CHAPTER THREE

MARK’S POV 

Loud yawns slipped out of my mouth as I slouched deeper into my chair. My gaze was not on Trainer Dane, even though he paced back and forth like he owned the whole world. 

The man always moved like he was carrying the weight of the Wolves Academy on his shoulders. He talked too much, explained too much, and acted like we were weak pups instead of future Alphas.

Honestly, I didn’t care about his boring explanation. He loved the attention, especially during morning lectures. 

He spoke with his chest out, his arms folded behind him, his voice deep and thick. Anyone could tell he enjoyed the power that came with his position. But power was temporary. One day, I would put him in his place.

My eyes drifted to the new guy, Roberts… or whatever he chose to call himself.

He sat upright, his spine straight like a newly sharpened spear. His attention was completely fixed on Dane, like Dane was saying something worth listening to.

 Roberts barely blinked, and every now and then, the color drained from his eyes whenever Dane mentioned something gruesome.

There was something about this boy.

Something strange.

Something I couldn’t understand no matter how hard I tried. I just had this nagging feeling deep inside of me

He was small. Very small. Too small for a boy who claimed he wanted to become an Alpha one day. But that wasn’t the real problem. His scent… his aura… his movements… None of them felt like the boys in this academy. There was something different. Something hidden.

And hidden things always irritated me.

“Enough theory for now,” Dane finally announced, flexing his arms like we needed a reminder of how big they were. “It’s time for some practical actions.”

A slow grin spread on my face.

Finally, something interesting. Something I was sure to love.

The boys shot up from their seats like confused chickens, fighting for space as they hurried toward the doors.

 Their excitement irritated me. They looked like newborn pups going out for their first run. These idiots would be future Alphas someday, yet they behaved like weaklings without sense.

I stood, rolled my shoulders, and walked calmly until I was right beside the new guy.

“Scott, right?” I asked, making sure my voice carried enough authority to shake him a little.

He jumped slightly before raising his head. His lips pressed together tightly.

“Yes. Roberts Scott.”

“Yeah… yeah…” I muttered, eyeing him from head to toe. “Why are you so small though?”

His frown tightened. Good. At least he could feel irritation. I waited for his answer, but he didn’t speak. He just looked at me with this strange confidence that made me uneasy.

“You didn’t hear me?” I asked, my voice sharper. He still didn’t answer. Instead, he let out a low, quiet chuckle.

 A small smirk curled on his lip—one that would have made me pause if he wasn’t so tiny.

Did this shrimp just ignore me?

Me?

My jaw dropped slightly before I clenched my teeth. The audacity. Who did he think he was? Maybe he didn’t know who I was yet. Maybe he didn’t understand the position I held here… or who my family was.

Fine. He would learn soon enough, and I promise, he would learn the hard way. 

We left the hall and walked into the morning sun. The heat was unforgiving. The scorching sun hit every part of our skin, even Trainer Dane’s ridiculously huge arms. 

Shades were placed around the training ground, but the stupid boys still stood in the heat, sweating like pigs waiting for slaughter.

I walked under one of the shades and relaxed, still thinking of Roberts and how he ignored me. My fists instinctively tightened. I didn’t like being ignored. Ever.

“Yo, Mark,” Ryker said as he approached me, his always-friendly smile stuck on his face. Ryker was one of the only people I considered a friend in this place. “What do you think of the new boy?”

“Roberts?” I scoffed. “A fool. And there’s something off about him, but I can’t tell what.”

Ryker chuckled. “You’re always suspicious. I think he’s cool.”

“Whatever…” I rolled my eyes and focused on Dane, who was beginning to pair the boys for sparring.

My arms crossed tightly over my chest as I watched the training ground. The boys began warming up, stretching like they were getting ready for war. Dane’s voice cut through the air, commanding and loud.

“Today,” he shouted, “Roberts, the new student, will spar with Ryker.”

Soft murmurs moved across the field. The boys whispered and stared. My eyes locked on Roberts immediately. A part of me wished I had been picked to spar with him. I wanted to knock some sense into that tiny frame.

“I’ll be right back,” Ryker said with an excited grin. He patted my shoulder and ran off.

He always enjoyed fighting. People always underestimated him because of his smile and cheerful spirit. But Ryker was deadly. A single punch from him could send even a strong trainee to the ground.

Roberts stepped forward, fists clenched. He looked small, but surprisingly ready. I almost laughed. If only he knew what he was walking into.

The sparring matches began. Boys wrestled, punched, dodged and rolled in the dirt, each fight ending with loud cheers. But I was not watching them.

My eyes stayed glued to Roberts.

He stared at every fight with a strange fascination—too fascinated for someone who wanted to be an Alpha. His gaze followed every movement, as if he were studying something. His shoulders rose and fell slowly, as though he was trying to control his breathing.

Something was wrong with this boy.

Something big.

Finally, it was time for the main match—Ryker versus Roberts.

They stepped onto the mat. Ryker cracked his knuckles and grinned.

“Hey, Roberts,” he called. “You do know I’m going to win though, right?”

Roberts said nothing. He didn’t smile. He didn’t show fear. He only tightened his fists.

The whistle blew.

The match began.

And everything happened fast.

Punches filled the air. Ryker moved like a beast unleashed, throwing heavy blows meant to knock Roberts off his feet. 

Roberts dodged some, blocked others, and even though he struggled a bit, he didn’t fall. His small body moved surprisingly quick—too quick at times.

I leaned forward, confused.

How was he keeping up?

Only four people in this entire academy could push Ryker this far: myself, Dane, and two other strong trainees.

But now… Roberts?

The boys started shouting, cheering, and placing bets. Excitement bubbled around the training ground like wildfire.

Roberts ducked under a punch and spun. Ryker threw another blow, but Roberts twisted his body and lifted his arm just in time. Sweat poured from his face, but his eyes remained sharp.

And then it happened.

A single, perfect punch landed on Ryker’s jaw.

Ryker dropped to the floor with a heavy thud.

Silence, then chaos.

Cheering erupted. Boys rushed to Roberts, grabbing his arms, lifting him slightly, shouting his name.

Even Dane looked stunned.

I froze and my jaw hung open.

How? How did Ryker lose to him?

Disgust twisted inside me. It felt wrong. It felt like an insult to everything we had trained for. I stepped forward, clapping slowly, loudly, my smirk sharp and mocking.

“That was a wonderful match,” I said. “I must admit, you're rather powerful to beat Ryker.”

He chuckled but didn’t speak.

Again he ignored me. My blood boiled.

Was he insane? Did he not understand his place? My fists tightened. If I wasn’t controlling myself, I would have wiped that stupid smirk off his face.

“I’m starting to think you don’t speak at all,” I hissed. “Anyways—”

Suddenly, something hit my nose. A strong scent. Strange, yet soft and warm. Nothing like a wolf’s scent. It crawled into my senses, making something deep inside me jolt awake.

“What is that…?” I whispered without meaning to.

My eyes narrowed sharply. I leaned closer to him.

“You seem to have something weird about you, Rob

erts,” I said slowly. “I don’t know what it is… but I will find out. And when I do—”

I grinned darkly.

“You won’t even be able to imagine what happens next.”