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CHAPTER 8
~Valerie's POV~
The moment I stepped onto campus the next morning, I had one goal—avoid the Alpha Princes at all costs.
After last night's encounter with Xade, I had no patience left for any of them. They were all scumbags no matter how one looked at it.
I just wanted a normal day where there weren't any games, no mate bond nonsense, nor some evil cheerleading Barbie squad dolling up my space. Just me, kicking ass and moving on with my life.
But, of course, the universe had other plans. Because right there, as I glanced at my schedule—bold and unforgiving, was Combat Class.
And guess what?
All four of them would be there. Combat class was a class no werewolf in any grade or year could miss.
*************The Arena—PSA Combat Class
Reluctantly, I made my way to the arena for the class. Combat class was a big deal at PSA. Werewolves thrived on dominance, strength, and power.
And here? The ring decided everything.
I walked into the massive training arena, feeling the raw energy in the air. Students stood in circles around the sparring pits, some stretching, others already locked in combat before we officially began or so I thought.
The instructor, Mr. Grayson, a grizzled warrior with battle scars and a no-nonsense demeanour, stood at the centre, watching everyone.
"Today," he boomed, "our class will focus on…" I tried tiptoeing into the class when he called my name. "Ms. Nightshade, you would do well to attend my class early."
I froze and smiled. "Sorry, sir, I got lost on my way here." I lied. He scrunched his face, his eyes narrowing as if reading between the lines.
"You have a map, don't you?"
"I, huh for… I left it in the dorm. My mistake." Great, another lie. I hate lies because of the chain reaction ripple effect they produce.
Luckily, Mr. Grayson believed me and gave me a warning.
"Don't be late next time," he instructed, and I nodded. With both hands clasped behind him, he continued, "So, today we will test skill, endurance, and control. Now, pair up."
I was already moving toward the back, hoping to blend in, when Mr. Grayson's deep voice rang out loud and clear. "Valerie Nightshade."
I stopped.
Mr. Grayson's sharp gaze found mine. I already knew what was coming—he was going to assign me a partner. "You're with Axel Westwood."
"What?"
"Got a problem?" The way he spoke made me gulp. I did not wish to enter his black book just yet.
While, I contemplated his question and my response, one of the Queen Bee bitches spoke. "Look at her acting all high and mighty when she should be glad that she is paired with someone like the Alpha Prince Axel."
"What a sore loser. I wish Mr. GRayson had picked me instead to pair with them."
Another wannabe spoke, her voice louder than the last. "After everything we did to get a chance with them, they refused, but this wench actually got it on her first day here? Talk about luck. I hate her. I wish she could just drop dead."
I rolled my eyes, and Astra growled internally. I did my best to hush her to avoid more trouble.
"M. Nightshade?"
I blinked. Only now did I realise everyone was staring at me, waiting for my response.
"Of course, sir. Learning a thing or two from him would be good."
I hoped Axel could hear my sarcasm, but whether or not he did, I exhaled slowly as Axel sauntered forward, rolling his shoulders like he was warming up for a show. His smirk was already in place, cocky and insufferable.
"Well, sweetheart," he purred, "ready to get on your knees?"
I smiled sweetly. "Only if it's to kick you in the face and have you eat dirt; sure, bring it on."
A few students snickered. Axel's grin widened. "I'm going to enjoy this. Oh, you may want to get a weapon, just to be safe."
I rolled my shoulders, smiling. "You sure you not scared or are you really asking for a beating?"
"You've got quite the mouth. I'll enjoy seeing you use them to beg to quit. I'm ready."
Yeah. So was I.
The second Mr. Grayson gave the signal, Axel moved fast. His speed was his weapon. Darting in and out, he tested my defences, but he was always just out of reach.
He was toying with me.
"Come on, sweetheart," he murmured as I dodged a swipe to my ribs. "Don't tell me you're already struggling."
I grit my teeth, keeping my stance firm. I wouldn't fall for his tricks. Ignoring his taunts, I lounged, throwing a kick at his leg but then—he changed tactics.
Axel leaned in too close, that when he breathed, his breath was hot against my ear.
"You smell good," he muttered. The unexpected contact sent a shiver down my spine, not from attraction but from pure rage.
I snarled, shoving him off and aiming a swift kick to his chest using Astra's strength and speed to my advantage
Axel barely dodged. Barely. Then suddenly, his smirk wavered. "Ooooh. Feisty."
I moved again, this time faster, sharper, and more aggressively than he had planned. Axel expected a clean fight.
I didn't fight clean. My instincts were on high alert as I remained focused, reading his moves and anticipating his next attack.
He moved swiftly, going out of rhythm and throwing a kick to my side, hitting the spot where I had been stabbed.
However, thanks to my healing, my injury had healed, butI still felt a bit of pain, and his kick worsened it.
That was it. My eyes became red, anger coursing through me as I moved swiftly, closing the gap between us.
A sharp elbow to his ribs made him grunt. A follow-up sweep to his legs forced him to stumble back.
The crowd gasped, a different reaction from their earlier cheer when he first hit me.
Axel's smirk was gone. His hazel-green eyes darkened.
And then—he got serious. He came at me harder and faster, using his full strength. I matched him equally, blow for blow.
A swift punch grazed my cheek, but I used the momentum to pivot, aiming straight for his ribs.
"Enough."
The fight wasn't over. I had him, and I was going to get him, but suddenly, Kai interfered. He stepped into the ring, grabbing my wrist mid-swing.
I jerked back furiously, glaring daggers at him. "What the hell are you doing?"
Kai's emerald-green eyes burned with irritation. "Stopping you, that's what."
"Why? Because I was gonna get your friend? You were scared of your ranks getting taken or whatever bullshit reason you have."
Kai clenched his jaw. They thought I was the same girl they had met at the outskirts of the city, but I wasn't.
"You're not worth it."
My chest tightened. Not worth it? A slow rage curled in my gut. I turned to Axel, pointing at him. "Next time, I'll make you bleed."
The crowd went hushed.
Axel wiped a bit of sweat from his brow, a smirk slowly creeping back. "Can't wait, sweetheart."
I was about to respond—until Dristan stepped forward. And then—his Alpha aura hit. A suffocating force of power crashed over the entire arena, making the crowd freeze.
My wolf snarled in resistance, but even Astra stilled.
Dristan's cyan-blue eyes locked onto me, dangerously and sharply.
I forced myself to stand tall. I refused to cower and bow. And then, Xade whistled.
The tension snapped as he casually approached, hands tucked in his pockets with an amused glint in his eyes.
"Well," he drawled, "this was fun."
He glanced at me, smirking. "Little Wolf, you do know how to put on a show."
I ignored him. Instead, I turned my glare to Kai. The next time I fought, no one was going to stop me.
"Enough already. Everyone take…"
The bell signalled the end of class, and I exhaled sharply. "Till next time, sore loser."
***************
Later that day, as I reached my locker, something felt… off. I opened it and immediately, a single piece of paper fluttered to the floor.
I picked it up, reading the words scrawled in dark ink.
"You don't belong here, stray. Leave, or we'll make you disappear."