Chapter One: The Alpha’s Daughter in Disguise

The blade of the scissors gleamed under the dim candlelight.

Rayne tightened her grip, staring at her reflection in the mirror. Her silver-blonde hair cascaded over her shoulders—her last tie to the girl she was supposed to be. The girl her father wanted to keep hidden, to protect.

But she was done being protected.

She clenched her jaw, her father’s words echoing in her mind.

"A female cannot lead. The pack would never follow you."

"You’re not strong enough, Rayne. It’s not your place."

Her chest ached with the memory. Not strong enough.

She had spent years proving him wrong. Training harder than the boys. Learning every combat technique. Studying strategy, leadership, and warfare. And yet, none of it mattered because she was born a daughter instead of a son.

Her father was growing older. The council was already preparing to choose her cousin—an arrogant, power-hungry fool—to take over the pack when the time came. And Rayne?

She was expected to marry. To become some Alpha’s Luna, soft-spoken and obedient.

That was not her destiny.

she raised the scissors and sliced through the thick strands. Hair tumbled to the floor in soft waves, pooling around her feet like a farewell. The girl in the mirror was no more. In her place stood someone new.

Rei.

A boy. A warrior. A future Alpha.

If the world refused to see her as an Alpha, then she would become one in secret.

She would fight. Win. Earn their respect—and then claim her place as the true leader of her pack.

Even if it meant losing herself in the process.

Her heart pounded as she ran her hands through her now-short, choppy locks. It felt strange—lighter, unfamiliar. But there was no time for hesitation. She wrapped a tight bandage around her chest, concealing any remaining signs of her true identity, and pulled on the academy-issued uniform: a black combat shirt, fitted pants, and sturdy boots.

By sunrise, she would no longer be Rayne, daughter of Alpha Magnus.

She would be one of them.

---

The academy loomed ahead like a fortress—dark stone towers rising against the stormy sky, its iron gates open but unwelcoming. A sea of young men stood in its massive courtyard. Future Alphas, each trained to lead their packs.

Rayne adjusted the hood of her cloak and stepped forward, her boots crunching against the gravel. Every step she took into the academy grounds was a step deeper into her deception.

The air was thick with dominance as Rayne stepped into the academy grounds. The scent of powerful Alphas surrounded her, each young man radiating strength, pride, and raw energy. She kept her expression neutral, her posture straight. If she showed even a hint of hesitation, she would be eaten alive.

She had to be careful.

No one could know.

“Name?” A deep voice barked.

She turned to face a tall, broad-chested instructor with a scar running down his cheek. His golden eyes assessed her coldly, flicking over her smaller frame.

“Rei,” she answered, keeping her voice steady.

The instructor narrowed his gaze but grunted, marking her down on his parchment. “First-year recruit. You’ll be part of the Alpha Trials today. Fail, and you leave.”

She gave a sharp nod, stepping into the growing crowd. Her pulse pounded in her ears. The Alpha Trials. She knew they would test combat ability, speed, and strategy. But she had trained for this moment her entire life.

And she wasn’t leaving.

She moved through the sea of recruits, ignoring the way some sneered, others scoffed. It didn’t matter what they thought of her now. Soon, she’d show them exactly why she was here.

A large ring was drawn in the center of the courtyard, and recruits were called forward one by one. The goal was simple—fight, win, and secure your place in the academy hierarchy.

It was a combat-based ranking system designed to weed out the weak and establish dominance from day one. 

Rayne watched as the first fights unfolded—brutal clashes of muscle and instinct. Some challengers lasted minutes, others mere seconds. The stronger recruits relished in domination, their victories a display of power.

Her name was finally called.

She stepped into the ring. Across from her stood a broad-shouldered, arrogant-looking boy—Finn, Beta-born, high-ranking. He sneered as he looked her up and down.

“Are they serious?” he laughed. “You can’t be more than a hundred and forty pounds soaking wet.”

A few of the onlookers chuckled, but Rayne stayed silent, rolling her shoulders loose. She wouldn’t waste energy with words.

Her opponent however kept grinning at her like she was an easy meal. 

"You sure you belong here, runt?" he taunted, cracking his knuckles.

The moment the whistle blew, Finn lunged first, expecting an easy win. She dodged, swift and precise, stepping past his wild strike and slamming her elbow into his ribs. He grunted, stumbling back in shock.

Gasps rippled through the crowd. Finn recovered fast, growling low as he tried again, but Rayne was faster. A quick sweep of her leg sent him crashing to the ground.

Silence.

The crowd, which had been cheering and jeering moments ago, had gone utterly still.

She pressed her knee against his chest, her forearm at his throat.

"Yield," she demanded.

Finn struggled, his face burning with rage and embarrassment. But there was no escaping her grip. He choked out the word. "Fine. I yield."

The instructor raised an eyebrow, impressed. “Winner—Rei.”

The tension in the air shifted. Eyes lingered on her as she stepped out of the ring. She was no longer invisible.

She was a threat.

Rayne stood, offering no reaction as the murmurs around her grew louder.

"Who the hell is that?"

"No way a beta just took down Finn."

"Something's off about him..."

But one voice cut through them all. Low, controlled, and filled with intrigue.

"Who the hell are you?"

Rayne froze.

Then slowly she turned, locking eyes with the strongest Alpha in the academy.

Lucian Wolfe.

His silver eyes were locked onto Rayne’s small, powerful frame.

The moment their gazes met, her heart clenched with something she didn’t understand.

And then, she did what any Alpha-in-disguise would do.

She smirked. “Guess you’ll have to find out.”