Is that Him?

Chapter 2: Is that Him?

“Yeah, why?”

Elias hesitated, debating whether to ask more or just figure things out on his own. He licked his lips, watching the two college agents carefully.

They exchanged knowing glances and smiled.

“You seem pretty curious about your roommate,” the woman said. “I get it, you’re excited that he’s connected to the palace. But take this as a warning: living with him is going to be hell. Don’t get your hopes up.”

The man opened his mouth to add something, but the woman grabbed his sleeve to stop him. “That’s enough,” she muttered. “Let him find out the hard way.”

They turned to leave, but Elias's voice stopped them in their tracks.

“I’m not necessarily interested in him,” he said calmly. “It’s just that his palace connection made me wonder, maybe I could learn something. You know, get some insight on royal staffing or job openings.”

The woman snorted. “And you think your roommate is going to coach you?”

The man shot her a warning look and quickly called out Elias’s name to distract her before they both exited, leaving Elias standing there with more questions than answers.

What was that about?

Why were they acting like he said something forbidden?

He shook it off. It was hardly his biggest concern right now.

He unpacked quietly, organizing his things in the room’s wardrobe and trying not to dwell on their strange reactions.

Later that evening, his phone buzzed. A notification came through the Lupin College W******p channel:

Freshmen Induction: Tonight @ 7PM – Grand Auditorium. Mandatory Attendance.

“Maybe I’ll find my mate there,” Elias whispered, trying to hype himself up.

He didn’t realize the so called “induction party” was more of a brutal initiation—especially for Omegas. Worse still, Elias was the only werewolf Omega in the entire freshman class. That made him stand out... for all the wrong reasons.

That night, the ceremony began like any other. Loud music, dazzling lights, laughter... until the tone shifted.

A hush fell across the auditorium as seven seniors stepped onto the stage—tall, sharp eyed, radiating dangerous energy.

R8.

The most feared and revered group at Lupin Royal. Everyone knew the name. No one crossed them.

And tonight, Elias was their final act.

He was forced to the center of the auditorium, barefoot, knees pressed against the cold marble floor. The crowd tightened around him, a sea of young wolves who watched in silence—terrified, but unwilling to intervene.

Buckets of ice water drenched him. Whips cracked against his back. He cried out in pain, but the seniors showed no mercy.

“Why me?!” he shouted as they dragged him back to the center.

“Why did you choose me?! Aren’t there other students?!”

The crowd began to howl, the sound eerie and growing louder.

“What the hell are you howling for?!” Elias screamed in frustration.

“You’re doomed,” someone muttered from the crowd.

“You’re standing up to R8?” another whispered. “You’re insane.”

The color drained from Elias’s face. He had heard rumors about a dominant group, but he hadn’t known their name...until now.

Why are there only seven if they’re called R8? he thought, scanning the stage.

Is their leader missing...?

A low chuckle came from one of the seniors.

“Wow. He doesn’t even know who we are,” the boy sneered. “If Prince Kael were here, this idiot would be dead already.”

That name froze Elias where he knelt.

Prince Kael Viren.

He had seen the name on the college server multiple times since arriving—always in whispers, never attached to a face.

Prince Kael is the leader?

Panic surged through him. Without thinking, he scrambled to his feet and tried to run. He only got a few steps before a hand gripped his arm like a vice, yanking him backward.

Water crashed down on him again, followed by another cruel lash.

“You dared try to escape?” a senior growled, grabbing Elias by the jaw. “We’ll make sure this school becomes your personal hell.”

“Thought life here would be easy for a werewolf Omega?” another sneered, leaning in to sniff him. “Barely detectable. Pathetic.”

Elias was losing skin. The pain was unbearable.

But rage burned through his fear.

He grabbed a whip from the ground and slammed it against the floor, his voice thunderous:

“Fucking STOP!

I’m no slave of yours!”

The hall went dead silent.

Elias stood, eyes closed, chest heaving.

The air shifted, he could feel it. Something powerful entered the room.

A new presence...

“Now you will be our slave,” came a deep, cold voice.

Gasps echoed from the crowd.

“Prince Kael Viren!”

Several seniors whispered the name in panic.

Elias’s eyes flew open, expecting a monstrous lycan with bloodshot eyes.

Instead... he saw him.

A vision.

Tall. Regal. Muscular.

His skin was golden and smooth, hair black and wavy, falling just to his shoulders. His eyes, icy ocean-blue—pierced through Elias like a blade. And that scent. Warm, intoxicating, wild.

Elias’s wolf howled within him, responding instantly. Every fiber of his body locked onto the man standing in front of him.

Pain vanished.

Heart pounding.

Breath caught.

Is this... him?

Prince Kael Viren stared back at Elias, his expression unreadable but his gaze piercing.

And in that moment, Elias knew he was doomed.