RONAN The moment Grace¡¯s voice rang out, echoing across the training grounds, my lungs froze mid¨Cbreath. ¡°Seth Darven will fight Alpha Ryker.¡± What the fuck did I just hear? Ryker! And Seraphina? My gaze darted to the center of the clearing just in time to see them stepping forward, both blindfolded, standing with lethal grace and stillness. facing each other beneath the watchful eyes of half the Academy.. My mind shattered. Exploded like bursting through fault lines. If I had known, if anyone had fold me, that Seraphina would end up facing Ryker, I never would¡¯ve withdrawn from the challenge. I would¡¯ve stood there until my bones broke. I would¡¯ve taken him on myself. But now it was her. And it was too fuckingte. My fists clenched so tightly my knuckles cracked. My wolf mmed against the walls of my mind, snarling and pacing. ¡°Stop this,¡± my wolf growled. ¡°Get her out. Tear him apart I took a sharp step forward, fury rippling beneath my skin, but just then the siren cut through the air like a de. The battle had begun. ¡°Fuck.¡± I gritted my teeth, helpless. All around the clearing. Alphas were already engaged, grunting, lunging, colliding. Some were cautiously circling, others wild and reckless. I didn¡¯t see any of it. I only saw her. She stood tall, back straight, head tilted slightly, listening. Her posture sharpened like a de being drawn. She had heard Ryker¡¯s name and instantly sensed the threat. The change was instant. Her body from defensive to hunter level alertness, shoulders squared, knees flexed. Her breathing slowed. She stilled like a predator sensing movement in the dark. That was when Ryker lunged. The crowd gasped, but Seraphina wasn¡¯t caught off¨Cguard. She ducked low, twisting her body just enough to evade the strike, using the air discement and the thud of his bootfall as markers. She didn¡¯t react out of panic, she read him. Every movement she made was calcted. She was using her instincts, those damn sharp instincts. Her hearing tracked the subtle shift in Ryker¡¯s weight. The subtle sound of a foot dragging across the dry grass. The faint gust of wind rushing toward her when he swung. She moved like¨Cwater: smooth, fluid, evasive -She wasn¡¯t attacking blindly like most of the Alphas No. She was watching with her other senses. Listening his steps. Sinelling his scent to trace his position. Her wolf was in control, guiding her without hesitation. to the rhythm of She stepped around him. Shid behind his left shoulder Tilted back just enough to dolge his elbow strike. Pivoted, circled. Again Again like a dance. 1156 AM PP. Chapter 96 The Price Of Withdrawal Deadly. Beautiful. And it rubbed my nerves raw. My brows furrowed as I watched her fight. She wasn¡¯t just good. She was exceptional. +8 Pearls However, Ryker wasn¡¯t a simple opponent. He was a monster. Even blindfolded, he moved with terrifying confidence, calm. cold, and deliberate That was the moment he showed that he had just been ying with her so far. Without a sound of warning, Ryker twisted low and struck with a brutal sweep kick that should¡¯ve knocked her t. Seraphina leapt over it, but his follow¨Cup punch came with inhuman speed. Aimed for her ribs. It a sickening thud. She stumbled back, breath catching. My fists clenched and the veins in my neck popped out in fury at the sight of her being hurt. From the start, he hadn¡¯t fought to defeat. He fought to dominate. He had been toying with her, and made her aware of that. In that way he wanted her to make mistakes. Then, like clockwork, it happened. His handnded on her shoulder, not a strike, but a firm grasp. The type that made every hair on my arms rise. She spun free, barely, but he¡¯d touched her. Not just touched He¡¯d meant to. My wolf¡¯s fury broke through like a crack in a dam. I felt the shift crawling beneath my skin, bones aching with the desire to transform, to leap into the fight and tear Ryker apart. Before I realized, my legs raised to walk when Alpha Jude¡¯s voice came from behind. ¡°The audience has to remain here, Alpha Ronan.¡± My feet halted and I nced to the side where Alpha Jude came over, his eyes meaningfully meeting mine. He seemed to have sensed my intentions. ¡°It¡¯s not a real trial, Alpha Jude,¡± I reminded him. He chuckled and forced his sharp eyes back to the fight. ¡°It depends on the person fighting in the battle ground and from what I see, this task is no less than a trial for the Alphas,¡± he stood with his arms behind his back quietly observing, but the authority in his voice struck like a whip. ¡°And I bet you also want to enjoy it since you have no reason to interrupt.¡± He took in my reaction from the corner of his eyes as he spoke. I kept my expression nk as I watched the tight. Alpha Jude seemed to be observing more than necessary. Send Gifts THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 97 Chapter 97 Storm RONAN Alpha Jude seemed to be observing more than necessary. So I said nothing. Just stared and kept my emotions in check. The fight shifted. Seraphina stopped defending and attacked. No longer the cautious observer, she lunged with precision. Her strike missed Ryker¡¯s throat by inches, but forced him to stumble back She was fighting him. For real. Ryker wasn¡¯t smiling anymore. not just ¡°Didn¡¯t expect that from Seth Darven,¡± Jude muttered, his eyes fixed on Seraphina and Ryker¡¯s fight. ¡°I¡¯ll be honest, I didn¡¯t think Seth would two minutes against Alpha Ryker. But¡­ his voice held an odd note of respect. That boy holding ground. He¡¯s pushing him¡± My chest swelled, not with pride. With awe and frustration. She didn¡¯t need a savior. That¡¯s what drew me to her in the first ce: her strength, her fire. She wasn¡¯t waiting to be rescued. She was her own damn hero. Still, I couldn¡¯t just stand here. Not when it was Ryker. His attacks were z My blood boiled. getting more physical Less tactical. His hands brushed her waist, her back, sliding where fists shouldnd. I barely held my ny wolf back from breaking out. His touches were too much to me on his blindfold. Sometimes on her waist, then on her hips, grabbing her from behind, and so on. As if on cue, a soft melodious voice floated behind me. ¡°Such a beauty from the outside,¡± Grace said. ¡°But sharp as a double¨Cedged sword.¡± I turned. She stood casually behind me, arms folded, watching the fight with a glimmer in her eyes. She tilted her head. ¡°They look like a storm together, don¡¯t they? Wild and unpredictable.¡± she stepped forward and met Alpha Jude¡¯s gaze, ¡°Like they made for each other, don¡¯t they?¡± Thest tread of my patience snapped at her words. With clenched fists I stepped closer to her, my anger masked by the facade of calmness, ¡°Is this the fairy tail reason of yours you put them together as an opponent?¡± Grace blinked at my casual tone that did not match the darkness in my eyes but didn¡¯t flinch. ¡°Oh, you think I am ying match making here?¡± sheughed softly, ncing at Alpha Jude once and then me. ¡°Alpha Ryker is just enjoying his reward, Alpha Ronan¡± ¡°What?¡± Locked my brows She lifted a manicured brow ¡°Just like you asked me for information in exchange for returning my anklet, Ryker asked for something after returning my pearl ring¡± Bly match with Seth Darven A thousand curses surged through my mind. As blood appeared in my eyes Chapter 97 Storm +8 Pearls It wasn¡¯t a coincidence. He¡¯d nned this. He wanted her. Why? To test her? To hurt her? To touch her? I clenched my fists so tightly I felt blood well beneath my nails. The sound of grunts and thuds filled the clearing. The fight intensified. Alphas were starting to copse, eliminated one by one. The five¨Csecond rule held, if you were down for more than five seconds, you were out. But not Seraphina. Not Ryker. They still stood. Moved. Fought. She didn¡¯t fall back. Didn¡¯t retreat. She pushed him, again and again. I could barely watch it with my barely intact patience. Unknown to me, some distance away Asher and Finn watched me in silence. Their eyes were on me most of the time. Watching my growing anger. Watching my wolf w beneath my skin. I couldn¡¯t take my eyes off her. Until suddenly something loud echoed in the clearing. Everyone, including me, stilled turning around. ¡°What was that?¡± Grace gasped looking up at the mountain behind us. Alpha Jude stepped forward shielding her with his body and stared at the mountain with seriousness, ¡°It seems like a rock from the mountain..¡± Before he could finish the wind shifted. A sharp, slicing gust whipped across the clearing, scattering dust and leaves. Tents trembled. Bonfires flickered out. Several Alphas stumbled blindly, unsteady from the sudden force. The wind roared like a warning. Crack! A nearby tree limb split. ¡°It¡¯s a storm!¡± Finn shouted, alerting everyone. ¡°Everyone stop!¡± Alpha Jude¡¯s voice boomed as he turned to the Alphas. ¡°Halt the match, return to the Academy now!¡± Chas exploded. Alphas tore off blindfolds, darting in all directions. The clearing became a whirlwind of bodies, dust, wind, and panicked My eyes snapped toward the direction where Seraphina was earlier. I ripped through the whirlwind of the Alphas running out of there as I strode towards the storm but in the middle of the crowd froze. 1 11:56 AM p p. Chapter 97 Storm ¡°Where is she?¡± my wolf whispered in my mind as the spot where she was fighting was empty. My mind went nk. Seraphina was gone. Ryker too. Send Gifts 48 Pearls 11:56 AMP P THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 98 Chapter 98 Where Is Going On? RONAN The world had vanished in a howl of wind and white. The e sky turned ck too fast. One second, the fire crackled, Alphas fought, and then¨Cchaos. A screeching wind that pierced bone. Branches ripped through the sky. Dirt lifted in spirals. It was the kind of storm that didn¡¯t just fall. it actually attacked. I barely made it beneath the rock overhangs near the slope, shoved back by Alpha Jude himself. He was already on edge due to Grace¡¯s safety. She had refused to return to the Academy with others and was stubborn enough to stay with him. I couldn¡¯t argue. I couldn¡¯t resist. Couldn¡¯t see. My eyes had snapped shut against the dirt and ash whipping through the air. Every breath filled with dust. Every sound drowned out by wind. My hands scraped rock as I crouched under the ledge, but I didn¡¯t feel the sting. All I tried to feel Seraphina. My wolf got anxious when he could not sense her. Where the hell was she? My hands curled into fists as I tried to rey it, thest image in my mind. She was fighting Ryker, blindfolded. And then strom¡­. Nothing. Every second under that overhang was a cage of iron, and I was the wild thing trapped inside. I couldn¡¯t breathe without knowing where she was. I didn¡¯t care if the sky cracked open and dropped mountains, I¡¯d find her. I had to. Or my wolf would lose his mind. I never felt this kind of loss before in my entire life but for this girl¡­the girl that I had met barely two months ago, my wolf was agitated over her absence. The wind began to weaken, softening into cruel gusts rather than an unrelenting scream. That was all the permission I needed. I surged out from under the rocks just as movement flickered from the far slope. another cover point, brushing dust off their shoulders. Finn and Asher were climbing out from From the opposite side, Reed and Cassius emerged too, coughing, hair windswept, looking shaken but whole. They seem to have failed to escape and return to the Academy like others. Finn¡¯s voice came first, tight with urgency. ¡°I don¡¯t see Seth anywhere.¡± ¡°What do you mean? Alpha Jude appeared just behind me, eyes sharp, coat pping as he stepped forward with Grace following hum closely. ¡°Where could Alpha Seth be if not here?¡± Asher scared the field of broken trees and twisted ground ¡°Ryker¡¯s gone too. He definitely did not return to the academy like others. Alpha Jude¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°What the fuck is going on here?¡± Then Reed, who was looking toward the distant treeline, spoke next. ¡°They were fighting near the waterfall¡¯s edge could they have fallen from there?¡± My jaw nghtened whale Fum rushed to the cliff at lighting speed. Cassius added. ¡°Or probably blew away with the storms My world appeared in my eyes snapping at his secret smile. 11:56 AM Chapter 98 Where is Going On? +8 Pearls Only the thought of the possibility of that split my mind open like an axe. I didn¡¯t even realize I¡¯d moved until my boots were pounding against the wet earth, toward the edge, where the roaring falls churned violently below. ¡°Seth!!¡± Finn was already there, scanning the steep cliff. Asher was close behind, shouting over the wind. ¡°Seth Darven, where are you?¡± Alpha Jude followed fast, barked an order at someone behind us to report back to the Academy. Bur L I stood there, frozen. Not from fear. From the violent, inhuman need to roar and let my wolf take over. If she fell, if Ryker¡­. ¡°THERE¡¯S SOMEONE!¡± Cassius¡® voice rang out like a gunshot behind us. We all turned. Near the edge of the clearing, beneath a broken tree an Alpha was pinned, partially buried under heavy branches, coughing but alive. Alpha Jude was already rushing over. ¡°Are you alright?¡± he asked as he crouched beside the fallen Alpha. ¡°I¨CI¡¯m okay,¡± the Alpha gasped, clutching his leg. Grace quickly knelt down and checked, ¡°His foot¡¯s trapped. It¡¯s not crushed.¡± saying that he called, ¡°Alpha Casius, Alpha Reed, pleasee and help him.¡± Cassius and Reed were there in seconds, helping Alpha Jude lift the thick, splintered log. With a few grunts, they managed to drag him free. The Alpha was saved and panting, but his eyes widened suddenly. ¡°There were two more.¡± ¨C Everyone stilled and roy wolf¡¯s ears perked up. my I turned to him sharply. ¡°Where?¡± The injured Alpha lifted a shaking hand and pointed. ¡°There_under that pile of trees. I saw them fall there before everything went dark¡± My head snapped at that side at lightning speed. Could it be her? My body moved before my thoughts did. Threw myself at the Twisted pile of trees like a madman- The trunks were thack, older, heavy things, their roots ripped from the earth in the storm¡¯s fury. SETH DARVENI My voice ripped from any throat, raw desperate. 11.56 AM Chapter 98 Where Is Going On? I tore at the wood, dragging a branch as thick as my chest out of the way, heart mming like war drums. ¡°SETH¡°¡°¡± ¡°SETH DARVEN![¡± No answer. There was only silence I didn¡¯t stop Didn¡¯t hesitate Another trunk rolled free under my strength. My shoulders burned. My knuckles bled. I didn¡¯t care. She¡¯s in there. She has to be. I tossed one more log aside when I felt a presence at my side. Asher dropped beside me. Then Finn. Neither said a word at first. They just started helping. Lifting. Grunting. Straining. Asher asked. ¡°Is he in here! I nodded once, sharp and sure. ¡°He¡¯s definitely in here.¡± Finn hesitated, panting. ¡°But¨Cwhat if he fell too? In the waterfall! You didn¡¯t see- ¡°He didn¡¯t.¡± I groaned. I tossed another massive branch aside with a roar, feeling my bones scream beneath the strain, Finn me my me my eyes. ¡°How can you be so sure?¡± +8 Pearls Asher had the same question in his eyes. Breathing hard, and controlling the rage of my wolf, I stared down at the pile of the trees. Sise could not have fallen into the waterfall. She would do anything but would never let that happen. I knew it¡­because¡­. The water would wash away her disguise,¡± my wolf stated in my mind. We both looked at the trees where we felt Seraphina. But why was her heartbeating so abnormally? A very bad feeling arose in my chest when I recalled she was not alone. Ryker was there too. My fists clenched. ¡°What was going on in there between them?¡± THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 99 Chapter 99 The ck g SERAPHINA I couldn¡¯t move Not because I was frozen with fear, but due to the fact that there were trees stacked above me. Heavy. Pressing. Sealing the world into a narrow, airless coffin. But what stole the air from my lungs wasn¡¯t the weight. A pair of dark blue wolf eyes stared down at me unblinking, unbothered, locked to mine like chains I couldn¡¯t break. Ryker It was him. He was inches above me, the sharp line of his jaw bleeding onto my skin from a wound somewhere near his temple. His arms were nted on either side of my head, muscles tensed into rigid cords as he held up the weight of what should have crushed. us both. Not one branch had touched me. Because he had taken the weight of it all While I was beneath them. Shouldering all of it on his back like a beast. Like a demon. Like something that wasn¡¯t.normal. I swallowed. My lips parted in disbelief. ¡°Why did you save me?¡± A dead silence fell between us increasing the tension in the darkness as I met his gaze with my wolf¡¯s eyes. His voice was a velvet de dark, rich, and cutting. ¡°Why? Only Ronan gets to y the hero?¡°/ I held my breath at the mention of Ronan. He just called the Ronan hero. My muscles jerked. I wore a man¡¯s disguise at the moment. So, him calling Ronan my hero was as dangerous as it sounded. i steadied my breathing, forcing the tremor from my voice. ¡°I don¡¯t know about him being a hero,¡± I said coldly, ¡°but you definitely aren¡¯t one.¡± A soft chuckle escaped his lips. Low andzy, like he enjoyed every second of this. ¨C Then what am I?¡± he asked, one brow arching. ¡°A viin?¡± in the darkness his handsomeness was even more breathtaking when he ached that brow like that. I didn¡¯t hesitate ¡°Probably I met his gaze head¨Con. ¡°More like ck g.¡± I murmured, pulse hammering in my ears. They said that women had a great sense when it came to men and since the day I had seen Ryker, I could tell that this man was not even close to a red but apletely ck g. His smule faded, reced by something quieter. Something darker. He leaned in slightly, the trees on his back shitung with the movement. My heartbeat secretly quickened in my chest thinking ove, his reaction to the ck gment. ¡°You got me,¡± he whispered, voice so close I felt it on my lips more than I heard it I felt paralyzed. A tremor slid down my spine. He admitted it He admitted it My lists i lenched at my sides as I met his gaze without blinking ¡°What are you?¡± I whispered. ¡°Who are you really!¡± +8 Pearls Chapter 99 The ck g ¡°Hmm! What¡¯s with your question? By now I believe everyone knows. I am Ryker Wraithe.¡± he said, deadpan. ¡°Not your name. I asked who you are.¡± Another slow chuckle vibrated from his chest, through the thick silence. ¡°What¡¯s with the fear in your eyes?¡± he asked, voice dropping lower. ¡°Did you do something wrong to me? Something that would make someone like me wasn¡¯t just curious. He was after me. -What do you want from me?¡± I finally asked, the question I¡¯d been burying for days. The one that haunted me every time he looked at me like he could see straight through the disguise. Through my skin. Into my soul. He leaned in further. Our noses nearly touched now. ¡°If I told you,¡± he murmured. ¡°would you give it to me?¡± I flinched, head snapping away, eyes darting to the tiny sliver of dim light between two broken branches. My pulse thundered. My skin burned. His presence soaked into me, raw and suffocating. It wasn¡¯t just how close he was. It was that¡­he could crush me at any second, physically, emotionally, dangerously. And yet, he hadn¡¯t. Heughed, slow and amused. ¡°Why ask,¡± he whispered, ¡°when you don¡¯t dare!¡± I snapped my gaze back to him. ¡°Why would I dare anything unknown¡­for someone like you?¡± ¡°Someone like me?¡± he e echoed, tilting his head. ¡°You mean¡­ crazy?¡± He shifted again. The trees groaned, the entire pile straining above us. His weight bore down harder,his body lowering. My breath hitched. ¡°What the hell are you doing?!¡± His lips brushed near my jawline, close enough to taste my panic. I feel an itch on innocently, ¡°Can¡¯t help it.¡± my back,¡± he m murmured, almost A drop of blood slid from his cheek onto mine. Warm. Fresh. My eyes widened. He was hurt. The more he moved, the more he pressed into me, his body heavy and lean, muscles tightening. What was worse, his lower half grazed me. My eyes flew wide Oh no. No Ir e couldn¡¯t press there. He couldn¡¯t Because led feel it. Theck of what should¡¯ve been there. The manhood Pane roared through ine *Don¡¯t movel¡± I lussed. ¡°We¡¯ll both be crushed! ked, resting his forehead against mine ¡°Then scratch my back.¡± 11:56 AM PP. Chapter 99 The ck g ¡°What?¡± I stared at him dumbfounded. ¡°Scratch it. Or I keep moving, he smirked. I clenched my jaw, ring at him. Was he not taking advantage of the situation?! I wanted to p him. +8 Pearls Instead, I stared at his sharp, brutal face, and then at the splintering weight above us. My breathing was shaky. His body heat sank into mine. The air was damp, suffocating, heavy with sweat, blood, and something darker that I couldn¡¯t name. He was staring right at me. I looked away quickly, cursing under my breath. This wasn¡¯t about pride. Or anger. This was survival. After a long moment of cursing every deity that ever created him- My hand lifted¨Chesitantly, trembling like I was reaching toward a live wire. My fingers hovered over his bare skin, just above his spine. Don¡¯t think. Just do it. I said to myself. My fingertips touched his back His muscles jumped beneath my palm. Hard. Warm. Unreasonably solid. The moment I made contact, heat flooded my face. Not the kind that stirred desire but the kind that came from rage and shame and unwanted awareness. I kept my eyes on the shadows above, on the crushing weight bnced just inches from my skull. Then slowly, mechanically, I began to scratch. His eyes burned into me the entire time. I could feel it. Watching. Reading But I refused to meet his gaze. My hand scratched upward, avoiding the bloodied ces, brushing over raw skin. My face flushed, not just fromck of air. but the sheer intimacy of the moment. We were pinned beneath the world, and he was making this a joke. But his body didn¡¯tugh. His breaths were shallow. Controlled. Yet every one of them dragged across my skin like heat waves. ¡°Aith now it¡¯s itchy somewhere else too,¡± he whispered. My hand froze as I mei his eyes. ¡°Where?¡± I instantly regretted asking because the next second, he brushed his manhood on my lower belly and whispered in my ears, ¡°Here¡± Send Gifts THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 100 Chapter 100 I¡¯ll Drag You To Hell SERAPHINA ¡°Here. My entire body went rigid when I felt it, his manhood brushed low against my belly. Slowly¡­deliberately¡­rubbing against A rush of ice rippled down my spine. That was the second time I had felt it, First Ronan had done it but that had been nothing like him. When Ronan¡¯s manhood brushed against mine, butterflies bloomed inside me. My wolf rolled over in warmth, in instinctive Trust. But this? This was dread. This was like a poison under silk. My heart beat increased like it would burst and the next thing I knew I roared. ¡°You bastard,¡± I hissed, voice shaking with horror. ¡°How dare you y this sick game with me!!¡± I growled, my nails turning ws and deeply scratching his back, bleeding him. Ryker neither flinched the slightest by my ws or pain nor answered. He just watched me amused, calm, and controlled. As if he hadn¡¯t just vited every boundary between us. ¡°This reaction of yours is so beautiful. You made me even harder,¡± he bit his lips. Anger flooded my veins likeva, violent and choking. Followed by the sharp hateful re that I directed at him ¡°Don¡¯t you dare do something that disgusting to me again,¡± I growled, eyes zing. ¡°Or I¡¯ll kill you. I swear on the Moon, I will crush you here,¡± saying that I moved¨Chard. Twisting, jerking violently beneath him, trying to throw him off me, trying to shove him back. The moment I did it¡­ Crack. The weight on his back shifted with a sharp groan. The trees on Ryker¡¯s back swayed, one beginning to slide dangerously. -You want to crush me?¡± He didn¡¯t flinch. He just looked down at me again, the pressure heavier on my ribs now. ¡°If I g ger crushed,¡± he said slowly, voice like velvetced with razors, ¡°you¡¯ll be crushed under me.¡± ¡°If you know that then you better not try anything disgusting with me again, 1 snarled back, ¡°Or I¡¯ll make sure I drag you straight to hell with me.¡± There. I meant every word. His gaze froze for a moment, locking deep with me before a smile that spread across his lips wasn¡¯t the usual smirk. No, this one was different. Real. It quickened my heartbeat even more. It wasn¡¯t cold or mocking. I was hungry. Like he¡¯d found something he never wanted to lose. ¡°No one has ever dared look me in the eyes, let alone talked about taking me to hell with them.¡± He leaned down, his lips just barely brushing along the edge of my jaw, not touching like before, but grazing, feather¨Clight. ¡°Seth Darven..¡± he whispered seductively, sending chills to my bones. ¡°Now I want you even more.¡± he smiled. My body betrayed me, not with desire but with shock, contusion, and a cold storm of fear. He wanted me? That was what all of this was? I was in disguise. I was supposed to be another Alpha to him. But he wanted me? The storm inside me twisted tighter 11:56 AM P Chapter 100 I¡¯ll Drag You To Hell I couldn¡¯t move. Couldn¡¯t speak. Couldn¡¯t breathe. Until- A faint beam of light broke through the crushed mess above us. That was when I saw it. A pair of violet eyes though a gap in the trees above Ryker¡¯s shoulder. Wide. Frozen. +8 Pearl My heart skipped a bit. It was Ronan. He was there. Almost all the trees had been removed from Ryker¡¯s back making both of us visible to the assessing eyes of Alpha Jude and others who had cleared the pile. ¡°Alpha Ryker, Alpha Seth, Alpha Jude shouted. ¡°Are you two alright?¡± ¡°Seth, are you hurt?¡± Finn called. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, we will get you two out.¡± Asher yelled, lifting the not that I cheated on him or something. We were nothing to each other. So why was there this strange difort in my chest? As Alpha Jude lifted Ryker off from above me, I could finally breathe better with the weight lifting off. ¡°Your back is badly injured!¡± Alpha Jude groaned. ¡°It¡¯s fine, Ryker refused to get help. ¡°It¡¯s not fine. Your head is bleeding as well. Healers are on the way. It needs healing quickly, saying that he turned to walk Ryker over the fallen trees. I noticed Finn and Asher about to rush over to help me, something that I did not want especially after what happened with Ryker. I did not wish to be touched by another man at least for sometime. So before they came. I tried to get up on my own but just as I tried to sit up a great pain shot through my back. Hissing, I closed my mouth, about to fall back on the hard cold ground when suddenly strong hands wrapped around my arms. Surprised, I opened my eyes to find Ronan kneeling down beside me. ¡°Don¡¯t move,¡± he murmured and at that moment all I could see was him. Was he worried about ine? Not angry? He slowly helped me to get up, and thankfully did not lift me up in his arms as not only Finn and Asher were watching but so were Reed and Cassius. ¡°Seth, are you hurt? Finn rushed over and held me from the other side. ¡°Nothing serious, some scratches, I guess.¡± I smiled as I nced over at him. ¡°Still have a healer check.¡± Asher came over and said seriously. ¡°There can be internal injuries!¡± I am really fine guys¡± I smiled and looked passed Ryker, who was finally sitting by Alpha Jude, ¡°Thanks to Alpha Ryker¡¯s kindness, I added, my eyes cold and emotionless. He winked in response which I ignored until Ronan¡¯s aura suddenly darkened beside me. I held my breath secretly. What¡¯s wrong with him? Alp?u Hugu arrived quickly with healer Aran and has group of healers. Half of them were busy checking on Ryker while half to check un mir 1 just had pain in my back so they left after giving me a painkiller and telling me to rest so that my wolf could heal me. But an unexpected person came over in speak with me. to AM Chapter 100 I¡¯ll Drag You To Hell ¡°Hey, are you okay!¡± a hand handed over a water bottle to me. +8 Pearls 1 blinked up at Grace. She looked a little hesitant, masking her worry behind the facade of arrogance. I smiled and epted the bottle. Thank you for your concern. I am fine¡± ¡°I am not concerned about you. It¡¯s just if you had died in the task then it would have tainted my reputation, saying that she sat down on the fallen tree beside me. ¡°Ohh,¡± I uncapped the bottle and started drinking. Ronan kept ncing at me from time to time as he talked to but then there were always Ryker¡¯s eyes lingering that I could feel from across the clearing. When my eyes met with Finn¡¯s. I Asher. I acted natural, asionally catching Asher looking at me smiled. I actually had nowhere to look. This ident had just made things strange for me towards all these men. While Grace had all the attention of the rest of the Alphas who had rushed over to check on her. For them a chance to gain one of her smiles sent them to cloud nine. ¡°I am jealous of you,¡± she suddenly admitted. Water stopped in my mouth as I nced in her direction only to find her eyes on the clearing where the Alphas and healers Were. ¡°Why?¡± I finally asked. A sad smile appeared on her lips as I got to see the real Grace for the first time, ¡°You While I can¡¯t even get a little bit of his attention even if I talk about kissing a random man¡± get so much attention without asking. I stared at Grace without blinking. Wait¡­had she been acting like that for someone¡¯s attention? Then my eyes snapped at the Alphas. Who was she talking about? Unknown to me, to the side Alpha Hugo and Alpha Jude stood talking seriously. ¡°What do you mean this storm did not seem natural! Alpha Jude frowned at Alpha Hugo¡¯s im. Alpha Hugo took a deep breath, ¡°Right after I got the news of the storm, I checked. That rock falling down the mountain is not natural and the storm only urred within a 200 meter area from where the Alphas were doing tasks. And do you know what I saw on the CCTV footage of the borders?¡± he met his eyes seriously and revealed, ¡°Rogues.¡± THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 101 Chapter 101 Shattered Secrets. SERAPHINA The cold night air bit gently into my skin, but it couldn¡¯t stop the strange tightness rising inside me listening to Grace. Now the sadness in her eyes when I had pulled her away from Ryker made sense. She was not frustrated because she could not flirt with him, instead she was sad because the man she loved did not react to her hugging Ryker. Now I could clearly feel her anger, the disappointment and helplessness. She was in pain. The pain from being ignored. The pain of love. this point even my heart hurts to see the real Grace. ¡°Can a man really be worth putting your reputation on the line?¡± I asked before I could stop myself and unknown to me four men had been listening to me without making it obvious. Grace pursed her lips without meeting my gaze as she replied softly. ¡°Yes, I have chased after him in my entire youth. ¡°I¡¯ve put ten years of my life into desiring him. I have even saved my virginity just for him. No matter what. I will wait for him until I grow old and die,¡± while saying that she never tore her eyes from the crowd of the Alphas, her eyes growing sadder. ¡°I stopped caring about my image the moment I fell in love with him.¡± I was taken aback. Ten years? My eyebrows shot up. ¡°You love him that much?¡± I froze. ¡°Why him?¡± She stilled for a long time at my question and said. ¡°He¡¯s sexy, Powerful. Has the kind of presence that makes your legs shake when he walks in a room. When he speaks, no one dares to challenge him. He doesn¡¯t chase anyone, and still, everyone wants him. And I¡­¡± she exhaled shakily, ¡°have only ever wanted him.¡± There was so much conviction in her voice, it caught me off guard. For some reason I started finding simrities in her words when she mentioned this man. But a new question bloomed in my chest. ¡°Then why haven¡¯t you just gone to him?¡± I asked softly. ¡°If you love him so much¡­why not confront him and confess what you feel instead of ying these games?¡± ¡°I already did,¡± she bit out. I blinked She wasn¡¯t finished. ¡°I confessed when I turned eighteen. Told him everything. My feelings. My intentions. Everything.¡± My wolf got involved in her story along with me as we asked, ¡°What happened?¡± She gave a bitter smile. ¡°He ignored me. Just ignored me.¡±¡°¡± My eyes widened slightly as she added. ¡°He acted as if he never heard me. No reply. No rejection. No exnation. Like I was a child ying house.¡± The vulnerability in her voice was so startling, so unlike the fierce, flirty Grace the Academy knew. For some reason it reminded me of our of my friends that I lost when we were sixteen. She was strong, wonderful, and intelligent. But when it came to love she was emotionally weak. She chased after childhood lover like a shadow thenmitted suicide when he left her the moment he found his soulmate. She ended her life for a man who had not loved her. Now I saw her in Grace. The memory of losing her twisted inside and turned into frustration and anger as I chuckled Grace¡¯s head whipped toward me, eyes shing. ¡°What the hell is funny! Haised my hands, stillughing softly. ¡°Sorry, it¡¯s just¡­I used to think you were the kind of woman who had everything under control. Untouchable. Unbothered. Always got what you wanted. Yet, here you are, admitting there¡¯s something_or one who isn¡¯t under your ¡± Her re sharpened. ¡°Who said he isn¡¯t in any control?¡± Her tone was sharp, defensive. ¡°Oh please,¡± I smirked. ¡°It¡¯s obvious. You can sit on a man¡¯sp, leave hickeys, kiss whoever you want but you can¡¯t even go 11:57 AM Pp. Chapter 101 Shattered Secrets and talk to the one person you love. That¡¯s not control, Grace. That¡¯s fear.¡± +8 Pearls ¡°Fear?!¡± she snapped, stepping closer to me, her hand twitching like she wanted to p the truth out of the air. ¡°I¡¯m not scared of anything!¡± I met her storming gaze calmly. ¡°You¡¯re scared of being judged. Scared of what loving him says about you. Scared of how the world would react to the real you if they found out.¡± Her breath caught. For one suspended moment, she didn¡¯t say a word. I could feel the shatter happening behind her eyes. That mask of seduction she wore like a crown crumbled, if only for a second. The forest around us was silent. Grace stared at me like she wanted to scream and cry all at once. ¡°What do you know about me?¡± she whispered, voice shaking. ¡°You think you can make these randomments like you understand me. You know nothing.¡± I held her gaze. ¡°You¡¯re right. I don¡¯t know. That¡¯s because you don¡¯t let anyone know. You keep him in the shadows like a sin you¡¯re you¡¯re too proud to name.¡± She jerked back like I pped her. ¡°I¡¯m not scared to show him off. I am not hiding him,¡± she whispered, but her voice cracked. I smiled. ¡°Is that so? Then why is it so hard to believe you? Or could it be that person doesn¡¯t even exist and he is only in your imagination.¡± A long silence passed between us. She didn¡¯t answer before she clenched her fists and growled at me, ¡°My imagination? Then I have to check again, right?¡± having said that she suddenly took a step back and started to walk towards the Alphas. As I watched her determined steps, I held my breath. Finally I¡¯d provoked her. Ten years of waiting was too long for Grace. Even though I did not know her, I could feel her breaking down from inside because of that man. Now that she was finally going to him he would have to take responsibility for ying with her all this time. He had too¡­ My thoughts grew slower when I saw her heading towards Roman and Asher. An unspoken panic rose in my chest and my heart started beating quickly. I still remembered Asher had said that he was not even friends with Grace so could she be going to Ronan? Was he¡­the man she loved? My wolf grew still in my mind, my breathing slowed until she walked past them. I blinked, confused as next Finn came to my sight. Could she be¡­. Before I could think the man she loved was Finn, she also walked past him and the only person who came to my sight was¡­. Ryker. My muscles tightened in disbelief. So it really was Ryker. However, Grace passed Ryker too! I cocked my brows, ¡°If it¡¯s not Ryker then who¡­¡± confused, I stared at her back, puzzled until she walked between two people talking and faced the tall Alpha and pulled him into a kiss Everyone¡¯s jaw dropped and my eyes widened in horror She Lissed. Alphia Jude. While standing past them some distance away.Alpha Gideon saw it. THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 102 Chapter 102 Provocation Went Wrong SERAPHINA No. No, no, no. Grace was in love with Alpha Jude and Alpha Gideon had just witnessed her kiss him. When I provoked Grace earlier, I hadn¡¯t imagined my words would be the match that ignited this powder keg. Now, I could see it clearly, unmistakably in the murder zing through Alpha Gideon¡¯s bloodshot eyes as they locked on Alpha Jude. For one suspended moment, the clearing went still. Even the wind seemed to freeze, holding its breath as though it too sensed theing storm. ¡°Alpha Jude! HOW DARE YOU!!¡± Alpha Gideon¡¯s roar tore through the night air like a war drum and then, everything erupted He didn¡¯t move. He vanished. A blur of obsidian rage tore through the clearing, his clothes shredding as his body burst into a monstrous ck wolf, taller and broader than any I¡¯d ever seen. Muscle and fury coiled beneath his fur, and his blood¨Cred eyes zeroed in on Alpha Jude like a predator who had waited far too long to sink his teeth into prey. ¡°Dad, NO!¡± Grace screamed as her fatherunched forward with bone¨Ccracking force. Alpha Jude barely had a second to react. ¡°GET BACK!¡± he barked, shoving Grace aside mere moments before Alpha Gideon collided with him in midair. The impact shook the earth. They crashed to the ground in a cyclone of fangs, fur, and fury. Blood sttered across the field as Alpha Gideon¡¯s ws ripped down Alpha Jude¡¯s chest, except Alpha Jude shifted just in time, bones snapping and reforming into his sleek ck wolf to prevent his throat from being torn out. Chaos exploded around us. The surrounding Alphas staggered back with horrified shouts, scrambling ¡°Alpha Gideon¡¯s lost it!¡± Reed gasped. to avoid being caught in the whirlwind of violence. eyes They¡¯re going to kill each other! Cecins shouted ideas the ground trembled beneath the force of the blows. Grace was already panicking, trembling with fear and disbelief. Her voice cracked as she screamed, ¡°DAD, STOP!! IT WAS ME WHO KISSED HIMILHE DIDN¡¯T EVEN KNOWII PLEASE STOP THIS PLEASE!¡± Only it was toote They didn¡¯t stop I stood frozen, horror thick in my throat like a stone ¡°1. I didn¡¯t mean for this to happen.¡± I whispered under my breath, guilt curdling in my stomach. Two Alpha instructors Locked in a battle to the death. Because of a kiss. Because of a secret. Because I pushed Grace. This is my fault.¡± I muttered. ¡°Don¡¯t me yourself¡± Asher¡¯s voice came from behind me, low but certain. He stepped beside me, watching the chaos with haunted eyes. ¡°It was bound to happen eventually 11:57 AM p p. Chapter 102 Provocation Went Wrong My head snapped toward him. ¡°You knew?¡± +8 Pearl He nodded solemnly. ¡°For years, but Grace hides her emotions well. She smiles so brightly, no one notices her heartbreak. Not even her father.¡± ¡°The problem is that now everything¡¯s ruined because of my stupidity,¡± I said bitterly, clenching my fists. ¡°You¡¯re not the only one at fault.¡± Finn said quietly, appearing at my other side. His gaze didn¡¯t leave the fight. ¡°I¡¯ve suspected it for a while. I noticed how she watched Alpha Jude when she was around other men. That kind of longing can¡¯t be hidden forever. ¡°You knew too?¡± I blinked in disbelief. He nced down at me. ¡°I had my suspicions. Though they were only confirmed when I gave her flowers she was allergic to. She still epted them, just so she could argue with Alpha Jude. She wanted to provoke him.¡± The realization settled over me like ice. It all made sense now, why Finn was suddenly at ease around her, why Asher supported her so easily. Grace¡¯s entire harem act had been smoke and mirrors to distract from the one man she truly loved. Then Ryker¡¯s voice cut through the tension. ¡°I saw iting miles away,¡± he said, his tone uncharacteristically serious. He sat shirtless under a tree, his torso wrapped tightly in bandages. ¡°A father can barely tolerate another man near his daughter, let alone a friend. This fight was inevitable.¡± Our eyes met, and I blinked. I hadn¡¯t expected such insight from Ryker. Before I could respond, another thunderous snarl dragged my gaze back to the battlefield. Alpha Gideon lunged again with no hesitation, only lethal rage. He went for the throat. Alpha Jude countered, twisting beneath the onught and driving his teeth into Gideon¡¯s nk with the raw power of an Alpha trained for war. Blood spilled freely. Flesh tore. Fur flew. The grass turned crimson. They didn¡¯t pull punches. They didn¡¯t flinch. They didn¡¯t stop. I pressed my hand to my lips in horror. ¡°Why doesn¡¯t Alpha Jude say something? Why not just exin it? Grace kissed him, he didn¡¯t return it. He could stop this.¡± It¡¯s simple, he¡¯s not fighting to defend himself,¡± a voice murmured behind ite. Ronan His warm chest brushed my back, grounding me in that moment. I didn¡¯t turn, I couldn¡¯t. My voice was barely a whisper, Then what is he fighting for?¡± To protect her,¡± Konan said. My breath hitched. Suddenly it was obvious. Alpha Jude was¡¯s fighting for pride. He was lighting to keep Grace safe, even from her own father. Alpha Gadeon mmed Alphia Jude into a tree. The crack was deafening. Splinters burst like shrapnel, but Alpha Jude retaliated with a crushing headbutt that snapped Alpha Gideon¡¯s jaw to the side. Sull, they kept going Alphas around us shouted, panic rising. Alpha Hugo looked visibly shaken Alpha Jude was bleeding. 11:57 AM p p. Chapter 102 Provocation Went Wrong Gideon was snarling. +8 Pea Their bodies were battered and torn, their limbs trembling with exhaustion but their eyes, those Alpha eyes, held nothing t fury Is it possible¡­Alpha Jude loves her too?¡± I couldn¡¯t finish the question, afraid of what the answer might mean. ¡°He¡¯s her father¡¯s friend isn¡¯t he too old for her?¡± I murmured. Asher answered quietly. ¡°Alpha Jude is younger than the other instructors. He¡¯s only twelve years older than Grace.¡± ¡°That doesn¡¯t change the fact that he¡¯s her father¡¯s friend,¡± Ryker pointed out, standing slowly, his tall form barely radiating pain. This won¡¯t stop¡­¡± someone whispered. ¡°Until one of them dies.¡± Alpha Jude roared, hurling himself at Gideon with every ounce of strength. The two wolves rolled across the field in a whirlwind of fury, blood, and teeth. Their bodies were so torn up and bloodied it was hard to tell them apart. Gideon¡¯s left eye was shed. Alpha Jude¡¯s shoulder hung, dislocated and bleeding. Yet neither backed down. ¡°Enough!¡± Alpha Hugo growled from the side, stepping forward, likely about to intervene- Until Grace¡¯s voice rang out, shaking the earth more than any blow had. want to kill each other because of me?¡± she screamed, ¡°I would rather die first!¡± ¡°So you two w The world stopped. I gasped as she turned and strode straight toward the edge of the cliff, toward the waterfall. ¡°GRACE!!¡± Alpha Gideon shouted, panic slicing through his tone like a de. ¡°IT¡¯S DANGEROUS COME BACK!¡± Standing at the edge, her face streaked with tears, she turned around. ¡°You want to kill him because of me, right? Well, you don¡¯t have to. He doesn¡¯t love me,¡± her voice cracked, and her gaze locked with Alpha Jude¡¯s, ¡°He never will¡­¡± The ache in her words hit me so hard I felt breathless. What stunned me more, what disturbed me, was the pain I felt in my own chest. Why did her heartbreak feel like my own? I didn¡¯t know. I couldn¡¯t answer. Ronan was still close behind me, and I felt the quickening of my heartbeat. Then something in the shadows moved behind Grace My wolf stiffened Ronan¡¯s aura pulsed sharply. I stepped forward. ¡°What is that?¡± I whispered. Fim narrowed his eyes. ¡°Is that a person!¡± Alpha Jude, already halfway to the cliff, froze. Then¨Cchaus A gure emerged from the shadows behind Grace, in the next heartbeat, he grabbed her. IT¡¯S A ROGUE!¡± Alpha Hugo bellowed. The clearing erupted into screams. 11:57 AM PP Chapter 102 Provocation Went Wrong ¡°GRACE!!¡± both Alpha Gideon and Alpha Jude yelled at once, sprinting toward her. My legs moved too but in the next moment, the rogue jumped over the edge of the waterfall with Grace. +8 Pe ¡°GRACE!!!¡± Alpha Gideon¡¯s roar boomed across the clearing but my feet froze in horror as the sudden memory of the rui that belonged to the rogues shed in my mind. My breathing stopped for a moment and a sharp pain happened in my chest I fell to my knees, clutching my chest. ¡°Why did L..see that again?¡± THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 103 Chapter 103 Nightshade Alley SERAPHINA What¡¯s wrong?¡± Ronan rushed back to me. I shook my head and quickly stood up to find the clearing pulsed with shock and disbelief as a rogue dove over the waterfall¡¯s edge with Grace in his arms. He vanished into the night¨Cmist below, ¡°No¡­I clenched my fists. I could only stare, numb, disbelieving. Everything in me screamed as 1 failed to act in time. More than that. Alpha Jude and Alpha Gideon¡¯s state was rming. ¡°GRACE!!!¡± Alpha Gideon¡¯s roar tore through the air. Chaos shattered the stillness. ¡°WHAT THE HELL?!¡° ¡°HOW DID A ROGUE E GET IN HERE?!¡± ¡°DID HE CLIMB UP THE WATERFALL?!¡± Alphas exploded into motion, some running to the edge, others shifting in ce, wolves snarling in panic. However, no one. not a single soul, was more explosive than Alpha Jude. ¡°GRACE!!!¡± her name was was torn from his throat, ragged and filled with agony. Heunched himself toward the edge of the waterfall but the moment he neared it, his body mmed against something invisible. Something powerful. An unseen barrier crackled against his skin like a wall of energy. It sent him flying back with brutal force. He hit the ground, rolled, and came up again like a beast, eyes zing, jaw clenched. He charged.. Again, mmed back. A wall. An invisible force field. A border. My stomach dropped. ¡°What is going on? The others jumped from that waterfall earlier so why couldn¡¯t he now?¡± I whispered, confused as I stood near Ronan who also did not seem to have that answer. Not far from him. Alpha Gideon had shifted, a monstrous ck wolf of absolute wrath. He, tou, bolted toward the edge and wasunched back by the same unseen force. Hended with a ground¨Cshaking thud, growling, furious, his massive ws digging trenches into the earth as he tried to force his way through. Both of them. Jude and Cideon, rammed into the invisible energy like madmen. Neither could pas ¡°They can¡¯t get through.¡± I murmured. ¡°That¡¯s the edge of the Laune Academy territory, Healer Aran said from the side, his voice grim. ¡°There¡¯s a protective boundary No une with the intration to leave the Academy territory can cross it. Not even instructors¡± ¡°Bar Grace just fell through A she did tend to leave and dw was not rted to the Academy in any way. So this rule didn¡¯t apply to her,¡± he met my er and then others frowning at the unknown fact about the Academy. She was taken by a rogue that also could not be cauruled by territory of its w My blood can sold so a ce was like Even though a rogue manages toe from the waterfall How did by ??? ??? ? 8 An ambit strap. Chapter 103 Nightshade Alley that rogue know toe that way? That¡¯s when a cry rang out. ¡°We caught one¡± +8 Pearls A border patrol wolf arrived dragging a half¨Cconscious rogue, bloodied but alive. He was snarling and writhing as Alpha Hugo marched over and mmed him against a tree. ¡°WHERE DID THEY TAKE HER?! Hugo bellowed, his fist tightening around the rogue¡¯s throat. The rogue grinned with bloodied teeth. Remaining silent. Cassius stepped forward. ¡°These fucking rogues never open their mouth easily. We don¡¯t have time for this!¡± ¡°FUCK, TELL ME IF YOU DON¡¯T WANT TO DIE!¡± Alpha Hugo nearly ripped his ear off to make him speak. Until, like a phantom from the trees, Ryker appeared. Shirtless. Bandaged. Quiet. Deadly. Without a word, he yanked the rogue from Hugo¡¯s grasp and began beating him. It wasn¡¯t a fight. It wasn¡¯t interrogation. It was destruction. One punch. A rib cracked. A knee dislocated. A femur snapped. w. A scream finally ripped from the rogue¡¯s lips, Blood sprayed like red mist. In five seconds, he was nothing but pulp. The sight made the other Alphas stiffen in dread. -Stop, Ryker. He¡¯ll die,¡± Alpha Hugo growled. ¡°He¡¯s the only one that knows where Grace was taken!¡± he growled. Only Ryker had already broken him. He yanked his head as if about to snap it from its torso and asked in a very low and chilling tone, ¡°So, where did your people take her?¡± The Fogue whimpered blood and teeth falling from his mouth when he finally confessed. ¡°N¨CNightshade Alley¡­¡± Dead silence followed it Complete and utter silence fell over the clearing. While I nced around all the clueless. The name seemed to have sent a spike of shocks through every Alpha¡¯s heart. Even Ronan looked unsettled. ¡°Nightshade Alley..¡°Alpha Jude stopped breathing. ¡°They took her where?¡± Gideon¡¯s eyes widened ¡°What is Nightshade Alley?¡± I whispered under my breath but the four Alphas heard me clearly. Their reaction actually started to clue me in Pluma wispered in my mind, rmed, ¡°Could it be a ce dut a man should know?¡± My muscles tightened Could it make them suspect me? hispered to me. ¡°Nightshade Alley is a rogue¨Crun underground brothel buried in the darkest corners of the wild A ce where she wolves are sold ruined used and discarded like meat. It¡¯s an abyss of nightmares,¡± I Achill rau dey spa los castrulled my fat expressions. Lite was actually taken so a truthed 11:57 AM PP. Chapter 103 Nightshade Alley THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 104 Chapter 104 The Trial SERAPHINA ¡°Now forget about seeing her again in this lifetime, the rogueughed. ¡°She is gone, and it¡¯s my time to go too,¡± then he bit through his own tongue before Alpha Hugo could stop him. Blood poured. His body convulsed and went still, Dead. ¡°No¨CNO!¡± Alpha Gideon¡¯s scream echoed across the cliffs. ¡°Grace!! Grace!!¡± he shouted, trying to break the invisible force stopping him. Seeing him losing his mind, Alpha Hugo rushed to stop him. ¡°Gideon, you know it will not break! No one, not a student, not even instructors, can leave the Academy grounds using that route unless they¡¯re on an assigned trial or they have official business. The barrier senses intent. Both you and Jude want to leave, to chase after Grace. That¡¯s why it is stopping you. Stop now. It will not work or it might actually bring you trouble!¡± he yelled. Alpha Gideon stilled, his wolf in his eyes. Though Alpha Jude seemed to hear none of it. He kept ramming himself against it like an insane beast, his body bleeding from the previous injuries from his fight with Alpha Gideon. This startled Alpha Hugo. He rushed over to pull him back from the cliff. ¡°FUCKING STOP, JUDE!!¡± He growled in his face. ¡°It¡¯s toote,¡± he said gravely. ¡°We cannot pursue her using that path. She¡¯s already been taken!!¡± IF SHE¡¯S BEEN TAKEN I WILL BRING HER BACK!!¡± BE TIED BY THE RULES!!¡± ¡°HOW? DON¡¯T FORGET YOU ARE AN INSTRUCTOR HERE. YOUR HANDS ARE TIED ¡°I DON¡¯T CARE!¡± Jude roared and in one fluid movement, he dug his ws under the Alpha Instructor¡¯s sigil on his upper arm. ¡°This is the thing tying me, right?¡± Alpha Hugo paled, ¡°What do you think you are doing?¡± He could not finish his question because Alpha Jude tore the tattoo off with his ws. Skin ripped. Blood sprayed. The sacred ck tattop split apart in chunks of torn flesh and faded. My eyes widened, others were equally shocked. Even Alpha Gideon. ¡°From this moment onward 1 am no longer part of the Academy!¡± Jude growled. Jude, don¡¯t! Hugo tried. But at was toote The tattoo valedpletely, leaving only a raw, bleeding scar. And then- Alpi Jude leapt over the waterfall. In the link of an eye he was gone ¡°RUCK JUDE!¡± Alpha Hugo roared at the top of his lungs, realizing he couldn¡¯t stop him. He could only watch his figure dispar the slight fog down of the waterfall and darkness The clearing raploded in sols Everyone at the edge, looking down into the misty abyss below. Even Godeon good from .fung he tried disappear Throwing away his title, huure, and reputation all for a 11:57 AM P P. Chapter 104 The Trial In that moment, Alpha Hugo turned sharply to Gideon, sensing something that no one could imagine. +B Pearls ¡°Don¡¯t even think about doing something crazy too. Gideon!¡± he rushed closer to him. ¡°We¡¯ve already lost Jude now. We can¡¯t lose you too. You¡¯re the head of the Academy! If you go, this ce will fall. The Elders will act. The Alpha King will know. Then everything that you built over the years including this Academy will be doomed! So don¡¯t fucking think about doing anything crazy!!¡± But Alpha Gideon looked torn in two. ¡°My daughter is in Nightshade Alley,¡± he whispered, voice hollow. ¡°I have to go and get her.¡± Alpha Hugo shook his head, ¡°No, you can¡¯t go by yourself. Remember there is a trialing. The rules say two of the instructors have to be here during a trial. Now Jude is gone, you and I have to be here, or there will be nothing but disaster! None of us can postpone the trials because of personal reasons!¡± With his roar a dead silence fell in the clearing. Alpha Gideon snorted hard like a mad bull, looking like he was about to burst in his fury, and break everyw but then he nced at the Alphas whose future was his responsibility. He was not a man who ruined others lives for his own¨Cselfish gains. Though, he was also a father whose daughter was in danger. He was torn between his fatherly love and responsibility as the Head of the Academy. I could no longer watch it all and stepped forward, ¡°I¡¯ll go.¡± Everyone turned to me, their eyes filled with surprise, even Alpha Gideon and Hugo. ¡°You?¡± Hugo frowned. I nodded, ¡°I will go and bring Grace back safe and sound.¡± No matter what others said, I still felt like I was the reason all of this happened. If I had not provoked her and instead had let things go, nothing would have gone wrong. I was not sure whether that rogue would have still taken Grace or not, but whatever it was I wanted to save her. ¡°Alone¡± Alpha Hugo questioned. ¡°I can do it.¡± just as I said it, I found him looking past me. Confused, I nced back to find Ronan behind me. I gasped theh noticed Finn and Asher. I was still surprised. Could they be also¡­.. They stood beside me like warriors. Quiet. Steady. But kyker he was standing under the tree. Never refusing Next Reed stepped forward. Then Cassius Until one by one, the other Alphas joined. Like the army ¡°We will gu,¡± they said. Gideon stared in surprise at all of us. ks like we have a situation here Healer Aran calmly stepped forward, attracting everyone¡¯s attention Perhaps. we will make this a trial What do you say? Sijetu Ilugo blinked. ¡°A inait Ana nodded. ¡°A mission to save Grace Official Assigned That way the barrier won¡¯t resist them. Nor will the Elders criere Plus Alpha Gisle will Another sicer lell in the drag theu Ruman Byker and the s need to leave by himself de frowned at the advice and was mate for a long time. Then his eyes locked on me Cileup Chapter 104 The Trial Finally, his voice rose over the clearing. ¡°From this moment, the next trial begins. All of you. Your mission is clear.¡± He drew in a breath, voice deep withmand. +8 Pearls ¡°Go to Nightshade Alley. Find my daughter. Bring her back alive and safe. If you find those who darey a hand on her¡­¡± His eyes burned like fire. ¡°Bring me their heads!¡± Everyone scattered but I stood there feeling Ronan¡¯s fingers brushing against mine. ¡°What are you doing?¡± I nced up to him, this time meeting his gaze properly. His violet eyes were calm but hidden with possessiveness locked deep into mine. He suddenly hooked his fingers in mine and whispered. ¡°Just don¡¯t want to let you go THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 105 Chapter 105 The Sinspire SERAPHINA One hundred meters. That was the distance between me and the infamous Nightshade Alley, the underground werewolf brothel where rogues. ruled. The air was thick with smoke and something far more sinister. I stood beneath the cover of gnarled trees, as I stared at the sickening glow spilling from the alley like blood from a fresh wound. Luckily, I wasn¡¯t alone. Ronan stood to my right, arms crossed, with no emotions in his eyes. Ryker on my left with a cold look in his eyes like usual Finn adjusted the cor of his shirt. eyes flickering from shadow to shadow, and Asher stood slightly apart, focused, calcting. The four most dangerous Alphas in the Academy and they were here with me. I nced at them again, still trying to understand how this happened. Getting here hadn¡¯t been simple. Nightshade Alley was far beyond the Lupine Academy¡¯s territory, and this mission that had be a trial wasn¡¯t exactly written into any rulebook. This time there were no rules, no timeline. We just needed to save Grace. We just needed everything like transport, funds, contacts, stealth and somehow, we got it all. Thinking about it, I had actually run away from my pack with none of this in my mind. Fortunately, these Alphas had somehow arranged all of them in this short time. It was madness, but it was what I needed most this time. Now, we were about to walk straight into the jaws of hell. ¡°Entering won¡¯t be easy,¡± I shifted my gaze to the brothel gates ahead. The towering arch of ckened stone looked more like a fortress than a den of pleasure. Armed guards patrolled the entrance, their snarling rogues pacing at their feet. Every one of them was massive, merciless, and alert. ¡°Taking out the guards and forcing our way in is suicide.¡± Finn muttered, assessing the numbers. ¡°We don¡¯t know how many more are behind that gate,¡± Asher added. ¡°It¡¯s too risky.¡± ¡°So our original n won¡¯t do,¡± Ronan murmured as I nodded. There was an army of rogues inside and if we wanted to save Grace, we had to work secretly and unnoticed. Attracting attention was the worst option for us. ¡°Ryker Asher turned to him, ¡°you said your man is familiar with this ce. Where is he?¡± ¡°He¡¯s inside. We have to make it past the outer wall first,¡± Ryker murmured, already walking ahead from behind the trees. Without another word, we moved and followed him. Under the cover of dense trees, using the shadows, we scaled the outer wall one by one. I didn¡¯t breathe until my feetnded silently on the other side. The moment we dropped into the alley, the world changed. Dun red lights flickered in every window. The scent of musk and perfume clung to the air. She¨Cwolves, some barely more than girls, stood in doors and on balconies in provocative outfits, leaning over railings with fake smiles and vacant eyes. Their syrupy,ced with allure and despair, calling out to the passing werewolves a few of them all, dominating, and vile¨Clooking ¡°It¡¯s disgusting.¡± Plyna stutted ufortably inside me. Those kinds of disgusting low life wolves were enough to trigger me in the worst way Furied to look away. I really did but my eyes caught on a she woll with long ck hair and ssy green eyes. She was young, Sa young She stood on the corner as wrapped around herself until an elderly werewolf, draped in jewels, grabbed her wrist and pulled her inside kly stomach turi turned ¡°Th¨¢i ce in Bell¡± I whispered, feeling great difort ring sleep in my heart ¡°We have to find Grace before it¡¯s toote? 11:57 AM pp. Chapter 105 The Sinspire The guys looked at me, silent, grim. None of them disagreed.. Then, from the darkness of a side alley, a shadow emerged. Everyone was alert, ready to take down the threat. ¡°Alpha Ryker?¡± a man came out of the shadow. Every nced at Ryker as he slowly stepped forward and said, ¡°It¡¯s me.¡± ¡°Sun sent me on his behalf. You can call me Mark,¡± he informed us. Witnessing Ryker let his guard down. I realized that t +8 Pearls the man Sun was his contact and this man in front of us could be trusted. He was lean and foxlike, with darting eyes and a stench that could knock someone unconscious. ¡°Did Sun discover what I had asked him?¡± Ryker inquired. The man nodded. ¡°Thirty new she¨Cwolves were brought in during thest twenty¨Cfour hours,¡± he said quickly. ¡°I went through them. One of them¡­.matches the description of the she¨Cwolf you described. Beautiful, pale, gray eyes, and strong. sprint. There is a she¨Cwolf matching this description. She is at Sinspire.¡± My heart leapt with hope. When Ronan questioned him, ¡°How can you be so sure? What if it is not Grace but a girl with the same description?¡± The man replied confidently, ¡°Because among all thirty she wolves there was only one Alpha blood. She was taken to the Sinspire Brothel.¡± Everyone silently listened to him while the name alone sent chills down my spine when I thought what would happen to Grace. ¡°Then take us to the Sinspire Brothel immediately,¡± Finn demanded, stepping forward. The man shook his head, ¡°Don¡¯t ask me to take you there. It¡¯s suicide.¡± Finn frowned, ¡°Why?¡± ¡°Sinspire Brothel is the top brothel of Nightshade Alley and the most dangerous one. If you all get caught not only will you. die but I will lose my life as well. I am here to deliver the information not to die,¡± he dered. ¡°So you¡¯re afraid of death, huh?¡± Asher asked, pulling out a wad of cash and dropping it into the man¡¯s hand. ¡°If this is not enough to make you fearless you will get double.¡± The rogue stared at the money, and his expression changed like magic, ¡°Well¡­ for this much, I can give you a way in.¡± Ronan made a face with a greedy smile while Asher dropped another wad of cash as promised. ¡°Now quickly take us.¡± he ordered. The man looked at all of us, ¡°I will take you but all of you will get caught almost instantly looking like that.¡± I frowned. ¡°What do you meant He pointed at us ¡°You all look too clean. Too royal. Too noble. This alley is crawling with wolves from rich, currupt packs. They hate nudes. You walk in looking like that, they¡¯ll skin you before you make it to the brothel.¡± ¡°What¡¯s the solution then?¡± Ronan asked tightly. The rogue grinned and said only one word. ¡°A disguise.¡± bluded. A doguise? The next thing I knew. I was kneeling on the velvet door of a massive, gilled hall of the Sinspire Brothel Teraped inyers ofce and silks 11:57 AM P P Chapter 105 The Sinspire +8 Peal The air smelled of sweat, wine, and sin. Laughter echoed from above. Wolves watched from balconies, drinks in hand, lust i their eyes. We were in Sinspire now, the top brothel of Nightshade Alley. And I I was disguised as a dollboy. Dollboys, young men dressed as beautiful women, sold like pets to the highest bidder. I never thought I¡¯d even see one with my own eyes, let alone be one. Of course, that was not all. Behind me, Ryker sat high above me on the viewing dais, legs crossed, the perfect picture of a bored, wealthy yboy. A smug smirk yed on his lips, and his sharp eyes didn¡¯t betray a hint of familiarity. Beside him, Finn knelt wearing a leather cor, a thin golden chain wrapped around his neck. Ryker¡¯s personal boy toy in th twisted illusion Behind Ryker stood Ronan, half his face shadowed by his hair, a jagged scar running down the other. He looked like a rogue mercenary, loyal to none but his master. Cold. Calcting Dangerous. Next to him was Asher. Dressed in ck, every inch the powerful Beta. He spoke quietly to Ryker as if suggesting in bidding. eyes scanning the room like a hawk. And me¡­ I was the property waiting to be sold. Beneath the veil, I opened my eyes ar How did I end up like this again? THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 106 Chapter 106 Disguise SERAPHINA When Mark mentioned ¡°disguise, he didn¡¯t mean a simple costume change¨Che meant we had to be the kind of wolves who belonged in Nightshade Alley, Wolves who were either brothel owners, workers, clients, bidders, sellers..or the ones being bought and sold. To blend in, we had to be part of that dark ecosystem. Heid out our disguises, and none of us were thrilled. Asher¡¯s jaw was tight, a shadowed look in his eyes as he was told he¡¯d pose as Ryker¡¯s Beta. He wasn¡¯t just an Alpha, he was someone who¡¯d rather die than y the role of a subordinate. Only now, he was to act like a loyal shadow, the kind of Bera who¡¯d obey any humiliatingmand, even cat his Alpha¡¯s shit ifmanded. Ryker looked seconds away from snapping his jaw in two. He was to y the spoiled, lust¨Cdriven heir of a wealthy Alpha; an arrogant yboy who thought with his cock and lived off privilege and wine. A weakling with no honor, protected only by the strength of his Beta. It was the lowest of the low in Ryker¡¯s book. Then there was Finn. In all the weeks I¡¯d known him, I¡¯d never seen him this furious. His smile was gone, reced with weighted silence as Mark handed him the cor of a boytoy. In Nightshade Alley, it wasn¡¯t just she¨Cwolves being auctioned, dollboys and pleasure pets weremon, especially in elite brothels like Sinspire. Since the rogues had kidnapped the daughter of someone as powerful as Alpha Gideon, the Alley would be on high alert. Getting in with fake authority alone wouldn¡¯t work. So, Finn was to pose as Ryker¡¯s personal toy, silent, submissive, cored. Then there was Ronan. Ronan made no effort to hide the pure disgust on his face when told he¡¯d be Ryker¡¯s bodyguard. His cold res and Ryker¡¯s snapping retorts had poor Mark sweating bullets, terrified they¡¯d ruin the entire mission before it even began. Now the worst disguise? That was all mine. The moment Mark brought up the need for a dollboy, a male dressed in a woman¡¯s clothes that were sold for pleasure, everyone¡¯s eyesnded on me. My face. My frame. Slim, androgynous, deceptively soft¨Clooking. I was the obvious choice. I refused at first. I said no when Mark showed me the outfit. I balked at the idea of dressing like a woman in front of all four Alphas. But Mark didn¡¯t budge. He handed me the garments, along with the delicate veil. He even coached me on how to act, how to keep my gaze lowered, how to appear shy and delicate, how to talk softly like a woman, and even walk seductively. I was mortified. My cars burned redder than the brothel¡¯snterns when I caught the small, secretive smirk Ronan shot ruy way during one of those ¡°lessons¡± I tried my best not to look at him at that time. He was the only one that knew Mark was teaching a woman how to act like a woman. As far as the others, and the entire alley, were concerned, I was Seth. A pretty¨Cfaced male with soft hips and wide eyes. An easy Target. The perfect prize. This was for Grace. Only for Grace With that thought cemented in my heart, I stepped into Sinspire. Now, here I was. Sitting on the cold marble floor, veded, unded by shadows and flickering lights, my breathing shallow beneath the binding around my chest. I could feel all four ad them watching sur Diga eyes burned into any back, cach une diferent Never in my wildest imagination did I think I would be wearing women¡¯s clothes in front of these Alphas. Thanktully, they were not a bit revealing us like bodyson The binding on my chest did not give away my breasts and my hair still looked like a buys I was a bay dorsal as a woman but an uncontroble panic curled in my chest for some reason toge of that the auction had pun kega hast, The au in inspire was thick, honeyed with lust. beavy with smoke and secrets. My skin itched beneath the veil as golden 1157 AM P Chapter 106 Disguise +8 Pearls lights flickered across the marble floors, casting shadows like spiderwebs. Wealthy Alpha heirs lounged on velvet cushions: with their sleeves rolled up, sipping spiced wine from obsidian goblets, their eyes scanning the surroundings like wolves. picking through a pen of prey. Each of them came to buy something beautiful. Something submissive. Something they could ruin. ¡°Bring out the next one!¡± the brothel owner barked, strutting to the front like a peacock wrapped in blood¨Cred silk, his body adorned with bones and jewels harvested from the rogues he¡¯d likely crushed. His eyes gleamed like polished coal, dark and unreadable, as he waved at his guards to present the next row of auctioned bodies. ¡°Tonight,¡± he announced, ¡°we sell and buy only the rarest¡­only the finest.¡± Casps rippled through the room as four other Alpha heirs seated on jeweled thrones leaned forward, eyeing the offerings like starving dogs. This was their world. Sinspire was their yground. That meant only one would walk away with the most prized dollboy of the night. Only one would be chosen. So, we had to make sure it was us. Tension hung thick in the air as the bidding began, the brothel owner watching closely, calcting. He was choosing who to favor, Which Alpha¡¯s gold was the sweetest. As for Ryker? He hadn¡¯t caught his attention yet. We needed more. I nced over my shoulder at Asher once from behind the veil before I fixed my eyes on the brothel owner and then lowered again. Asher leaned toward Ryker then, his voice low but loud enough to carry. ¡°Maybe we should move on to another brothel, Alpha,¡± he suggested, tone clipped and subservient. ¡°You don¡¯t seem interested in anything here tonight. These offerings are not worth what you hold by your feet.¡± The bait was subtle, but perfectly timed. The brothel owner had sharp wolf ears and he frowned bitterly as he listened in. The goblet in Ryker¡¯s hand shattered. Wine sshed across the cushions like spilled blood as he mmed it down and stood, his movements slow, menacing. The room went still. Then, with calcted fury, he reached out and grabbed me by the back of the neck, jerking me to him with a snarl that cracked the silence. ¡°That¡¯s because of you,¡± he growled, dragging my veiled form against his chest. ¡°Because of your cursed beauty, none of these whores look good to nic. Because of you, my own dollboy, I can¡¯t bring myself to buy something better¡± A gasp echoed through the hall when a tear rolled down my cheek Eyes Dozens of them. Locked onto As the room filled with gasps and whispers of my beauty. For a heartbeat, no une moved Then came the whispers ¡°Who is he?¡± 11:57 AM pp. Chapter 106 Disguise ¡°Gods above. I¡¯d pay a fortune just for a night¡­¡± +8 Pearl The brothel owner narrowed his eyes, stepping forward to get a better look of me, clearly intrigued. Our n was working. Until- Strong arms wrapped around me from behind. 1 stiffened instantly. It was Ronan. He pulled me into his chest, his voice low and trembling, ¡°Forgive him Alpha, please,¡± he said, voice thick with a rawness that surprised even me. He clenched me even tighter to his swarm chest as he begged. ¡°He didn¡¯t mean to hurt you¡­please forget him¡­ His words were softer than I expected, but his hold was anything but. Protective. Possessive. And perfectly timed. Ryker¡¯s face twisted into something dangerous. He stepped closer, voice ice with fury. ¡°I always knew it. I always fucking knew you had your eye on what¡¯s mine.¡± I felt the moment Ryker¡¯s hand lifted. About to strike. At Ronan. Then Finn was suddenly between them, his cor jingling, his eyes wide as he grabbed Ryker¡¯s wrist. Softly while shaking. ¡°Please!¡± he cried. ¡°Don¡¯t be like this! Don¡¯t be angry over that stupid dollboy. He is bewitching and trying to steal you me. Look at me instead! You¡¯re mine, aren¡¯t you? You said I belonged to you! You are mine!¡± Ryker threw him away like a broken toy. ¡°What the fuck you say? You little¡­¡± Finn hit the ground with a hard thud. from Still, he looked up at Ryker, eyes ssy and desperate, whispering, ¡°I love you¡­I love you, Alpha. Please don¡¯t be bewitched by that dollboy¡¯s beauty. Please¡­¡± The audience was devduring the scene. Eyes wide. Muuths parted. The brothel owner paused, thoroughly entertained now. But Ryker wasn¡¯t finished. ¡°Shameless little slut,¡± he hissed, towering over Finn. ¡°You forget your ce as a boytoy? You think I¡¯d touch you after you embarrass me like this?¡± He raised his hand again to p Finn but before that could happen Asher stepped forward stoic, cold, his eyes glittering beneath loweredshes. His voice was razor¨Csharp ¡°Alpha¡± he said softly to Ryker, ¡°this dollboy has seduced your bodyguard. To make matters worse your boytoy thinks he owns you. Clearly, they¡¯ve both forgotten their ce.¡± He paused Then added low and possonous Thou should discard them. Trash them. You deserve better A beautiful she wolf, maybe. One that won¡¯t bring shame¡± By mo Jaer darkened uno somettan 11:57 AM pp. Chapter 106 Disguise 20 +8 Pearl: ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± he snarled and pointed at Finn and Ronan. ¡°Take these two outside. Beat them until their bones break¡± then he shifted his gaze to me and growled, ¡°I¡¯ll find something better. This little tease isn¡¯t worth it.¡± He shoved Ronan and Finn toward Asher. Asher nodded once and took hold of both, shoving them forward roughly: With my teary eyes and shaking figure. I sat with my head lowered and sobbed a secondter it happened. The brothel owner stopped in front of me, lifted my chin and whispered, ¡°I will take this boy.¡± As the words left his lips, my wolf secretly smiled. THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 107 Chapter 107 The Promise RONAN It worked. Our twisted little drama, Ryker¡¯s rage, my possessive jealousy, Finn¡¯s whimpering heartbreak, Asher¡¯s Provocateur. it all served its purpose. The brothel owner took the bait. He chose Seraphina, now veiled and trembling, thinking he¡¯d found the perfect dollboy. So just like that, the spotlight shifted. While all eyes remained on her, we vanished into the shadows. Cut from their view. Out of their reach. Finally inside the Sinspire Brothel. Now Finn, Asher, and I could move, truly move, through this hellhole unseen. The real game began the moment Seraphina was taken. Every second counted, what we were chasing wasn¡¯t just Grace anymore, it was time. That meant we were already losing it. Leaving that room behind, we strode in the hallway of the brothel. ¡°We are splitting up.¡± I stated. Asher nodded, already turning to the right side of the hallway. ¡°Three floors each. Nine floors total. If she¡¯s here, we¡¯ll find her Finn turned to the left saying, ¡°Let¡¯s meet right hereter.¡± Lincreased my speed, my wolf sensing every little noise around me and spotting the brothel¡¯s guard wolves. The brothel did. not disappoint rne and lived up to its reputation. The top brothel of the alley. Every floor had patrol wolves, each hallway lined with twenty rooms. The clientele flowed in and out like predators browsing their prey. I moved like smoke, swift and silent, scaling the back staircases, weaving between corridors slick with perfume, sex, and misery. She¨Cwolves lined doorways in silks andce, lips painted red and eyes dead. They called out to passing wolves with sweet promises and vulgar offers. I ignored them all Room by room, I searched. Pushing doors open, stepping inside to check the she¨Cwolves only long enough to confirm. Some rooms held nothing but girls indulged in sex with wolves. Others were involved in BDSM, I shut the door fast, bile rising in my throat. Some she¨Cwolves tried to pull me in, thinking I was another customer. I got out without looking back. The fourth floor. The fifth floor. The sixth. Still there was no Grace. My patience thinned into fury. ¡°Where is she?¡± standing in the middle of the hallway of the fifth floor I nced up and down. I had checked every room. ¡°I¡¯m not picking up her scent either,¡± my wolf added, ¡°Could she be on a floor that Asher and Finn are checking?¡± As I listened to my wolf, my feet paused at another voice. Two patrolling wolves passed down a hallway ahead, unaware of my presence. One of them was nursing a bloodied hand. wrapped in cloth, grumbling to the other. ¡°That damn she¨Cwolf in the storeroom, refused to eat again. Bit my fucking finger clean off.¡± ¡°Why don¡¯t they just drug her?¡± Tried She spat it out. Lattle freak Too dangerous to sell but too beautiful to keep my hands off Might be kept so separately for the ing deal¡± I stilled. That kind of she¨Cwoll ¡°Could it be Grace¡± my wolf said. Isiently slipped bnd them memorizing the hallway. As soon as they rounded the corner, I darted forward. The sturersum was on the far edge of the building the door old and steel reinforced. I forced it open just enough to slide in, my wall appeared in my eyes to see through the darkoris Junide I saw a wutan that sat surled up beneath the red curtain, arms around her knees, breathing heavy and fast 1157 AM PP Chapter 107 The Promise I took a step closer, too quick in my excitement over finding her but as soon as I ripped off the curtain I froze. The woman was indeed beautiful but not Grace. +8 Pearls The she¨Cwolves eyes widened as she backed up. ¡°Don¡¯t¡­don¡¯te any closer to me!¡± she screamed, her mouth bleeding from the bit she gave to the wolf earlier and ws out to attack. ¡°I swear, I will kill you!!* I looked her up and down, sensing her fear behind the facade of bravery. She was too young. Barely eighteen. 1 silently turned to walk away. My mind racing back to Grace. She stared at my retreating back, still trembling, as slowly her panic dimmed. Suddenly begged. ¡°Please¡­save me. Her Tearful beggingnded on my ears clean and clear but I continued to the door. This wasn¡¯t part of the n. Finding Grace and getting out of here was the trial. That¡¯s all. Every second mattered and I was running out of time. Just as I stepped out of her room her voice trembled, ¡°They¡¯re going to send someone in. A monster tonight. They said I¡¯d learn my ce.¡± I halted. She crawled sobbing. ¡°Please, help me. My mate will be looking for me. I want to go back to him. Please¡­¡± I should¡¯ve kept walking. I should¡¯ve closed the door and disappeared to my goal. But Seraphina¡¯s sad eyes when she saw those she¨Cwolves on the balcony curled in my heart. This ce is hell¡® when she whispered those words, she lived their nightmares in those seconds. Their fear, their helplessness, and their fate. Only she appeared in my mind, draped under that veil, sitting there waiting to be sold and my wolf woke up in my mind sharply and violently. I turned around. My wolf snarled low in my chest. It was toote for me to stop and go against the n. I walked to the small and grimy window, and kicked it open with a sharp boot. She flinched, crawling back in uncertainty as the cool night air blew in ¡°You see that pipe?¡± I pointed. ¡°Follow it. There¡¯s a balcony three floors down. From there, climb across the side of the building to the East wall. You¡¯ll find an open gap.¡± She stared at me like I was insane, ¡°They¡­they¡¯re everywhere. They¡¯ll find me¡­¡± ¡°Not if you¡¯re fast,¡± I stepped closer. ¡°If you make it down, I promise, somiedue will be waiting.¡± She didn¡¯t move. ¡°Who?¡± I pulled her up to the window, ¡°My Beta.¡± She held her breath, nced at me once before pushing herself up as I helped her to climb the window. ¡°Go¡± As soon as she disappeared into the dark. I closed the window and mind¨Clinked Mace, waiting beyond the Sinspire brothel¡¯s building Hr mind hoked back imeshately, ¡°Alpha, why are you in this dirty ce? Is this part of the n?¡± ¡°No, a situation came,¡± I marmured going through the stutt stored in the room. ¡°There¡¯s a girling from the top floor serom She¡¯ll reach the East wall in a couple of minutes Get her out of the alley and take her home, to her mate. Alive.¡± On the replied. igrated few things from the sun, then let the storeroom and bolted for the stairwell 11:57 AM PP Chapter 107 The Promise On thending. I met Asher and Finn. ¡°She¡¯s not on the lower six. Asher said grimly. + Peat ¡°Not on seven, eight, or nine either,¡± Finn added. ¡°Nothing¡± -She is not here either.¡± I looked out through the open arch at the highest floor¡¯s edge. Below, the hall buzzed with noise. Wolves drank. She¨Cwolves danced and pulled in the rooms. Still there wa ¡°Could it be Grace is not here?¡± Asher murmured, ncing down. ¡°But Mark did not seem to be lying to us,¡± Finn stated seriously. no trace of Grace. I scorched the skin of my nails subconsciously, thinking deeply, ¡°Grace has to be here.¡± A silence fell between us as Finn stated, ¡°Then it¡¯s time for n B.¡± Ryker and Seraphina were wearing secret listening devices and also listened to him before they both scattered to different directions. I nced down at the lustful environment down in the main hall of the brothel and put the device that only Seraphina and shared. ¡°You remember your promise, right?¡± Back in the main hall. Seraphina listened to my voice and slowly lifted her eyes to the floor where I stood. Our eyes met as I reminded her of what I had said the moment we stepped into this brothel, ¡°One scratch on your body and I will burn down this entire Alley,¡± Send Gifts THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 108 Chapter 108 Going Off The Script. SERAPHINA As Asher shoved Finn and Ronan out of the hall, my eyes flicked toward Ronan¡¯s retreating figure, only to have my jaw seize roughly by the brothel owner¡¯s hand. ¡°Eyes only on me,¡± he said, voice low and slow, thick with lust. His stare raked over my face like I was nothing more than a trinket on a merchant¡¯s table. ¡°Yes, like that,¡± he purred, his breath brushing across my skin like oil. His thumb dragged from the corner of my lips, tracing the outline of my mouth with deliberate slowness, as thoughmitting every inch to memory. I forced myself not to recoil, my lungs coiling in silent protest, the air thick with bile. Then his fingers slid lower along my jaw, down my throat every inch stoking a fire of nausea beneath my skin. My wolf snarled deep within me, the growl almost audible, pressing against my control. My fists clenched in myp, white- knuckled. Just as his fingers neared the low cut of my bodice, a hand firm and strong wrapped around my neck from behind. I choked on a gasp as Ryker¡¯s arm yanked me back against the steel wall of his chest. The growl that rumbled from his chest wasn¡¯t for show. It vibrated through my spine, dark and territorial. ¡°I don¡¯t like others touching what¡¯s mine,¡± Ryker said coldly, his voice lethal enough to silence the entire hall. Wait, what? His? Even if he was going off the script, he did not need to say such things. The brothel owner¡¯s expression hardened, ¡°You brought him here to sell. Now you¡¯re saying no?¡± Ryker didn¡¯t flinch. His hand, once possessive and rough, softened against my throat. His fingertips brushed the hollow of m throat with calcted ease. He was still acting, I reminded myself, but the way his body curved over mine¡­it felt too instinctual. Too real. ¡°I said I might,¡± Ryker replied with azy smirk, ¡°I never said I would. A deal only happens when both sides agree and when both sides offer something of equal worth.¡± His tone was velvet and razors, smooth, but sharp enough to bleed. The brothel owner narrowed his eyes, studying Ryker like a man used to getting his way only to suddenly realize he might not. ¡°You¡¯re a shrewd, Alpha_¡± he muttered. He waited, probably expecting a name, some sign of who Ryker truly was, but Ryker remained still, silent. A smirk tugged at his lips as if to say: You don¡¯t get to know who the fuck am 1. The owner scowled, then finally turned on his heel with a snap of his fingers. ¡°Fine,¡± he barked. ¡°Let¡¯s see what I can tempt you with in exchange of this dollboy.¡± A momentter, his wolves moved toward the curtain at the end of the hall. ¡°Bring in the new she¨Cwolves!¡± the brothel owner bellowed, his voice cracking like a whip. The sound echoed off the high ceilings. Every nerve in my body went rigid. This This was the reason I¡¯d swallowed every ounce of pride I possessed. The reason I let myself be pawed at, sold, and paraded Mark had been clear, there were only two way¡¯s we¡¯d find Grace Eather Ronan, Fun, or Asher would locate her in the private or shed be brought into this chamber for auction As the velvet curtains parted and the first girl stepped out my stomach dropped. A beautul she wolf was led forward in chams, head bowed, her lips painted bright red, her dress sheer enough to leave nothing to the imagination Her hands trembled where they were bound in front of her and her eyes were nk, as if her soul had already abandoned her body.. The Alphas stirred 11:57 AM P P Chapter 108 Going Off The Script +8 Pe Bidders leaned forward in their seats, greed and lust warring in their expressions. The scent of desire thickened the air lik 1 I kept my expressionposed. One by one, the girls emerged. The second. The third. The fourth. None of them were Grace. Some of them smiled, though their eyes were hollow. Some had bruises on their arms. One girl couldn¡¯t even walk on her own. She stumbled across the stage while the guards barked orders at her to ¡°stand straight¡± and ¡°lift your chin.¡± Phina growled in my mind when we realised they had been abused. Still no Grace My heart raced, pounding louder with every passing second. Where was she? The sixth girl walked in. Then the seventh, Eighth. None of them were her. A whisper of doubt crept up my spine, and my wolf stirred uneasily inside me. Has something gone wrong? Has she been moved: Had we arrived toote? Ryker kept looking at me, instead of the she¨Cwolves being auctioned, ¡°Your disguise is slipping,¡± he whispered near my ear. His breath was hot, teasing the sensitive skin of my neck, and I shivered more from rm than anything else. My hand was about to instinctively go to my hair fearing that my perfume had worn off, letting my scent bleed through. Until I caught my reflection in his eyes, clear,posed, male. At least for now. 1 steadied my breathing. ¡°What are you talking about?¡± I muttered through clenched teeth. Ryker just gave me a devilish smirk that made my blood boil. Was this man seriously joking around right now? In the middle of all this? THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 109 Chapter 109 The Real Brothel SERAPHINA ¡°Grace doesn¡¯t seem to be here,¡± he murmured, his voice growing quieter, serious. I followed his gaze toward the she¨Cwolves being auctioned off one by one, trembling in the arms of the highest bidders. Ye most of their eyes were still fixed on me. My skin crawled under the sheer veil. Still I didn¡¯t look away from that velvet curtain. We hadn¡¯te this far for nothing. Tonight¡¯s auction was nearing its end, and Grace had not appeared. tas My fists clenched tightly in myp. ¡°Howe she¡¯s not here?¡± I whispered, just as static flickered in my earpiece, ¡°That means she has to be on the floors that Ronan, Asher and Finn are checking.¡± Asher¡¯s voice filtered in first, ¡°Nothing. We checked every room. She¡¯s not here.¡± Then Finn. ¡°Same. No sign of her on my floors.¡± I stiffened. How was this possible? Was Grace really not here? Ryker and I exchanged a look. Before either of us could speak, the brothel owner approached again, a smug curl on his lips. ¡°So, shall we make that deal now?¡± he said, voice syrupy and gleaming with self¨Csatisfaction. Then, like lightning in my chest, Ronan¡¯s voice came through the private frequency that only I shared with him, reminding me of the words before we entered Nightshade Alley. My eyes flicked up to where he stood, barely visible between the pirs of the upper floor. Our gazes locked. Just like that, I found myself lowering my gaze. I never said yes to him, I hadn¡¯t promised him anything knowing that to stay safe in this hellhole was impossible especially when I was a dollboy. I hadn¡¯t promised that I would be safe. As his possessive yet protective voice echoed in my ear. something strange bloomed in my chest. I wanted to be safe¡­. 1 The brothel owner¡¯s voice snapped me back. ¡°Your dollboy for my best girl? I¡¯ll even throw in a private room upstairs.¡± ¡°The offer¡¯s tempting.¡± Ryker saidzily, swirling the wine in his ss, ¡°But none of your girls caught my eye.¡± The man¡¯s lips twitched in annoyance. ¡°Perhaps if the Alpha would share his tastes, I can serve him properly,¡± he suggested, tone oily. These girls are too young Too whiny¡± Ryker said with an elegant sneer. ¡°I want something wild, something worth taming. Not weak little Omega Tie was speaking in code. I instantly caught on. He wanted to see the girls of Alpha blond. The owner¡¯s smile thinned I saw the flicker of calction in his eyes. Did he suspect something! ¡°If you¡¯ve got nothing worth my time. Ryker added, ring to his feet and dragging me with him by the winst ¡°this deal¡¯s of ¡°Wait therothel owner backed ¡°We do have girls like that Not weak. Not whiny New arrivals Alpha blood Untouched.¡± My heart skipped. Byker salled 1 leh it through lus gop Chapter 109 The Real Brothel +8 Pear Across the room. I saw it, the way Ronan, Asher, and Finn froze in their positions. Every one of them were listening. Every one of them were thinking the same thing. Grace ¡°She¡¯s one of them. I whispered under my breath. The brothel owner turned back to Ryker, ¡°Sol Do we have a deal?¡± The man extended his hand, ready to shake. Something twisted in my gut. My muscles locked. I didn¡¯t want to go. Ryker hesitated and then ced my hand in the man¡¯s with a calm smile. ¡°Deal,¡± he said smoothly, ¡°Now, I want to see those girls.¡± The man grinned, satisfied. ¡°Of course.¡± Just like that, he yanked me forward. Where was he taking me? Should he not send me with other girls? His grip was strong, dragging me across the room. I stumbled slightly as I looked back. Ryker moved to follow but he was immediately intercepted by another wolf. The man wore a fake, polished smile, bowing deeply to Ryker as he blocked his path. The sharp nce Ryker sent his way told me he didn¡¯t buy the politeness for a second. I caught the moment Ryker¡¯s eyes darted to the three others, Ronan, Finn, and Asher, each stationed on different floors. None of them moved. None of them understood. Neither did I. The brothel owner was pulling me faster now. I struggled to keep pace in the heels and dress. The heels were another sick fantasy for these people. All of their eyes followed me as the man dragged me to a narrow hallway far away from the bidding room and stopped before a nk wall. He reached out and pressed a hidden panel. Click A door slid open with a hiss. From behind it a silver elevator gleamed My breath stopped. An elevator? I hadn¡¯t seen a single one above ground. As he dragged me inside, my eyes flicked to the buttons on the panel. There was only one. He pressed it without hesitation. I watched in horror as the light next to it glowed. Underground My blood at cold. Finn wallowed hard as the doors closed, Ronan. Ryker. Fum and Asher¡¯s watch. The realrothel wasts alone limas beneath. It was underground? 1 was twit taketi straigid att THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 110 Chapter 110 Late RONAN The second that elevator swallowed Seraphina, my wolf snapped loose inside me. What the fuck just happened? When I had agreed to n B, I never agreed to her being taken like that. My wolf roared violently and furious in my mind as I sprinted my boots barely hitting the floor as I vaulted over the railing. Asher and Finn were already converging from opposite ends of the brothel, both wearing the same storm¨Ceyed confusion. We reached the nk wall where the elevator had disappeared. There was nothing but smooth marble and silence. ¡°Fuck!¡± I gritted my teeth, mming my fists into the seam where the elevator had closed. My ws half¨Cformed, fighting to force the metal open, but it was no use. Instead it shed a red light as if another tried to rip it open and it would set off an rm ¡°He¡¯s gone.¡± Finn rasped, mming his palm against the wall, ¡°Seth! Seth, do you hear me?¡± he yelled into themunicator. but there was only static, ¡°Fuck! It¡¯s useless,¡± he growled, ripping it off from his ear. The signal had cut the moment she descended. Communication might not work underground.¡± Asher said tly, breath tight, ¡°That elevator, it didn¡¯t go up. It went down.¡± Finn frowned, ¡°That meant¡­¡± All of us stared at each other for a long moment. ¡°Underground. ¡°I realized as I nced down at my feet feeling something for the slightest moment. This wasn¡¯t just a brothel. It was more like a fortress. A fortress of flesh, secrets, and goddamn horror buried beneath our feet. ¡°That¡¯s where they¡¯re keeping Grace,¡± Asher said, his voice low but certain, ¡°That¡¯s why we could not find her anywhere up here. Now, Seth¡¯s in there too.¡± My jaw clenched as I looked across the hall, ¡°How dare that IT owner¡­ Ryker stood across in the main hall, unmoving, facing a tall man in a blood¨Cred suit, clearly the brothel owner¡¯s right¨Chand dog but his eyes were flickering in our direction as he observed everything. Our eyes met for a couple of moments as the message passed between us. I exchanged looks with Asher and Finn as we all retreated into the darkness. Back in the hall the owner¡¯s right hand man had been doing his master¡¯s work very well. ¡°Pleasee with me. Alpha,¡± the right hand man was smiling, courteous, leading Ryker out of the tall, ¡°Your she wolves await, Alpha¡± the man urged, bowing with mock politeness, ¡°You can select anyone you like.¡± Hyker silently followed him to the guest room. As soon as he entered, the man it to send the girls into the room. The dour shut behind hum and Ryker lifted his gaze to meet mine. He already knew I was in the room. ¡°How dare you sell him?! I growded, stepping closer to him. ¡°It was you people who started n B. he growled back stepping forward. Then who the fuck tuld you that you could sell him for real?¡± I demanded, barely a hand¡¯s breadth away from each other.
  1. this expression darkened. ¡°Have you fucking lost your mind! He was willing to be sold for Grace in n 8. Did I really sell
Before the gunient could take a turn for the worst, Aster slipped into the room through the window, ¡°We have to enter the underground brothel, he looked at the two of us with a frown and growled. You two need to fucking forget about your 11:58 AM P Chapter 110 Late hatered for each other right now. We have to not only save Grace but Seth Darven now as well!¡± I noticed something in his hand and asked. ¡°What is that?¡± ¡°I stole the building¡¯s blueprints,¡± he walked closer to us. ¡°A map to the entire brothel!¡± Finished Before we could even speak, the door burst open again and Finn entered, dragging the bleeding, unconscious right¨Chand. man by the hair. ¡°And this, he muttered, throwing him to the ground, ¡°is the key.¡± He pulled a thin stic chip from the man¡¯s pocket, holding up the thumbprint scanner. ¡°We use his print to override the elevator lock.¡± I looked between the two of them, Asher with the map, Finn with the ess key. Good. We were in. Within minutes, we returned to the panel. The print scanner lit green. The elevator doors slid open with a soft ding, like some mockery of innocence. As we stepped in, the silence was suffocating. It was clearly an elevator used by the owner and his closest people. Asher unfolded the massive map once again in his hands. Over 120 rooms, twisted like abyrinth. No logical pattern. Some werebeled for private shows, others for training, others ubeled with just numbers. We scanned the map quickly. Marked the most likely wings, locked rooms, reinforced ones, locations away from the main flow of traffic. There were wolves guarding the area. ¡°Grace could be in any of these,¡± Finn whispered, his eyes going to the area in the map where he selected to look in and doubled. ¡°And now Seth too.¡± ¡°It looks like we arete,¡± Ryker murmured, his eyes going to the locations that he debuted and chose to go. ¡°Why are wete?! Grace is beautiful and Alpha blood. Everything that this Alley desires. They won¡¯t kill her. She will be alive. Finn frowned. ¡°When did I say she would be dead?¡± Ryker lifted his gaze and looked at me then Asher and Finn, ¡°Of course she will be alive but judging by the other girls in the brothel, she might have be the prey of some lustful Alpha by now. She has been here for over sixteen hours now. Better to move before something worse, like long term harm to her body or something,¡± he stated the fact raw and unfiltered. A dead silence fell in the elevator. The_Seth.¡± Finn spoke under his breath but I heard him clearly. Asher¡¯s eyes snapped to him, when the elevator opened Finn and Asher stormed out first Ryker met my gaze once before exiting while I stood in the elevator silent and unmoving while my wolf grew restless for some reason I put my hand over my chest feeling that there was something wrong with Seraphina and my wolf appeared in my eyes bloodthirsty Who dared to touch her?¡± THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 111 Chapter 111 Pretty Doll SERAPHINA The elevator opened with a hiss, and I barely had a second to breathe before the man¡¯s grip tightened on my wrist again. His fingers dug in like iron. No escape. ¡°Let¡¯s go, pretty boy,¡± he said with a twisted grin, yanking me out into darkness that stank of filth, wine, and rotting desire. The underground brothel. A hundred times more terrifying than the Sinspire floor above. ¡°Juan! wolves greeted him with toothy grins, snarling and drunk on pleasure. So that¡¯s his name. I tried to keep my expression nk, to control my disgust, but every step deeper into that ce scraped my nerves raw. My boots echoed across velvet¨Cdraped halls lined with ss cages, blood¨Cred curtains, and chained bodies. My heart twisted in my chest. Male and female prostitutes, disyed like meat. Some were locked behind ss, trembling like broken leaves. Others were tied to poles, arms bound above their heads. Some were free lounging on silk couches, drunk or drugged, whispering sweet filth to passing wolves, Even worse, so much worse, were the ones who weren¡¯t pretending. In a hall lined with dark lounges and low light, I saw them. Bodies writhing. Moaning. Screaming. Sex, in the open. Without shame. Without choice. A gasp caught in my throat. I had never seen something so¨Cso vile, so animalistic, so terrifying in my entire life. juan turned to look at me. I tried to look away, to force calm into my body but my disguise was cracking. And he saw it. ¡°Ah,¡± he chuckled. ¡°You¡¯re scared, aren¡¯t you?¡± He leaned closer, his breath sticky on my cheek. ¡°You thought you were special? That you¡¯d be spared? You¡¯re just like the rest of them now. Just another whore.¡± I didn¡¯t flinch, but I couldn¡¯t speak either. My tongue felt like stone. The word left a deep impression in my heart. ¡°You¡¯re part of this now. What you see here,¡± he gestured grandly, ¡°is only the beginning. You haven¡¯t seen anything yet.¡± My fists secretly clenched. His grin turned predatory as he pulled me deeper into the belly of the underground. We turned left, then right, down spiraling hallways that made no sense. I tried to memorize the way, every turn, every symbol carved into the walls, every flickeringmp and caged shadow. had to get out Lhad to hnd Grace Juan tially shoved open the door to arge chamber buzzing with tension and fear, Inside were more wolves, hard¨Ceyed and dangerous looking His rugue Hy dragged in to the centes like an anual on disy Chapter 111 Pretty Doll ¡°Register this one.¡± he snapped. ¡°Assign him a room immediately and book him.¡± Just like that, with the same casual violence, he threw me onto the floor. Finished My knees hit the stone, and I among a group of other captives, she¨Cwolves and dollboys, every one of them young, terrified, trembling. Probably all new here. Their beauty made my skin crawl. Juan only collected the pretty ones. Probably why I was also dragged here. I stayed quiet. Watchful as they left the room. While Juan spoke to his guards outside the door, I turned my head to check every she¨Cwolves face. Grace was not one of them. Then I turned toward the girl beside me. ¡°Do you know a she¨Cwolf named Grace?¡± I whispered. She flinched. Her lips trembled but no words came. I turned to another. ¡°Please, have you seen a beautiful Alpha blood she¨Cwolf with gray eyes, thin figure, and long hair?¡± But she looked at the floor, shaking her head like it would get her killed. I tried again. A third and a fourth time. ¡°She is wearing a red dress and high heels. Have you seen her?¡± Some remained mute and some shook their heads. Until finally a voice from the corner reached my ears. ¡°I saw her, a girl whispered. I instantly turned to her. She was thin. Young. Her lip bled, and her corbone was bruised. ¡°Where? Tell me,¡± I said urgently. ¡°Where did you see het?¡± She nced at the door, then leaned closer. ¡°Two rogues brought her in. She was unconscious. Pretty. Rich clothes. Looked like you described. They didn¡¯t keep her with us.¡± My hear took a sudden turn. That woman was definitely Grace! ¡°Where did they take her?¡± I pressed. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± she shook her head, ¡°Though she was taken to this underground brothel. I just don¡¯t know where.¡± My fists clenched. So Grace was really here. I might be close to her. I just have to find her. I barely had time to ask anymore before the door mmed open again and chaos erupted. juan¡¯s men stormed in like a pack of hounds. Shouting and gabbing everyone. The girls screamed. The dollboys trembled. One of them grabbed my arm¨Chard. ¡°Let go!¡± i snapped, but I couldn¡¯t blow my cover. ¡°Shut your mouth, whore. Or I will beat you to death!¡± He yanked me out of the room, dragging me down another hallway with crimson lights pulsing like a heartbeat. ¡°Where are you taking me?¡± I demanded. He didn¡¯t answer. I desperately kept studying my surroundings, realizing that this ce was confusing like a maze He just showed open a door and flung me inside. LAM The door locked behind me The tour was suffocating hit in deep red light hike blood sineared over every surface. The walls were velvet. The air was heavy think with Just and sweat 11:58 AM P P ¨C Chapter 111 Pretty Doll I pounded my fists on the door. ¡°Let me out!¡± I hissed. ¡°LET Of course, they didn¡¯t answer. Only the sound of a woman screaming in the next room did. Screaming in pain. In fear My wolf froze in shock while terror settled in my heart. Those women they were forced into violence and sex. For time in my life. I experienced fear. Not only for myself. But for Grace as well. If she had been brought here unconscious_ If she had been locked away somewhere behind these walls¡­ What had they done to her? Finished the first I took a few steps back, and stood in the middle of the room, feeling those women¡¯s horror until the door of the room cracked open. I lifted my gaze to find a tall man giving off a dominating Alpha aura stepped in. Leering. Smiling. His clothes undone. His teeth sharp. He looked at me like he already owned me. ¡°Finally,¡± he murmured. ¡°They said they gave me a new one. Didn¡¯t think they¡¯d send me this pretty doll.¡± Send Gifts THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 112 Chapter 112 A Mistake Third Person Point Of View Alpha Gideon sat behind the grand obsidian desk, its surface littered with scrolls and papers demanding his signature, trial reports, supply routes, border conflicts, but his hands didn¡¯t move. They remained clenched, knuckles whitening, veins bulging. His storm¨Ccolored eyes stared nkly at the flickering candlelight, unseeing It had been neen hours since Grace vanished. Neen agonizing hours since his daughter, his only child, was taken. Then the heavy doors of the room swung open. breaking the silence. Alpha Hugo stepped in, quiet and controlled as always. Gideon stood abruptly, eyes sharp. ¡°Are they back?¡± he demanded, voice hoarse with restraint. ¡°Did they find her?¡± Hugo shook his head. ¡°Not yet. They are not back,¡± The silence that followed could¡¯ve frozen time. Gideon¡¯s fists mmed down on the desk. ¡°It¡¯s been almost a full day, Hugo! What the hell is going on out there?! Why is there no news?!¡± only he knew how many times he went to the main doors of the Academy with the thought of going to the Nightshade Alley by himself and getting his daughter but every time he had returned like a caged animal. ¡°I understand your worry, Gideon,¡± Hugo said gently, ¡°You¡¯re her father. But panicking won¡¯t bring her back. Your anger definitely won¡¯t.¡± Gideon paced the length of the room, his lethal aura crackling like static around him. ¡°I¡¯m not panicking. I¡¯m calcting! Every second she¡¯s gone, she¡¯s further away. You know what wolves like those do to girls like Grace. She is yful but innocent. She does not know how bad the world is.¡° ¡°She¡¯s strong.¡± Hugo offered, ¡°She¡¯s not alone. The man she loves has gone to bring her back. Gideon¡¯s expression twisted into something bitter. ¡°Jude,¡± he hissed, like the name tasted wrong in his mouth, ¡°He¡¯s the reason this happened. I trusted him. Weed him into Gur home in the past, let my girl hang around him. All the while, he was watching my daughter with the eyes of a man. He desired my daughter and betrayed our friendship! That kiss¡­that¡¯damn kiss distracted me and then the fight. It gave the rogues their opening,¡± he mmed his hand on the desk furiously many times. ¡°I don¡¯t think that¡¯s the reason,¡± Hugo said slowly. Gideon halted, ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think that even if Grace had not kissed Jude or you two would not have fought that Grace was bound to be kidnapped,¡± Hugo took a breath, voice dropping into quiet suspicion. Gideon froze, ¡°You mean¡­it was all nned?¡± Hugo nodded, ¡°Yes but something does not sit right,¡± he met Gideon¡¯s eyes seriously, ¡°Don¡¯t you find it strange? Grace wasn¡¯t kaduapped outside the Academy, or on her journey here. She had been in her house, her pack, on the way to the Academy, No, they waited until she was on the grounds surrounded by over forty powerful Alphas. It¡¯s the worst time to strike, yet they Gideon narrowed his eyes And the and urm¡± Hugo continued, ¡°it wasn¡¯t natural. Someone summoned it to cause chaos, just long enough to slip in take one girl. Nor any ordinary girl but the powerful daughter of an Alpha Why?¡± Gideon frowned. ¡°You mean to say Huger and darkly. ¡°I think it mustake. ¡° said 11:58 AM P P Chapter 112 A Mistake ¡ú Finished Far beneath the Sinspire brothel, in the crimson glow of a hidden chamber, two rogues stood guard at the threshold of a red- lit room. Insidey an unconscious Grace, her breathing slow but steady, ¡°She smells so damn good,¡± one of them muttered, hungercing his voice. ¡°Don¡¯t even think about it, the second growled, eyes cold, ¡°Touch her, and Ss will skin us both alive.¡± Before he could finish a deadly aura hit their wolves and they fell silent. A figure emerged from the shadowed hallway, tall, cruelly graceful, with a presence that choked the air itself. Both wolves straightened instantly, ¡°Ss, they greeted, bowing their heads. Ss stepped inside. Green eyes falling upon Grace. He studied her for a long cold moment before his voice sliced through the stillness. ¡°Who is she?¡± The rogues broke into the cold sweats. ¡°She¡¯s the she¨Cwolf you ordered from the Academy. The only girl there.¡± Ss jaw tightened. Then, like a storm unleashed, he struck. His w raked across one guard¡¯s face, shredding skin and spraying blood. The wolf howled in pain, falling backward. ¡°It¡¯s not her,¡± Ss snarled, voice deadly low. ¡°You brought me the wrong girl.- The second wolf dropped to his knees. ¡°She¨Cshe was the only female in the all¨Cmale Academy! We followed orders!¡± Ss grabbed him by the throat, lifting him off the ground. Then there must be two women!! She was there,¡± he hissed, ¡°WHERE IS SHE?!¡± His roar echoed through the entire floor but it cut down to the back room where Seraphinay on the floor of a suffocatingly red¨Clit room, coughing against the strange gas that had burst from vents minutes earlier. She could not escape the closed door and the gas that made her weak to the point she could not even stand. She could not fight at all. Her limbs were heavy- weak Her lead spun. Standing over her, Juan stared at the mutted body of the would¨Cbe client, a dangerous Alpha that she¡¯d killed with her bare hands. His insides had spilled from his body, throat ripped open, and eyes wide in eternal shock. Juan didn¡¯t look horribed. He looked impressed. He crouched beside her, his eyes gleaming with new curiosity. Then, hus hand slid beneath the edge of her dress. Seraphina¡¯s blurred vision focused just in time to see the moment his fingers brushed against her chest and he grabbed her round breasts from the binding of her chest. His sturk widened. ¡°Well well he whispered. ¡°My hunch was correct.¡± He leaned closer, his breath vile against her ear. THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 113 Chapter 113 Right Path Third Person¡¯s Point Of View, ¡°Seraphinal¡± Ronan¡¯s boots pounded against the stained floors of the underground brothel, the red lights flickering like the pulse of something evil that was alive in the walls. His lungs burned, his muscles strained, but he didn¡¯t slow. His wolf roared only fo her, louder than ever before, wing at his insides with the desperation of a beast sensing its possession was in danger. He felt her close by but her aura was fading fast, as if forcibly erased. Still the pull of her wolf¡­it was there, slipping further from his grasp with each second. He turned the final corner with a ragged breath and then broke down the door where he felt her. The door crushed down. loudly but as he stormed in. ¡°Seraphina!!¡± The room was empty. His wolf eyes spotted therge amount of the blood on the floor, fresh and dark, soaking into the red carpeting. At least, it was not her blood. He could tell this much. But he was gone. Or worse taken away. Seraphina¡­ he whispered, clutching his fists. He was a minute too a narrow corridor where he heard the terrified screams of some other females. He was close to the right ce! Only when he mmed the door open, it was empty. ¡°What the fuck!¡± he clenched his teeth. Meanwhile. Finn, moving like a shadow, darted through the quieter path. There were screams but no moment at all. As if the entire brothel was dead. Of course, that was what made him sure that he was in a ce where he should not be. That was when he spotted something, half¨Cburied in the dust and dirt. Something glimmered faintly under the flickering wall sconce He hurriedly knelt to a delicate silver anklet. One he¡¯d seen on Grace¡¯s ankle the day she arrived. His fingers clenched around it, heart beating wildly, and his head snapping ahead. ¡°Grace has to be around here somewhere! he growled. At the same time at another location. Ryker¡¯s path ended at a dead wall. ording to the map Asher had, there should have been a corridor. Another passage. But it was bricked up. He stared at the wall with nk eyes but clearly felt something behind it. More like what his wolf was looking for. Only he was not alone down there. He slowly turned around and met the yellow eyes of a tall rogue with an evil smile. The man who had been ying worthless rogue behind Juan but actually a strong and evil one. He was giving off a very strong a like that of both Grace and Seraphina. However Ryker was not alone to be found. Juan¡¯s right¨Chand man stood some distance ahead, smiling evilly at Finn with his head still bleeding from Finn¡¯s previous. Wiale Asher turned around to find a monstrous looking rogue with the height of a gori dragging a bloodied Mark and forcing him to point directly at Asher as if confirming something. Konan stood in the red room, in a staring contest with the rogue standing outside the room with Seraphina¡¯s veil between his gers like a trophy. It was at that moment that the camera ahead attracted his attention. There were dozens of them embedded in the walls, in the ceilings Recording, not only him but all four of them in the red room deep below, Juan leaned back in his plush seat with a devilish grin, swirling a ss of blood¨Cred wine. ¡°So they really arere to tnd that girl Ss has he crossed his legs and nced at unconscious Sera on the bed. ¡°Too bad, all of find you will the¡± the rogue with a ugly scar on his face entered the room watching juan stare at the Seraphina as he hushed. Especially you, woman¡± The scared wolf¡¯s eyes snagged on her exposed waist as he informed Jaan. Ss is calling for you.¡± just head snapped at him ¡°Why?¡± 1158 AM p p. Chapter 113 Right Path We got the wrong girl,¡± the wolf revealed. Finished ¡°What?!¡± Juan sprang up from his seat and stormed out of the room saying, ¡°Guard this she¨Cwolf. If she escapes, you will lose your head! The scared wolf nced at Ryker. Ronan, Finn and Asher fighting with the rogues in the footage and then defenseless. Seraphina on the bed. He stretched his hand out to lock the door without tearing his eyes from Seraphina as he murmured. ¡°Of course, I will guard her, a dirty smile appeared on his lips as he edged closer to the bed. ¡°In my own way¡­¡± Ryker grabbed the rogue by the throat, mming him against the wall so hard the stone cracked. ¡°Youid a hand on something I desire?¡± he hissed. With a cruel smile, he twisted his ws deep into the rogue¡¯s gut, then up. His scream was choked. Ryker whispered, ¡°Rot in hell,¡± and let him drop unceremoniously to the floor. Finn ducked the rogue¡¯s swing, eyes zing, ¡°When I ask you something, speak before you even blink,¡± he snarled. In one swift motion, he drove his ws through the rogue¡¯s mouth, silencing his scream. Blood spilled over Finn¡¯s hand as he yanked it out. ¡°Having hands does not mean you get to touch everything, you know. Especially what I have my eyes on Asher¡¯s eyes burned blood red as he dodged the rogue¡¯s strike, then lunged with a guttural snarl. His ws shed through flesh, tearing deep across the rogue¡¯s chest. Blood sprayed. Asher pinned him down, ws sinking in. ¡°Touching Grace was already a sin but then you had to touch what has be my bottom line, huh?¡± he whispered, before ripping out the rogue¡¯s throat. ¡°Not a wise decision.¡± Ronan snarled as his back mmed against a crumbling wall, shattering the tile behind him. Dust clouded the air, but his eyes locked on the rogue gripping Seraphina¡¯s veil. With a guttural roar, he lunged with ws shing and striking the rogue across the chest. Blood sprayed as he ripped the veil free. ¡°You don¡¯t touch what¡¯s mine,¡± he growled. ¡°Bitch!¡± Not that the fight was over. The rogue smirked even as he bled,unching himself at Ronan again. They crashed through a broken door, then a splintered window. Debris flew, fists and ws colliding, until Ronan was shoved back right into another solid body. Finn. They exchanged a nce just as Ryker and Asher burst through opposite hallways, equally bloodied and locked inbat. They¡¯d all been funneled to the same cross¨Csection of corridors, Surrounded. Dozens of rogues snarled from all sides. circling like wolves scenting victory. Asher wiped blood from his brow. ¡°If they¡¯re stopping us here, it means we¡¯re on the right path. Close to Seth and Grace.¡± Everyone growled low in agreement while Ronan¡¯s sense of Seraphina being in danger sharpened. He could not waste his time fighting. He had to get to her before it was toote. So he ripped the face of the rogue in front of him to make an opening for himself but two other rogues jumped on him from Ryker¡¯s direction All of them were attacked by more rogues at the same time. ¡°AHHHHHH¡­¡­.¡± Konan roared at the top of his lungs, ripping the wolves apart as more rogues blocked his path until a figure jumped among them like a sh A blur of bloody w and iron tore through the rogues. One. Two Three, down before they could even react or blink. A thick aron rod swung like lightning, shattering bone and skull. As a w plucked eyes out and ripped hearts out like a two edge sword Ryker and Roman free mid¨Csh as the figure stepped into view, drenched in blood, snorting like a beast, eyes burning with bloodlust Asher and Finn also froze as they all saw the face no one expected ¡°Alpha Jude¡± THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 115 Chapter 115 Fear Third Person Point Of view ¡°Juan, did not think you would disappoint me,¡± +8 Pearls Juan knelt on the blood¨Cmarred marble floor, his palms pressed t against the ground, trembling under the weight of Ss¡¯s looming presence. The room reeked of expensive cologne, fear, and blood¨Cfresh blood, dripping from Juan¡¯s mouth. ¡°I allowed you to y in this brothel,¡± Ss said slowly, each wordced with venom. ¡°y, Juan. Not be arrogant. Certainly not make me feel like crap,¡± Juan coughed, blood staining his lips. ¡°I¨CI didn¡¯t mean to¡­¡® 29 A savage kicknded in his ribs, sending him crashing against the side pir. He groaned, spitting another mouthful of blood onto the marble. ¡°You brought me the wrong she¨Cwolf,¡± Ss snarled, stepping forward, grabbing Juan by the throat, and yanking him up to his knees again. ¡°How dare you be careless in my work? How dare you act so fucking bold?¡± ¡°I¨CI was distracted,¡± Juan choked out, eyes wide with terror. Ss¡® eyes had blood, ¡°What is the thing that distracted you that you made mistake in my work?!¡± ¡°The woman¡­.in disguise,¡± Juan panted, ¡°She was different, strong, fearless like men. Her scent¡­it was disguised, I swear. She¡¯s not like the others. She came with four Alphas¨Cpowerful ones. I didn¡¯t realize who she was at first until I saw her shifting into her wolf in the camera installed in the room and she killed a twice strong dominating Alpha!¡± Ss froze. ¡°Disguised?¡± he echoed. ¡°And came from the Alphas of the Lupine academy?¡± Juan nodded frantically. A dark smile curved on Ss¡¯s lips, not of amusement, but curiosity¨Ca hunter sensing something rare and precious nearby. He turned toward the massive window overlooking the outer ring of the undergroundplex. There, across the balcony, his eyes locked with Ronan. Even from a distance, the Alpha¡¯s presence pierced like a de. His posture was tense, his chest heaving with fury, his eyes scanning for blood and vengeance. The sheer dominance rolling off him made Ss¡¯s pupils narrowed as the monster within him stirred. ¡°Is he one of them?¡± Ss asked without turning around, his voice now deathly calm. Juan nodded shakily from behind, ¡°Yes, one of the Alphas. I believe he¡¯s the one most desperate for her.¡± Ss didn¡¯t respond for a moment. His gaze remained locked on Ronan, studying him, reading the storm behind his silence. The monster within him stirred more violently this time. 15 E C X Chapter 115 Fear +8 Pearls ¡°Get me that she¨Cwolf in disguise,¡± Ss ordered, voice cold as winter steel, ¡°Before they get their hands on her.¡± SERPAHINA I couldn¡¯t move. I couldn¡¯t even scream. My limbs were unresponsive, my mind heavy, like I was being pinned beneath invisible chains. The gas still lingered in my blood, making everything slow, foggy, wrong. But the memory of what that Alpha did to me roamed through my mind with every terrifying detail. His disgusting touch on my breasts. His weight on me, his hand sliding up my thigh and forcefully separating them, his teeth biting my neck growling filth as I struggled suffocated me. I had taken down men twice as powerful as him but for the first time when I was going to be ruined by a man my fear took over and my body didn¡¯t obey. Every memory of his sick smile, remarks added anotheryer of fear inside me. I was a prisoner inside myself. The worst part wasn¡¯t even him. It was the she¨Cwolves screaming in the rooms around me, their voices broken, shredded, lifeless. Their begging for mercy was followed by noises of abuse. I could hear them cry, beg, whimper, and then fall silent. One by one. I knew what the silence meant. I knew what came after the silence. I was seconds away from bing just another ruined soul added to the list. I was seconds away from losing everything that made me me, until Phina took me over. Dropping the disguise that we had over our life, she tore out the Alpha¡¯s intestines. His face was destroyed beyond recognition until the gas filled the room forcing Phina to retrieve. I fell on the ground in torn clothes that barely covered me. Even in that state of forced unconsciousness, the brothel owner every touch over my breast, shattered anotheryer of my happy life as a woman. I didn¡¯t know how long I stayed in that half¨Cconscious state, trapped between nightmares and reality. I couldn¡¯t tell what was memory and what was hallucination. It didn¡¯t matter. All of it hurt. All of it felt real. The man I killed, the Alpha who nearly forced himself inside me, his blood still clung to me in my mind, on my chest, on my soul. Still even that victory didn¡¯t erase the humiliation, the terror. I wasn¡¯t just shaken, I was shattered. For the first time in my life, I had been truly powerless. No amount ofbat training or Alpha pride could¡¯ve saved me from what was done, or almost done, to me. Then cold water mmed into my face like a p, shocking me. from whatever twisted in¨Cbetween world I had been trapped in. I gasped, choking on it, coughing violently as my vision swam. My body jerked, spasmed. Air filled my lungs like it was the first breath I¡¯d taken in years. My eyes opened, and all I could see was a blurred figure standing above me. A man. Not the Alpha from before, another rogue. He stared down at me like I was garbage someone left on his doorstep. ¡°Wake up,¡± he snapped, pping me hard forcing me to open my eyes wide, ¡°Keep your eyes open. You¡¯re gonna watch this or it¡¯s not fun.¡± My throat burned too much. My body still hadn¡¯t caught up with my mind. I was awake, but not free. Not even close. That was when I realized what he was doing, he was undressing. Right in front of me. Peeling his shirt off. Undoing his belt. My stomach dropped. My skin crawled. I couldn¡¯t breathe again. Not this. Not again. He smirked like it was a game. ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s right. Look at me,¡± he smirked, dropping his pants to the floor. Fear took over my entire body. I forced Phina out. I had to fight. I had to kill. I had to¡­but Phina just could not. She was in worse condition than I was from having to heal me from the gas. I could not shift. I forced my body to move, to crawl away even an inch. With my nails scratching the cold wet floor, I was ¨C ? 88% X Chapter 115 Fear +8 Pearls trying to crawl away when the rogue¡¯s hand shot out to grab my hair, ¡°Come here, bitch!¡± he dragged me back and before I could protest, I was pinned down by his weight. ¡°NO!¡± I screamed at the top of my lungs as he forced my legs apart. Send Gifts C 1 THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 116 Chapter 116 Burn It SERAPHINA His sweaty big body pressed against mine, scaring everything inside me. ¡°DON¡¯T!!!!¡± using every bit of strength inside me I tried to push him off my body when he pinned both of my hands down. Licking my neck and brushing himself against my vagina, heughed like a devil about to ruin mepletely. My scream became one of the many lives ruined within these walls as my fear skyrocketed. Tears helplessly blurred my vision and just when I thought I lost my everything, a figure stormed in through my teary vision. A sh of silver and a thunderous roar ripped through the air, followed by the sickening crack of bones being crushed under immense weight. The rogue¡¯s body was torn off mine so violently I couldn¡¯t evenprehend what had just happened, only that I could suddenly breathe again. My parted legs trembled, still syed, clothes still torn, the phantom of his weight still suffocating my skin, but he was gone. Thrown. mmed into the wall with such brutal force the stone cracked behind him. My eyes widened through the blur of tears and I blinked once, twice, before I saw him. Ronan. My heart skipped a beat. He was a ck beast, monstrous and magnificent, his wolf towering over the rogue¡¯s crumpled body. His massive form shimmered with fury, ws dripping with blood, muzzle curled back in a snarl so feral it didn¡¯t even sound like him anymore. He wasn¡¯t just angry, he was unhinged. The rogue tried to crawl away, sputtering, blood gushing from his mouth, but Ronan pounced on him again with a roar that shook the very ground beneath me. He didn¡¯t hesitate. Didn¡¯t pause. His ws raked down the rogue¡¯s chest, shredding flesh like paper, and then his massive jaws mped down on the man¡¯s neck, crushing it with a sound so violent it made me flinch. Still, it wasn¡¯t enough. With a snarl that vibrated with pure hate, Ronan¡¯s wolf shifted¨Cshifted mid¨Ckill, fur retracting, bones cracking, muscles reshaping as he re¨Cemerged in his human form, bare and blood¨Ccovered. Though the monster inside him hadn¡¯t left. It was still in his eyes, those storm¨Cvilolet eyes I¡¯d stared into countless times, now wild and empty and murderous. He straddled the rogue¡¯s lifeless body and kept hitting him. Fist after fist. Over and over. Blood sttered across the stone floor, coating his arms, his chest, and still, he didn¡¯t stop. His knuckles were raw, skin splitting, but he didn¡¯t care. ¡°AHHHHH¡­.¡± He roared as he struck again, and again, and again like the beast inside him demanded vengeance for what almost happened to me. One that was ordering him to not let his prey die yet. So that he could pay for what happened. For every inch that bastard dared to touch. I watched through a fog of shock, still unable to move,ying on the ground, shivering and cold. My throat hurt from screaming. My body was broken from the gas, the trauma, and everything in between. Still from somewhere inside the numbness, I felt something burn. Watching Ronan lose control, watching the rage in his eyes, my heart clenched painfully. Chapter 116 Burn It I¡­could not let him lose his mind. 88% D X ¨C +8 Pearls ¡°S¡­Stop,¡± I forced my voice out of my throat, ¡°Ro¡­Ronan¡­¡± As I called his name under my breath, his bleeding fists about to hit the rogue again stopped in the mid air and he looked at me. His angry wolf eyes met with my wet ones for a moment before he crawled off of the rogue¡¯s body and rushed over to me. His strong hands pulled me up from the floor and pulled me to his chest. The warmth of his chest pulled me in while his wolf touched my wolf as he wrapped my cold and shaking body tightly in his arms as if he were sharing my fear and pain. ¡°I got here toote,¡± he whispered, voice breaking, ragged with guilt, ¡°I am sorry,¡± he whispered, pulling me to hisp and covering my entire body with his like a shield from the entire world, ¡°I should¡¯ve found you sooner. I should haven¡¯t let this happen. I am sorry¡­I am sorry¡­Seraphina.¡± Listening to him, a tear rolled down to my cheek and then my entire cheek soaked with uncontroble tears. Tears of fear. Tears of being saved by the man who said he loved me. My shaking hand resting on his tear soaked chest, curled slightly as I felt his wolf pressing his body gently and softly against Phina¡¯s wounded and trembling one, curling around her protectively. His muzzle nudged beneath her chin, resting there with quiet devotion. She leaned into him, letting his warmth wrap around her like a shield. Just like he was doing to me. The fear and horror 1 had experienced just now, the hell I went through¡­he shared the burden with me. ¡°Ronan,¡± I called him under my breath. ¡°Yes¡­¡± he breathed against my hair. ¡°You said you would burn down the nightshade alley, if I was so much as scratched,¡± I looked up at him and met his waiting violet eyes where there was only me and me, ¡°Burn it it all to ash,¡± I whispered, my wolf appearing in my eyes just like his, ¡°Every single monster who ruins the innocent lives of women. Now¡­ there should be no more screaming or tears.¡± Ronan stared into my eyes for a moment, before he slid his hand to my cheek and kissed my eyes, ¡°Your wish is mine, my love.¡± 15 THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 117 Chapter 117 A Promise SERAPHINA +8 Pearls My breath caught in my throat as Ronan leaned closer, his presence once again incredibly overwhelming, too much for the shredded pieces of calm I was trying to cling onto. His fingers brushed my cheek, and then he pressed his lips gently to the corner of my eye. ¡°Your wish is mine, my love.¡± My heartbeat skipped. I found myself tightly holding my breath. Even though he had confessed his love to me, listening to him calling me his love¡­stole the breath from my lungs. Ronan¡¯s gaze flicked down, taking in the torn remains of my clothes and his jaw clenched. Without a word, he turned and rummaged through the mess around us. The room was nearly destroyed, and the furniture broken. Ronan reached out for one of the cabs that had some woman¡¯s clothes. His expression secretly twisted as they were too revealing and could barely be called a cloth. He shook the dust from one dress and walked back to me, carefully holding it out. It was a deep crimson dress, cut scandalously high at the thigh and plunging at the neckline. However,pared to the scraps clinging to my skin, it was salvation. 1 ¡°We found Grace,¡± he said quietly, his voice grave while he started helping me to wear the dress, ¡°Alpha Jude is there, too. She is safe and now we are going to get out of here while I turn every bastard in this alley into ash.¡± I reached out and took the dress from his hand, refusing to meet his eyes. ¡°I¡¯ll put it on myself. You should go.¡± He didn¡¯t move. ¡°I¡¯m not leaving you behind this time, Sera.¡± My heart skipped a beat as my eyes locked with his. He called me Sera¡­ I pursed my lips. ¡°I can move. Just¡­not fast. I¡¯ll follow. If I go with you now, I¡¯ll be a burden.¡± ¡°You won¡¯t-¡± ¡°I will,¡± I cut in softly, ¡°You know I will. But I¡¯lle. I swear I¡¯lle. Ronan hesitated. His hand slowly dropped to his side, clenched tight. I saw the battle y out on his face, the distrust, bitterness, and memories of every lie I¡¯d fed him. Every promise I¡¯d broken. That was when he looked at the faint red imprint still burning on my cheek. At the bruises forming beneath my corbone. At the red gashes crisscrossing my legs and arms. His wolf shed in his eyes, molten and violent, a living beast barely held back. I barely had time to react before he leaned down and kissed me. Chapter 117 A Promise ¨C 0 ? 89% X +8 Pearls Not a teasing kiss. Not one of his infuriating, cocky provocations. This one was raw. So hot, so iming, and so sudden that my lips parted in shock. His lips moved with a hunger I¡¯d never felt before, like he was pouring every unspoken word, every fear, every promise into this single moment. The kiss was desperate and soft, furious and forgiving. It was everything that broke every resistance within me. Our breath mixed together as he devoured my lips like he¡¯d die without the taste. His hands gripped my hips, dragging me flush against him. My heart threatened to explode in my chest but I could not push him away. That thought never came when his tongue slipped softly over my lower lip then swallowed my moan. With a shaking body, I found myself closing my eyes and melting into his possessive obsession. When he finally pulled back, his breath came out shaky. He rested his forehead against mine. ¡°I¡¯m trusting you again, Seraphina,¡± he whispered, like it physically hurt to say, ¡°Don¡¯t get hurt. Don¡¯t disappear. Don¡¯t run from me.¡± I locked my eyes on his wolf¡¯s eyes and whispered back, ¡°Okay,¡± my breath brushed against his lips as I added what he was desperately waiting for, ¡°I promise.¡± His eyes shifted slightly with excitement before he crushed his lips once again to mine, first softly and then wildly before reluctantly breaking it and then softly touching my cheek. ¡°I will be waiting for you,¡± saying that he stood, backing away as if one more second in this room with me might undo all his restraint. Then he turned around and was gone, storming out like a devil unleashed. The room felt colder in his absence. Around me, the aftermath of battle stretched on, walls shattered, the next ten rooms exposed through broken stone and copsed beams. The distant outline of a balcony flickered in the light. I sat there in the middle of the ruined space, clutching the red dress to my chest, my heart pounding so loud I thought it might shatter me. All I could feel was the echo of his kiss on my lips¡­and the promise I¡¯d just made. I let Ronan kiss me. I had not pushed him away. I had not stopped him. Instead¡­I let him enter the forbidden part of me that should have remained barren for the rest of my life but now I broke that rule myself. What I did not know was whether this act of mine was going to ruin me or ruin both of us. I closed my eyes tightly to control this tingling in my heart, bing painful and then teasing until I felt something strange with me. 212 ¨C 89% O.X Chapter 117 A Promise +8 Pearls Slowly opening my eyes, I lifted my hand and touched my head. What was in my fist was¡­..my long silky hair. ¡°No¡­¡± my heart skipped a bit in horror as I realized the water that the rogue threw on me removed the perfume from my body. I had lost my small perfume bottle long ago, still not sure where but now I waspletely fucked now. Not only was my long hair visible but also my scent. I sat there stunned and horrified, unaware of the fact that a pair of stunned eyes were watching me from the monitor. Asher stood frozen in Juan¡¯s room with mouth slightly gaped, ¡°So¡­.he was really a woman. That wasn¡¯t just my imagination.¡± THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 118 SERAPHINA ¡°No¡­¡± I touched my long hair in a panic, shooting up from the ground in horror. I had to leave this room but if someone from the Academy saw me like this, my secret and disguise would be exposed. Still, I had no time to mourn that fact. Clenching the red dress tightly in my hand, I hissed, ¡°I can¡¯t let that happen.¡± I could feel my strength returning, Phina healing me faster than ever before. I began to slip into the red dress. It was long, but slit high along both legs, with a daringly low cut in the front, and an open back that was almost entirely bare. It barely covered what it needed to but I had no other choice. I swiftly wrapped it around my body, tying it snugly at the waist. My fingers worked fast, shoving my hair into a messy knot, ignoring the rebellious strands that refused to stay tucked away. Then I stormed into the corridor and stopped, stunned by the chaos. Down the hallway, a storm of violence erupted. Alpha Jude¡¯s wolf tore through the rogues like a phantorn possessed, blood streaking his fur like war paint. Better still he wasn¡¯t alone. Beside him moved a beautiful white wolf,Grace. She matched him blow for blow, me to me. Behind them was a legion of wolves, more than thirty, all charging forward. Phina stirred inside me, recognizing them instantly. ¡°They¡¯re Cassius, Reed, and the other Alphas from Lupine Academy.¡± They weren¡¯t fighting for the trial anymore. They were fighting for what was right. I turned toward the rest of the hallway, which reeked of rot, blood, and hopelessness. I marched down it, banging hard on every door. ¡°Come out! We¡¯re getting out of here!¡± One by one, the she¨Cwolves emerged. Some trembling. Some bruised. All with haunted, hollow eyes, startled to see me standing there. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± one of them asked, her voiceced with fear. ¡°Gather all the she¨Cwolves you can find,¡± I barked, ¡°Everyone. Now! You¡¯re all leaving this ce!¡± Silence fell. Followed by a ripple of disbelief. But after a moment, desperation sparked into motion. A few she¨Cwolves shakily ran off, but with determination, to wake the others. Within minutes, they gathered in the corridor frightened, wide¨Ceyed, some barely clothed. ¡°We need to leave,¡± I said, my voice hard as steel. ¡°Quickly, before anyonees.¡± They recoiled as if I had struck them. ¡°W¡­What? I can¡¯t¡­I absolutely can¡¯t¡­¡± a she¨Cwolf broke into sobs. ¡°They¡¯ll catch us,¡± another whimpered, eyes wide with terror. ¡°Believe in yourself!¡± I stepped forward, heart pounding but voice steady. I understood where their fear came from. ¡°I¡¯ll help you. We will escape this hell. You will-¡± ¡°You don¡¯t understand!¡± a she¨Cwolf jerked her hand out of mine, tears streaking down her bruised face. ¡°I tried to run once and they punished me by letting a group of rogues rape me for an entire week.¡± I froze in ce. My breath caught. ¡°They¡¯ll kill us,¡± another cried, ¡°There¡¯s no escape from here.¡± ¡°We¡¯re already ruined. We¡¯re nothing now.¡± 1 Chapter 118 No Longer Broken Their voices echoed in the narrow hallway. Their fear gripped me like chains. For a split second, the memory of that foul touch on my skin returned, vivid and vile. That moment where I lost control. Where I questioned what it meant to be a woman. All my life, I chased a throne. I wore my Alpha blood like a crown. I¡¯d been so proud, so determined to outshine my father¡¯s chosen heir that I never once questioned the world beyond his protection. Now I saw it clearly, this world didn¡¯t care about bloodlines or crowns. cage. For women, life wasn¡¯t a title. It was a I finally understood why my father had wanted me to be the perfect Luna, the graceful queen, and ideal mother. He had hoped to keep me behind rose¨Ctinted ss, wrapped in the illusion of safety and privilege. Only that illusion was shattered now. I had realized, iming the throne was never supposed to be about proving myself to my father. It had to be more. I looked at these women, battered, fearful, and broken, and said clearly, calmly, ¡°I was nearly raped not long ago.¡± They stilled. ¡°I know the kind of hell you¡¯ve lived through. I truly do. But if you believe you¡¯re already ruined¡­¡± My gaze swept over them, voice rising with every word, ¡°Then what exactly are you still afraid of?¡± A breathless silence settled over them. ¡°I don¡¯t me you for what happened to you. It was never your fault for being women. It was their fault for being monsters,¡± I stepped closer, voice cutting through their fear like a de, ¡°If your life means so little to you that you¡¯re willing to die here, then tell me¨Cwhy don¡¯t you kill the monsters who stole everything from you?¡± They looked at me like I was crazy. Or maybe like I¡¯d just handed them the first spark of rage they¡¯d ever been allowed to feel. I took another step closer, my voice sharpening into a growl. ¡°They became monsters because you let them see your weakness,¡± I paused, letting the weight of my words settle, ¡°But if you¡¯d be monsters too, they¡¯d be the ones begging. Not you. If you die, then let it be with your ws bared, not on your knees!¡± A silence fell. Only this time, it wasn¡¯t from fear. It was something else. Something alive. I reached for the scarf I¡¯d wrapped around my hand and tied it over my head, concealing my face. Only my eyes remained visible, hard, wild, and unflinching. ¡°There are no heroes on a white horses in this world,¡± I said, my voice softer now, but charged with the storm building inside me, ¡°There are only monsters. So be your own hero. Don¡¯t die beneath a monster¡¯s boot just because he¡¯s stronger than you. Die for your honor! For your fury! For your name! I paused as a chilling howl cut through the eastern corridor, the rogues screaming in terror where Ronan was tearing them apart. The scent of smoke and blood drifted down the hall. Then I looked back at the women! ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid of falling¡­¡± I said quietly, ¡°because I¡¯ll be behind every single one of you.¡± My wolf surged beneath my skin. She rose in my eyes, as they all watched Power. Untamed. Unbowed. Undeniable. And something shifted. The fear in the group vanished. Their shoulders straightened and spines stiffened One by one, the girts shifted, white, ash, golden, silver, sable wolves with scars and stories in their eyes. I turned to the group of rogues charging towards us, and behind me was an army of broken girls that were no longer Broken Wait! I Have Something to Say! THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 119 THIRD PERSON POINT OF VIEW Chapter 119 Unnatural Drakness The rogue lunged, snarling, but Seraphina met him head¨Con, barefoot, blood¨Cstreaked, half¨Cshifted, and wild. Her ws tore through his chest like paper, bones crunching under her rage. She didn¡¯t stop to breathe. Another came, and she spun, her heel cracking against his jaw before she lunged, her teeth sinking into his throat. Behind her, the she¨Cwolves followed no longer trembling victims, they were savage fury given form. They pounced without hesitation, mauling the rogues with a pure fury. Their snarls echoed off the walls, not with fear, but vengeance. The rogues faltered. This wasn¡¯t what they were used to. She¨Cwolves weren¡¯t supposed to fight back. They were supposed to whimper, beg, cry, and crawl. But now? They were the ones crawling. As the rogues retreated in a panic, that fear only fed the she¨Cwolves. The taste of it thickened the air. The rush of power crackled in their limbs like lightning. They weren¡¯t prey anymore. Seraphina led them, ripping into rogue after r her body slick with blood that wasn¡¯t hers. Her wolf howled inside her, drunk on battle. For every she¨Cwolf that wavered, she showed them what strength looked like. For every doubt, she gave them ws. They charged through the underground, fighting as one. Above, on the North side of the brothel, another storm was brewing. Asher walked through smoke and screams like a man awoken from a dream. His lips curled around a cigarette, the ember glowing orange in the dim light. She¨Cwolves ran past him, stumbling from their rooms, barefoot and dazed, but free. Some turned to look at him, this strange man in the chaos, unbothered and smiling. Asher relived the moment he¡¯d seen the real Seraphina in that room and he could not stop smiling since then. ¡°A beautiful liar,¡± he muttered with a low chuckle, ¡°Should¡¯ve known.¡± The floor beneath him was soaked in alcohol thanks to him as he took onest drag and tossed it as soon as he took a turn off the hallway. The North hall went up in mes behind him with a roar that sounded almost likeughter. To the West, Finn was a storm given skin. His hands were bloodied from breaking open cages, his throat raw from yelling for one name, Seth. Still he could not find that desired face anywhere. Not in the holding cells. Not behind the bars where the broken she¨Cwolves were kept. All the she¨Cwolves ran for their lives but Finn kept standing fuming in rage. ¡°WHERE THE FUCK IS HE!¡± he bellowed, mming his fist into the wall hard enough to fracture stone, ¡°Fuck this ce.¡± He yanked the pin from the gas cylinder and kicked it into the heart of the west wing. Fire exploded secondster, a deafening st that shattered steel and stone alike. The wall copsed inward, and the brothel groaned as if it felt pain. The structure trembled. Dust rained from the ceilings. The foundation cracked. On the East end, Ronan¡¯s ck wolf stood among the dead. Smoke curled from the bodies of the burning rogues he¡¯d ughtered. Fire licked at the walls, painting the Chapter 119 Unnatural Draknass scene in red and gold. His sides heaved, muscles tense, his fur streaked with ash and blood, some his, most not. He shifted, sweat and blood dripping down his bare chest. His violet eyes glearned through the smoke. ¡°Where¡¯s that motherfucking brothel owner?¡± he growled, voice low and dangerous, ¡°And that suspicious bastard with him disappeared too?¡± He wiped blood from his mouth with the back of his hand. ¡°They better hurry the fuck up,¡± he muttered, ¡°I¡¯ve got my woman to be with.¡± Below, Seraphina reached the ground floor. The rogue already facing the monstrous Alphas from the Lupine Academy had barely had time to react before she was on them, feral, blinding, merciless. She tore through them like paper, clearing the path for the wave of she¨Cwolves fighting behind her. There were no longer dozens. There were hundreds. Every single one of them fought like they had nothing left to lose. The brothel¡¯s heart had be a war zone. Blood on the floor. Fire in the walls. Screams in the air. Into the chaos walked Finn. Sanity had long since abandoned him. His clothes were scorched, hanging in tatters. Eyes nk, devoid of reason. A gas tank swung from his hand like a toy, heavy with destruction. He moved with purpose, ready to hurl it straight into the horde of rogues until a scent hit him. Wild. Sweet. Electric. He froze abruptly. His head turned, nostrils ring. Through the smoke and fire, a sh of red appeared. A thin, agile figure. Long, sleek legs cut through rogues like des. Her breasts bounced subtly behind the daring cut of her bodice, but it wasn¡¯t the allure of her body that stunned him¨Cit was the tiny mole just beneath her neck. That mole. His breath caught. ¡°Seth¡­¡± His eyes traced upward, meeting hers amber and burning behind the sheer veil. A second passed. Then she flew past him like lightning. Finn stood frozen, the gas tank still in hand, heat roaring around him. A whisper left his lips, dry and stunned, ¡°He really is¡­a woman.¡± Sera unaware of her surrounding and destroying the every rogue on her way did not stop until a thick, unnatural darkness swept towards her like a wave Every wolf froze. Every fight halted mid¨Cblow. Even Seraphina, mid¨Csnarl, felt it slide over her skin like ice. Phina held her breath as the darkness touched her in a silent warning, and her instinct screamed of death. Chapter 119 Umatural Drakness Seraphina held her breath, slowly lifted her gaze up towards the South where that aura came from her, ¡°Who is there?¡± she asked herself. On the top floor of the brothel, where the smoke had yet to reach and silence dared to stretch, Ryker walked slowly, hands tucked casually into his pants pockets. His aura spread around him like fire. The very floor beneath his feet felt colder with every step he took toward the man trembling at the far end of the corridor at the sight of him. Juan, the brothel owner. The moment heid eyes on Ryker¡¯s approaching figure, his legs buckled. His sweat¨Cdrenched shirt clung to his skin, and his eyes, wide like a terrified owl, darted about as if searching for an escape. Of course, there was none. ¡°You are¨Cyou are¡­¡± Juan stammered, voice cracking like dry wood. Something deep in his primal instincts finally recognized the beast behind the smile Ryker had worn beneath his disguise earlier, ¡°I¨CI always suspected¨Cbut how can you be here?¡± He couldn¡¯t finish. His words shriveled beneath the pressure of that suffocating aura. ¡°Still not kneeling?¡± Juan copsed. He didn¡¯t even try to resist. His knees hit the floor, his face already contorted in panic. ¡°P¨Cplease¨Cplease spare me, I didn¡¯t know¨CI didn¡¯t know! If I had known it was you¡­I would not have dared to do anything. Have mercy-!¡± Ryker squatted down in front of him, choking the words in his throat. He reached out andzily touched the golden chain around Juan¡¯s neck with no aggression, no rush. Just a slow, chilling tap with two fingers. ¡°You touched my possession,¡± Ryker murmured, tilting his head slightly. His voice remained calm, almost gentle, ¡°Now you ask me to spare your life. Aren¡¯t you¡­just a little evil and putting me at a disadvantage?¡± Juan whimpered, choking on his breath. His heart pounded so fast it felt like it might tear out of his chest. ¡°I¨CI have something!¡± he blurted, desperately clutching at any hope. ¡°Information! About the doll¨Cboy you came here with,¡± his fingers wed at the air as if offering a prize, ¡°A secret about the dollboy¡­no one else knows!¡± Ryker paused, his gaze unreadable. Then he stood, brushing invisible dust from his pants. ¡°Is that so?¡± he asked softly. Juan nodded eagerly. ¡°Yes, yes! You¡¯ll want to know this, I swear it¡¯ll change everything! That dollboy is actually a¡­¡± Before the next word could leave his mouth- Shhick. The whisper of steel through flesh was quiet, almost elegant. Juan¡¯s eyes widened. His head turned, too far, before it tumbled from his shoulders entirely. A sharp, clean cut. Blood sprayed in a brief arc as his body dropped forward. His severed head flew from the top floor like it had been guided by fate itself. Itnded with a wet, heavy thud on the ground floor, directly at Seraphina¡¯s feet. She gasped, jerking backward in surprise. Blood stained her bare toes, and the sight of the lifeless eyes staring back at her made her heart thunder. Slowly, instinctively, she looked up. Through the smoke, fire, and chaos, she saw him. Ryker. Standing at the railing of the top floor like a god above war, eyes locked on hers. A small smile curled his lips as he whispered, ¡°Already know.¡± THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 120 Chapter 120 Found You SERAPHINA +8 Pearls My chest heaved as I stood frozen, even though from such a distance I could not know where he was looking or what he was saying. All I knew was he beheaded Juan. Just as I was distracted for a moment by him, a blur of a ck crashed into me, pushing me back just in time, shielding me from a rogue. I gasped. It was Asher. His jaws mped around the rogue¡¯s neck and tore into it like paper. The rogue copsed in a spray of blood. I blinked, and quickly changed my path before Asher or anyone from the Academy saw me. I ducked beneath a shing paw, my own ws raking through a rogue¡¯s chest. Around me, she¨Cwolves fought with a ferocity I¡¯d never seen before. The underground brothel was war¨Ctorn and zing, walls groaning under the heat and blood. That¡¯s when I heard the elevator. A low metallic groan that chilled me. I turned just in time to see the cage of steel descending again. That meant someone wasing. ¡°No¡­¡± I whispered as the doors split open with chaos. Dozens more rogues poured out, their target clear: the she¨Cwolves. Not to kill, but to take. They wanted them back because without the women the brothel was nothing. ¡°No!¡± I howled, barreling toward them. Five massive rogues stood in my way, bodies thick with muscle, grinsced with malice. They knew that many of the girls were bruised, bleeding, barely standing. They were easy targets. I could not let that happen. I stood in their way, ready to take all of them down before they could even touch a hair on those women¡¯s heads but just as I charged at them a shadow fell beside me. A sleek white wolf raced to my side, her beautiful eyes meeting mine once. I was taken aback for a moment. It was Grace. She charged at the rogues with me. I ripped off the side of a rogue while she attacked his head, snapping his neck in one go when he was distracted by my attack. Just like that I distracted the rogue and she continued finishing them. Since she was in her wolf form her moves were sharper and faster than mine. Later, she slid like silk between enemies, breaking and blinding them. I came in after, tearing through bone and blood. They never had a chance to reach the she¨Cwolves. Behind us, ck Alpha wolves from the Academy joined in. All of their aim was protecting the women. Just when I thought the situation was under our control, the elevator wasing down again. ¡°No, no, no¡­¡± I murmured, looking up. Aug 96% X +8 Pearls Chapter 120 Found You The doors began to groan open and more rogues came to attack us. ¡°It will never end,¡± Phina growed furiously in my mind, ¡°We are in their alley. In their house!¡± I stopped and looked at the women. Escape was their only option. Just as I thought it, Asher¡¯s voice rang in the air. ¡°Don¡¯t waste your time on a fight,¡± he stood atop a fallen pir, blood on his cheek and fire in his eyes, ¡°They¡¯ll keeping. Find the escape route and run!¡± ¡°What escape route?!¡± Reed shouted back, teeth bared, ¡°There¡¯s no exit except the elevator! And the elevator is-¡± Boom. A gas tank flew through the air and hit the elevator. The explosion shook the floor. Dust. me. Screams. When it cleared, we all stared at Finn, his eyes dark, his breathing erratic. ¡°There,¡± he pointed behind the destroyed shaft. Through the haze and cracked stone, a dark tunnel mouth revealed itself. ¡°Run!¡± Finn growled, ¡°It would lead you out of the Alley!!¡± I gasped. Out of the Alley? How did he know? Could it be that he had remembered the brothel map?¡± My heartbeat quicked with a thrill. ¡°Run!¡± I shouted to the she¨Cwolves shing at a rogue trying to grab a she¨Cwolf¡¯s arm. ¡°Now!¡± The she¨Cwolves didn¡¯t hesitate. They ran without looking back, some in tears and some still in fear. But none of them stopped. Every rogue that tried to follow them, I killed. Blood on my arms. Blood on my legs. My body was failing but my will was stronger. The Academy Alphas fought on the other side, covering thosest few escapes. The building cracked and groaned, pirs crashing, ceilings falling. That¡¯s when I heard Alpha Jude¡¯s voice through the chaos, ¡°The fire¡¯s spreading fast! All the she¨Cwolves are out, we¡¯re leaving too!¡± Before any of them could see me, I hid behind a pir. Finn and Asher exchanged a look and nodded grimly before sprinting toward the tunnel. Alpha Jude disappearedst with Grace in hand. The tunnel swallowed them all. I leaned against a broken pir, my chest rising and falling. 96% D X +8 Pearls Chapter 120 Found You Everyone was gone. Though I could not follow them. I could not leave because¡­everyone had left the brothel except him¡­ ¡°Ronan,¡± I breathed, turning toward the east side where fire licked the ceiling. That was where he¡¯d gone, ¡°He was not among us. Where did he go?¡± I whispered, legs already moving, ¡°East is already on fire. So where was he? Could he be stuck in the fire?¡± my heart dropped in my stomach. ¡°Ronan!¡± I screamed, dodging falling beams, smoke choking my lungs. Where was he? Why did he nevere back? Just as I reached the base of the stairs, a pir caught in fire was about to fall on me, when a strong arm wrapped around my waist and yanked me back. I screamed, thrashing wildly, thinking it was a rogue. Then I felt it. The heat of his body, his possessive and protective grip and his masculine scent. It was him. My back mmed into his chest. ¡°I am here,¡± he whispered. Breathing hard, I tilted my head up to find Ronan bathed in the blood. My heart drummed in my chest and I quickly turned to him, still in his arms. ¡°Where were you?¡± A sudden explosion outside the Sinspire Brothel and the howls of rogues answered my question. My eyes snapped up only to find the entire Sinspire Brothel was on fire not just from the inside but the outside. Not only the brothel around the Sinspire but all the brothels in Nightshade Alley were in mes! My eyes widened and mouth gaped as I slowly nced up at Ronan in disbelief, ¡°Did you¡­set the entire Alley on the fire?¡± I could not believe my own words but the fire in his violet eyes was telling me he really did. He reached out to pull the veil on my face slightly down and smiled, ¡°You were running in the fire, screaming my name. Were you worried for me?¡± My heart skipped a beat as a heat rushed THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 121 Chapter 121 The Choice To Trust SERAPHINA 93% X +8 Pearls The mes blocked my view of the man, but left me with questions that burned deeper than the fire itself. Who was he¡­and why was he there? We burst from the tunnel into brittle dawn, smoke clinging to our bodies like a second skin. My lungs ached. Every breath felt like inhaling ash. The air outside was cold and raw against my sweat¨Cdamp skin. I looked around. Most of the she¨Cwolves had already fled, running toward homes that may or may not still want them. Only the Academy Alphas remained now, bruised and breathless beneath the curling smoke behind us. That¡¯s when I froze. Why were they still here? ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Ronan¡¯s voice came low beside me. I looked down at myself, breath catching. ¡°I can¡¯t go back like this,¡± I whispered, ¡°Not in these clothes¡­plus my perfume¡¯s gone.¡± I hadn¡¯t even realized when I¡¯d lost the bottle. Somewhere in that chaos¡­it was just gone. ¡°Everyone, return to the Academy immediately,¡± Alpha Judemanded, his voice stern as it echoed across the clearing. Panic bloomed inside me. If I didn¡¯t return on time, questions would rise. Doubts would surface. Then all of this, all my effort, woulde undone. ¡°Think, Sera¡­think,¡± I clenched my jaw. ¡°Only Lily can get us that perfume,¡± Phina said. ¡°I can¡¯t mind¨Clink her or contact her without a phone,¡± I muttered, ¡°Even if I managed to reach her¡­ she¡¯s hours away. She wouldn¡¯t get here in time.¡± Phina stayed silent. My throat tightened. I felt cornered, unraveling at the seams. Just as I started spiraling, Ronan took my hand. I flinched at the sudden warmth and blinked up at him. ¡°Come with me,¡± he said, not asking, telling. ¡°What? Where?¡± I gasped as he pulled me toward a different path into. the forest, away from the other Alphas. ¨C 93% X Chapter 121 The Choice To Trust ¡°Of course we¡¯re going back to the Academy,¡± he murmured, eyes scanning left and right. +8 Pearls I tugged my hand back. ¡°I can¡¯t go without my perfume, Ronan. You should go. I¡¯ll figure something out¡­¡± But he caught my hand again and pulled me closer. ¡°I¡¯m not going without you, Seraphina.¡± His eyes were deep and dark, his voice like velvet wrapping around my name. I¡¯d never heard it spoken like that before. Possessive. Intimate. I tried to keep my heart steady. ¡°Then what? You want me to march back in these clothes and expose myself?¡± He gave me a slow, shameless once¨Cover and smirked. ¡°Well, I certainly can¡¯t let anyone else see what¡¯s exclusively mine to enjoy.¡± My cheeks med. ¡°What the hell do you mean by that?¡± He wrapped an arm around my waist, leaning in until his breath brushed my lips. ¡°Do you really want me to say it out loud, Seraphina?¡± his eyes twinkled with mischief, ¡°I love you. Like crazy. And when a couple¡¯s in love¡­everything they are belongs to each other.¡± Couple in love? I blinked. ¡°I¨CI never said I loved you!¡± He tilted his head like I was being ridiculous. ¡°Really? We kissed. We held each other.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t get ahead of yourself just because of¡­ of that-¡± I stopped, unable to say the word. ¡°That kiss?¡± he teased, leaning even closer. I tried to pull back, but he cupped the back of my head with one hand, keeping me in ce. His entire body pressed against mine, making me painfully aware of how close we were. ¡°You¨CYou do anything perverted and I swear I¡¯ll kill you,¡± I growled, ws lightly pressing under his neck. He just smiled, unfazed. ¡°I¡¯d dly die by your hands, if it means I get one more kiss.¡± My heart skipped. My ws wavered. I looked away before he could see how red my face had gotten. Heughed softly, releasing me from his hold. ¡°If we shift, we¡¯ll reach the Academy in time using this path,¡± he exined. Before I could argue, he added, ¡°Trust me. I¡¯ll handle everything.¡± Then he shifted into his wolf form, sleek, ck, powerful. I hesitated. Without my disguise¡­what was the point of going back? Still standing here wouldn¡¯t solve anything either. Plus, the way his wolf stood there calm and patient as if he would wait forever I felt something in my chest melt. Should I trust him? Chapter 121 The Choice To Trust ¨C X +8 Pearls My mind wandered to everything he¡¯d done. Saving me. Fighting for me. That kiss. He wasn¡¯t the arrogant Alpha I thought he was. Not when it mattered. THE ALPHA’S DAUGHTER 122 Chapter 122 The Scent Of Us Slowly, I shifted into my white wolf. His wolf stared at me. Still. Intense. Almost reverent. My heart raced. He¡¯d seen my wolf before, so why was he looking at me like that now? Stop staring¡­ ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± he gestured with a nod, letting me walk ahead. We ran together. At first just a sprint¡­ then a full¨Cspeed dash, weaving through trees, tearing through the forest toward the Academy. The familiar scent of the Academy grounds hit me before I even saw them. Ronan slowed to a stop in the forest and shifted back into his human form in a smooth motion. But he was standingpletely bare before me. I instantly turned my head. He strode up to a thick branch where a bundle of dark fabric was nestled. Tugging it free, he turned and held it out. ¡°Change into these,¡± he said, casually flicking a nce toward me, as I was still in my wolf form. My ears flicked. I tilted my head. ¡°These?¡± I padded forward cautiously, sniffing the air around the bundle. Familiar. Too familiar. I gingerly took it in my mouth and dashed behind the thickest oak, the cloth trailing like a g between my jaws. There, hidden from view, I shifted back. The moment my hands touched the fabric, my heart stilled. These weren¡¯t just any male uniforms. They were mine. My heart fluttered strangely as I slipped into the clothes. By the time I stepped out from behind the tree, Ronan had already dressed. His uniform clung to him in all the right ces, his hair was tousled in that infuriatingly perfect way. He stood with his back to me, arms crossed, shoulders squared as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened. ¡°How did you¡­ get these clothes?¡± He turned at the sound of my voice, and the corner of his lips quirked upward in a slow, knowing smirk. ¡°I have my ways.¡± I narrowed my eyes, stepping closer. He definitely had someone who did this kind of work for him. Someone who he had probably mind¨Clink. Thinking it over carefully, Ronan was a mystery to me. I knew nothing about him. Though honestly, I did not have time to think about him. My hand went to my long hair. ¡°What should I do¡­¡± I murmured to myself, trying to urgently think of a solution when I found Ronan suddenly standing closer. ¡°Looking for this?¡± he asked, holding up a small ss bottle. I gasped. ¡°Wait¨Cwhat? How¨Cwhere did you get that?¡± I took a step toward him, reaching for it. Of course, he lifted it out of my reach with a teasing grin, his other hand sliding around my waist before I could even register the motion. He pulled me close, chest to chest, my breath catching hard as he whispered, ¡°You dropped it back there. I held onto it¡­just in case.¡± My breathing grew uneven due to the way he looked at me. Chapter 122 The Scent Of Us My palms rested instinctively on his chest, his heartbeat a steady thrum beneath my fingertips. He smelled so manly. ¡°Ronan¡­¡± I whispered, eyes flicking to the bottle still dangling above my head, ¡°Give me the perfume.¡± Instead of cing it in my hands, he slowly uncapped the bottle. ¡°I should probably do it,¡± he said, voice dipping low, ¡°In case you miss a spot.¡± Before I could protest, he leaned in. His hand brushed my hair to the side, exposing the delicate slope of my neck. Then I felt it, a cool mist of fragrance, followed by the heat of his breath ghosting over my skin. My body shivered. My throat went dry. His face was so close. Too close. His mouth hovered near my ear, his breath deliciously warm and slow as he lingered there, like he was savoring the way I trembled beneath his touch. I could feel his eyes on me. Watching every involuntary shift in my body. The goosebumps blooming across my skin. The hitch in my breath. ¡°What are you doing?¡± I swallowed hard when his nose brushed my neck. ¡°Inhealing your addictive scent before it disappearspletely,¡± I froze, feeling his lips ever so slightly brushing my skin. I clenched my pants at my sides to control this forbidden feeling rising in my heart as I whispered, ¡°How do I smell?¡± ¡°Sweet,¡± his lips trailed down to my throat, ¡°Addictive,¡± he pressed his lips harder and bite lightly, ¡°And infuriatingly mine.¡± Wait! I Have Something to Say! Send a Gift to the Writer! The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!