THE ALPHA WHO HATED ME

pte

NE POINT

that some places ar

Academy looks like something out of a nightmare. Gothic towers stab at the gray sky. Ga

urtyard in tight groups. Their uniforms are perfect. They walk like

asn

orn. I've folded and unfolded it so many times the creases are starting to

s breath smelled like whiskey and cigaret

Keeping promis

blestone and my worn backpack digs into my shoulders. Everything I own for sch

ine is canvas and falling apart. They smell like money. Like fanc

ing. Each footstep echoes too loud. Makes me fee

uture leaders. Not for girls whose wolves are

hair that shines even in the rain. Skin that

e woods." The tallest one wr

ry to step around them b

scent Moon?" another one whisp

in the slums. Wit

e but I keep them at my sides. Fig

Her wolf presses against mine. Demanding

a rank. The lowest one. But the way she

oice comes out to

nces off the stone and co

hat? She thinks

ll her. This isn't

. Panic starts in my chest and spreads.

t now. Don't

My shoulder bumps the blonde gi

! You probably

exactly what Uncle Marcus tried to warn me about.

n see myself in them. Chandeliers hang from ceilings that disappear into dar

ere. Heavy with old power

do. Their families built this place. Their bloodlines e

students. They talk about summer homes. Family vacations. Which

Uncle Marcus pay rent. My family is dead and buried in unmark

ex

retary looks me up and

am

eline

Frowns. T

take. We don't have

se check again. Marcu

r eyes. Recognition. The

u're th

ke I'm not w

ocker assignment. "Building C. T

and leave wi

eams wealth. Power. Students laugh and talk be

my first class. The locker key bites

look

behind me. She's pretty but quiet about it. Her uni

e the new student eve

talking abo

. But my uncle

to your first class." She smil

d Literature with

ambitious. Professor Kane

. Just

ts stare as we pass. Some whisper. Ot

says. "They'll find some

the only Omega here

ings. Professor Kane is already up f

presume. How good

. I want to sink

seat a

tudents sit in groups. I pick o

Hidden meanings in old stories. His voice is smooth but

e lands on my d

h doesn't b

e it in my bag. Keep my eyes forwa

aper. The

to the

wants yo

k re

ip. Don't cry. Show no weakness.

ttering. I stay in my seat until everyon

ross. A

aking legs. He studies m

assroom, everyone is judged by their mind. Not

ost breaks me. "

fessors will be understanding. Som

some will mak

derst

get to your

esk "by accident." Science: my lab partner refuses to work with me. Ma

ed. Drained. I want

rls. Uncle Marcus left me just enough for rent and food.

Alphas sit by the windows where the light is best. Betas take the middle. And the

ooks amazing. Real meat. Fresh vegetab

shed potatoes taste incredible. The chicken falls apart un

ome other students. They look normal. Fr

rst day?" Luna

llen

gets easier.

ope

gnments. Weekend plans. Normal

my sandwich when the

ies table by table. Even the silverware stops

g. They move with confidence that comes from

aves. The air thickens. E

r circle," Luna whispers. "Ron

ow her

rything

muscle that speaks of hours running wild in

his

ow. They sweep the cafeteria with casual aut

like. Power and strength and

food chain. His uniform fits perfectly. Sho

and something wild. My wolf perks

ce. Authority. The kind of pull that

t look

mething about him that calls to every instinct

e front. An elevated platform th

nce. His friends arrange themselves around him

e. The next gener

e wrong side of town. Staring

can'

s. Everything he does looks graceful.

o be noticed by someone

thought. I

can't

eels my stare,

y eyes scan t

find

e s

ust him and me and t

thing flickers across his fac

't do anything but stare at the m

staring r

a way she shouldn't. A way that's impossible f

es to m

on his perfect fa