August stood frozen as his stepfather, Chase, delivered the news.
"You'll be attending Valoric Academy starting next week."
August's heart sank. Valoric Academy—the largest elite school in the country—was infamous for being ruled by powerful, delinquent Alphas.
The thought of it made his stomach churn. How could someone like him, so thin and flimsy, survive there? His dark, messy hair hung low over his eyes as he stared at the floor, refusing to meet Chase's cold gaze.
He could feel the weight of the torn clothes he wore, the fabric clinging uncomfortably to his scraped knees and elbows. His body ached from the fight at his current school—a fight that wasn't his doing. He had been bullied again, but this time, the other students framed him, leading to his expulsion. The news had been too much for his mother, her frail heart unable to bear the shock. She collapsed and was rushed to the hospital.
Now, standing in the spacious, pristine living room of this grand house—Chase's house—August felt more out of place than ever. This wasn't his home. He and his mother could never have afforded such luxury. For years, it had just been the two of them, scraping by in a small, cramped apartment after his real father passed away fifteen years ago.
Then, a few months ago, Chase appeared in their lives. He had claimed August's mother as his fated mate, sweeping her off her feet with his wealth and status. Since then, August and his mother had moved into this massive house, but August never felt like he belonged. It was obvious Chase didn't want him here. There were no cruel words or outbursts, but the cold indifference and thinly veiled disdain were enough.
Chase's solution to everything was to get rid of him by sending him away to Valoric Academy, the most dangerous school for someone like August. The problem was simple: August was a human. The academy was designed for Alphas—strong, dominant, and often aggressive. He wouldn't last a day.
"You're not being forced, August," Chase added, though his voice lacked sincerity. "But think about your mother. Her health has been fragile. Knowing that you've started school again…it'll help her recover early."
August's eyes remained fixed on the ground. His lips parted, but no words came out. He was always quiet, always soft-spoken. He rarely spoke, and when he did, it was often in whispers. It wasn't just shyness; August had learned that silence was safer. Words could be used against him, twisted, or ignored.
He simply nodded, as the obedient child he had always been. There was no point in arguing. His stepfather had made up his mind. Chase wanted him gone, and Valoric Academy was the perfect place to send him. August wasn't stupid—he knew this was a way of getting him out of the picture. As long as he was gone, Chase and his mother could live their perfect, fated life together without him in the way.
But August was terrified. How could he, a mere human, survive in a school filled with Alphas? It wasn't just about fitting in. It was about survival.
August stood in the quiet tension of the moment, his hands clasped together as he made his one request before leaving.
"I…I want to see my mother. Before I go."
Chase's expression remained unreadable, his cold eyes drifting away as if the question had not even been asked. After a pause, he said, "She's not in the state to meet anyone right now."
August's heart tightened. He knew it was a lie. Just that afternoon, he'd spoken to her on the phone. She sounded tired but fine, her voice filled with warmth and concern, asking how he was. But even though he could sense the falsehood in Chase's words, August didn't push further. His soft, petal-like lips pressed together in silent resignation. Confrontation wasn't in his nature. He'd never had the strength to argue, not here, not anywhere.
So instead, he simply bowed his head and left the room, retreating to the sanctuary of his bedroom.
As he entered, the soft glow of the moonlight illuminated his delicate features, the pale light reflecting off his skin like fresh snow. His beauty was fragile, almost ethereal—his face framed by dark, soft waves of hair that fell over his brow, concealing the sadness in his eyes. August was often compared to a flower—graceful, pure, and too easily bruised by the harshness of the world around him.
He moved quietly, gathering his belongings into a simple bag. His movements were slow and deliberate as if with each fold of clothing, he was saying goodbye to something. His room here had never felt like home. He was no longer simply moving from one place to another; he was leaving behind the last remnants of any sense of security he'd once known.
By the time morning arrived, August found himself standing at the edge of the grand driveway. A car, polished and gleaming, was waiting for him, and he couldn't help but look around one last time. The emptiness around him felt heavy. His delicate face, framed by the softness of his hair, looked conflicted—his lips slightly parted as if he were on the verge of speaking but couldn't find the words.
"No one came to see me off," he thought, feeling a small, sharp pain in his chest. No mother. No Chase.
The butler, an older man with a kind face, noticed the boy's hesitation. Stepping forward, he offered a sympathetic smile. "Your father left early this morning for the hospital," he said quietly.
August's glassy eyes, filled with a gentle vulnerability, lifted to meet the butler's gaze. "Then…who will take me to the school?" he asked, his voice soft as the whisper of wind through a garden.
The butler's smile widened. "I will take you, young master."
August bit his lip, his gaze dropping back down. He wanted to see his mother, wanted to feel her arms around him one more time before he was sent away. But the ache in his chest hardened into acceptance. He wasn't in control of his own life anyway. He had no say.
Without another word, August quietly climbed into the car, his soft. Snow fell lightly outside, delicate and fleeting, much like the boy who sat there, too quiet and too beautiful for the storm he was about to face at Valoric Academy.
August stood nervously in the principal's office, his soft features illuminated by the dim light filtering through the blinds. The room was grand, with dark wooden furniture that seemed to tower over him, making him feel even smaller and more fragile than usual. The principal, a stern-looking man with deep lines on his face, greeted him with an unsettling warmth.
"Welcome to Valoric Academy, August," he began, his tone professional yet tinged with something colder. "Your father, Mr. Chase, has informed us of your arrival. We're honoured to have the son of one of our most generous sponsors joining us."
Stepson, August corrected in his mind.
August merely nodded, his gaze dropping to his hands resting in his lap. He didn't like the way the principal was looking at him—as if he were something feeble, something out of place. It made his stomach twist uncomfortably.
"As you know, this school is quite unique," the principal continued. "Our Alphas are…different. Stronger, more powerful than those you might encounter elsewhere. That's why, as a human, it's important that you follow the rules here very carefully."
August looked up, sensing the shift in the man's voice.
"Firstly," the principal said, leaning forward, "you must stay as far away from the Alphas as possible. They are…unpredictable, especially around humans like yourself. You understand, yes?"
August swallowed hard but nodded.
"Good. You're allowed to make friends with Omegas. They are not dangerous. In fact, I would recommend you stick close to them. They're a much safer company for someone like you."
The way the principal said "someone like you" sent a shiver down August's spine. The words were laced with a kind of subtle warning, as if his very existence in this school was some kind of threat—or perhaps, a mistake.
"There are certain areas of the school you should avoid entirely—places where Alphas tend to gather. If you value your safety, do not, under any circumstances, wander alone. Especially at night."
August's soft features twisted in discomfort, but he nodded again. It all felt wrong, but what could he do? This wasn't his world. He didn't belong here, and the rules only reinforced that.
Suddenly, the door swung open with a loud thud, causing August to flinch. A tall boy strolled in. He was the definition of delinquent—wild dark hair, a leather jacket slung over his shoulders, tattoos curling up his neck and along his arms like dark vines. He had a bored expression on his face, chewing gum as if he had no care in the world.
The boy's sharp eyes immediately locked onto August, and he raised an eyebrow, sizing him up with a look that made August's skin crawl. His face, though undeniably handsome, carried a dangerous sharpness, and August couldn't help but feel a flicker of jealousy at the boy's height. He was so tall, towering over August like a giant, though it was clear from his lack of an Alpha's scent that he wasn't one.
"Edwin," the principal snapped, his voice sharp with authority. "What have I told you about barging in here?"
Edwin shrugged, completely unfazed by the scolding, and continued chewing his gum with a lazy smirk. He didn't care for the rules. It was written all over his face. The principal's words were nothing but background noise to him.
"I told you to knock," the principal continued, his tone growing more exasperated, but Edwin just leaned against the doorframe, eyes drifting back to August with mild interest. August shifted uncomfortably under his gaze.
Ignoring the boy's blatant disrespect, the principal sighed and straightened up in his chair. "Edwin, this is August. He's your new classmate. I want you to show him around the school."
Edwin's eyes flicked back to the principal, and for the first time, his smirk faded slightly. "Him?" he asked, his voice low and rough. "You want me to babysit him?"
"Yes, and I expect you to take him to his dorm without any problems," the principal said, his tone suddenly becoming extremely serious. "And I do mean without any problems, Edwin. Do you understand?"
The room seemed to grow colder with the principal's final words. There was an underlying sense of danger—like if August stepped out of line or wandered too far from Edwin's protection, something terrible would happen. It wasn't just about rules. It was about survival.
Edwin raised an eyebrow again, but after a moment, he nodded. "Yeah, yeah. I got it." He pushed off the doorframe and motioned for August to follow him. "Come on, flower boy."
August blinked at the nickname, feeling his heart race as he stood up. He hesitated for just a second, glancing at the principal, who gave him a small, cold nod as if to say, You're on your own now.
With no other choice, August followed Edwin out of the office, his steps small and hesitant compared to the boy's confident stride. The air outside the office felt even colder, and as August glanced around the imposing halls of Valoric Academy, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was being sent into a lion's den, and no one was coming to save him.
Edwin led August through the halls, casually pointing out various parts of the academy as they walked. His tall figure cast a shadow over August, who followed a few steps behind, his head slightly bowed. August's delicate characteristics stood out in the bustling corridors—his porcelain-like skin and soft, fragile appearance drew attention from everyone around them. Students shot glances at him, some curious, others suspicious.
The weight of their stares made August uncomfortable. His beauty was often compared to flowers, soft and fleeting, but here it felt like he was the prey being watched by predators. His glassy eyes darted nervously, though he kept his head down, clutching the strap of his bag as if it could shield him from the gazes.
Edwin, seemingly oblivious to August's discomfort, finally spoke up, his tone casual. "They're all staring because you're the first human to ever step foot in this place."
August wasn't surprised. Valoric Academy had a reputation—an elite institution only for the supernatural. Alphas ruled this place, and the few Omegas who were lucky enough to attend did so in their shadows. August was neither. He didn't belong here, but his stepfather had forced his hand, using his status to wedge August into the academy's ranks.
August kept his silence. He wasn't here to make friends, and judging by the dangerous aura that clung to this place, it was better to stay invisible. In his previous school, he had been alone—no friends, no allies, just a quiet existence until things had gone horribly wrong. He wasn't going to let that happen again.
Edwin, for all his delinquent appearance, didn't seem like an Alpha, but August knew better than to let his guard down. He had learned that lesson before. Alphas were unpredictable, and Edwin's nonchalance didn't mean he was safe.
As they walked, Edwinglanced sideways at August.
"So, where are you from?" Edwin asked, trying to break the silence.
"City," August mumbled without looking up.
Edwin raised an eyebrow. "Big city, huh? Do you like it there?"
August just shrugged, still avoiding eye contact. "It's okay."
Edwin tried again. "Do you play any sports? Or, like, have any hobbies?"
August shook his head slightly. "Not really."
Edwin found the human boy's behavior strange but didn't press further. Instead, he shifted the conversation to more practical matters. "Alright, listen up. If you want to survive here, there are a few rules you need to follow."
August glanced up at that. Rules again? Just how many rules are in this school?
Edwin continued, his voice lowering slightly. "Stay away from the bad kids. And I mean the really bad ones. There are some students here you don't want to mess with, no matter what."
August's eyes darted nervously. "Like who?"
Edwinhesitated, almost as if debating whether to say more. He opened his mouth, then quickly closed it, deciding against it. "Especially one Alpha…but never mind. Don't worry about it. You'll figure it out."
The mention of an Alpha sent a shiver down August's spine, but he couldn't help but ask, "What are you?"
Edwin flashed a grin. "I'm a Beta. Nothing dangerous. If anything, I'm friendly."
August felt a small wave of relief wash over him at the Beta's easygoing attitude, and he nodded, relaxing a little. Maybe things wouldn't be as bad as he thought.
Edwinnoticed the shift in August's demeanor and smiled. "Look, if you ever need anything or have any questions, you can always come to me. I know this place can be…overwhelming, but it's not all bad."
"Thanks," August nodded softly.
"How's the school?" August suddenly asked after a brief pause, his curiosity getting the better of him. "I mean, I've only ever gone to human schools before, and…well, I've heard some pretty scary things about this place."
Edwin laughed lightly, though his tone wasn't entirely reassuring. "Yeah, you probably heard a lot of stories. Some of them are true. But if you're careful, it's not that bad. Just…don't offend the wrong people, and you'll be fine."
August nodded again, his mind racing with questions he didn't dare ask. "And if I do cross someone?" he muttered, half to himself.
Edwin's smile faltered, and he gave a small, almost imperceptible shrug. "Let's just say you don't want to find out."
August's heart sank at the subtle warning, but he kept his head down.
Edwin asked casually, "What's your room number?"
August hesitated for a moment before pulling the key from his pocket, holding it out for Edwinto to see. The instant Edwin's eyes landed on the key, his expression froze. His body stiffened, and a flicker of something dark—fear, perhaps—crossed his face.
August blinked, confused. "What's wrong?"
Edwindidn't respond right away. Instead, he took a deep breath, his gaze glued to the small metal object in August's hand. "Are you sure the principal gave you this key?"
August nodded, frowning slightly. "Yeah. Why?"
Edwinswallowed hard, shaking his head as if trying to rid himself of whatever thoughts were troubling him. "No reason," he muttered. "Let's just…I'll drop you off at your dorm."
The walk became eerily quiet. As they moved down the corridors, August noticed fewer and fewer students. The bustling noise of the school faded, replaced by an unsettling silence. The lighting in the hallway grew dimmer, shadows stretching across the walls as if even the school itself was warning him. August glanced around, feeling a knot tighten in his stomach.
He took another step and realized he could no longer hear Edwin's footsteps behind him. Confused, he stopped and turned to look back.
Edwin had come to a halt several feet behind, staring at the end of the hallway as if it was a boundary he dared not cross. His hand stretched forward, holding out the key again.
"I…I can't go any further," Edwinstammered, his eyes wide with apprehension. "You'll be fine from here, I guess?"
August's brow furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean? Why can't you come with me?"
Edwin hesitated before answering, his voice shaking. "This floor…it belongs to an Alpha. He's…He doesn't like anyone crossing into his territory. No one's allowed here, not without permission."
The fear in Edwin's eyes was noticeable, and it unnerved August more than he wanted to admit. His heart thudded louder in his chest. "Then why did the principal put me here?"
Edwin's thoughts mirrored August's own fears. What is that principle thinking, sending a human kid to die on his first day?
"You should go back. Ask the principal to change your room. It's not safe here."
August paused, considering it. His mind flashed to his stepfather—how he'd likely make a big deal out of it if the principal called and told him about this, how it would become yet another thing to criticise him for. "Trouble on the first day," August could almost hear his voice, condescending and cold.
Taking a deep breath, August forced himself to shake off the uncertainty. How bad could this Alpha be? Worse than Chase?
He straightened his back, putting on a brave face. "It's fine. I'll manage."
Edwin gave him a pitying look, clearly torn between warning him again or simply letting it go. After a moment, he sighed. "If you say so." He turned to leave, but before he could go, August stopped him.
"Wait. Who's my roommate?" August asked, feeling his nerves start to creep back in. "What's the Alpha's name?"
Edwin's expression darkened, and the name slipped out of his mouth like a curse.
"Hunter."