All Chapters of First Female Alpha : Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

Aria's POVConvincing Hayes that I needed to research Academy security incidents for a "historical analysis project" was easier than expected. Apparently, academic curiosity about institutional procedures was the kind of thing supervisors approved of.What he didn't know was that my real education was happening in the spaces between official research."The east archives contain incident reports dating back fifty years," Mrs. Corvina explained as she led Hayes and me through a section of the library I'd never seen before. "You'll find documentation of everything from minor property damage to more serious security breaches."Perfect.The archives were dusty, poorly lit, and exactly the kind of place where someone could have a private conversation without being overheard. Hayes positioned himself near the entrance with a clear view of my research table, but the stacks themselves created plenty of blind spots.I pulled files systematically, making notes about historical incidents while ke

Aria's POVThe plan was simple in theory. Lyra would request an emergency consultation about her pack's territorial boundaries, requiring Hayes to escort me to Elder Kalliope's office at exactly seven PM. During the meeting, I would excuse myself to use the restroom, slip away, and find Professor Aldrin in his office three doors down.In practice, everything that could go wrong was currently going wrong.First, Hayes was more suspicious than usual, asking pointed questions about why I seemed nervous. Second, Lyra's emergency consultation was running long, meaning my window was shrinking rapidly. Third, my hands were shaking so badly I could barely hold a pen steady."You seem agitated tonight, Heir Ari," Elder Kalliope observed as I fidgeted in my chair. "Is the territorial law discussion too complex?""No, ma'am. Just... tired."Which was true, since I'd spent the entire night rehearsing what I was going to say to Professor Aldrin without sounding like I was reading from a script.Ha

Aria's POVSaturday morning brought the kind of dread that settles in your stomach like a rock and refuses to leave. I'd barely slept, my mind cycling through every possible way my meeting with Aldrin could go catastrophically wrong.Hayes noticed my mood during breakfast. "You seem distracted this morning, Heir Ari.""Just thinking about my studies, sir.""Academic dedication is admirable. Though excessive worry can be counterproductive."If only he knew what I was actually worried about.The morning crawled by with supervised training and more supervised research time. But finally, during the afternoon break, I found my opportunity."Commander Hayes," I said, approaching him with what I hoped looked like academic enthusiasm, "I was wondering if I could request a brief meeting with Professor Aldrin about my historical analysis project. He offered to provide some guidance yesterday."Hayes looked mildly surprised. "Professor Aldrin offered to help with your project?""Yes, sir. When I

Aria's POVThe documents spread across Caspian's desk painted a picture so horrifying I almost wished we'd never found them."This can't be real," I whispered, staring at a memorandum with the Academy's official seal."It's real," Lyra said grimly. She'd slipped back into our room through the window—apparently Silverclaw pack training included basic infiltration skills. "We found three full filing cabinets of this stuff."The elimination list was just the beginning. What we'd discovered was documentation of a systematic conspiracy that went far beyond Professor Aldrin or even the Academy itself."Look at this," Caspian said, pulling out a letter with an unfamiliar pack seal. "Correspondence between Academy administration and pack leaders across the Lycan territories."I read over his shoulder, my horror growing with each paragraph."They're coordinating," I said. "The Academy isn't working alone—they're part of a larger network.""A network that's been identifying and eliminating pote

Aria's POVThe room filled with Academy personnel faster than I could count them. Guards, faculty members I recognized, and a few I didn't. All of them blocking our exits, all of them looking like they'd been expecting us."You really thought we didn't know you were coming?" Professor Aldrin asked, his tone almost conversational. "We've been monitoring your little investigation for weeks."Hayes stepped forward, his hand moving toward his weapon. "Professor Aldrin, by the authority vested in me by Academy security protocols—""Commander Hayes," Elder Kalliope interrupted smoothly, "your services are no longer required."Two guards moved to flank Hayes, and I saw his expression shift from authoritative to trapped."This is a mistake," he said. "The regional Authority has been contacted. They have copies of the evidence.""Evidence that will be dismissed as fabricated documents created by unstable students," Aldrin replied. "Tragic, really. The psychological pressure of Academy life can