"Before we proceed with the orientation, we must first acknowledge the presence of a highly esteemed individual. Though he is here today as a student, he also stands as a representative of his father, the Alpha King. Please welcome to the stage, Kieran Valerius Hunter, the Lycan Prince."
Astrid's voice rang through the hall like a drum of war, sending a ripple of energy through the room. Every head turned in unison.
Then, he stood.
I swear, for a moment, I forgot how to breathe.
Kieran Valerius Hunter rose from his seat with an effortless grace, yet there was nothing soft about him. He moved like a predator, controlled, powerful, dangerous. His towering frame was built to intimidate, broad shoulders and a strong, lean form making him seem larger than life. His long black hair cascaded down to his shoulders, thick and slightly untamed, like the beast within him refused to be completely subdued.
And then, his eyes.
I had never seen anything like them before. A shade of fiery gold, but laced with something more, something primal. The red glint in them burned like embers in the darkness, as if the monster inside him was always watching, always waiting.
The entire hall seemed to shrink under his presence.
My heart pounded so violently it hurt. Who was he? No..... what was he?
He walked toward the stage, each step measured, his polished boots making almost no sound against the floor. The silence in the room was suffocating. No one dared to whisper. No one dared to even move.
He stopped beside Astrid, giving her the smallest of nods. She returned the gesture, completely unfazed, as if standing beside a monster of his caliber was nothing.
Then, he spoke.
"My name is Kieran Valerius Hunter."
I felt his voice in my bones.
It was deep, husky, commanding, rich like the echo of thunder rolling through the mountains. A voice that didn't just demand attention. It seized it.
"Though I stand here as my father's representative, I am also here as a student. The Alpha King, Ronan Valerius Hunter, was unable to attend today, but he sends his regards and best wishes to you all. May we learn and grow together."
Short. Simple. Absolute.
Then, without another word, he turned.
The moment he stepped down from the stage, the hall erupted. Claps, howls, cheers, it was deafening. The energy in the air shifted into something electric, something primal.
I swallowed hard, trying to steady my breathing.
What was this feeling? This strange, unsettling pull in my chest?
Astrid stepped forward again, her heels clicking sharply against the polished floor as she reclaimed the stage.
"Now that formalities are out of the way, let's begin."
And just like that, the real orientation had begun.
"Lunar Crest Academy was founded centuries ago," she began, her voice sharp, unwavering. "Built by the first Alpha King, alongside the blessing of the Moon Goddess herself. Since then, this academy has stood as the foundation of strength, the heart of our kind's power. Lycans. Werewolves. The strongest among us are forged here. And only the strongest survive."
A cold shiver ran down my spine.
"This is not an ordinary school. This is not a place for weakness. Here, we do not merely teach. We refine. We sharpen. We break and rebuild," Astrid continued, her lips curling into something almost like a smirk. "You will be tested in combat, in knowledge, in strategy. We train primal wolves. By the end of the year, those who remain will be nothing short of the best."
Those who remain?
I tightened my grip on the seat and Callum gulped nervously by my side.
"There is only one ultimate rule here." Astrid's eyes gleamed with amusement. "Make it to the end of the year, alive."
The silence that followed was deafening.
I heard someone swallow beside me. Even the Lycans in the front rows remained still, as if they already knew what was coming.
"Some of you may have noticed the difference in the collars of your uniforms." Astrid's gaze flickered over the crowd. "They are not for decoration. They represent your status. Your worth."
My throat went dry.
"The purple collars belong to the Ferals," she stated. "You are here because of the Alpha King's scholarship, because of his mercy. You are the lowest of the low. Remember that."
I already knew that.
"The green collars belong to the Noble Packs. Stable, resourceful, and striving for more power. The blue collars belong to the Elite Packs, strong, wealthy, and respected."
Her smirk deepened.
"And the red collars?" She turned toward the front rows. "The Lycans. The pinnacle of our race. The strongest, the purest. The rulers of our kind."
My eyes instinctively sought him out.
Kieran Valerius Hunter sat motionless, his powerful frame relaxed but his presence overwhelming. The red of his collar stood out like blood against his dark uniform. He didn't react to Astrid's words. He didn't need to. Everyone already knew who he was.
"Your collars will determine more than just your rank," Astrid continued. "They will determine where you live. Your dormitories will match your stattus. Purple dorms for the Ferals. Green dorms for the Nobles. Blue dorms for the Elites. And red dorms for the Lycans."
I already expected that. But hearing it out loud made my stomach twist.
"All of this information and more can be found in your academy handbook." Astrid clasped her hands behind her back. "I suggest you read it. It may just keep you alive."
I exhaled slowly, my pulse pounding in my ears.
A school where survival was the only rule.
A school where I was already at the bottom of the chain.
And somehow, I had to make it out alive.
Astrid's gaze swept over the silent crowd, her lips curling into something almost cruel.
"Now, let's talk about survival."
A cold sensation crawled down my spine.
"According to academy rules, when you arrived here, you brought nothing with you. No belongings. No money. No personal items. The only thing provided to you, free of charge, are your uniforms. Everything else you need must be bought here."
Murmurs broke out among the students. My hands clenched into fists.
"Your casual wear, your toiletries, your food, even your medical expenses, including drugs and hospital bills, will come out of your own pocket," Astrid continued, her voice sharp as a blade. "The academy operates on its own currency, Lunars, and each of you will receive 200 Lunars every month."
A hundred thoughts raced through my mind
"It is up to you to figure out how to spend it. How to keep it. Because the academy will not be responsible for any loss or misuse of funds. And no additional money will be provided. Not even if you're on your deathbed with no way to pay for medical treatment."
My breath hitched.
Beside me, Callum was shaking.
No wonder no Feral had ever survived this place.
No wonder they never came back.
This place wasn't just an academy. It was a hunting ground.
And we?
We were the weakest prey.
A quick death would have been better.
Because how the hell was I supposed to make it out of this place alive?