He Can’t Be My Alpha_X

No one knows my secret. I might be a Beta without a fated mate at the academy, but online, I have an Alpha. Alpha_X.

And for one year, we've been setting each other's screens on fire.

"Miss me?"

I dropped the streamers and sent the text.

The graduation bonfire. The trial competitions. My relentless training for the Alliance. I've been running myself into the ground. Finally, a single moment to breathe. A single moment for him.

My phone buzzed instantly.

A photo popped up.

He was shirtless. Sweat carved paths between mountains of muscle on his back.

Jagged scars crisscrossed his skin, a testament to his feral power.

Raw Alpha energy practically vibrated through the screen.

My mouth went dry.

[I miss you too, my Moon.]

[I want you to feel how hard I am. My wolf can’t hold back its craving for you anymore.]

My heart hammered. My inner wolf went wild.

This is what I want.

Here at Northwood, I’m a freak. A Beta who hasn't found her mate. But I refuse to feel inferior.

My classmates, all happily paired up, look at me with pity. Their eyes say what their mouths whisper: Poor, broken Ava.

"It's almost graduation and she still hasn't found a mate."

"She's a monster. No man will ever want her."

I’ve heard the whispers.

They don’t get it. I don’t want the simple-minded, horny wolves at this academy.

I refuse to submit to just any Alpha. I want an equal.

Omegas and other Betas aren’t good enough. And the Alphas...

They’re too aggressive. I can’t reach that high.

More importantly, my family has high hopes for me. Joining the Alliance is my only goal. This is no time for romance.

Once I’m in the Alliance, I can finally meet Alpha_X.

He’s perfect. He feels tailor-made for me.

Powerful, yet willing to submit to me. Passionate, but gentle only with me.

I bit my lip, ready to type back something even more suggestive.

But then my eyes caught something in the background of the photo.

My blood ran cold.

On a weapon rack, an old sigil stood out.

Two silver fangs crossed under a blood-red moon.

The crest of the Bloodmoon Core.

I stared at the screen. My fingers started to tremble.

The Bloodmoon Core. The most elite, most ancient society in the entire academy.

Only pureblood warriors get in. The most terrifying, bloodthirsty fighters. The most arrogant Alphas.

I had pulled every string I had just to get my foot in the door of that organization.

Even then, the core members look at me with contempt. Like a lamb that wandered into a wolf pack.

And now my online boyfriend is one of them?

My phone buzzed wildly. Messages from Alpha_X flooded in.

[My Moon? Why aren’t you answering?]

[Was the picture too much?]

[Or… are you thinking about another Alpha?]

That last message was full of pathetic, hurt insecurity. Like a big dog being ignored by its owner.

I forced myself to calm down. My fingers flew across the keyboard.

[Of course not. I was just stunned by your perfect body. You’re a flawless warrior, my Alpha.]

[Really? I thought you were done with me.]

[As long as you still need me, I’ll do anything for you, my Moon.]

His replies were so obedient. So desperate for my approval.

But now, his words felt different.

If he’s really a member of the Bloodmoon Core, then in real life he must be someone untouchable.

Arrogant. Powerful. Untamable.

And I’m… just a Beta who barely scraped her way into the organization’s outer circle.

Worse, I thought about the "commands" I’d sent him online...

"Tonight, I want to see you... perform for me."

"My Alpha should learn how to please his Moon."

"Be a good boy. Let me hear your voice."

Oh god, what have I said to him?

If he’s one of those arrogant purebloods, what does he think of me?

Does he think I’m just some clueless Beta who dared to order him around?

Or… is this all a trap?

My position in the Bloodmoon Core is already shaky. Could the ones who hate me have set this up to watch me crash and burn?

If this is a trap, it's not just about humiliation. I could be kicked out. My recommendation for the Alliance—gone. Everything I've worked for—destroyed.

A chill ran down my spine. Panic seized my heart.

I have to find out who he is.

I need to know if this is real or some sick joke.

More importantly, I have to make sure I don't become a laughingstock for the Bloodmoon Core.

My fingers trembled as I scrolled through our chat history. Over a year of conversations.

Every picture. Every sweet word. Every late-night fantasy…

None of it mattered anymore.

I had to know. Who is he?

My eyes landed on a photo.

Found it.