Chapter 1: Worthless Shadow (Elara's POV)

“You useless human! Can’t you do anything right?” Lila’s shrill voice sliced right through me but what hurt even more was the SLAP that swept across my cheek.

I flinched hard as the stack of books and supplies I was carrying for her crashed to the marble floor. Papers flew everywhere. Students stopped in the hallway, already smirking and whispering.

“I’m sorry, Lila,” I whispered, dropping to my knees to gather everything. My palms stung from the fall. “I didn’t see the step…”

“Didn’t see the step?” Lila laughed, loud and mean. She didn’t even pretend to help. She just crossed her arms, her perfect blonde hair shining, her carriage pompous and arrogant, like she owned the whole academy.

“You never see anything, do you? That’s what happens when you’re just a pathetic human charity case. Father only brought you here because he felt sorry for the orphan he adopted. And this is how you repay him? By embarrassing me in front of everyone?”

Mara, one of her friends, kicked a loose notebook toward me. “Pick it up faster, maid. Or are you too weak even for that?”

My cheeks burned as I scrambled to collect the mess. My knees hurt against the cold floor. I kept my head down, biting my lip so hard I tasted blood. Don’t cry. Don’t let them see your tears. This was not going to be the first time I was in this situation. All they needed was a show of weakness and I will become the talk of the entire academy.

Every single day was like this—Lila’s constant jabs, the reminders that I was nothing but a servant wearing the fake title of “adopted sister.”

“Honestly, Lila, why do you even keep her around?” Mara asked, laughing. “She’s not even a real wolf. Just a human pretending to belong here.”

Lila tossed her hair. “Because Father says I have to. But trust me, the moment she slips up badly enough, she’s gone. Right, Elara? You know your place.”

“Yes,” I muttered, finally stacking the books again. My arms shook under the weight. “I know my place.”

Lila smirked, satisfied for now. “Good. Now hurry up. I have combat theory in ten minutes, and I need my notes perfect.”

I followed her down the hall like a shadow, one step behind. The weight on my shoulders was nothing compared to the heaviness in my chest. Twenty years old, and this was my life—endless service, endless humiliation from my eighteen-year-old adopted sister and if only they knew that…

The screams from the girls coming from ahead broke me out of my trail of thoughts. We hurried forward as the screams got louder; Lila and her friends already giggling as they ran while I struggled to keep up.

That was when I already knew what this was.

It was them.

As we cut through the central courtyard, my breath caught. I had only heard about them. Hell, they hardly ever turned up together in school. They were too up there… too respected… too powerful… they were the seven and all the wolves in the academy called them The God Alphas.

I was just as curious as I peeked through the crowd, struggling to get a view of them. The Seven Alphas were crossing the open space and everyone moved out of their way like they were gods indeed. My heart pounded as I took them in, starting from the edges and moving to the center.

Finnian Crowe at the back; wilderness-hardened and silent, like he could disappear into the trees and hunt you down without a sound.

Then there was Cassian Reed beside him; always calculating, the strategic one who seemed to know everyone’s secrets before they did. At least, so I heard.

Lorcan Vale, with that resentful glare; stealthy and vicious, ready to strike from the shadows, especially against those who challenged his rival. He was a favorite among the women.

Rafe Blackwood flashing his dangerous smile… charming on the surface but a true hunter who toyed with people like prey. He was one they all feared.

Silas Thorne walking with calm grace—sharp eyes missing nothing, always three steps ahead with hidden agendas. Again, based on the chatters from the girls while I wiped Lila’s feet.

Draven Kane coiled like a spring of violence—brutal and quick to break bones over the smallest insult.

That made six. Where was he? The Seventh? The one that most sent shivers down my…

I spotted him just then. For the first time. Before now, I only ever heard of him in gossips but now, he was really here.

At the very center, leading them all… Kairos Vale.

He moved like a storm about to unleash—dark eyes scanning everything with absolute, ruthless authority. The undisputed leader. Terrifying. Untouchable. The one whose presence made the air itself feel heavier.

I quickly looked down, but it was too late. The group slowed slightly as they passed.

Lila straightened instantly, flashing her brightest smile. “Good morning, Kairos. Draven.” Of course, she was a big fan.

Kairos barely glanced at her. His eyes shifted to me for a split second. A strange, electric spark shot through my chest… warm and completely wrong. Suddenly, his expression twisted into pure contempt, like I was dirt on his shoe. Just a pathetic human maid. Nothing more. He turned away.

Draven snorted. “Still dragging your little pet around, Lila?”

Lila laughed nervously. “She’s useful. Sometimes.”

I kept my head down, cheeks on fire. The spark still tingled unpleasantly under my skin even as shame flooded me. Why did looking at him do that?

The Alphas moved on without another word. The second they were far enough away, Lila spun on me.

“Did you see how they looked at you? Like trash. That’s what you are. Don’t ever think you’re anything else.”

I said nothing. I just followed her to class, the books feeling heavier than ever.

Later that evening, after running more errands and enduring more sneering comments from Lila’s friends, I slipped into the small storage room I sometimes used for a moment of peace. I had barely caught my breath when an envelope dropped to my side, nudged from the shelf as I sat behind it. I slowly reached out and opened it up.

Inside was a note in Harlan’s handwriting: Payments received for the girl. Delivered as agreed.

My stomach dropped. Payments? For the girl?

A cold wave of dread washed over me. Before I could even begin to process it, the door to the storage room creaked open.

I gasped.

It was him.

Kairos Vale.