A'S
ha boarding school. The air was thick with pine, sweat, and something primal, like the earth itself growled under my boots. My wolf stirred beneath my skin, rest
it just because I wasn't born a boy. The pendant around my neck pulsed faintly, its magic masking my scent and softening my curves into something boyi
ed past, his shoulder clipping mine. I stumbled, catching myself against a stone pillar. His scent
ng my voice low, rough. I'd practiced it for w
e in Silverclaw's navy blazers-flanked him, smirking. The courtyard buzzed with othe
e blind as well as clumsy." My pulse raced, but I forced a grin,
ok like you couldn't lift a pup.
heir biceps," I shot back. A few onlookers chuck
loser. His breath was hot, sour. "Name's Bryce.
flipped. A tall guy leaned against a tree, arms crossed, his navy blazer unbuttoned over a white shirt that hugged his frame. Dark hair fell into his eyes, a
ever, Kade." His buddies followed, but not before
upid, newbie. Which is it?" His voice was smooth, like he was used to being
en't as cooperative. He was too intense, too... everything. My pendant warmed against my s
ay." With that, he sauntered off, the crowd swallowing him.
High was no ordinary school. It was a proving ground, where future Alphas honed their strength, strategy, and dominance. Combat tour
Ironfang Alpha, always in my father's shadow. He was a legend-strong, fair, unbeatable. But he was sick now, his strength fading. The pack needed a leader, and my older brother had
overlooking the forest. My roommate wasn't here yet, thank the moon. I dropped my bag and checked the mirror. The pendant was holding: my reflection showed a
essy blond hair and glasses poked his head in. His blazer was too big, and his grin
nc," I said, using my fake name. Short for Lincoln, clo
flopping onto his bed. "Where you from?
ut it couldn't fake a pack's signature. "Ironfang,
ear of Bryce and his goons. And Kade-he's top dog around here, but he's
de's face flashed in my mind-those eyes, that tug. I sh
us, like a puppy who'd read too many books. But I couldn't get too closestationary bikes. Maybe he'd be useful. "You're gonna n
r, grinning. "I
d. "This place is brutal. Last year, a gu
lenge, even if I wasn't so sure. "Bring it
I like you, Linc.
. But my mind kept drifting to Kade. That tug, that word-mate. It couldn't be real. F
up. "Assembly time. Headmaster's gonna give the w
tone and stained glass, like a cathedral built for wolves. We filed in, and I kept my head dow
e. His presence silenced the room, his Alpha aura heavy, pressing against my c
oice like gravel. "You're here to become Alpha
lingered on me. My pendant burned, the magi
your body, mind, and spirit,
ied the scent of blood. My wolf snarled, alert.
. My blood ran cold. The Trials were brutal, public, and worst of al