ARTEMIS’ POVI kick the door to my very own private lounge in the boy’s dormitory, stepping in to have a rest from the dramatic day - only to see the two buffoons that were in charge of keeping Lucian in check today, playing around with the football table and laughing hysterically.My mood turns sour just from seeing them.The intention of coming here in the first place was to keep my mind busy and forget.Forget the way her angry eyes looked at me when I’d just barely put that much force into holding her back.It’s not my fault that humans are so fucking frail, but even if.Her dainty wrist just barely fitted into my folded fist, like holding a tiny twig, and she’s almost as light as a feather, weighing close to nothing.Breaking her bones would be way too easy and yet, someone like her walks around with her head held up way too high and with so much audacity, like she could fight off the whole world and remain unscathed.Yet at the slightest graze, she’d glare and stare at me like I

SERAPHINA’S POVMaybe… just maybe, this one time, I might have bitten more than I can chew.The days fly way too fast after my most daring announcement to Lucian that I will, in fact, be participating in the gaming event and against the one and only Artemis.At the time, it felt like a breakthrough moment. It still does, even though it feels almost impossible to fight for the title of sovereign Alpha when I’m still just human. But maybe, this is my destiny like Mr. Jermaine had talked about – which is being able to start a revolt in this school. Being the difference it needs. I would win and then change so many things around Raven Wood Academy for that one month when my authority would be second to none. Even Artemis Sinclair would learn to bow at my feet. However, now, standing in the large hall with the rest of the contestant which aren’t that much, I find myself developing cold feet. As usual, I’m the smallest here, like a tiny twig compared to five more tree trunks; one girl in

SERAPHINA’S POV An hour later and Artemis has been announced the winner of today’s section, which was already expected.Despite his cruel personality, he still has many talents to back up his claim to the throne as the next Alpha King.The crowd has long cleared, and I remain back on my own, sitting at the edge of the stage silently with myself.The endpoint of today strangely doesn’t shock me as much as I thought it would. Perhaps a part of me knows I was being delusional when I thought I could really do this.I guess the only part I didn’t anticipate was being locked in a room and having to crawl through a rat-infested vent just to escape.Then there’s that vision I had in the heat of the tournament. The memory of burning buildings and the smell of death still lingers with me like it had been a real experience for me. My hands still tremble when the blazing red eyes of the wolf comes to my mind.It’s like I had actually been there, along with the fear of impending doom inside me,

SERAPHINA’S POVWith a determination and driven vigor, I tighten the laces on my boots, tying a bow twice and tucking the loose thread into my shoes to avoid any possible mishaps that could arise with them out.With another huff again, I secure my shoulder guards fixed to my outfit.Day 2 of the tournament and I’m completely focused on getting it right this time. No more half-assing or letting anything else get in my way.Unlike the previous competition, today’s event involves mostly survival skills and wits, with each participate kept in a maze with various obstacles.I like to think that my rough upbringing has equipped me for today to an extent.“You sure you’re okay, Sera?” Olivia asks for the third time since she’s come to help me get ready for it.She hands me a metal chest plate for extra protection before it begins. Unlike everyone else partaking, I have to get extra geared up because of my much lesser durability in the face of danger.A gash for a wolf would heal in a day top

SERAPHINA’S POVI don’t know how long I’ve been down here, but I can roughly guess it’s been almost thirty minutes by now.Thirty minutes of fading in and out of consciousness while the blazing sun manages to seep into the ditch and burn my skin.At this point, I don’t even know if the tournament is still on but right now, it’s the least of my worries. I may or may not be rescued by anyone anytime soon, meaning I have to figure this shit out.I try again for the third time since falling in here to sit up. My back hurts insanely but I push through it, commanding my muscles to contract and push myself up into a sitting position. I’m successful but that’s how far I can go on my own. Even now, my body still trembles due to how weak my muscles are.I’m tempted to accept to my fate until I hear footsteps again.Could it be the girl from earlier? Or maybe it’s another player walking by. I wonder if it’d be wise to call out for help, not knowing if I’d be helped or ignored.And for the brief