6. Matched

I tossed on my plates, poking half-heartedly at my mashed potatoes while Ivy practically inhaled her fries like she hadn’t eaten in days.

The cafeteria was filled with students, and the loud chatters and clinking of cutlery filled the room.

“You’ve been frowning at that potato for five minutes,” Ivy said, raising an eyebrow. “I doubt you will be eating that soon, you would have just taken the fries like I suggested”

I sighed. “It's not about the food”

“I wonder what it is, you look like you plan on murdering the potatoes with your stares”

“I am just thinking,” I responded.

“About what” Ivy asked while eating her fries.

I leaned back into my seat “The stupid match making system” I muttered “I mean I still don't get why we need it, it's weird”

Ivy shrugged, sipping her juice. “Relax Lyra, it’s not that deep. Most people don’t even get matched. It’s just some ancient tradition to make the Alphas feel important.”

“Exactly my point,” I snapped, stabbing the potato. “Why does everything have to revolve around them? It’s always about the Alphas, it’s like everything is designed to worship them”

Ivy leaned in smirking. “Well, maybe because normal people can’t particularly snap trees in half or command packs of wolves without even having to lift a finger”

I shot her a look. “You’re not helping.”

She laughed. “Relax, Lyra. The system almost never pairs someone who isn’t Alpha blood. The odds are basically zero.” She popped a fry in her mouth “The system is rigged to prioritize power, so only the elites are going to be paired with an Alpha”

I stabbed at my potatoes again “It's still unfair, but I hope it works like that”

“But it's going to be really nice being matched to an Alpha” Ivy grinned.

I groaned.

“Come on, doesn't it sound exciting, I mean everyone is looking forward to this”

“Exciting?” I repeated incredulously. “Being forced to bond with a stranger who thinks you’re beneath him? Yeah, trilling” I gave her a deadpan look.

Before Ivy could respond, a group of students at the next table started whispering, and I could hear fragments of their conversation.

“Did you see Alpha Kael during the welcome ceremony”

“Who didn't, he was so hot” I heard one of the girls gush out.

“And I also heard Alpha Alaric and Alpha Lance are yet to be matched”

“I want to see Alpha Zurien, I heard he is also going to be attending this Academy, I hope we both match,” Another girl said dreamily

I rolled my eyes at their conversation

Ivy beamed beside me “Ah, the Four Alphas,”

“The what?” I asked with confusion written on my face.

She gasped dramatically. “You seriously don’t know?”

“Should I?”

“Yes!” She set down her drink, eyes gleaming like she’d been waiting her whole life for this gossip session. “Okay, listen up. Lesson time.”

I rolled my eyes but didn’t stop her. “Go on, Professor Ivy.”

“First up, Alpha Kael, from the Blackstorm Pack. He is… well, terrifying. Quiet, ruthless, and rumored to have challenged his own father for dominance. He’s basically the guy everyone avoids unless they have a death wish.”

I grimaced. “Yeah, I’ve already met him.”

She blinked. “You what? When?”

“Yesterday,” I said flatly. “He’s exactly as terrifying as you described.”

Her jaw dropped. “Details”

“It was just a brief moment but I hope we never meet again” I answered her

“Okay, moving on,” she said, recovering quickly from her shock. “Then there’s Alpha Alaric. He’s been here two years. Smart, charming, every teacher’s favorite. Too perfect, if you ask me.”

“Let me guess, you don't trust perfect”

“Exactly.” She grinned. “And Alpha Lance, He Joined last year. Doesn’t talk much, but everyone swears he’s got some dark secret. Total mystery vibe.”

I frowned. “That’s… not comforting.”

“Oh, it gets better,” she said, holding up a finger. “Lastly, there is Alpha Zurien from BloodEclipse Pack, a total bad boy, rumored to have been engaged once. Hot but definitely trouble.”

I stared at her. “You seriously keep a mental file on these people?”

She shrugged. “Who doesn't love a good gossip” she took another sip from her juice feeling satisfied, “so in all, there are the most powerful and popular Alphas. Alpha Kael, Alpha Alaric, Alpha Lance, and Alpha Zurien” she counted them on her fingers.

Later that evening, we all headed to the main hall where the results from the blood test were going to be announced.

The hall was filled with students chatting excitedly, they were really looking forward to the results and so was Ivy, who pulled me into the hall.

A teacher stepped onto the stage, holding a clipboard. “The results from the blood test will be announced”

Names were being called out, I tried not to listen, but it was hard to ignore the squeals when some girl got matched with the Alphas.

Ivy nudged me. “See? Told you it’s all for show.”

I was unbothered as I stared blankly at the stage not really paying attention, I just wanted them to be done with it soon.

The names kept on rolling out but suddenly the teacher stopped, hesitating to call the next result.

She paused, blinking at the clipboard in her hands.

“Um… there seems to be a… system error,” she said hesitantly. Her brows knitted together in confusion as she looked back at the principal, uncertain.

The principal adjusted her glasses, calm and composed. “Read it anyway.”

The teacher nodded nervously and cleared her throat. “Lyra Dale…..”

My stomach dropped hearing my name.

“….Matched Alphas with …” she paused, double checking the paper. My heart was beating rapidly waiting for what she wanted to say “Alpha Kael Langford…”

I blinked. “What….?” The word came out strangled. What did she just say?

I felt Ivy’s gaze on me. “Lyra….”

But she was interrupted by the teacher “And….” It seems she wasn't finished making me wonder what else she wanted to say.

Silence engulfed the hall.

“…..Also matched with Alpha Zurien Ashbourne”

There was a chorused gasp from the hall.

My head was spinning. What the hell was going on?

Ivy grabbed my arm. “You…. You got matched with two Alphas, which has literally never happened before. Ever!”

I could not speak, my pulse thundered in my ears, and I could hardly breathe.

Ivy squeezed my arm, whispering urgently. “Lyra, this is not just weird, it’s dangerous. Alpha Kael and Alpha Zurien are both from rival packs and they have hated each other for years now, they are sworn enemies”