All Chapters of The Alpha’s Genius Dud: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Faith’s world returned with sharp and painful edges First, the rusted metal smell, and the sharp, metallic tang of fear. Then, a heavy vibration rattled through her skull. She tried to move her hands, but her wrists were tied.She wasn't in the basement. She was in the back of a moving van.Faith’s heart jolted. Memory flooded back—the syringe, her aunt’s cold laugh, the sound of her laptop being crushed. She had been sold. Not just thrown out, but sold like a piece of livestock to a “labor contractor.” In the werewolf world, that was a polite word for human trafficking.“She’s awake,” a husky voice muttered from the front of the van.“Doesn't matter,” another voice grunted. “We’re already in the North City. Once we drop her at the estate, she’s their problem. Pretty thing like that? She’ll be a ‘Special Maid’ by sunset.”Faith squeezed her eyes shut, forcing herself to breathe. Think, Faith. Think. She might be a “Dud,” but she was brilliant. She didn't have claws, but she had a min

The heavy oak doors of the study clicked shut behind Elena who was seriously fuming. The room suddenly felt five degrees colder, filled only with the scent of Killian’s lingering rage and the hum of the computer server Faith had just saved.Faith tried to stand, her legs still trembling. “Thank you for—”“Don't thank me Faith”, Killian cut her off, his voice sharp as a razor. He didn't look at her; he was staring at the glowing green light on his monitor—the logic gate she had just fixed. “I didn't do it for you. I did it because I don't tolerate trash in my workspace, and I certainly don't tolerate people touching what belongs to me.”Faith’s jaw tightened. "I’m not a 'what,' Killian. and I'm a human being with blood not a property”.He finally turned, his grey eyes swirling with an unreadable storm. “In this house, you are a debt-holder. That makes your safety my responsibility, and your time my asset. The fact that you actually understand system architecture is….intriguing, but it

“You aren't cleaning my study anymore. As of tomorrow, you are an official student at the North Elite Academy.”Faith’s eyes widened. “The... the academy? But I can't go there! I’m a Dud! It’s for the top shifters in the country, they will kill me!”.“I’m an Alpha, Faith. I don't give suggestions,” Killian said, his voice dropping into that bossy, authoritative tone. "I’m sending you there as my 'ward.' Your cover story is that your late parents were loyal friends of my family. The administration won't dare ask questions.”“But what about the competition? My scholarship—”“Forget the scholarship,” Killian interrupted, leaning over the desk. “You don't need their charity. Consider this an investment. I want that brain of yours in my tech division, and to get there, you need an elite degree. I’m paying the tuition. The debt of the car... We'll adjust the interest later.”He looked her up and down, his nose wrinkling. “But first, we have a problem. You look like you’re about to go to a f

The air between them was suddenly filled with tension. Killian didn't loosen his grip on Faith’s shoulders, but his fingers twitched. He looked around the Academy gates, noting the lingering students and the security cameras.“Get in the car, Faith,” he said, his voice dropping into that low, command-tone that usually brokered no argument.No!”Not until you tell me why Silas thinks you're hiding my mother's life from me,” Faith challenged.Killian’s jaw tightened. Not with anger but the fact that he felt cornered. “This isn't the place. Get in.”The ride back to the Nightshade manor was suffocating. Killian stared out the window, his hand gripping the armrest so hard the leather groaned. Faith sat as far away as possible, the crumpled note from Silas still clutched in her hand.When they finally reached his private study, Killian locked the door. He walked over to the floor-to-ceiling bookshelf and pressed a hidden lever. A section of the wall slid back to reveal a high-security safe.

The gala wasn't just a party; it was a display of predatory wealth. The grand ballroom of the Obsidian Hotel was filled with the scent of expensive champagne and the heavy, metallic tang of Alpha power.Faith stood at the top of the marble staircase, her hand trembling slightly as it rested on Killian’s arm. She was wearing a floor-length gown of liquid silver that clung to her like a second skin. Around her neck sat the Nightshade diamonds—cold, heavy, and a clear mark of ownership.“Breathe, Faith,” Killian murmured, his voice a low vibration near her ear. He looked handsome in a midnight-black tuxedo, his hand covering hers on his arm. “You look like a Queen. Act like one.”“A Queen or a prisoner?” Faith whispered back, the weight of her mother’s message in the journal still fresh in her mind. Don't trust the Nightshades.Killian held her hand tighter. “In this room, there is no difference. Just stay close to me.”As they descended, the room went silent. The “Dud” was no longer a m