CHAPTER FOUR

My lips sealed shut the second his fingers tightened around my neck.

The air barely slipped through, rough and sharp like it had claws. I could feel every inch of my body stiffen, my lungs fighting against the pressure, but I begged myself to remain calm, to not attack.

Because if the rumors were even remotely true, then the boy standing this close didn’t bluff. He didn’t make empty threats. And if I pushed him now he’d make an example of me. That was the kind of Alpha he was.

“Speechless already?” His voice scraped down my spine. “How disappointing.”

I swallowed against the sharp ache in my throat. “I… I already apologized for earlier,” I managed, though my voice cracked halfway. “It was an accident.”

A laugh rose from behind me but it sounded anything but amused, I closed my eyes shut as I prayed to the moon goddess to save me.

But it fell on deaf ears, because the next moment, his grip jerked me forward, only to slam me back into the wall so hard I heard the crack behind my skull.

He didn’t back off. Instead, both arms came up on either side of my head, caging me in. I couldn’t move, every breath I took strained.

His breath touched my cheek as he leaned in. “I told you I don't like repeating myself.” his voice darkened “I could get answers another way. The quick way.”

His hand brushed my cheek, then lowered slowly, dragging across the fabric of my hoodie and settling against my chest.

“I could find out what you are. What you’re hiding.”

My heart slammed hard against my ribs.

His hand paused. “But I’m giving you the chance to speak. I won’t offer it twice, Ash.”

I froze.

He still thought I was a boy. That name, that tone, it meant he hadn’t realized. Not yet.

But I could feel it. Sweat starting to bloom along my back, my forehead. I hadn’t reapplied the potion. Not since some hours ago. And if he caught even a trace of my real scent—

Panic surged up my throat. I closed my eyes, forcing breath into my lungs.

“I’m no one,” I whispered. “Just a weak alpha from a weak pack. There’s nothing more to me.”

He didn’t answer this time, instead, he moved, so quick I couldn't grasp the action until it was done.

His palm cupped my chest and everything inside me snapped.

I slapped him.

The sound cracked through the dark.

My hand stung, but I didn’t stop there. I shoved him back with everything I had, forcing space between us.

“Don’t touch me!” I hissed, my chest rising and falling hard.

The door creaked open behind us, throwing light across the darkness. Two figures stood there, frozen.

His friends.

Their faces twisted in surprise, eyes darting from me to him.

His eyes darkened as they glared into mine, “You’ll regret that, Sunshine.”

I didn’t wait. I shoved past the two boys, ignoring the way one of them reached for me. Aiden raised a hand, stopping him without a word.

I was already walking away.

If I was screwed anyway, I might as well find the document I came here for.

****

The administrative office was exactly how I remembered when I had come to plead to be transferred to a new room

I picked the lock, stepping inside with every nerve on edge.

Each time the wind stirred through the cracked windows, it brushed against my skin, telling me of how much trouble I was in, and how much I would be in if I was caught here.

I checked over my shoulder so often I lost count.

The files were unorganized. Cabinets stacked to the ceiling. Papers were everywhere. I tore through them.

The same three terms echoing in my mind, Banished, exile, pack removals.

I found nothing.

I wanted to scream. To punch something. My fingers trembled, my shoulders tense.

I was not going to survive long enough, I knew that already. Aiden had touched my breast, he would have known already I was a girl. The hopefully part of me prayed that the bandage I had wrapped around my chest had been tight enough to keep him out, but I knew better.

If he was just a normal alpha, It would make sense he would not know that easily, not with the scent blocker in place, but Aiden wasn't normal. He was the alpha king.

I had to assume the worst. I had to assume he’d seen through my lies and reaction.

Sighing, I exited the office, making sure I wasn't followed and it looked untouched.

Eventually, when my legs wouldn’t carry me much farther, I returned to the one place I thought might be safe for the night.

My old room, thankfully It was empty. No new student had claimed it.

I sank into the bed, eyes heavy, the world still spinning.

if I survived the week, I would be more dedicated in my prayers to the moon goddess.

---

The bell had rung an hour ago.

Sunlight filled the room, and my heart shot into panic.

I’d missed first class.

I got dressed in a blur, rushed through my morning steps, and slipped back into the suite to grab my things before hurrying to class.

The second I stepped in, the professor glanced up. “You’re late.”

“I… I got lost. I’m sorry.”

She waved toward the back and my eyes darted there.

My stomach turned as I realized every other seat was occupied, all expect one. The one beside Aiden.

He was already leaning back, arm slung across the chair beside him like he’d been expecting me.

A part of me didn't want to believe it was a coincidence, but I swallowed the lump in my throat and walked towards the trap set out of me either way.

I sat and the Professor continued lecture, for minutes, Aiden didn’t say anything.

But then his voice dropped, just enough for only me to hear. “Morning, Ash.”

My fingers stiffened. Blood iced over, He still called me Ash.That meant he didn’t know.

Or he did—and he was playing the long game. Folding my palm, I ignored him, focusing on the lecture going on. Or at least trying to.

Then he leaned in, lips brushing too close to my ear. “Want to explain why you were snooping around management’s files last night?”