I calmly drag on but my mind is racing. Is Joseph’s survival proof? Or am I missing something here? The only difference I can see is that Joseph was stronger than them. Is your innate strength what matters? If Joseph has the ability to reach that level of power further down the line of his life then the pill brought that out. Does that mean the other two did not have that ability and died as a result of forcing it out? I need to report this to Father. It’s just a theory for now but it is more than we’ve had in months. “Can you please tell them that we fought together?” Eldon’s voice cuts in suddenly. I stop, glancing down at him. The request catches me off guard. “Why? There’s nothing to hide.” “I won’t have an advantage in the Alpha Games if everyone knows I’m stronger than I’ve been letting on.” “That’s inevitable.” “I know but-” His head hangs low, shoulders tense. My wolf presses forward, his gaze steady on the boy before us. A rare flicker of curiosity in place of the u
Maybe finally I can get some answers about this damned pill. Joseph’s friends lunge at me from opposite sides. They’re wolves are smaller than Joseph’s wolf, but they compensate with speed, pressing hard with the advantage of two against one. Their movements are sharp, and wild but not unnatural. I weave between them, my body flowing like water while my mind observes every twitch, every strike, every irregular surge of power from that cursed pill. It’s a hassle, but this is the closest I’ve been to understanding it since that night. In less than two minutes, I’ve learned enough. I coat my fist with pressure and drive it into the wolf charging from the right. The impact cracks the air like thunder, and he flies headfirst into a tree, crumpling at its base with a sickening thud. Out cold. The other wolf hesitates, stunned. That’s all I need. In a blur, I’m behind him, slamming him to the ground with bone-crushing force. My hand locks his wrist, twisting behind his back until the j
ROMAN’S POVMy phone lights up with a notification beside me.I glance at it, then return to my game. Maybe after this level, I’ll get back to whoever that is. Dad only calls me anyway.My team is up against the final boss on level 150. We’ve been grinding for an hour to get here, but the dragon doesn’t look like it’ll let us have our way anytime soon. Every spell, every advance, it counters with brutal precision.How do you defeat an enemy stronger than you are?Dragons, even in fiction, are the embodiment of overwhelming strength. Whoever designed this game made sure to keep it as painfully realistic as possible.An hour drags by before the team finally decides to quit. They do all the talking, and I let them. With a sigh, I set my controller down and pick up my phone. I am about to google how to kill a dragon when the earlier notification catches my eye again.Meet me at xxx xxxx xxx.“Now, who could this be?” I murmur.A quick search through the academy’s system reveals the number
My head spins. My chest seizes. All I can see is red, all I can hear is the rush of blood in my ears. Blood. Blood. Blood. He’s dying. Roman is dying. My mate is dying. My wolf erupts inside me, feral and grief-stricken. A strangled cry claws its way out of my throat. Only when I turn do I notice the bodies, seven of them. Two dawn mage uniforms, the rest in assassin black, sprawled lifeless on the ground. Roman had taken them all down. Alone. And paid for it with this. “Roman,” I choke, bringing my trembling hand to his cheek. His skin is like ice, his breaths shallow, ragged. The veins crawl faster, racing toward his brain. “I-I haven’t healed anyone before,” I sob, “I tried. I’ve been trying… it didn’t work. Ezra—Ezra, is he going to die?” Ezra’s flame bursts into being beside me, bigger and brighter than ever. His voice is firm. “Eldora, you can do this. Try.” My whole body shakes. My heart claws against my ribs. I place my palm against Roman’s chest. Even in unconscious
“I won’t stay in the hall too long,” I murmur aloud. “Being mindful of people all night would be exhausting.” “It’s fine,” Aunt Irene says with a dismissive wave, already gathering the remnants of her tools into a bag along with my previous clothes. “As long as you don’t stay hidden away in here by yourself, I don’t mind.” Her gaze lingers on me a moment longer before she turns and slips out the door. I glance at Darien. He’s already watching me, a half-smile on his lips, and when he offers his hand, I take it without hesitation. His palm is warm, steady. Tonight… I’m going to enjoy myself. Without fear. Without a care. As we step back into the main hall, stares follow us immediately. Aunt disappears to find a staff member to deliver her bag to the car, while Darien and I reenter the swirl of the party. The atmosphere has shifted—most of the senior Alphas have vanished into their summit, leaving the hall lighter, buzzing with youth, betas, and spouses. Laughter rises above the m
I am so going to get an earful. Dragging the door open, I barely had time to breathe before Aunt Irene’s eyes landed on Darien behind me. “Before you say or do anything,” I rushed out, hands raised in surrender, “let me explain.” - “And you didn’t tell me,” she said after my stumbling explanation, voice clipped, “because you thought I’d drag you home and make you abandon the certificate.” I nodded, sheepish. She exhaled slowly, then turned her gaze on Darien. He sat like a student in the principal’s office, but somehow, somehow, still carried the air of someone in charge. His posture was loose, deliberate. Unbothered. “And what’s your reason,” Aunt Irene asked coldly, “for not turning her over to the academy authorities? Or blackmailing us?” Darien lifted a shoulder in an easy shrug. “I have money.” “I have more.” Her tone was flat, dangerous. For the first time, his composure shifted ever so slightly. But then he leaned forward, elbows on his knees, that sly smile tugging a