Chapter 3 - I Don't Care If You're an Alpha

Azura's POV

The girl glared at me with pure hatred burning in her eyes. She rolled her shoulders, clenched her fists, and took a fighting stance as though she couldn't wait to attack me. I simply let out a quiet scoff.

She thought I was an easy target because I was human. People always made that mistake. Back in Ashmoor, humans didn't have the luxury of avoiding fights. If you wanted to survive, you learned how to defend yourself. I'd spent years protecting myself from bullies, thieves, and people who thought I was weak because of my strange appearance. She had no idea who she was dealing with.

The moment she lunged, I sidestepped. Her fist sliced through empty air. She clicked her tongue and swung again, faster this time. I caught her wrist before the punch could land, twisted it behind her back, then trapped her other arm just as quickly. She struggled, but the more she fought, the tighter my grip became.

"Ah!" Her scream echoed through the courtyard.

I tightened my grip just enough to stop her from struggling. "You should never mess with me," I said calmly, my voice carrying across the silent courtyard. I slowly looked around at the crowd gathering around us. "And this is a warning to every single one of you." My eyes met theirs one after another. "If you think you can humiliate me just because I'm human," I pushed her arms a little higher, making her whimper, "then you'll end up exactly like this."

With one final shove, I released her. She stumbled forward and landed face first on the ground. Another wave of shocked gasps spread through the courtyard. No one spoke. Even Piper stood frozen beside me, her mouth hanging open.

I dusted off my hands as though nothing had happened. Then I turned toward her. "So," I smiled lightly, "where are we going next?"

Piper blinked several times before finally finding her voice. "T-The principal's office."

"Lead the way."

She nodded absentmindedly, still looking as though her brain hadn't fully recovered.

We had barely taken a few steps when slow, deliberate applause echoed behind us, clap, clap, clap. We both stopped. I turned around.

A tall young man with striking green hair walked toward us, still clapping lazily. Unlike Zayn's calm and intimidating presence, this man carried himself with playful confidence. He wore green trousers with a neatly fitted white shirt, and there was a teasing smile dancing across his lips as though he found the entire situation entertaining.

He stopped directly in front of me. "That," he smiled wider, "was amazing." Without warning, he leaned down until his face was only inches from mine, his emerald green eyes sparkling with excitement. "How about this?" He tilted his head slightly. "You fight me."

The courtyard instantly erupted into whispers.

"Is Alpha Kael serious?"

"Fight one of the Cardinal Alphas?"

"She wouldn't survive."

"There's no way."

The young man, Kael apparently, crossed his arms with a confident grin. "What do you say?" He raised one eyebrow. "Do you accept my challenge?"

I stared at him for a moment. Honestly, I didn't have time for this. Every minute I wasted playing their games was another minute spent farther from the truth behind my foster father's murder. I had only just arrived at the academy, and somehow I'd already attracted two Cardinal Alphas. This was becoming exhausting. I turned away without answering.

"Let's go, Piper." I grabbed her wrist and gently pulled her along. She barely moved, looking completely horrified.

Behind us, Kael chuckled. "Really?" His voice carried easily through the crowd. "You're going to ignore an Alpha?"

I stopped walking. Slowly, I looked over my shoulder. "I don't give a damn whether you're an Alpha," I shrugged carelessly, "or a rat."

The entire courtyard fell silent. Someone nearby gasped so loudly it almost echoed. Piper's face drained of every bit of color. She looked seconds away from fainting.

Without waiting for his response, I continued walking.

"Stop right there!" Kael's voice rang out sharply behind me.

I didn't stop. Not even for a second. Several students stared at me as though I'd completely lost my mind. No one ignored a Cardinal Alpha. No one. Yet I kept walking.

Curious, I glanced back. Instead of looking angry, Kael was smiling, a genuine smile. "Interesting," he murmured.

The next second, he disappeared. My eyes widened. Before I could react, he was suddenly standing directly in front of me, blocking my path. How had he moved that fast?

He leaned down slightly. "Did you just defy me?" His playful expression had faded. "Do you know what happens to people who disrespect an Alpha?"

"I don't care." I met his gaze without flinching. "Move."

For a brief second, surprise flickered across his face.

Behind me, Piper immediately lowered her head. "A-Alpha," her voice trembled, "we're sorry."

I turned toward her. "Stop apologizing."

She looked like she was about to cry. "But—"

"I said stop." My voice came out firmer than I intended.

Kael watched the exchange quietly. Then his smile slowly disappeared. "Now this," he looked directly into my eyes, "is becoming really interesting." His gaze sharpened. "I heard about what happened earlier." He took another step closer. "Zayn touched you." I remained silent. "And his fire didn't burn you." I still said nothing.

"And now," he narrowed his eyes, "my Alpha manipulation isn't affecting you either." A heavy silence settled between us. His expression changed completely, the teasing amusement vanishing, replaced by suspicion. "What exactly are you?"

Before I could answer, his hand shot forward. He grabbed me by the neck. I gasped. The force sent my back crashing against the nearest wall. Pain shot through my shoulders as he pinned me there effortlessly. I instinctively grabbed his wrist, struggling to breathe.

The courtyard fell deathly silent. His emerald eyes searched my face intensely. "Speak." His voice was no longer playful. It was cold and demanding. "What the hell are you?"

His grip tightened just enough to steal another breath from my lungs.