Jasmin's POV
Wolfborne Academy stood as the ultimate proving ground for Alpha heirs across the realm. Within its walls, the strongest emerged as Supreme Leaders, commanding every pack under their rule. The competition was fierce, the training brutal, and the stakes impossibly high.
I had fantasized about walking these halls since childhood, imagining myself conquering every challenge they threw at me. There was just one insurmountable obstacle standing in my way.
Women were strictly forbidden.
Before my father's betrayal, that restriction meant nothing. I was destined to inherit my own pack, to rule as its Alpha. But now, with this arranged marriage hanging over my head like a death sentence, everything had changed.
My mind raced through every detail I could remember about the Academy. Fresh recruits arrived at this exact time each year. Father had always banned me from even observing the entrance trials, but if I moved quickly under the cover of darkness, I could still slip in with the new arrivals.
I didn't need anyone's blessing. All I required was a convincing disguise, and I had already set the plan in motion.
Standing before my bedroom mirror, my pulse hammered against my throat as I wound the binding cloth tighter around my chest, erasing every hint of feminine curves. My breathing became labored and restricted, but that was exactly what I needed.
This deception was my only path forward. The Academy refused to admit females, but they wouldn't be seeing one tonight.
They would meet Evan Clemens, my cousin who had originally been selected for admission but had declined at the last moment. Now I would take his place.
I pulled on his old training clothes, worn and loose-fitting but perfect for my purposes. My hands trembled slightly as I reached for the enchanted perfume Isla had prepared for me. My best friend's witch blood had proven invaluable. One spray, and my natural scent vanished completely, replaced by something entirely neutral. Even my long hair shimmered and appeared cropped short in the reflection.
The illusion was flawless, even fooling my own eyes.
The major weakness in my plan remained unchanged. I couldn't risk shifting into my wolf form without exposing everything. But at least my scent and appearance would hold up under scrutiny.
Taking one final look at the room I was abandoning forever, I pushed open the window, tossed my bag into the darkness below, and leaped after it.
I was running toward my destiny and away from the prison my father had built for me.
After traveling relentlessly through the night, I finally reached Wolfborne Academy as the first rays of dawn pierced through the ancient Ravencrest Grove. Emerging from the dense treeline, I stopped at the edge of a vast clearing, my breath catching at the magnificent sight before me.
The Academy looked like something from another era, as if I had stepped backward through time itself. This place had existed only in my dreams and whispered stories, but now it sprawled before me in all its intimidating glory.
Massive stone towers stretched toward the sky, their peaks disappearing into the morning mist. The ancient architecture blended seamlessly with the surrounding wilderness, creating a structure that felt both imposing and organic. Dense forest encircled the main buildings, serving as both natural fortress and training ground for the wolves within.
For over nine centuries, this institution had stood as a monument to werewolf tradition and power. The first Alpha King himself had established it with a singular vision: forging the next generation of leaders who would rule over all packs. Every few years, a legendary battle took place among the students. The victor would claim the title of Supreme Alpha, gaining the right to create their own pack and command the four regional Alphas.
For the past century, no student had proven strong enough to claim that ultimate prize. I intended to be the first.
Approaching the elaborate iron gates, I studied the intricate metalwork depicting wolves mid-howl and lunar phases in various stages. Each symbol told the story of battles fought and victories won. Electric anticipation coursed through my veins.
This was my moment. The beginning of my journey to seize the power that should have been mine by birthright. With a steadying breath, I stepped through the gates and began crossing the expansive green clearing toward the main entrance.
My excitement built with every step until chaos erupted before me. Seven or eight male wolves burst through the Academy's massive wooden doors, some stumbling in their desperate haste to escape. Terror and horror twisted their faces as they fled.
Confusion and alarm flooded through me as I watched their panicked retreat. One collapsed to his knees nearby, blood spattering from his mouth as he coughed violently.
I rushed to his side, noting the identification badge marking him as a new recruit like myself.
"What happened to you?" I demanded, seeing that the other escapees were in equally poor condition.
He continued coughing, his body wracked with tremors. Something was seriously wrong. He was clearly an Alpha heir, so what could have affected his wolf so severely that he was bleeding internally?
"Why are you all running? What's causing you to cough up blood?"
His shaking hand rose to point at the Academy's entrance from which they had all fled in terror. Then he staggered to his feet and disappeared into the forest without explanation.
I straightened, moving cautiously toward the imposing entrance as Heather stirred restlessly in my mind. Evan had warned me that the wolves inside Wolfborne Academy were unlike anything I had ever encountered. Predators who viewed new arrivals as prey to be dominated or destroyed. Few survived their first encounters intact.
I had just witnessed proof of his warnings, but my resolve remained unshaken.
Crossing the threshold, I immediately understood why Evan's words rang true. The air itself felt heavy with masculine dominance. Alpha males filled every corner of the vast hall, their presence suffocating in its intensity.
The moment I entered, the atmosphere shifted dramatically. Conversations died mid-sentence, laughter cut off abruptly, and the hall plunged into expectant silence as they sensed my arrival.
Predatory gazes turned toward me, evaluating and measuring my worth. Some dismissed my smaller frame with contemptuous sneers. Others, particularly the most dangerous among them, watched with calculating interest. Raw dominance saturated the space around me. Every student here was an Alpha heir, forged through brutality and violence. I had just stepped into their domain.
This was my first exposure to so many powerful males gathered in one place. I had truly entered the wolf's den.
"Fresh meat," someone called out mockingly.
Under their piercing scrutiny, I moved carefully, ensuring my stride and posture remained convincingly masculine. Staying unnoticed was crucial. Drawing too much attention would risk exposing my deception.
As I walked deeper into the hall, my attention was captured by a massive stone leaderboard carved into the wall, displaying the names of the Academy's top contenders.
At the very summit sat one name: Alpha Max Greyson, son of the Southern Alpha.
Recognition sparked in my mind. Evan had mentioned him specifically. Alpha Max was reportedly ruthless, undefeated, and dangerously unpredictable. Exactly the type of wolf I needed to avoid at all costs.
My gaze dropped to the second position: Alpha Harris Greenvale, son of the Eastern Alpha.
I had never heard of him, but his high ranking suggested he posed significant danger as well.
Studying the rankings more closely, I realized I had arrived late to the game. Battles and competitions had already begun, and my name was nowhere to be found. I would need to climb these ranks carefully and quietly to achieve my ultimate goal.
What I didn't realize was that my mere presence had already disrupted the delicate balance of power.
A sudden, oppressive force pressed against Heather, making her growl within my consciousness. I tore my attention from the leaderboard, scanning my surroundings with growing alarm. What was this crushing sensation?
The surrounding wolves had begun releasing their auras deliberately, their eyes filled with malicious amusement as their combined dominance encircled me like a trap. Within seconds, I found myself caught in the center of their collective power play.
Now I understood why the other recruits had fled in terror.
"We're being forced into a dominance battle," Heather warned in my mind.
I silently agreed with her assessment. This wasn't physical combat but a psychological ritual where wolves established hierarchy through sheer force of presence. Those who couldn't withstand the pressure would be immediately subdued and humiliated, just like the bloodied wolves I had encountered outside.
The combined auras of multiple Alphas pressed down on me relentlessly, causing discomfort to ripple through my body as Heather grew increasingly agitated. But I held my ground, keeping my gaze lowered to avoid appearing overly confident or challenging. The longer I endured their assault, the more their egos suffered. One by one, they intensified their efforts, pouring more power into their attempts to break me. When I still refused to submit, frustration drove them to finally withdraw their attacks.
I took a careful breath, believing the ordeal had ended. Then a new aura struck me like a physical blow.
I gasped audibly as Heather froze in absolute stillness within my mind. This was unlike anything I had ever experienced. The most lethal, most powerful presence I had ever encountered. The aura of an apex predator.
A cold, penetrating focus settled on me like a weight. Slowly, I raised my eyes to the upper balcony, locking onto a pair of violet eyes that seemed to see straight through to my soul.
My breath caught as I took in his devastating features. A perfectly sculpted jaw, bronze skin that seemed to glow in the morning light, and brown hair that fell just past his ears in artfully tousled waves.
He stood tall and imposing, his powerful frame radiating lethal dominance and magnetic allure that demanded immediate submission. The longer our gazes remained locked, the more intense his stare became.
Excited voices suddenly erupted around me.
"He didn't break under Max's aura!"
"Nobody has ever withstood Max's full power before. Who is this new wolf?"
The gorgeous male's expression darkened at their commentary. Wait. Had they just called him Max? As in Max Greyson?
"This fresh meat just won a dominance match against Max Greyson himself!" someone shouted in disbelief.
This was not how I had planned for things to unfold. I immediately broke eye contact with Max and turned toward the exit, pretending ignorance of the commotion I had caused.
Instead, I collided directly with a broad, muscular chest. Well-defined pectorals tapered down to a lean waist, the epitome of masculine perfection now blocking my escape route.
I froze and slowly tilted my head up to find Alpha Max Greyson towering over me. The entire hall fell into deadly silence as his deep voice demanded, "Who are you?"