- - And then as if sensing my thoughts Ronan's eyes shifted, locking onto mine with unnerving precision . My heart slammed against my ribs. I tore my gaze away instantly. Shit. I hoped he hadn't mistaken my glance for anything more. Out of so many towering Alpha heirs, how had he managed to find me I was barely noticeable among their imposing forms. I kept my head lowered, doing everything I could to remain inconspicuous, even as a flicker of unmistakable interest from Ronan made my skin prickle. His intense violet gaze hadn't strayed far from me since last night. And that was a problem. As Alpha Instructor Gideon entered, a heavy silence crashed over the grounds like a wave. His name alone carried weight, but his presence was something else entirely. Sharp, merciless, and as cutting as the gleam in his steely gaze, he stood at the center with an expression carved from stone. His eyes swept across us like a predator sizing up his prey . That wolf was a legend in his own right, rumored to have torn through rogue packs single - handedly. His name was synonymous with bloodshed, discipline, and an unforgiving standard no one dared fall short of. "Welcome to the third challenge," he announced, his voice a low growl that seemed to crawl over our skin. Third challenge? A jolt shot through me. I missed two? No wonder my name hadn't appeared on any official list. "Only those who endure," Gideon continued, "will earn their place. He let the words hang in the air like a threat, his gaze promising ruin to the weak. The challenge, he explained, would be a high -intensity survival course designed to push every limit we possessed. "You'll pass the first two phases in your human form. And for the third…" He paused, a slow, cruel smile curling his lips, "you're free to shift." A ripple of tension rolled through the gathered heirs. Shoulders stiffened. A few exchanged wary glances . No one asked why. I clenched my fists. I can't afford to stand out too much. But I can't afford to fail either. Not here. Not when I needed to survive. Not if I wanted to avoid drawing any more of Ronan's attention. I would have to walk the line between invisible… and invincible. Send Gifts