I always thought getting accepted into Elite Order Academy would finally make my family proud. Perhaps then they would stop controlling my every move. Maybe my brothers would stop resenting me. Perhaps I wouldn’t feel so invisible anymore. No one believed I could do it—not even my mate, Alpha Jaxon Trevane. The night I planned to tell him... I found him tangled in bed with my best friend. Heartbroken and humiliated, I left everything behind and went to Elite alone. But the academy isn’t the fairytale I dreamed about. Beneath the grand halls and traditions, a brutal game is being played. The four ruling Alphas of the North, South, East, and West fight for power, dominance... and now, for me. A virgin. Untouched. Unclaimed. The prize they all want. There’s the mate who shattered my heart and swears he’ll win me back. The brilliant strategist who wants me as his Luna. The dangerous playboy who promises no one will ever touch me but him. And the cold, possessive Alpha who watches from the shadows—and would destroy anyone who dares to take me from him. But in a place where love is a battlefield and lust is a weapon... falling in love might be the most dangerous thing I ever do. Welcome to Elite Order Academy—where every desire has a price, and my body is the ultimate trophy.

Chapter 1: The Letter ARDEN

“No way,” I muttered, staring at the letter in my trembling hand. It had just arrived in the mail, and I had been waiting for it all week.

The gold imprint on the back of the envelope caught my eye—a symbol that confirmed its authenticity. It was a letter from the ‘Elite Order Academy,’ or simply ‘Elite’ for short.

By the time a werewolf turns 20, they can apply to Elite—a name that speaks for itself. Reserved for the most skilled young werewolves in the entire country, it represents the pinnacle of excellence.

For two transformative years, they are moulded into the leaders of their packs, equipped with skills that ensure a promising future. Ever since childhood, I had dreamed of becoming one of the ‘Elites.’ In fact, it seemed that every young werewolf aspired to gain acceptance. However, the stakes felt higher for me.

My parents had graduated from there. So had my two older brothers—one of whom was now in his final year. As the youngest in the family and the so-called ‘black sheep,’ I was met with skepticism at every turn. It was no surprise that my mother had urged me to apply to the local academy, believing that was all I was good for.

I could still replay our dinner conversation from last month in my mind.

“I want to apply to Elite,” I announced, gathering the courage to speak up.

The clinking of utensils halted momentarily, but not a single gaze turned my way.

“Good luck with that, I guess,” my mom, Lorelei, remarked, inspecting her nails with disinterest.

Lucian, my oldest brother, pursed his lips. “Do you really think you can do it?”

“Yes,” I replied, my voice steady despite my racing heart.

Kieran, my brother just a year older, let out a mocking chuckle. I shot him a glare, but it had little effect.

“Oh, sorry,” he said, though he didn’t sound apologetic in the least. “It’s just funny. We all came from Elite; that doesn’t mean you should too. It’s called ‘Elite’ for a reason.”

My dad, Dominic, nodded in silent agreement, his attention glued to his phone. “Just apply to the local academy. I’m sure they’ll accept you based on your last name alone.”

I shook my head, pushing the memory of that bitter conversation away. Then, with trembling hands, I opened the letter that had arrived—my future contained within its folds.

Everyone else had received their acceptance or rejection letters last week.

Except me.

My mom had claimed that I performed so poorly on the written exam that they didn’t even bother to send a letter. But here it was.

I closed my eyes for a moment, fear gripping my chest. When I finally opened one eye, my heart raced as I spotted the word—’accepted.’ I nearly leapt with joy.

Instead, I stifled my excitement, covering my mouth with my hand to suppress a grin. Out in our expansive garden, I was alone, but my family was still inside the house. As much as I wanted to share this incredible news with them and prove them wrong, I needed to tell someone else first—the one person who had always supported me, even when my family turned their backs.

Jaxon Trevane, my mate and the future Alpha of the West.

We had known we were mates since we turned 18, and he had been my unwavering ally since that day. Despite the disapproval of his parents regarding our relationship, he consistently made me feel valued and accepted.

He never asked for much except for one thing.

My virginity

Since the moment we met, he’d been patiently waiting for me to be ready. And now, with this news of acceptance, I felt it was time to give him the reward he had longed for.

As I made my way up the grand staircase of their mansion, my heart raced wildly, the letter clutched tightly in my hand.

“He’s going to be thrilled,” I whispered to myself, a smile creeping onto my face.

When I reached his door, a wave of dread rolled through my stomach. I brushed it aside, placing my hand on the handle and twisting it open.

The smile vanished in an instant. There lay Jaxon—naked, and beneath him lay none other than my best friend for the past decade, Sienna Graves.

“Ah, Jaxon. Right there!”

I froze, my feet rooted in their spot. My throat went dry and I felt numb. I was sure that all of the color from my face had also drained.

“f**k me better than how you f**k Arden,” she screamed, and I unconsciously clenched my fists, my acceptance letter getting crinkled in the process.

“That prude won’t even let me touch her,” Jaxon growled, devouring her neck. “She thinks her body is a prize just because she’s a virgin.”

“I’ve been treating her kindly for two whole years because of it.”

I felt my heart break. The one person whom I trusted and loved never loved me after all. I shook my head, the tears threatening to fall. However, I bit my lip, not allowing myself to show some weakness.

“And you will never get to touch me,” I spat.

That was when they finally noticed my presence. Their eyes widened, and Jaxon pulled himself out of Sienna, their genitals on full display, making me grimace.

“Arden,” Jaxon muttered. However, there wasn’t an ounce of regret on his face.

Sienna, on the other hand, turned to the side to suppress her smile.

“So, you’ve never loved me after all?”

Jaxon pursed his lips. Then, he sighed. “How can you expect me to love you when you can’t satisfy my needs? Aside from that, I’m going to Elite soon. We won’t see each other then.”

I softly nodded, feeling my knees grow weak. “So, you won’t even apologize,” I muttered.

“Fine,” I said, holding my chin up high.

“I reje—”

“I reject you, Arden Stone, as my mate,” Jaxon said, beating me to it. I felt undeniable pain go through my body, my heart feeling like it was getting ripped out of my chest.

I took deep breaths, trying to lessen the pain. Then, I saw his expression, a small smirk playing on his lips.

“Sorry, Arden,” he said, walking closer to me, still with the same unapologetic look. “You and I weren’t a match anyway.”

Chapter 2: Broken Bond ARDEN

I ran out of the house like a fire was chasing me down. I felt the urge to cry, but I didn’t want to give them the satisfaction of showing my tears.

On my way out, I could hear some of our pack members discussing among themselves.

“She finally found out.”

“She’s stupid for not seeing it.”

“I don’t even know why she was born into that family when she’s clearly talentless.”

“Of course, Alpha Jaxon is going to choose Sienna. She, too, had been accepted to Elite Order Academy.”

With their words, I hastened my steps and arrived at our front yard. It was there that I allowed myself to cry. Tears ran down my cheeks as I slumped on the grass. All the kisses, stories, and memories shared were for nothing, huh? He was fooling me for two whole years just because he wanted my body!

Like the skies wanted to mock my feelings further, the rain poured aggressively, soaking me in seconds. However, even then, I couldn’t feel anything but the ache inside my chest.

It was only when the door opened and my mother saw my drenched figure that I snapped out of it.

“Arden!” she exclaimed. “What are you doing out there? Hurry inside. If you get sick, no one is going to take care of you!”

Her words hurt, but I had gotten used to it. I picked myself up and entered our house. My mom grimaced when she saw the wet carpet.

“Goodness,” she muttered. “Why are you always causing trouble? Why can’t you be like your brothers? I never had a hard time raising them.”

That was definitely untrue. When my brothers created trouble, she merely brushed it off as ‘boys being boys.’ However, she was never patient with me. A tear fell from my eyes, making her frown.

“You’re crying?” she asked. “What happened? Are you being overdramatic again?”

I pursed my lips and roughly wiped the tears from my eyes. Somehow, someway, I still wanted to pour out my feelings. Usually, I would talk to Sienna. However, I had lost her too.

“Jaxon cheated on me with Sienna and broke our mate bond,” I said shakily.

I wasn’t expecting her to comfort me, but I was expecting her to be shocked, at least. However, her facial expression remained neutral.

“Isn’t it obvious?” she asked.

My brows furrowed. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “What?” I managed to say.

“His family has never been fond of you. I have told you plenty of times that he is too good for you. You were no match for him at all. All you could have done was satisfy him in bed, but you never did that, too.”

How could a mother say these words to her child?

“Besides that,” she continued, tearing me down before I could even pick myself up. “Sienna is going to Elite with him. You better settle on the local academy and find yourself a mateless partner.”

I closed my eyes and felt another tear fall. “So, all this time, you knew? And you never bothered telling your own daughter about it?”

“Oh, come on, Arden,” she exclaimed. “Everyone practically knew. You’re just too blind and delusional to see it.”

Just then, my father came into the room, glancing at me like I was gum at the bottom of his shoe. At that moment, the wet acceptance letter fell from my hand, and his eyes widened when he saw the emblem of Elite Order Academy on top.

“You…”

“I got accepted,” I finally revealed, although I doubted they would be happy about it.

My mom’s brows furrowed, and she gently picked up the paper to read its contents. “Oh, this cannot be,” she muttered. “There must be some kind of mistake.”

“There isn’t,” I insisted.

My dad crossed his arms in front of his chest. “Did you fake this acceptance letter, Arden? Is that how desperate you are?"

“I did not!" I exclaimed. “I passed! Can’t you be happy for me just this once?”

My mom’s jaw hardened, and before I knew it, she had torn the acceptance letter into pieces.

“No!”

“Sorry, honey,” she unapologetically said. “There truly must be a mistake. Someone like you wouldn’t be able to survive in Elite. It’s for the strongest, most influential, and smartest young werewolves of the land.”

“That’s true,” my dad backed her up. “And even if they somehow accepted you—Moon Goddess, forbid it, for their standard must be worsening—there is still no way you can attend the school.”

“W-why not?” I stammered, looking at the torn piece of paper like it was the fragments of my broken heart.

“We can’t afford it,” he said.

I looked up and glared at the two of them. “Liar,” I said. “You sent Lucian before. Kieran is also studying there right now.”

“Exactly,” my mom said. “Kieran is staying at the Elite Mansions because he cannot live in the dorms. That, in itself, is very expensive. Like I said, we will support you going to the local academy—”

“No,” I said before she could finish her statement.

The two of them halted, disbelief on their faces. I had always agreed to their wicked plans, always the obedient daughter, hoping they would finally love me equally as my brothers. However, it never happened.

I had finally snapped.

“No?” my dad asked. “Young lady, are you hearing yourself?”

I swallowed the lump in my throat. “No,” I repeated. “I’m not going to the local academy.”

“Then, do you want to become a laborer—”

“No,” I cut her off again. Then, I looked into their eyes. “I’m going to Elite.”

“Arden, don’t push us,” my mom said, not a hint of joking in her tone.

“No matter what you do or say, I am leaving.”

With that, I turned my back to them, and I could practically feel the rage radiating off their bodies.

“If you choose to leave, then consider yourself not part of this family. You will not gain our support, may it be financially or emotionally. You will be nothing to us,” my mom spat, the words digging into my heart like a blade.

I didn’t hesitate this time.

“Then, so be it.”

Chapter 3: Elite Order Academy ARDEN

I let out a deep breath as I gazed at the tall gate in front of me. It was impeccably maintained, glinting as if forged from real gold. Given the sky-high tuition at Elite and the prestigious sponsors backing it, the theory didn’t seem too far-fetched.

“I’m really here.”

I clutched the single duffel bag slung over my shoulder. It was what I managed to pack before my mom shoved me out of the door. She had confiscated my phone, claiming I hadn’t paid for it. Thankfully, I had set aside some money for tuition, and despite the hundred-mile journey, I had decided to travel with my wolf to reach this place.

Just as I was about to step forward, I felt something hard slam into my back, sending me sprawling onto the ground. Fortunately, my bag cushioned my fall. I was ready to glare at the culprit when I caught sight of a tall, imposing man radiating an indescribable aura.

My mouth fell open in shock, and I struggled to find the right words.

Beside him were two women clinging to his shoulders like leeches. They didn’t bother to apologize and continued walking. Frowning, I called after them.

“Excuse me?”

They halted, giving me a once-over before scoffing. The man didn’t even turn around. I clicked my tongue, feeling irritated. They were clearly in the wrong!

“Aren’t you going to apologize?”

“How dare you?” one of the girls exclaimed.

“You were standing there like an i***t,” the other chimed in, her tone scathing.

I bit my lip, frustration bubbling up within me. Just then, the man finally turned around, and my breath caught in my throat. Now that I was standing, I could see his features more clearly.

Blonde hair. Blue eyes. A strong jaw. It was a dangerously attractive combination, but my annoyance at him overshadowed my appreciation for his looks.

“You… want me to apologize?” he asked slowly, striding closer.

I pursed my lips and took a step back as he approached.

“You bumped into me,” I muttered, my confidence wavering slightly under his intense gaze.

A small smirk danced on his lips. “What’s your name?” he asked, brushing aside my statement.

“I don’t think that’s relevant to this situation.”

His eyebrows arched in surprise. “Interesting,” he replied and then offered his hand.

“The name’s Rowan.”

“And you still need to apologize,” I said, crossing my arms defiantly.

He laughed—a loud, rumbling sound that echoed around us. The girls beside him shot me daggers with their glares. I frowned, unsure of what I had done to provoke such a reaction.

“Really interesting,” he murmured, then turned to leave. “Well, see you around,” he added with a wink, backing away while his hands found their way to the waists of the two women. Glancing over his shoulder, he planted a kiss on one of them, his tongue making its way into her mouth.

Disgusted, I turned my gaze away.

“Did they really allow such odd people on this campus?” I muttered, shaking my head. Let’s just hope I never run into that guy again.

Once they were out of sight, I approached the guard.

“Name?” he asked, not bothering to look my way.

“Arden Stone,” I replied.

“Look into the sensor,” he instructed, pointing to an iris scanner. I complied, holding my breath as the scanner processed my identity. After a few tense moments, it turned green. I sighed in relief—there was no mistake. I was really admitted.

“Go in,” he said, finally meeting my gaze.

I smiled and stepped inside, the air feeling different compared to the outside. I inhaled deeply, taking in my dream school. The campus was so vast that it would require a car just to navigate. On the far right were the Elite Mansions, reserved for the crème de la crème—those who could afford the outrageous fees. When I found out how much a single room cost, I nearly fainted. It was even pricier than the tuition.

I had heard that’s where Alphas, Betas, and the offspring of wealthy tycoons stayed.

And that’s where my brother was residing. I shook my head, feeling the familiar pain of unfairness. My parents claimed we couldn’t afford it when they easily paid for his accommodation.

With determination, I turned my focus to a large map a few steps away. I needed to locate the Hades Dorms—the cheapest option, though it had received mixed reviews.

“Where is it?” I muttered, scanning the enormous map. “A-ha!”

A frown creased my forehead as I realized its distance. “It’s at the farthest part,” I mumbled, estimating it must be around twenty kilometers away.

“It’s a whole marathon,” I chuckled to myself. It was the only housing I could afford, so I had no right to complain. Besides, I was already here!

With renewed resolve, I embarked on my journey to my new home for the next two years. Unfortunately, in my distraction, I bumped into yet another person.

This person was solid, and I found myself losing my balance, but a pair of strong arms quickly wrapped around my waist, steadying me. A shiver ran down my spine, making me bite my lip.

“I’m sorry,” I began, realizing I was at fault this time. “I was just in a hurry—”

My words caught in my throat when I looked up into the eyes of the person next to me.

“Pretty,” I murmured before I could stop myself.

His eyes, the shade of stormy skies—gray, neither too dark nor too light—held a depth that seemed to shimmer despite their dullness. His dark hair added to his striking appearance, and for a moment, the world around us faded away.

“I’m sorry again—”

Before I could even finish my sentence, however, he had stepped back, not acknowledging my statement. Then, he walked toward the Elite Mansions, leaving me as a silent mess.

I had barely stepped foot into the campus, but there was already a question that lingered in my mind.

Did this school only accept attractive people?

Chapter 4: Hades' Dorm ARDEN

“Finally,” I sighed in relief as I reached my dorm.

I gazed at the semi-tall building before me. With its seven floors, it stood out as a bit more worn compared to the rest of the campus infrastructure. But I can’t complain; it was the most affordable option available.

Stepping through the door, I was met with an interior that was even worse than the exterior. Torn couches and broken tables filled the shared area, remnants of what seemed like multiple fights that had occurred without any effort to repair.

The woman behind the counter appeared utterly bored, meticulously doing her nails—on her feet.

I cleared my throat once, but she held up a hand, silencing me as she focused on her intricate design on her smallest toe.

It seemed to be... a cherry? How will that fit on such a small nail?

After a moment, she sighed in relief and finally looked at me, still with her foot on the table.

“What do you need?” she asked.

“Um, I’m a new tenant,” I replied, managing a small smile. “Arden Stone.”

With another sigh, she peered at her laptop and squinted her eyes before nodding. “I see your name. You’ve paid the initial deposit?”

“Yes,” I said.

“Hmm,” she hummed. “Make sure to pay your rent on time. We don't want another fight to break out. Hades does not appreciate those who make late payments."

My eyes widened. “What?”

She raised an eyebrow. “Will you be a problem?”

“No, no,” I quickly answered, shaking my head.

“Good,” she smirked. “My name is Maisey, and I am the dorm leader. If you have any problems, speak with me between 8 and 10 AM and PM only—STRICTLY. I am also a student.”

I nodded again.

She rummaged through the drawers and handed me a rusty key.

“Room 707,” she said. “It’s a shared room, you know that, right?”

“Yes,” I confirmed. “Can I take the elevator?”

She burst out laughing, leaving me confused. “Oh, honey. Our elevator has been broken for five years. Take the stairs.”

I raised an eyebrow. A school like Elite had such living arrangements? Still, it seemed like she was on the verge of a tantrum if I asked another question. So, I nodded and made my way, taking the stairs to the top floor.

The journey was less than pleasant. Shirtless men and women lounged in the hallways, some even kissing and borderline having sx. Beer bottles littered the ground, and tissues with unknown substances clung to the walls.

I shook my head and hastened to my room, sighing in relief when I found that the seventh floor wasn’t as chaotic as the others. I inserted the key and twisted it, quickly shutting the door behind me and leaning against the hard surface.

“Rough, right?” someone suddenly asked.

I jumped in shock, coming face to face with a striking woman with light skin and wavy hair.

“Don’t scream,” she said. “The walls in here are paper-thin.”

I pressed a hand to my heart. “I’m sorry. I just didn’t expect anyone to be here.”

“No worries,” she said, rising from the floor where she’d been arranging her belongings and offering her hand. “I’m Tessa, and I think we’re roommates.”

A small smile crept onto my lips. I already had a good feeling about her. “Arden,” I said, shaking her hand. “Nice to meet you.”

She covered her mouth for a moment. “You’re so pretty,” she declared.

My eyes widened, and I shook my head. “That’s too much,” I shyly replied. “You’re definitely prettier.”

“Trust me,” she said, patting my shoulder. “You’re the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen.”

My cheeks flushed as I looked away.

“Anyway, are you also a freshman?” she asked.

I nodded, setting my bag on my side of the room.

"Same here," she smiled. "Let's hope we have the same schedule. The Moon Goddess knows I need a friend in this place."

I chuckled and nodded. “It’s a good thing we don’t have classes today, right? We can rest.”

She tilted her head, looking thoughtful. “We do have to attend the general assembly, though.”

“Huh?” I asked, turning to her with furrowed brows.

“The general assembly—they posted it on the ‘Echo,’ the school’s page.”

“Crap,” I muttered. My mom had taken my phone before I could check it. “What time is it?”

Just then, sirens wailed across the campus, causing me to freeze. Tessa's eyes widened.

“Now!” she exclaimed, grabbing my wrist and pulling me out the door.

“Wait, wait,” I protested. “Do we have to run to the main hall?”

She frowned slightly. “Run?”

“Are we going to shift or something?”

She giggled, shaking her head. “No, silly. We have a free shuttle for all! Come on, let’s go.”

**

The hall was already packed when Tessa and I arrived. We settled into the back seats, which suited me just fine. I spotted my brother and Sienna sitting near the front and center, and I wanted to avoid them at all costs.

But where was Jaxon?

I shook my head, dismissing the thought. I didn’t want to give that jerk a single moment of my attention.

“Phew,” Tessa sighed in relief. “We made it! We can’t miss the announcement of the Alphas for each faction. We need to choose wisely so we can have a peaceful stay at school.”

My frown deepened with every word. “Choose… an Alpha?” I asked.

She looked at me in confusion. “Yes,” she replied. “That would be most ideal. You automatically have a clique, and you can build connections.”

“What are you talking about?”

Her brows furrowed. “Don’t tell me—you don’t know these things?”

“No,” I said.

She let out a small chuckle of disbelief. “Were you sheltered all your life?”

I pursed my lips. Well, my parents did restrict me much more than they did to my brothers, practically controlling my life like it was theirs.

“I’ll tell you all the details,” she said with an understanding smile.

“For now, focus on the front. The Alphas are about to be introduced.”

Chapter 5: The Factions ARDEN

A middle-aged, handsome man with hair as white as snow stood on the podium with a microphone pressed to his lips. “Good morning, everyone. Please settle down.”

The noise didn’t subside. It seemed they didn’t care much for this man. Nevertheless, he continued speaking. “My name is Allen Winters, the headmaster of Elite Order Academy. Today marks the start of another semester. To all the seniors, welcome back, and to all the freshmen, welcome! You are the chosen few, and we are honored to have you here. First and foremost, you’ve been chosen not only for your intelligence but also for your potential…”

“This will take a while,” Tessa said. “Headmaster Winters is known for his long speeches.”

I turned to her with raised eyebrows.

“How much do you know about Elite?” she suddenly asked.

I tilted my head to the side. As I thought about it, I realized I didn’t know much. My parents and brothers never bothered to share a********s. All I knew was that it was the most prestigious school, and young wolves who graduated from it were placed on a pedestal.

For most of my life, I had wanted to prove myself to everyone who had underestimated me. I thought graduating from Elite would be the best way to do it.

“That it’s the best school in the country?” I muttered.

Tessa clicked her tongue. “So, not much then. Well, you’re in for a wild ride.”

“Elite Order Academy isn’t what it seems on the surface. For most, it’s where you build your strengths, shed your weaknesses, and become some of the most influential people in the werewolf world. However, what they don’t tell you is the process involved,” she began.

I listened intently.

“As you already know, our country is divided into four factions. It’s the same here. Four chosen leaders run the school. Most people stick with their factions. For example, if you’re from the South, you choose the Alpha of the South. However, choosing another Alpha has become more common—especially if they are known to be the strongest.”

“Like I said, choosing your Alpha is crucial. They must accept and respect you. You must prove yourself to them. Otherwise, you are as good as trash, and they will treat you like one,” she muttered.

I frowned. This sounded more complicated than I had expected.

“Here’s the first Alpha,” Tessa said, nudging my shoulder.

“The Alpha of the East,” Mr. Winters began, “Elias Rue!”

The hall erupted in cheers as a tall, lean man with black-rimmed glasses matching the color of his hair, with lips pressed in a tight line came to the front. Even from a distance, I could tell he possessed something extraordinary.

"Elias Rue," Tessa continued. "The youngest son of the current Alpha of the East. Even though he is the youngest in the family, he is expected to become the heir due to his remarkable intelligence. His IQ is out of this world, and his strategies are top-notch. He's here as a freshman and has already dethroned his older brother, who is a senior."

“The Alpha of the South,” Mr. Winters announced, introducing the next Alpha, “Rowan Wrenmoor!”

My brows furrowed as a familiar figure walked onto the stage. “This guy,” I muttered under my breath. The audience's excitement increased, with squeals that far exceeded those for Elias. A wink from Rowan sent the crowd into a frenzy.

Tessa let out a sigh, shaking her head. “Rowan’s still a playboy, I see.”

“Hmm?” I turned to her.

“Rowan Wrenmoor,” she explained. “He’s the oldest son of the South, notorious for being a player. He’s also in his first year here. It’s said that hundreds of girls line up for him in their packs. He doesn’t even have to try. Moreover, he comes from immense wealth; his family owns multiple businesses. Right from the start, many people want to get on his good side, hoping for a little spare change—which would easily surpass our rent in the Hades’ Dorm.”

I observed him, nodding slowly. The way he dressed spoke volumes.

“Alpha of the West—Jaxon Trevane.”

My gaze snapped to the stage at the mention of a name I dreaded. My fists clenched unconsciously at my sides as cheers erupted once more. Jaxon waved and smiled, blissfully oblivious to the chaos he had left in his wake.

“Jaxon Trevane,” Tessa began to introduce him, but I raised my hand.

“I already know about him,” I murmured.

“Oh, are you from the West?”

I nodded.

“Well, at least I can share what others think about Jaxon,” she continued. “He’s the only son of the West and is treasured by your faction. Jaxon is known to be reliable, kind, and, of course, strong. He’s said to be formidable in battle, whether in his human or wolf form.”

He was also a cheater.

But of course, everyone had covered that up, or perhaps they simply didn’t care. Even though I was the one being cheated on, they still believed I was the seducer.

I couldn’t deny Tessa’s claim that he was strong, though. Next to Elias and Rowan, both already muscular, he appeared even more buff.

Before the last Alpha was announced, whispers swept through the crowd. I glanced around, noting the excited expressions on their faces.

“He’s finally here.”

“I saw him a while ago. He’s so handsome.”

I focused intently on the front.

“And last but not least,” Tessa began, her tone filled with anticipation compared to the other introductions. “The Alpha of the North. The best bet.”

I pursed my lips. Since the formation of the factions, the North has always been regarded as the most superior. Their numbers were unmatched, their resources abundant, and their land the most expansive. It hadn’t always been this way, but the North’s leaders were known for their efficiency, which had propelled them to success.

“Everyone wants to be on his good side and, of course, in his good graces. If the other Alphas possess a notable merit, this Alpha has it all. In a survey conducted right after the acceptance letters were sent, it was revealed that he was the most popular choice among Alphas.”

Tessa’s words heightened my anticipation for his arrival. Then, after what felt like an eternity, he finally stepped into view.

“The Alpha of the North—Caden Callahan!”

A small gasp escaped my lips.

Dark brown hair. Striking gray eyes.

He was the one I had bumped into at the entrance!

Chapter 6: Hiding from Him ARDEN

Cade took his spot next to Jaxon, completing the four Alphas from the different factions. Seeing them like this, I could feel the immense aura radiating from their bodies. They didn’t glance at each other, but the competition between them was clear as day.

“These four will determine our stay for the next two years,” Tessa continued, her eyes fixed on the stage with a determined expression. “This year, the stakes are even higher.”

I finally turned to her. “What do you mean?”

“It’s a monumental moment,” she replied, “because all of the True Alphas are here.”

True Alphas.How could I forget?

Once upon a time, our country, Fenra, didn’t have any factions.

I was born after the Breaking, so I never knew a united Fenra—only stories of the old days, when one Alpha ruled everything. But the power was too concentrated, and many fell into turmoil. Wolves rose in protest, demanding freedom from absolute rule. After much struggle, the public claimed victory. To quell the chaos, Fenra was split into four sovereign factions.

Each of Fenra’s four factions is made up of dozens of packs. But above them is a bloodline everyone bows to: the True Family.

The Trevanes were the True Family in the West. I didn’t know much about the other True Families, but it seemed they timed their pregnancies close together as all of their sons were now here.

But to keep the peace, there’s the United Faction—formed by the True Families, the most competent workers, and a handful of noteworthy individuals. Together, they form the spine of Fenra’s fragile harmony.

At the center of it all is thePraetor—an individual elected by the citizens of Fenra. Neither bound to a faction nor loyal to a bloodline, the Praetor serves as the middle ground. The neutral voice. The face of the people.

One of the United Faction’s most powerful institutions is Elite.

An academy built for the brightest and strongest of Fenra’s youth.

That was as much as I knew about the school—and also why I admired it so much.

“This year, the future Alphas of each faction have joined us!” Mr. Winters exclaimed, snapping me out of my thoughts. “This only happens once in a blue moon! I can’t believe we’ve finally reached a century where this is happening.” An excited glint was visible in his eyes through the large screen.

“Classes will officially start on Monday,” he continued, prompting cheers from the student body. “In the meantime, I want you to familiarize yourselves with the campus. Oh—and how can I forget? All students who attended the general assembly will receive 50 points each!”

Dings echoed across the room, followed by even louder cheers from the crowd.

“Thank you, everyone, and have an elite day ahead!” he concluded, ending his speech.

With that, students began to file out of the hall, but I remained rooted in place.

“Points?” I muttered.

Tessa glanced at me with pursed lips. “It seems you really don’t know much about Elite, huh?”

She held out her hand. “Want to grab some food so we can talk about it?”

“Sure,” I replied, running my fingers through my hair. I definitely needed food to process everything.

We began walking through the halls, and I was about to enter the first cafeteria when Tessa suddenly pulled me away.

“What are you doing?” she asked, wide-eyed.

“Going to eat?”

“Not there, silly,” she said. “That’s reserved for the Elites.”

“But aren’t we Elites?” I tilted my head to the side.

“Not officially,” she replied. “The Opulence Cafeteria is reserved for the wolves with the highest points—or in the freshmen’s case, the richest ones.”

“The segregation is insane.”

“Tell me about it,” Tessa muttered. “But for now, we follow the rules. Come on—the common cafeteria’s this way.”

We entered the cafeteria, and I quickly scanned the room, searching for the person I wanted to avoid. But he was probably in the Opulence hall, so I relaxed a bit.

Tessa and I browsed the food options, and I couldn’t help but gasp softly. The selection was massive, especially for something labeled common. If it was this good here, I couldn’t imagine how luxurious the Opulence cafeteria must be.

I placed some steak and potatoes on my plate and grabbed a strawberry milk. A small smile formed on my lips. It had always been my favorite, even though my mom hated buying it. According to her, it would only make me gain weight.

“There!” Tessa exclaimed, pointing to an empty seat in the corner. We quickly made our way there, but just as I sat down, nature called.

“As much as I want to learn more about this system, I need to pee,” I said.

Tessa chuckled, glancing at me with an amused expression. “The restroom’s to the right,” she said. “You don’t mind if I eat already, right? I’m starving!”

“No, go ahead,” I replied. “I’ll be back in a sec.”

She smiled as I walked briskly out of the cafeteria toward the restroom.

Unfortunately, the women’s restroom near the common cafeteria was under construction. I clicked my tongue, tapping my foot impatiently. I really needed to pee.

I spotted the restroom sign near the Opulence hall just a few meters away. “It wouldn’t hurt, right?” I muttered. Tessa only warned me about going inside the cafeteria, not the restroom next to it.

With that thought, I nodded to myself. Yeah, this was public property.

I entered the fancy restroom and did my business, amused by the ultra-modern toilets. After washing my hands, I stepped out—only to immediately regret it.

The person I wanted to avoid the most was there.

Jaxon was leaning against the wall, kissing another woman who wasn’t Sienna. His tongue explored her mouth like it was a cave, and he gripped her body hard, leaving imprints on her bare skin where her shirt had ridden up.

My heart skipped a beat—but not in a good way.

No matter how much I denied it, there was still an ache in my chest. One that wouldn't fade, not after loving him for two years.

But then they pulled apart, and that ache was replaced by fear. I couldn’t let him see me. Not yet. I wasn’t ready.

Panicking, I bolted to the closest door, which happened to be the men’s bathroom. I shut it quietly and locked it, holding my breath.

“Ah, really,” I muttered. “I donotwant to see that bastard.”

A few seconds passed. He hadn’t seen me. I sighed in relief.

But my peace didn’t last long.

“Are you the next person on the waitlist?” a deep voice asked from behind.

I gasped and turned around, eyes widening when I saw another familiar face, with a woman clinging to his side. She was kissing his neck, licking like he was the most delicious thing in the world.

He clicked his tongue and gently pushed her head away. “Don’t leave marks. I already told you that.”

I bit my lip in confusion.

“Answer my question,” he said, raising an eyebrow. “Did you come here for a session? You couldn't wait a couple of minutes before we finished?”

“N–no?” I stammered, frozen like a deer in headlights.

“You’re unsure?”

I cleared my throat and straightened my posture, forcing myself to meet his eyes. I had no idea what he meant by session, but I was certain I wasn’t next on his waitlist.

“No, Alpha Elias,” I said firmly. “I did not come for a session—whatever that is.”

Chapter 7: The Point System ARDEN

“Leave,” he said, and I quickly turned around, preparing to head back to the common cafeteria when he spoke again.

“Not you.”

I paused.

“You,” he clarified, referring to the woman who had been lapping at his neck.

“What? Elias, we haven’t even gotten to the good part yet.”

I slightly turned around—and regretted it immediately. Her hand was hovering above his pants, squeezing what I assumed to be his c*k. It was all too shocking. How could she touch it so casually?

Elias clicked his tongue and pushed her away. “I said, leave.”

She looked annoyed but didn’t argue. She shot a glare at me before slamming the door, leaving me alone with Alpha Elias.

I scratched the back of my neck. “My food is probably cold now. I should go.”

But before I knew it, he was right in front of me, his face just inches from mine, hand on the door. I reached for the handle, but it wouldn’t budge.

“Move,” I said.

He raised an eyebrow, and I caved.

“Please?”

My tone was softer now, and for a moment, a flicker of amusement passed through his eyes. But it was quickly replaced by something more dangerous. He moved even closer, and I stepped back.

“W—what are you doing?” I stammered.

“So...,” he started. “You didn’t come here for a session?”

“I still don’t know what session you’re talking about,” I sighed.

“This,” he said, bringing his face closer before I could react. I knew our lips were about to touch. I didn’t want to kiss a random Alpha, so I quickly covered my mouth, surprising even myself with how fast I moved.

Instead of my lips, he pressed a kiss to the back of my hand. His eyes opened, but he didn’t move away.

Then, he released the door and wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me impossibly close. I placed my hand on his chest to keep some distance, but it felt nonexistent by then.

He tilted his head slightly, tracing my cheek before sliding down my jaw. I could sense the lust in his scent. His c*k, which hadn’t stirred when the other woman touched him, now pressed against my abdomen.

My eyes widened. With all the strength I had left, I finally managed to push him away.

He looked at me strangely while I glared at him.

“You smell good,” he suddenly said, making me cover my neck where my scent gland was.

I sighed in disbelief and shook my head. With that, I twisted the knob and walked out without saying anything else.

I hurried back to the cafeteria, hand still over my scent gland. That was close. I could smell his scent turning muskier when he got that close—a clear sign he was losing control.

“Why are all the Alphas so weird?” I muttered.

When I finally returned to our table, Tessa was nearly done with her meal.

“Where have you been?” she asked, mid-chew. “Your food’s cold.”

I sighed and sat down, shoving the steak into my mouth. Even cold, it still tasted good. “I ran into someone,” I muttered.

“Someone you knew?” she asked, curious.

I shrugged. “Not really. It was Alpha Elias.”

“What?” she shouted, catching the attention of nearby werewolves.

My eyes widened. “Is it really that shocking?”

Her cheeks flushed under the stares. “Sorry,” she muttered. “Did you just say Alpha Elias?”

“Hmm,” I hummed, continuing to eat.

“You met him this early on?” she whispered. “Most people don’t even see the Alphas before the Ivory Solstice.”

“Ivory Solstice?”

She smirked. “It’s an all-night party where all the students get to know the Alphas better. It happens next month."

“I see,” I whispered. “You seem to know a lot about Elite, don’t you?”

She bit her lip. “You could say that.”

“Anyway, going back to your meeting with Alpha Elias,” she said, eyes gleaming. “What happened? Did you two talk?”

My mind went back to our encounter. “He’s... strange.”

“Strange?” she echoed. “How so?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe it’s just me, but he was kissing someone in the bathroom.”

My thoughts drifted further. “Now that I think about it, the other Alphas were acting weird too. Jaxon was kissing some random girl, and Rowan had two girls hanging off his arms. Are all the Alphas playboys?”

She sighed, crossing her arms. “I guess they’ve already started, huh? And it’s only the first day. Then again, it’s to be expected.”

I frowned. “Started what?”

Tessa tilted her head. Her lips curved, but there was no humor in her smile.

“The game,” she said.

A breeze rustled the banners hanging from the stone posts. In the distance, the students looked like gods and monsters.

“There’s a system,” she continued. “Every werewolf plays the game at Elite—whether they admit it or not. And there are only three ways to earn points: strength, intellect, and... sex.”

I blinked, trying to process it. “s*x?”

“Strength—fighting, combat tournaments, physical trials. Intellect—grades, council debates, placement exams. You earn points through all of that. But the fastest way up? It’s the last one,” she said with a dry laugh.

My throat tightened. “There’s a ranking for that?”

“Echo,” she nodded. “It’s our school’s internal network. It updates every midnight. Tracks how many fights you’ve won, how many points you’ve gained... and who you’ve slept with.”

I stared at her, stunned, but she kept going.

“Sleeping with someone gets a guy twenty points. For girls, it’s different—we get half of whatever the guy’s worth. So if he’s top tier, we get more. Everyone wants the Alphas. They’re untouchable in strength, unbeatable in intellect, and worth more than anyone else in the system.”

I wanted to say something—but what could I even say?

“If a guy sleeps with the same girl more than once, he only gets half of the twenty. Do it again, and it's half again,” she added. “So there’s no loyalty in this place.”

She studied me. “Only the top two hundred make it to the next semester. Then it’s cut to one-fifty. And only one hundred wolves graduate.”

I felt breathless. Nearby, I heard laughter. A girl brushing her hand down a boy’s arm. Another leaning in too close. But it didn’t feel like affection. It felt like competition.

“You survive,” Tessa murmured. “Or you disappear.”

There was a pause. A beat too long. Then she leaned in, her voice soft.

“But there’s one prize,” she whispered. “One that makes everything else look worthless.”

I looked at her.

“A virgin,” she said with a small smile. “A virgin is worth more than sleeping with a hundred other girls.”

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>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

You and Arden go to the same academy—Elite Order, the most prestigious werewolf school in the country. You met on her first day, when she was running from her past and trying not to be seen. But you saw her. The way her hands trembled holding her acceptance letter. The way she flinched when Jaxon’s name was called. The way her scent—like rain and wildflowers—filled the air when she was scared.

Now, sitting across from her in the common cafeteria, you watch as she picks at her cold steak, lost in thought. Her roommate, Tessa, just told her about the Point System—the brutal game where sex is currency, and virgins are the ultimate prize.

She looks up, her storm-gray eyes meeting yours. 'Why would anyone want me?' she whispers. 'Not because I’m strong. Not because I’m smart. Because I’ve never been touched.'

She swallows hard. 'Caden watched me today. Not like the others. Like he was waiting. Like he knew something I don’t.' Her fingers brush her neck, where her scent gland pulses 'Do you think… he wants me too?'

Before you can answer, the cafeteria doors burst open. Rowan Wrenmoor strides in, flanked by two girls, his gaze locking onto Arden. He smirks, raising a glass in her direction.

She stiffens. 'I don’t want this war,' she murmurs. 'But I won’t run from it either.' She looks at you, desperate and defiant 'What do I do?'