CHAPTER ONE (The Rules of Survival)

There are three rules for surviving college. One: keep your grades high enough to impress the elders, two: avoid drama at all costs, three…and this one is non-negotiable, never date an athlete.

I learned the third rule the hard way.

The holidays had only just ended and still the quad was silent but a group of stragglers were coming in with suitcases and coffee cups.

I’d come back earlier than most—barely a week after a pack run to mark the New Year. Duty never waits, not when you’re the Alpha’s only child. Responsibility sticks to me the way a shadow does, reminding me of what I’m meant to become.

At Mystic Falls University, my name arrives before I do, whispered like a warning. Second semester, freshman year, and already the wolves know better. I see it in the way their eyes drop when I pass, in the way they slide out of my path without a word, in the way my name slips from their tongues like it carries fangs.

Respect. That’s what I told myself it was.

But maybe it was something else entirely.

The keycard beeped as I swiped into my dorm. Practice had been late, and my legs ached all over from a two-hour routine overhaul. All I wanted was a hot shower, a cup of tea, sweatpants, my bed and N*****x.

But the instance I stepped in, the air hit me. I wasn't welcomed by the clean scent of pine and snow in my room, but something heavier, sharper–sweat and desire that wasn't mine. My nostrils flared before I registered why.

Then I saw them.

Troy Bolton— my boyfriend, or rather my ex now— sprawled across my bed like he owned it. The nerve he had. And Amber, my supposed friend. My roommate. She was straddling him, shirt already tossed aside. Her cheer skirt rucked up around her hips. Pom-poms scattered across the rug, like the pathetic remnants of some shrine to bad decisions.

I gasped, but the sound barely registered over the pounding in my ears.

For a heartbeat, no one moved.

Amber’s face crumpled the moment her eyes met mine. “S-Sienna—”

Troy blinked, surprise flickering before his mouth betrayed him. A smirk—quick, but I caught it—before he rearranged his face into something contrite. “Babe, this isn’t what it—”

My jaw locked. I didn’t cry. I didn’t shout. I wasn’t about to give him the satisfaction.

“It’s exactly what it looks like.” My words sliced clean, sharp enough to draw blood.

Amber scrambled off him, clutching at her skirt, head bowed like she’d just realized the depth of her stupidity. Troy, of course, tried to play the man—swinging his legs off the bed, like we were about to talk.

I stepped forward, letting my Alpha aura unfurl, subtle but heavy enough to thicken the air. Amber whimpered. Troy went rigid.

“You’re in my bed,” I said flatly. “Get out.”

No theatrics. No drama. Just command.

Then I turned to Amber. “You have until eleven tonight to move your things out of this room.”

Her eyes flew wide, lips parting.

“It’s six, Sienna,” Troy cut in, his voice low, defensive. “Where do you expect her to go?”

I finally looked at him—really looked. The boy who thought he was untouchable, the Beta’s son, star quarterback of Mystic Falls.

“You should've thought of that before dragging her onto my bed.” I stepped closer, voice steady, sharp. “And how bold of you, Troy, to question my authority. You’re not even sorry.”

He scoffed, rolling his eyes like I was the problem. “Oh, come on—it’s nothing serious. We were just… having a moment. Something I don’t get with you.”

My stomach turned. “So it’s my fault you couldn’t keep your dick in your pants?” I cut him off, voice low and cold. Then I shook my head. “You know what—don’t answer that. I don’t care anymore. Leave. Now.”

And they did. Without a word.

The second the door beeped shut behind them, I broke. Tears I’d held back crashed over me. You’d think being the Alpha’s daughter was exciting, but I learned early: everyone in your life is an opportunity first, and a person second.

Still—it hurt.

Because I liked him. Because I’d had a crush on him since we were kids. And when he finally gave me a chance, I leapt at it. No hesitation, no second thoughts. And now here I was, crying myself to sleep, praying morning would come without more drama.

But wolves are wolves.

By the next day, whispers trailed me through every hallway, clinging like shadows. Wolves move fast—but gossip moves faster.

“Troy cheated on her with Amber…” someone hissed by a locker.

“Will Troy lose his spot as next Beta of Crescent Moon?” a voice from another pack asked.

I guess being an heir isn’t that special,” another muttered.

My gaze snapped toward them, sharp as a blade, and they scattered like prey.

I forced myself to stay composed in class, but by training time, the stares were heavier. Curious glances from benches, heads lifting from sparring grounds, scents spiking in the air—curiosity, judgment, pity. Some dipped their heads in respect. Others turned away too quickly, as if meeting my eyes might burn them.

My phone buzzed nonstop with messages:

Do you want us to deal with him?

Say the word, Sienna.

We’ll make him regret it.

We’re going after Amber during training today.

Delete. Delete. Delete.

Retaliation was for wolves who needed to prove something. I didn’t.

What I needed was solitude. Space to breathe. It was only my first year here, but already I knew one thing for certain: people would never stop talking about this.

________

I was on my way to see the head of department, the email still fresh in my inbox: Report to my office immediately.

Knocking once, I adjusted my jacket.

“Enter,” a voice called from within.

I pushed the door open. “Good afternoon, Mr. Williams.”

“Welcome, Miss Carter. Please, sit.” He gestured toward the chair across from his desk.

“I received an email from your secretary,” I said as I sat down.

“Yes.” He reached into his desk and slid a brown envelope across the table. “These are your transfer papers. Everything’s already signed.”

I blinked, the words catching me off guard. “Transfer?”

“A change of major,” he clarified. “Your father pulled some strings—it went through smoothly. You weren’t aware?”

I shook my head slowly, though my gut already knew.

“Well,” he continued, adjusting his glasses, “your father, Mr. Carter, feels Sports Psychology will be a stronger path for you. More… practical for your future. Mystic Falls University lost its accreditation three years ago, so you’ve been transferred to Northgate University.”

At the mention of my father’s name, I stopped listening. Of course. His decision. My life.

I opened the envelope with deliberate calm and skimmed the document:

Name: Sienna Carter

Institution: Northgate University

Department: Sports Psychology

Status: Transfer Approved

A humorless smile tugged at my lips. A fresh start, whether I wanted it or not.

Maybe this was the opportunity I didn’t know I needed.