Chapter 7

AISHA’S POV

Shock hit me hard, but I did not let it show.

I stood among the girls, smiling softly, trying to breathe normally while my mind raced. Zana was here…at the Academy of all places.

But how?

Fate had a cruel sense of humor. I had not expected to see her face again, not after everything. Not here in a place as prestigious as this. How did she pull it off?

I did not reveal myself. Not then. Not yet.

Zana must not know I was here. A least, for now. That was the first rule I set for myself the moment I saw her. Surprise was a weapon, and I intended to use it,

I reminded myself of what I had learned long ago: the best traps never looked like traps. They looked like accidents. Like bad choices. Like people destroying themselves.

I would let Zana do exactly that.

I stayed where I was, among the elite girls who had already accepted me into their circle. I laughed when they laughed. I asked questions that made me seem curious, new, impressed. I tilted my head when they spoke about their families, their packs, their futures. I made them feel important. Girls like them loved an audience.

“So where are you from, really?” one of them asked, eyeing my dress and jewelry with open interest.

“Here and there,” I replied lightly. “My family moved often. I wanted something… stable.”

They nodded, feeling satisfied. No one ever questioned a pretty answer. They didn’t know I was a good liar

They talked about classes, rankings, professors to avoid. I listened closely. I remembered names and their faces when they pointed them out to me. I noted who spoke the most and who watched quietly. I already knew who would be useful and who would fold under pressure.

-

The next day, they dragged me out to the open field near the training grounds. The sun was high and the air was filled with excitement. I heard the laughter before I saw them.

The Alpha brothers.

Ken, Darren, and Percy were on the field, playing soccer like they owned the place. Their shirts were tight against their bodies with sweat. Their movements were confident. They didn’t even have to try. Their moves seemed effortless.

Power rolled off them even in something as simple as a game. My mouth went dry.

They were even more beautiful than I had imagined. Goddess, they were perfect. They looked like gods.

My wolf stirred inside me with desire. She made a low hungry sound in my chest.

The girls around me giggled, whispering loudly, doing everything they could to be noticed. One fixed her hair for the third time in a minute. Another laughed too loudly at nothing. They waved, called out, pretended not to care while caring desperately.

I stayed still.

When one of the brothers glanced over, I lifted my hand and waved once. Ken saw me. His lips curved into a small smile, and he waved back before returning to the game.

Heat rushed to my face. I blushed. I was even genuinely surprised by my own reaction.

The girls squealed instantly. “Did you see that?” one whispered. “He smiled at you!”

I laughed softly, shrugging. “It was nothing.”

But I kept looking at them. I watched the way they moved together, how they communicated without words. My wolf growled again, this time with approval. I admired them, not just for their looks, but for how damn powerful they were. They seemed close. That kind of bond was rare..

I listened more than I spoke. Always.

Eventually, the conversation shifted.

“The rogue girl,” one of them said with a scoff. “Zana.”

My heart skipped, but my face remained smooth. “Rogue girl?” I asked casually. “I don’t think I’ve met her.”

They laughed. “You’re lucky.”

“She thinks she belongs here,” another said. “The triplets have noticed her, though. Not in a good way. She irritates them.”

“She’s nothing special,” someone added. “Too quiet. Too rough. They brought her here to entertain the triplets”

“She’s nothing special” someone else said “I’m sure she’s weak”

I hid my surprise and acted like I didn’t know who she was. They had no idea. Zana was many things, but weak was not one of them. I had seen her fight. I had seen her survive. That was exactly why she could not stay.

Not because she was a threat now. But because she could become one.

I did not attack directly. I never did. I would take it slowly.

Over the next few days, I moved carefully. I spoke to professors with gentle concern. “She seems tense,” I said once, lowering my voice. “I worry she might hurt someone without meaning to.” I whispered rumors into the right ears about Zana’s temper, her instability, her past. I framed her as unpredictable. I made them think she was dangerous.

I waited.

Zana’s anger would surface. It always did. And when it did, everyone would already be watching for it.

-

That night, I chose my moment carefully.

The Academy grounds were calmer after dinner. There were lanterns in the air. Students talked in different small groups. By this time, people would be more relaxed. This was the perfect time to strike.

I wore a dark fitted dress that fit me perfectly. My hair was loose. I checked my reflection once and nodded to myself. I looked perfect.

The Alpha brothers stood near the edge of the courtyard, away from the noise. Ken leaned against a pillar, arms crossed, watching everything without looking like he cared. Darren sat on the low stone wall with one foot propped up, smiling at something Percy said. Percy stood between them.

I walked past them first, slowly, as if I didn’t know who they were. Then I turned back, acting surprised.

“Oh,” I said softly. “I didn’t realize anyone else stayed out this late.”

Ken’s eyes lifted to me immediately “We could say the same.”

I smiled politely. “I’m Aisha. I’m new.”

Darren tilted his head. “We know.”

That made my pulse jump, but I composed myself “Then I suppose I should be flattered.”

Percy studied me in silence for a long moment before speaking. “You walk like you’re used to being watched.”

I looked at him without blinking. “I learned early that people always are.”

Ken looked like he was ready to end the conversation. “Enjoy the Academy, Aisha.”

It was a dismissal, a polite one.

I nodded but deep down, I felt disappointed. “I intend to.”

I stepped back, but I didn’t leave immediately. I let my eyes stay on himfor just a second longer than necessary, then turned away.

As I walked, I felt itheir attention snapping back to something else.

Zana.

She crossed the courtyard. The moment she passed, I felt the shift behind me.

Ken’s jaw tightened. Darren’s smile faded. Percy’s eyes followed her longer than they should have.

I stopped just out of their sight, looking at them. I watched their reactions.

That was when I understood.

Zana was not invisible to them. She was irritating them because she mattered. Because she was different. Because she did not bend.

I smiled to myself slowly.

This was not a rivalry yet but it would be.

If seduction would not pull them in, I’d find another way