It was mortifying-wearing his clothes, standing so close to him, pretending it meant nothing when it felt like everything. Before things could spiral further, the Alpha instructor's voice boomed across the field, cutting through the tension like at whip "Silence! All of you!" The chatter died instantly. Today's trial will take place in the Blackmoon Forest, he declared, his tone grave. A collective shiver moved through the crowd. Even the cockiest Alphas stiffened at the name. The Blackmoon Forest was infamous-an untamed, lawless stretch of land haunted by creatures not even elders could name. Every wise soul knew better than to wander near it. "When leading a pack , your enemy is not always a wolf, vampire, or hunter," the instructor continued. "Sometimes, you're dragged into battles with beings whose existence you never imagined-creatures that crave your blood and flesh.. and might be far stronger than you." He raised a large glass jar, filled with tiny, folded chits. "Inside this are your targets. Each of you will draw one, and that will be your prey for tonight." Alphas exchanged glances, the air now thick with unease. "You'll have until sunrise to bring back your assigned prey. Only those who succeed will advance to the next trial. Fail," his eyes swept over us like a guillotine, "and you'll be eliminated from the academy immediately." My fists clenched at my sides. So that's why the last three days were pure hell. But what kind of prey were we talking about? "Step forward one at a time. Pick a chit. The moment the horn sounds, the hunt begins," the instructor commanded, before turning on his heel and leaving. Last time the horn had blared almost immediately. Everyone knew it. Panic took over as the Alphas surged forward like children scrambling for candy, only this candy could cost you your life. Caught up in the chaos, I was shoved forward, boxed in by bodies thicker and taller than mine . Even if I'd wanted to retreat, it was impossible. The crowd was a current and I was forced to swim with it . Alphas who managed to grab their chits wore twisted expressions-some bitter, others downright horrified. Judging by their faces , none of us were about to be chasing rabbits. "Shit, I got a leopard!" someone groaned in the distance . My eyes snapped toward the voice. A leopard? Seriously? If there were leopards in that forest, this would be worse than I thought… I kept listening-trying to piece together what else might be lurking in that cursed place -until finally , the Alphas ahead of me cleared. With the pressure behind me increasing, lunged forward and snatched a chit from the jar. Just as I was about to unfold it. I felt a hand. Not just a touch-a squeeze on my ass. A violation. My blood ran cold, before lava surged through me, scorching every nerve. Phina roared awake inside me like a storm I spun around and smacked the bastard with everything I had. The smack echoed across the field like a gunshot LISPU Gasps exploded all around me as the crowd parted in stunned silence. The Alpha I'd just smacked straightened slowly, a red handprint blossoming across his face. Alpha Asher "Holy fuck, the new guy hit Ronan's friend!" "He's dead . So fucking dead!" You son of a bitch, Asher growled, his voice like a cracking stone. "You're dead today!" He lunged, fist raised. I jumped back, bracing to strike again -but someone beat him to it. Ronan stepped between us in a flash, his violet eyes ablaze with fury-but not at Asher. At me "How dare you slap him?!" he snarled, stepping closer, his anger laced with something darker. I stood my ground, eyes blazing. "Is he a god now?! He touched me! It's a miracle I didn't break his entire face." Ronan halted, just an inch from me. "He touched you?" There was a flicker-just a flicker-of hesitation in his eyes. But Asher immediately cut in from behind. "He's lying!" he roared. "Why the fuck would I touch him?!" Ronan's hesitation snapped like a twig. His jaw tightened. His hands balled into fists. "You lied, huh?" he growled, grabbing my arms with such force I swore something cracked. Pain shot through me, but I gritted my teeth. "I didn't!" I hissed, struggling in his grasp, rage boiling over. "Let go of me!" Unseen in the crowd, Dante watched the unfolding chaos with a wicked grin, while Reed smirked with quiet satisfaction from the shadows. "Asher doesn't lie!" Ronan shouted, his wolf clawing at the surface. "He's my friend-I trust him ! " "Well, that's your problem!" I barked. "Your perverted friend touched me, and I gave him exactly what he deserved!" Phina's voice layered over mine, her presence blazing. "You're lying!" Asher spat. "He knows what he did!" I cut in. "He's just too much of a coward to admit it." Before I could finish Ronan seized my jaw and leaned in close, voice dripping venom. "Watch your mouth, Seth Darven. And apologize Now" I gripped his hand and yanked it away. I stared into his eyes. "Over My Dead Body" Send Gifts