Chapter 48 Surrounded
SERAPHINA
The mattress dug into my shoulder as I approached the hallway leading to my room. My arms ached, my boots scuffed against the stone floor, but my mind was somewhere else entirely. On Lily’s comments, on Dante’s arrival, and Ronan that I would be sharing a room with. I did not know what was going to happen from this point but I knew things had changed completely,
But why was everything so quiet in the Academy? Had he not revealed my identity? Why? Could it be that he was just messing with me that day? Was he unsure? Was he only suspicious and did not have strong proof? Or more likely he did not have a single idea and I was over thinking?! The more I thought about it the more I felt like going crazy. That Alpha was incredibly mysterious and unbelievably nerve wracking-
I barely made it to the corner when a voice called out from behind me.
“Alpha Seth Darven, hold on.
I froze, instinctively tensing before turning. It was the dormitory assistant. “Yes?”
“The Alpha instructors have requested your presence at the training grounds. Now since you have been discharged from the healers hospital and are physically fine.
I blinked. “Me?” My voice came out lower, raspier.
He nodded briskly. “Yes, immediately. It’s a direct order,”
My pulse stumbled. My first thought–Was I now allowed to participate in a trial? But I quickly dismissed the thought. I knew today’s participants had already been chosen, and my name wasn’t on the list. Due to the punishment. So why the hell was I being called? Did Ronan finally tell Alpha Gideon?
My hands shook on my sides. So was it finally coming? My wolf stilled in my mind as well. The uncertainty of our future made both of us still.
pu
The Academy’s training grounds were lively with the Alphas chatting. I did not move to go among them. I stepped into the shadows along the arena’s perimeter wall and immediately noticed it.
The crowd was thinner. There were fewer Alpha candidates.
“Don’t tell me
the realization coiled like a cold snake in my stomach
Puina said in my mind. Two trials have already taken place over the past two days. And we missed both.”
“shit” 1 groaned as from afar one of the instructors gestured for me to take a seat.
My boots raped the gravel path as I found a shaded bench nestled to the side. It was close enough to see but far enough to remain inconspicuous. I sank into the seat, hands braced on my knees, letting my eyes scan the grounds.
The remaining Alpha candidates stood in a loose formation, their numbers notably reduced. And those who remained were sharper. Harder. Quieter Even from a distance, I could feel the simmering tension in the air.
many had fallen and been eliminated from the Academy?” I wondered, looking at all of their faces only to spot two familiar ones still among them. Reed and Cassius. Standing far apart but still talking with their eyes.
They made a tluough so far,” I murmured and judging by their auras they had grown stronger than they had been during the p–highting mcident. Every trial clawed out our inner power and physical strength and with each step we grew into a better nsion of ourselves. However, the moment both of then set their hateful eyes on me, I knew their growing strength just spelled impending danger for me. And that they had not learnt anything from their fall or punishment.
As I was lost in thoughts suddenly a shadow fell on me.
I glanced up
And froze.
11:50 AM p p.
Chapter 48 Surrounded
+8 Pearls
Ronan.
His tall, broad build blocked the sun behind him, casting his sharp features into a faint silhouette. But I would’ve known that presence anywhere–too powerful, too calm, too dangerously controlled.
My pulse quickened.
His expression was unreadable. Not hostile. Not warm. Just blank–too blank. But I felt it, the tension lingering like a scent only I could sense. I blinked, chest tightening as the memory of our last encounter rushed through me: the closeness, the scrape of his voice at my ear, his fingers brushing my belly and his hand moved up to my breasts before he whispered my
secret
I was called here by an Alpha instructor and he came here as well. Did that mean he finally told them about me? My heart. grew colder.
Before I could even gather my thoughts, another figure appeared behind him.
Dante.
His white–blond hair caught the light like fire, his gait slow, smooth, and utterly deliberate. His blue gaze locked on mine, unreadable but far from indifferent. Then he stopped.
Right beside Ronan.
My heart kicked into my ribs as Ronan dropped into the seat directly across from me without saying a word. The bench groaned slightly under his weight, but his posture was like carved stone–one ankle crossed over his knee, hands relaxed, eyes. locked on mine.
Dante didn’t move at first.
He just stared.
Long enough for me to feel the burn crawl up my neck. Then, with the most infuriating confidence, he lowered himself beside Ronan.
What the actual hell?
My brain short–circuited. But the universe wasn’t done.
Not even close.
Boots scuffed gravel behind me. I turned sharply just in time to see Finn appear on my left, Asher on my right.
They didn’t even hesitate. Finn slumped down beside me with a small smile Asher took the remaining seat on my right like at
silent storm.
I was surrounded.
Enclosed
Caged.
I stared at all of them like they’d grown second heads.
Roman Dante. Finn. Asher
Why–why–wej the strongest Alphas of the Academy now forming a perimeter around me?
“What.” I said slowly, voice low but sharp, “the hell is going on here?”
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