YOUR RIVAL

MARLOWE

A cold chill broke over my temples as my feet dragged over the floors of Havenmoon Academy—a prestigious institution built exclusively for high-ranking wolves, Alpha heirs, Pack Council elders' rich, spoiled brats… and finally, a wolfless, packless scholarship case like me.

I clutched the acceptance letter in my hands close to my chest, a small smile stretching across my lips. I had never belonged here. I kept my head down, ate my lunch alone in the team locker rooms, and avoided their territory completely. I wasn't invited to their pack parties. A charity case with a faint scent like me had no reason to be seen with the apex predators of the school.

But for once, I'd won. I had completely crushed the academy’s Academic and Athletic Assessment—the ultimate gauntlet to determine who would represent our school on the national stage. I had topped the leaderboard, taking first place. For a rogue-born scholarship student, it was a massive deal.

I halted, my ears perking up as my enhanced senses caught a sudden, echoing roar coming from the secluded corridor ahead.

“You couldn't even beat him? A common rogue charity case? A scholarship wolf whose tuition I personally sponsor? Second place?! That was the best you could fucking do on the ice and in the rankings?!” a fierce, feminine voice thundered, radiating pure dominant command.

i  clamped my lips shut, my breath hitching in my chest as the oppressive Alpha aura flooded the hallway.

This was… Asher Berga

Son of Alpha King Shawn Berga, the future Alpha King, and the undisputed heir to the throne. He was also the lethal captain of the academy’s varsity hockey team. Top student, deadly on the ice, handsome, built like a literal war god, and possessed twice the ego of a normal Alpha.

“I… he won because he's smarter, Mother. He won first place fair and square,” a familiar, gravelly voice muttered.

“I tried. Being second on the roster makes no difference, I—”

I watched, wide-eyed from the shadows, as Luna Varun's hand flew out, striking a resounding slap across his face.

Asher tilted his head from the impact, his jaw dropping in shock before he slowly snapped his gaze back to her. His jaw ticked, his eyes flashing a dangerous amber, and his claws briefly extended as his fists clenched.

“Second place? I am your mother, and I will not let you disgrace our bloodline,” she blurted out coldly.

“The future Alpha King should not be second in anything—not in the classroom, and damn sure not on the ice. I'm already fighting the Council for our pack territory. A useless heir is what I despise most. I’m embarrassed to call you my son.”

“I’ll do better, Mother. I’m sorry. I’ll make things right during the tournament, I—”

She held up a sharp palm against his face, looking utterly repulsed, before storming past him. Her heavy winter coat trailed behind her as she disappeared down the grand hallway, completely leaving my line of sight.

“Fucking bitch,” Asher growled, a low, animalistic purr of frustration ripping from his throat.

He slammed a fist into the locker wall, running his fingers through his dark hair. A bitter scoff broke from his lips as he tugged at the strands, his inner wolf clearly raging beneath the surface.

Suddenly, his head snapped up—his predatory reflexes moving way too fast for me to even blink.

His piercing gaze locked onto mine.

I could see the raw fury, humiliation, and chaotic golden sparks swirling in his eyes. His tongue rolled over his pierced lower lip as he caught my scent, immediately storming toward me and closing the space between us in four long, terrifying strides.

“Look what the cat fucking dragged in,” he sneered, leaning down into my personal space, his mint-and-cedar scent overwhelming my senses.

I took a sharp step back, only to realize I'd been boxed in against the brick wall. His hands slammed on either side of my head, caging me completely.

“Eavesdropping on an Alpha, are we? Isn't this our worthless little scholarship weakling?” he asked, his voice dripping with venom.

I didn't know whether to run or fight.

Asher was arrogant, egoistic, and delusional, fully believing every wolf in the quadrant wanted to crawl into his bed.

Well, I didn't.

“I wasn't eavesdropping. My ears merely walked by,” I blurted out, refusing to let my voice tremble as I aimed directly for his bruised ego. “And I certainly didn't notice your Luna mother slapping the absolute shit out of her star captain, or you calling her a bitch.”

His eyes sparked with a maniacal, dangerous glint.

His head dipped lower, his lips hovering mere inches above mine, sending a wave of unwanted electricity down my spine.

“You've got a fucking sharp tongue for a rogue,” he growled, his voice dropping to a low, lethal Alpha vibration. “I hate when people don't know their place in the pecking order. Do you have any idea who I am?”

Of course.

There went the massive Alpha ego that needed to be stroked every single minute of the day.

“Yes. Team Captain and Alpha Heir, Asher. And I still beat you fair and square,” I snapped, keeping my chin parallel to his, refusing to cower beneath his dominant stance. “Now, if you'll excuse me, I’m heading to the dean's office to collect my MVP prize.”

He tilted his head, our lips almost brushing. His tongue poked the inside of his cheek as he stared me down.

He was absolutely livid that a packless guy had witnessed him getting broken down by his mother.

“I cannot fucking stand charity cases like you. You got lucky on one test, bottom-feeder,” he snarled, pulling away just enough to break the suffocating tension. “I’m letting you hold the top spot on the roster just to show some fucking mercy. Learn your place.”

My face heated with burning irritation.

How could he talk down to me like I was beneath his paws?

Mercy?

I had out-skated, out-studied, and out-played him fair and fucking square.

“Maybe if you knocked your ego down a few pegs, you'd realize I'm not interested in your title, your pack, or trying to get into your bed,” I hissed right back, my own inner fire flaring up. “Being born an Alpha heir doesn't make your blood any sweeter than mine. Matter of fact, I hate you and every wolf who worships your bullshit. Seeing how your own mother talks to you, I bet she knows exactly how much of a waste of space you really are.”

I didn't wait for his Alpha roar or his retaliation.

I ducked right under his arm, shooting past him into the grand hallway, and practically sprinted toward the main administrative wing.

I gave a sharp, decisive knock on the heavy oak door of the dean's office.

“Come in,” a voice called out.

As I walked inside, the elderly dean lifted his head from his paperwork, sighing deeply when he recognized my face.

“Ah, Marlowe. You won first place in the tournament selections. You'll be co-captaining and representing Havenmoon Academy in the upcoming regional championships. Your pack-tax and award f*e will be paid in full by the board,” the dean explained in a bored, monotonous tone, tossing a heavy silver envelope across the desk.

“However, you'll be traveling and rooming with whoever secured second place.”

“Second place?” I stuttered, my fingers freezing as I picked up the silver envelope.

A sudden wave of cold dread washed over me, making my knees feel weak.

“Isn't… that…”

“Yes. Asher, the Alpha heir,” the dean sighed, adjusting his glasses. “The school board requires our top two representatives to bond for team synergy. You'll be staying in the same academy cabin for the duration of the two-day tournament. And you'll be leaving with him… today.”

The temperature in the room plummeted instantly.

My heart skipped a violent beat as the door swung open behind me.

I turned slowly, my eyes locking with a pair of familiar, glowing amber depths.

“Welcome, Asher,” the dean muttered, his gaze shifting back and forth between the two of us. “I was just explaining to Marlowe that you'll be sharing a transport and a cabin for the tournament. It seems you two rivals already know each other.”

A slow, predatory grin split Asher's face in half.

He stepped into the room, extending a broad, calloused hand toward me—the hand of a killer defenseman.

“I’m Asher,” he purred, his voice smooth, dark, and laced with a terrifying promise.

“Pleased to meet my new co-captain.”

His golden eyes held mine.

“And I promise you, Marlowe… this road trip is going to be utterly unforgettable.”