The Initiation

Cole POV

The underground entrance beneath Blackthorne Academy smelled like blood and smoke.

I immediately knew this was a mistake.

Students in black masks surrounded the hallway silently while dark candles burned along stone walls.

Nobody spoke or laughed. The atmosphere felt wrong. It felt dangerous.

I pulled my hood lower while walking deeper underground. Every instinct screamed at me to leave but I kept going.

Because if I backed down now, he would call me weak again.

A tall masked student stopped in front of me and asked “Name?”

I looked at him and said “Cole Black.”

Hearing my name, the student went still briefly then stepped aside immediately.

Of course, everyone knew my name and not for my achievements but for them, I was the pathetic rejected alpha.

The deeper I walked, the colder the air became. Low music echoed through the tunnels while masked wolves gathered around circular symbols painted on the floor.

“Obsidian Circle” is written in block letters. It looked like a cult.

A deep, low voice suddenly spoke behind me “You came.”

Hearing that voice, I widened my eyes and turned sharply.

Aiden leaned against the wall, watching me. He had no mask but Black gloves covered his hands, while silver chains hung loosely around his neck.

He looked like a demon down here. He looked like he belonged in darkness.

I said coldly “You invited me”.

Aiden stepped closer slowly, his eyes dragged over me and he whispered “You clean up nicely.”

I ignored the heat crawling up my neck but I ignored it and asked “What is this place?”

Aiden smirked slightly and said “A place where masks come off.”

Before I could respond, Serena appeared beside him suddenly. Looking at her, my wolf growled instantly.

Seeing me, her lips curved cruelly and she said with a mocking tone “Well, this should be entertaining.”

Aiden glanced toward her lazily and murmured “Behave.”

Serena wrapped herself around his arm possessively and said “He still thinks he has a chance.”

I snapped immediately “I don’t want you either”.

Serena laughed sharply and said “Good. Because you could never compete with Aiden.”

Aiden’s expression darkened slightly at her tone.

He looked almost annoyed. Serena didn’t notice.

She stepped toward me with cruel satisfaction and asked “You know what everyone’s saying about you?”

Of course, I knew. Those things became my nightmare but I would not accept it in front of her.

I gritted my teeth and said “I don’t care.”

She continued “They think you’re pathetic.”

Her words sliced cleanly.

She mocked quietly “Rejected by his own mate, even your family doesn’t want you.”

My breathing turned uneven. She was an omega and alphas don't hurt omegas. I knew that but I really wanted to slap her.

But before I said anything to her, Aiden suddenly grabbed Serena’s wrist tightly and she flinched.

He roared “That’s enough.”

The entire atmosphere shifted instantly and it became cold.

Seeing him like that she forced a smile and said “I was joking.”

Aiden stared at her silently for several seconds before letting go but something dark moved behind his eyes.

Possessiveness and violence, not toward me but toward her.

Why would he threaten his girlfriend because of me? What's going on between this couple? 

Before I could think further, a loud bell echoed underground and everyone immediately turned toward the center chamber.

Masked figures formed a circle and a silver-haired man stepped forward.

I recognized him instantly. He was Elias Thorn.

He was our senior, top fighter and rumored psychopath.

His pale eyes landed directly on me for a second and a chill ran down my spine.

He said with his deep voice “The initiation begins.”

Silence filled the chamber.

Elias continued calmly “Tonight, new blood proves its worth.”

Students stepped forward one by one offering blood into silver bowls.

This was a ritual, an ancient wolf ritual.

Seeing it, my skin crawled and I had difficulty breathing. What the hell!! What's happening to me?

My legs felt weak and my vision blurred but before I collapsed on the ground, Aiden’s hand stayed locked around my arm tightly.

I jerked away immediately and said “I’m fine.”

His eyes narrowed slightly and he said “You don’t look fine.”

He was so annoying.

I said again with gritted teeth “I said I’m fine.”

Suddenly, Elias stepped closer calmly, his pale eyes moved over my face carefully and he murmured “Interesting.”

I glared at him and asked with a confused tone “What happened to me?”

Elias smiled slightly and said “Wrong question.”

Before I could respond, Aiden stepped between us. The movement was smooth but dangerous.

He said with gritted teeth “Back off, Elias.”

Several students immediately went silent.

Elias raised a brow and asked with a mocking tone “Protective tonight, Cross? ”

Aiden’s expression didn’t change and he said “I said back off.”

The air between them turned sharp and cold. Like two predators silently deciding who would rip the other apart first.

Then Elias chuckled softly and stepped away.

His eyes returned to me and he said “Fine, we’ll talk again, Cole Black.”

Something about the way he said my name made my skin crawl.

The ceremony ended quickly after that.

I shoved my hands into my pockets and headed toward the exit. I just wanted air.

I barely made it halfway down the hallway before someone grabbed my wrist roughly.

I spun instantly and saw Serena’s face.

Her nails dug into my skin and she hissed quietly “What’s wrong with you? Do you have to ruin everything? I already rejected you. Why do you follow me everywhere?”

I pulled my hand free immediately and said “Don’t touch me.”

Her eyes flicked toward the underground chamber behind us and she said “What are you doing with my boyfriend earlier? If you dare to try any trick against him, I will kill you.”

I narrowed my eyes and said with a confused tone “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

She said with gritted teeth “You’re lying.”

Before I could answer, another hand suddenly wrapped around the back of my neck. I knew who it was without looking at the person, Aiden.

My entire body stiffened. He stood behind me, close enough for his chest to brush my back slightly.

Seeing him, Serena’s face changed instantly and jealousy flashed across her expression.

I narrowed my eyes. What the hell? Why would she be jealous? And from whom? Me? Did she forget that between the three of us, she is the only omega and we both were alpha. 

Aiden looked down at her coldly and said with a dark voice “Didn’t I tell you to stop bothering him?”

Serena forced a smile and said “I was just talking.”

He said with gritted teeth “You were touching him.”

The temperature around us seemed to drop and I frowned slightly. I knew she was his girlfriend but this was controlling. Couldn't she even touch anyone? She made fun of me and humiliated me in front of the whole academy but right now I feel bad for her. Her boyfriend is not only a jerk to me but to her, too. 

Her jaw tightened and she asked with disbelief “You’re seriously choosing him over me?”

I narrowed my eyes. When did he choose me? Was something wrong with these people? First, the girlfriend rejected and humiliated me and then the boyfriend taunted me and even invited me to this sick initiation. Was it some kind of game for this couple and they used me for their entertainment?

Aiden looked bored suddenly and said “I’m choosing peace before you annoy me.”

Her face flushed red and she said with disbelief “You’re unbelievable.”

She stormed away angrily.

The second she disappeared around the corner, I stepped away from Aiden immediately and I asked “What was that?”

Aiden tilted his head slightly and asked in a mimicry “What was what?”

I continued “You're acting like some possessive psycho.”

Hearing it, a slow smirk appeared on his face and he murmured “Maybe I am a possessive psycho.”

I stared at him. He couldn’t be serious. Then again, this was Aiden Cross. Nothing about him felt normal.

I muttered “You enjoy messing with people”.

Aiden walked closer slowly and asked with a teasing tone “You think this is a game?”

I answered immediately “Yes.”

His gaze dropped briefly to my mouth before returning to my eyes and he whispered “No, games are boring.”

Something about his voice made my stomach tighten and the hallway suddenly felt too small.

I stepped back first and murmured “I’m leaving.”

Aiden grabbed my hoodie before I could move farther. The force pulled me back against his chest hard enough to steal my breath.

I said with gritted teeth “Let go.”

A smirk appeared on his face and he said “You smell angry.”

My pulse jumped and I asked with a confused voice “What?”

His nose brushed slowly near my neck and I froze completely.

He murmured “You always smell angry around me.” 

Heat rushed violently into my face but I ignored it and shoved him hard.

I roared “Stop doing weird shit!”

Aiden laughed quietly then his expression suddenly changed.

His eyes moved toward my throat. There was a mark. His fingers brushed the mark lightly and my breath caught.

He asked softly “What is this?” 

I slapped his hand away and murmured “None of your business.”

For one second, something dangerous flashed across his face. It was not anger but something worse. I didn't want to know what it was.

Then he smiled again like nothing happened and said “See you tomorrow, little wolf.”

I hated how my body reacted whenever he looked at me like that and called me little wolf.

I just knew one thing that I hated Aiden Cross and one day, I would make him kneel in front of me.