Chapter 2

I followed the crowd down the grand staircase and across the courtyard to the Great Hall. The massive oak doors stood open, revealing a cavernous room lined with portraits of distinguished alumni, my great-grandfather among them, I knew but didn't pause to look.

Long tables filled the space, already crowded with students. At the far end, a raised platform held another table where faculty members were seated. My eyes scanned the room, quickly identifying the hierarchy. The most dominant alphas commanded the center tables, with status diminishing toward the edges.

I aimed for a spot near the wall, not conspicuously isolated but definitely not central, as I made my way through the crowd, I kept my movements confident but not challenging. This was the most dangerous moment, walking through a sea of alphas who might catch my scent if the formula failed.

I was almost to my chosen seat when it happened.

My shoulder bumped against someone moving in the opposite direction, I mumbled an apology and tried to continue, but a hand grabbed my arm, stopping me.

"Watch where you're going," a voice growled.

I looked up to see a face I recognized from my research, it was Master Ivan Volkov, a third-year student and combat instructor's assistant. Not nobility like Avalon or Kaelen, but powerful nonetheless, originating from a Russian bloodline known for their ferocity. He stood half a head taller than me, with pale blond hair and cold blue eyes that were now narrowed in irritation.

"Sorry," I repeated, trying to pull my arm free without showing the fear that was rapidly building inside me. An omega challenging an alpha was unthinkable but I wasn't supposed to be an omega here, in these grounds I'm also an alpha. 

Ivan's nostrils flared as he scented me, and for a terrifying moment, I thought the formula had failed but his expression showed only contempt, not the predatory interest that would indicate he'd detected an omega.

"You're the Blackwood," he said, his accent coloring the words, “the charity case” he said in a condescending manner. 

A few nearby students had stopped to watch, sensing potential conflict. I needed to respond like an alpha would, not aggressively enough to provoke a dominance challenge but not submissively either.

"I earned my place here," I said evenly, meeting his gaze despite every instinct screaming at me to look down.

Ivan laughed, the sound sharp and without humor. "The Blackwoods haven't earned anything in generations, your line is weak and rumor says you produce omegas now."

Ice flooded my veins, how much did he know? But the casual cruelty in his voice suggested this was just an insult, not actual knowledge of my secret.

Something inside me snapped, perhaps it was the long journey, the stress of infiltration or the years of hiding, but I did something incredibly stupid or rather impulsive, I shoved his hand off my arm.

"My bloodline is none of your concern," I said, voice harder than I intended.

The hall went silent, even the faculty at the head table paused their conversations, watching. I had just committed the cardinal sin, a lesser alpha challenging a stronger one on the first day.

Ivan's face darkened with rage, he moved so fast I barely saw it coming, a hand at my throat, shoving me backward until I hit the stone wall beside the entry. My head cracked against it, sending stars shooting across my vision.

"You need to learn your place, pup," he snarled, his face inches from mine.

My omega biology betrayed me in that moment, pinned by an alpha's strength, dominated completely, my body's natural response was to go limp, to submit, i was helpless, my muscles relaxed, my eyes lowered and my neck exposed itself slightly.

Ivan noticed, his expression shifted from anger to something more calculating, more confused. He leaned in closer, scenting me again, his nose nearly brushing my neck where the formula had been applied.

Panic cleared my head, if he detected anything unusual, I was finished. With every ounce of willpower, I forced myself to struggle against his hold, to push back against his chest even though it felt like pushing against a brick wall.

"Get off me," I managed to say, though my voice sounded weak even to my own ears.

Around us, laughter erupted, cruel and mocking. I was being put in my place, the upstart new student getting what he deserved, to them, this was just the natural order reasserting itself.

"Ivan," a new voice cut through the laughter. "Release him."

The command carried such authority that even I felt compelled to obey it, though it wasn't directed at me. Ivan's grip loosened slightly as he turned his head.

Duke Avalon Ravencrest stood a few feet away, his powerful frame casting a shadow over both of us. Next to him stood Lord Kaelen Silverthorn who leaned against a column, watching the scene with apparent boredom that didn't reach his alert eyes.

"This doesn't concern you, Ravencrest," Ivan said, but there was new tension in his voice. He might outrank me in the hierarchy, but Avalon and Kaelen stood at its apex.

"You're causing a scene at an official academy function," Avalon said coolly, “that concerns me."

His dark eyes moved to me, taking in my disheveled appearance and the unnatural stillness of my body. Something flickered in his gaze, I couldn't tell if it was curiosity or suspicion but it sent a fresh wave of fear through me.

"Fine," Ivan muttered, releasing me abruptly.

I managed to stay on my feet, though it took more effort than it should have. Every instinct screamed at me to drop my eyes, to show submission to Avalon, who radiated alpha power like heat from a furnace. Somehow, I kept my gaze level, though I couldn't quite meet his eyes directly.

"Thank you," I said stiffly, "but I could have handled it."

The laughter that followed was even louder than before, Ivan sneered, "Sure you could, omega-spawn."

The insult struck too close to the truth, heat flooded my face as I straightened my uniform with shaking hands. I had failed my first test spectacularly, not only had I drawn attention to myself, but I had revealed weakness that didn't align with my supposed alpha status.

"Enough," Avalon said, his voice soft but carrying such authority that the laughter died instantly. "Ivan, go to your table and the rest of you, find your seats, now!."

The crowd dispersed, students hurrying to obey. Ivan shot me one last venomous look before stalking away. I was left standing with Avalon and Kaelen, which was hardly an improvement, from frying pan to fire.

The headmaster's voice boomed across the hall, calling for attention as the welcoming ceremony began. Avalon nodded toward an empty seat at a nearby table.

"Sit with us," he said, it wasn't a request.

I found myself being guided to a central table, the absolute worst place for someone trying to remain inconspicuous. As I sat down, uncomfortably aware of Avalon on one side and Kaelen on the other, I could feel dozens of eyes on me, the fallen Blackwood was somehow seated with the academy's elite.

Throughout the headmaster's speech welcoming new students, I barely heard a word. My mind was racing, cataloging my mistakes and assessing the damage. I had drawn attention, revealed weakness and now I sat in the spotlight between the two most powerful alphas in the school, alphas from the very families that had claimed my omega relatives.