Chapter 2 2
“Damn alarm,” I muttered as the shrill beep dragged me out of sleep at 4:30 AM. My heart hammered so hard it took me a second to remember where I was. The Academy. The disguise. And Kai.
His bed was empty, sheets messy. Typical. Probably never came back last night. Probably with a girl.
Good, I told myself, shuffling to the bathroom. Less chance he notices anything off.
The cold shower slapped me awake, but when I caught my reflection, panic flared. My hair stuck out in soft tufts, my eyes looked too feminine. I splashed more water, pressed my hair down, tightened the chest bindings until I could barely breathe, then pulled on the uniform. Cargo pants, gray shirt, boots. Nothing to give me away.
Blockers, Liora growled. You need them.
I gagged as I drenched myself in the bitter scent masking liquid. “Happy now?”
No. I’m tired of hiding.
“Too bad,” I hissed back. “We survive this, then we’ll talk.”
The training hall reeked of sweat and adrenaline. Dozens of recruits already sparring, testing each other. I slipped into a corner, stretching, praying no one noticed me.
“Listen up, maggots!”
The man stomping into the center could’ve passed for a mountain. Instructor Kane’s scars told enough stories to fill volumes.
“Welcome to your first day of not dying,” he barked. “Partner up. No claws, no shifting. Just violence.”
Great. Just great.
“Cross!” His voice cracked like a whip.
My head shot up. “Sir?”
“You’re with Blackwood.”
The ripple of whispers around the room made my stomach drop. Marcus Blackwood stepped forward, a beast of muscle and ego.
He smirked. “This’ll be fun.”
“Fun for you maybe,” I muttered.
“What was that?”
“Nothing.”
Kane barked, “Begin!”
Blackwood came at me like a bull. His fist whooshed past my cheek. Too close.
“Stop running, Beta,” he taunted, throwing another punch. This one landed in my shoulder. Pain lit up my arm.
Let me out, Liora snapped. Let me rip him apart.
No shifting, I reminded her, rolling under his next swing. We can’t afford it.
He grinned, already bored. “Come on, Cross. Hit me.”
His next punch slammed into my ribs. I gasped, clutching my side.
“That all you’ve got?” he sneered.
Something inside me snapped.
Enough.
I ducked his charge, grabbed his wrist, and flipped him over my shoulder. He crashed to the mat, stunned, and I pressed my knee to his throat.
“Yield,” I said through clenched teeth.
His glare burned holes through me. Then tap. Tap.
The room buzzed with shocked whispers.
Kane’s grin was sharp. “Not bad, Cross. You fight like someone who’s actually bled before.”
I stumbled back, wiping blood from my lip. “Thank you, sir.”
I made it to the water fountain, ribs screaming. My hands shook as I bent down.
“Impressive.”
The voice slid down my spine like a blade. I turned.
Kai. Leaning against the wall, arms crossed, green eyes dissecting me.
“Thanks,” I managed, hating how breathless I sounded.
“Where’d you learn to fight like that? That wasn’t Beta training.”
“My guardian,” I said quickly. “Self defense.”
“Uh huh.” He stepped closer, scent wrapping around me pine and storm. Liora stirred uneasily.
“You know what’s interesting, Cross?” His eyes narrowed. “Most Betas can’t flip Blackwood. That takes a different kind of strength. A different kind of bloodline.”
“I got lucky,” I muttered.
His smile was all teeth. “Or maybe you’re not what you seem.”
Before I could speak, he pushed off the wall and walked away.
By lunch, everyone knew. Whispers followed me down the dining hall. I ignored them, grabbed a tray, and found a corner table.
“Mind if I sit?”
I stiffened. Blackwood.
My hand hovered near the knife.
“Relax.” He chuckled, dropping his tray. “No rematch. I just came to apologize. You fought better than I gave you credit for.”
I blinked. “You’re… apologizing?”
“Yeah. Where I’m from, we respect skill.” He held out his hand. “No hard feelings?”
After a beat, I shook it.
He grinned. “So tell me how does a Beta orphan fight like Alpha royalty?”
My stomach lurched. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Oh, come on. I’ve seen Alphas fight. You move like one. You carry yourself like one.” He leaned closer. “You’re hiding something, aren’t you?”
He knows, Liora whispered.
I scrambled for an answer but the dining hall went quiet.
Every head turned as a tall guy with platinum blond hair and icy blue eyes strode in, flanked by older students.
Blackwood’s tone dropped. “Zeke Ravencrest. Third year. His father rules the Northern Territories.”
Zeke’s gaze swept the room, landed on me, and lingered. Then he smiled. A cold, dangerous smile.
My blood iced over.
“I have to go,” I muttered, bolting up.
“Cross ” Blackwood tried, but I was already moving.
I dumped my tray, pushed through the doors, and breathed only when I was in the corridor.
He saw something, Liora warned. I can smell it on him.
“Running away so soon?”
My head snapped around.
Kai. Again. Arms crossed, leaning casually against the wall.
“I wasn’t running,” I said.
“Uh huh. And it had nothing to do with Zeke Ravencrest staring at you like fresh meat?”
I froze. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Sure you don’t.” His voice dropped, serious now. “Here’s some advice, roomie. Don’t attract Zeke’s attention. He makes problems disappear.”
“What kind of problems?” I asked before I could stop myself.
“The kind that don’t belong.”
His meaning hit like a slap.
“I belong here,” I whispered.
Kai studied me, eyes sharp. “Do you?” His smile returned, slow and dangerous. “Because from where I’m standing, Cross… you’re alre
ady drowning.”
Then he turned and walked away, leaving me with a pounding heart and the certainty that my first day at the Academy had already put me in someone’s crosshairs.
