The students stood in seven straight lines, barely visible in the dark. The streetlights were off, and no one seemed to know why. For someone like Angela, who didn’t have a wolf’s sharp vision, it was a nightmare.
She slipped into the line just in time, her chest rising and falling fast. Her eyes darted around, hoping to spot Stales, but he was nowhere to be found. If only she had come earlier, maybe she wouldn’t feel so lost in the crowd.
The Alphas moved through the lines, their presence heavy. Alpha Renn circled to the back, scanning for any lazy stragglers.
Angela let out a shaky breath. She wanted to stay invisible. But of course, life had other plans.
Alex was right in front of her.
Seriously? Why him? Her luck must’ve died the day she was born, because she always seemed to attract the exact people she didn’t want around.
Maybe... just maybe, if she pretended to like him, fate would get confused and take him away.
She chuckled under her breath, amused by her own thoughts.
Alex turned around, raising a brow. "Angel... I’m supposed to be the last in the line," he said, stepping behind her.
She rolled her eyes. "Whatever."
"Glad you made it on time," he added.
"Don’t act like you care," she muttered.
"I do."
She blinked. "Why?"
"Because you’re my housemate. Same pack, remember?"
Her face twisted in confusion. "I’m not a wolf."
"Doesn’t matter. You’re in the west house now. That makes you one of us. Wolf or not."
She looked away, her chest tightening. "I don’t feel like I belong anywhere. Since I got here, it’s been one thing after another. No one treats me like I matter."
"Well, there’s always a prey, and you just happened to be the unlucky one this time," Alex said quietly, his voice low like he didn’t want anyone else to hear. Angela was about to snap back, but then she saw Kaito heading their way.
Alex leaned closer. "Don’t disobey the Alpha. Just do what he says."
Angela wanted to say never, but the word got stuck in her throat. She stayed quiet, even though it burned inside her. Kaito stopped right next to her like he had heard her thoughts. His presence made the air feel heavier. He didn’t speak. Just walked past her, then stopped beside Alex, gave him a small pat on the back, and kept moving.
Angela blinked in surprise.
She had read about the bond between an Alpha and his Beta. It was supposed to be something strong—like a father and son. But she couldn’t imagine Kaito as a father figure. Not him. Not any of the Alphas.
Then Renn’s loud voice broke her thoughts. The road work had begun.
They started jogging toward the woods. The boys chanted songs she didn’t know. Their energy was wild, powerful. Angela didn’t feel like a part of it. She would’ve given anything to stay in bed instead.
She looked around, her heart twisting with worry.
"I have a friend," she said suddenly. "How can I find him?"
Alex looked over his shoulder. "Which house?"
"Red."
"Then you can’t," he replied. "You have to stick with your housemates. Red house is on the third line."
She glanced down the rows. That line was far from theirs.
Angela sighed, disappointed. She wanted to find Stales. To explain everything. He was the only familiar face in a place that felt so strange. She needed answers, needed help, needed someone who could help her understand this new world because clearly, she was drowning in it.
*****
The road work drained every drop of strength she had. Her legs were heavy, her chest burned with every breath, and by the time they returned to the dormitory, the sky was already light. It was past six. She needed a quick bath and had to get ready for class. It was her first day, and the last thing she needed was to show up late.
When Angela stepped into the room and found it empty, she let out a breath of relief. No sign of Kaito. Thank heavens. She rushed into the bathroom, scrubbing away the sweat and exhaustion. When she was done, she threw on her uniform. Her hair was still a little damp, but there was no time to care.
She didn’t have a phone yet, which made things harder. She had no idea what time classes began. All she could do was hurry and hope for the best.
Finding the classroom wasn’t hard. The signs made it easy, and soon enough, she stood in front of the door with her heart racing. But the moment she walked in, her steps slowed.
It was empty.
The chairs were lined up neatly, the board untouched. No noise. No movement. Not a single student in sight. The air felt still... too still. Angela looked around, confused. Was she too early? Or... was she in the wrong place?
She sat at a desk in the middle of the room, clutching the edge of the table as doubt crept in. Minutes passed. The silence felt louder with every tick. Something didn’t feel right.
And then... she saw him.
Alpha Hiro.
He was walking straight toward her classroom. The window beside her was open, and their eyes met the moment he appeared. That look on his face so calm, playful, dangerous. Like he knew exactly what he was doing. Like he had been waiting for this.
Angela froze. Her skin prickled. Her heart pounded so loud, she could hear it in her ears. How did he know she’d be here? Why did it feel like this was part of some plan?
He stepped inside, slow and sure, that same crooked smile playing on his lips. The one that made her skin crawl and her mind spiral. He hadn’t even said a word yet, but somehow, he was already messing with her head.
Or maybe... he never stopped.
***
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