Lyra's POV
Pain still shot through my body when I caught movement from the corner of my eye. Strong hands pulled me to my feet before I could protest.
The moment this person touched me, that strange electricity returned, weaker but still intense enough to make me gasp. My fingernails dug into their arms as I fought to stay upright.
A low, amused chuckle sent chills across my heated skin. I spun around in their grip and found myself staring up at what could only be described as a living god.
This man was impossibly tall, with gleaming golden eyes that seemed to glow in the morning light. I should have expected this at the entrance to an Alpha Academy, but seeing an Alpha in person was completely different. His eyes truly sparkled like moonlight on water.
His broad shoulders were sun-kissed and carved with muscle that stretched his skin tight. A jagged scar ran from his upper lip to his cheekbone, and below it sat a single dimple that deepened with his cocky smirk. His hair was cropped close to his skull in dark waves that caught the light.
He was absolutely stunning.
"Well hello there, darling," he drawled with that refined accent I'd heard in Vivienne's court. Pure aristocracy dripped from every word. "My apologies," he continued, though he didn't sound sorry at all. "You seemed to have wandered into my morning run."
I bristled. "Do you always run with your pet?" I shoved against his chest, forcing him to release me. "That thing slammed into me full force!"
Another low chuckle rumbled from his chest. "That was me, darling."
Reality crashed over me like ice water. This was a werewolf academy. There were no pets here. The people were the wolves.
So much for blending in, I thought bitterly. Heat crept up my neck as I let out an awkward laugh and rubbed my nape.
"Sorry," I managed, my throat tight. "It was just so small, I assumed it was a dog!"
His golden eyes darkened to molten amber. That smirk turned predatory. "Trust me, love," he said, his voice dropping to a rumble that vibrated through my bones. "Nothing about me is small."
My mouth opened and closed as I tried to process the blatant suggestion. Before I could form words, his entire demeanor shifted.
"You must be new." The playful warmth vanished, replaced by ice. His voice turned sharp and calculating.
"Did your pack not have an Alpha?"
Pack? Confusion must have shown on my face because I could only shake my head.
He nodded as if this confirmed something. "That explains it," he said coldly. "Just so you know, Alphas are two to three times larger than regular wolves. Anyone here could flatten you without breaking a sweat."
"Thanks for the warning," I muttered, my hand finding my neck again. His expression had turned to stone.
I could have sworn I saw his lip twitch.
"You know," he said, his voice barely above a whisper now.
"I had no idea they allowed humans into this school."
My blood turned to ice. He knew.
"I'm not human," I snapped, immediately defensive.
He made a considering sound in his throat. "Your scent says otherwise."
He turned and began walking away. "Stay out of my way, human." He spat the last word like it tasted rotten.
I stared after him in shock. How had he turned so vicious so quickly? Anger flared in my chest, and I straightened my spine. I refused to be trampled on my first day.
"An apology would be nice," I called after him firmly.
He stopped dead. When he turned back, those golden eyes burned with fury. "The weak," he snarled, "don't belong at Alpha Academy."
He left me standing there with my mouth hanging open.
In seconds, he shifted into that same black wolf that had knocked me down and disappeared across the grounds.
His words hit me like physical blows. I was completely out of my depth here. This was a school filled with supernatural predators, each one stronger than I could ever hope to be. I was alone all over again.
I squared my shoulders. Being alone had never stopped me before.
I grabbed my bags and marched into the Admissions Hall.
The Director handed me my schedule, textbooks, and dormitory key. I don't think she knew about my connection to Vivienne, but she definitely had questions. Her eyes kept drifting to my flame-red hair and lingering on my hazel eyes, not yet the golden color of an Alpha.
I crossed campus to my dormitory, constantly watching for any furry missiles that might come barreling across the lawn. Thankfully, I made it to my room without incident.
The ornate golden key turned easily in the lock. The door creaked open to reveal a room split down the middle by two very different personalities. My side sat completely empty. The other side looked like someone had detonated a pink bomb.
Everything was covered in frilly, sickeningly sweet pink fabric. From the bedspread to the carpet to the desk chair cushion. It was genuinely disturbing.
I dragged my luggage inside and let the door slam shut. I stared at the emptiness of my half for several minutes before sighing heavily.
"Might as well settle in," I muttered.
I opened my first suitcase, packed with remnants of my old life. Worn t-shirts, faded jeans, and the quilt my first foster mother had sewn for me. That blanket was seventy different fabric squares, fraying at the edges but still feeling like home. I smoothed it across my new bed.
The second suitcase held my new life. Royal clothing Vivienne had given me during those months in her castle.
A note in Vivienne's elegant script lay on top. I opened it reluctantly.
Lyra, Good luck at Alpha Academy. We didn't have much time together, but I want you to know how truly proud I am of you. You've grown into a beautiful, independent woman. It's everything I could have wished for you. With love, Queen Vivienne.
I scoffed and shoved the letter into a desk drawer. "With love," I mocked, grabbing the royal clothes and throwing them into the back of my closet.
"With love my ass," I hissed to the empty room.
After an hour of unpacking, I collapsed onto my bed, exhausted from traveling and the day's events.
Sleep claimed me quickly.
The next morning, my roommate was still nowhere to be found. So much for getting help navigating to class. I dressed and left my sanctuary for the intimidating campus beyond.
My first class was Wolf Basics, and I desperately hoped it would answer some questions. Anxiety twisted my stomach as I approached what looked like a gymnasium. Wolves were shifting back to human form all around me, each one gorgeous with perfect tan skin, shining hair, and those brilliant golden eyes. I felt like an insect among giants.
My confusion deepened as they entered the gym instead of a classroom.
I thought this was supposed to be academics, I realized with growing dread. This was going to be combat training for supernatural teenagers. I was definitely not prepared for this.
A tall woman with long black hair walked past and looked me up and down.
"First day?" she drawled.
"Actually, yeah," I replied, hoping to make a connection.
"Good luck," she sneered before deliberately shoulder-checking me as she pushed into the locker room.
I followed sheepishly and accepted workout clothes from a coach. After tying my hair up as best I could, I entered the main gym.
The space was enormous. Sparring dummies were scattered around, weight stations filled one corner, and a red track circled the entire space. At least I could handle running. I'd done track in high school and could still run a six-minute mile.
As I scanned the room again, my eyes caught on familiar tanned shoulders spotting someone at the bench press. The lifter was drenched in sweat, struggling with his final rep. The spotter pulled the weight up with terrifying ease.
When he turned around, I couldn't suppress my gasp.
It was the same black-haired man from yesterday. His expression soured the moment he saw me, those golden eyes blazing with hostility.
"You," he snarled.