LOGINChapter 91Damon stammered, his mouth opening and closing. "I… he… what I mean is…"Talia was staring at him as well, there was a crease on her forehead as she waited for his answer. Mrs. Doris rested against the edge of her desk, crossing her arms. "I'm waiting for an answer, Mr. Creed. Why can't Sage stay with another boy?"Damon licked his lips nervously. "Because we've been roommates for a while now and I'm the one who understands Sage best. He has... routines. Changing everything suddenly will be disruptive for him."Talía mouth parted open. She was shocked by his answer, and mostly because she had no idea that Damon was this concerned about her.Mrs. Doris scoffed. "Disruptive? What's disruptive, Mr. Creed, is inappropriate behavior in front of the entire student body." She pushed away from the desk she was resting on, her voice hardening. "You both need to learn about proper conduct. What is and isn't acceptable in this institution.""It was a mistake," Talía spoke now, althou
Chapter 93Derek stood frozen in the bleachers, his heart was pounding so hard it hurt. His mind could not make sense of what his eyes had just seen.Talia had explicitly told him that he did not like boys and that girls like Selene was his type.Had that been a lie? All of it? What else has Sage lied about? Derek's hands clenched into fists at his sides and his chest felt too tight. Down on the field, Master Arcade was yelling and gesturing wildly. Other faculty members rushed onto the arena floor and the crowd around him were already whispering in shock at the scene unfolding in front of them. "Did that just happen?""Damon Creed kissed another boy!""In front of everyone!"He could see Damon and Talía being led away, probably to the headmistress’s office but he could not care. Not with how fast his heart was racing. Beside him, Alina had her hand over her mouth and her eyes were wide with shock.But even her reaction was nothing compared to the storm raging inside him.His thro
Chapter 92Talia's heart dropped into her stomach. Of course it had to be Big Joe.She walked onto the field, her legs feeling unsteady and her hands trembled slightly at her sides.Damon was beside her and noticed the way she was shaking. He reached out and took her hand, squeezing gently."We can do this," he whispered, his voice calm. "Together."She looked up at him and saw the confidence in his eyes. She felt hope settle in her chest. "Together," she agreed, squeezing his hand back.Across the field, Big Joe cracked his knuckles menacingly while Tyler stood beside him, his lips curled into a cocky smirk. "Listen," Damon said, releasing her hand. "You focus on Tyler. I'll handle Big Joe. Can you do that?"Talia nodded, her jaw set tightly. "Yes.""Good." Damon shifted his stance and rolled his shoulders. "Remember everything we practiced."Master Arcade raised his hand. "Fighters ready!" The entire arena drew their breaths. "Begin!"The whistle blew and immediately Big Joe charg
Chapter 91"The second round will be one-on-one combat.” Master Arcade raised his hands for silence when the crowd cheered. “Each fight will continue until one opponent yields or is unable to continue."Talia’s fingers curled into a fist at the announcement, but before she could move, she felt a hot breath on her ear."I hope they put us together," Big Joe whispered menacingly. "I owe you for that stunt on the balance beam."She turned her neck to the side, meeting his glare and she swallowed. “What do you---“"Back off," Damon snapped, interrupting her. He placed a hand on Big Joe’s shoulder. “I won’t warn you again.” Big Joe scoffed but he stepped away, muttering something underneath his breath."First match!" Master Arcade read aloud from his scroll. "Marcus Bellamy versus Ethan Cross!"A tall boy with scraggly blonde locks stepped forward first then Marcus followed behind, his face was unusually stern. The crowd erupted in cheers and applause. She watched as the two of them circ
Chapter 90Talia’s hands were trembling so hard she had to clench them into fists to hide it.All the tournament participants were made to stand in one section of the field. Her heart pounded as she looked around at the other competitors, most of them bigger and more experienced.Damon was standing beside her and she did not miss the encouraging smile he passed her. She grinned back, grateful for his presence. Master Arcade's voice boomed across the field. "Attention, participants!"Everyone went silent immediately. Master Arcade stood on the stage as he spoke. "Welcome to the Alpha Trial Tournament. This competition will test your strength, speed, and endurance. Only the strongest will advance."He gestured to the massive obstacle course that had been set up behind him. It was brutal with rope swings, mud pits, balance beams over water, and what looked like swinging logs at the end."Your first challenge is simple," Master Arcade continued. "Complete the obstacle course before the t
Chapter 89"Sage, come out."Damon's voice came through the bathroom door, and he gently knocked on the door. “Sage!”"No," Talia called back, her voice trembling slightly. She sat on the closed toilet lid, her head in her hands, and trying to breathe through her nose. But it felt impossible, it felt like her chest was too tight. Today was the tournament and she does not feel ready. Not even close."Sage." Damon knocked gently. "We don't have to go to the arena immediately. We have time, just come out."She squeezed her eyes shut and forced herself to take one breath then another.Finally, she stood and unlocked the door.Damon stood at the other side, looking at her with a soft smile that made her chest ache in a completely different way.She ducked her head, wringing her fingers together. "I'm not usually like this. I don't know why I'm so anxious.""It's normal," Damon said, his tone teasing. "You're about to fight in front of the entire school. Anyone would be nervous."He took







