My stomach tightened . I glanced to my right . Thankful that it was not Finn . I did not want to find my friend . But it was a broad - shouldered Alpha with narrowed eyes that was already sizing me up , good . " The winners will then face another one - on - one round . This continues until only twenty Alphas remain . " The crowd shifted with renewed murmurs . Twenty out of nearly a hundred . Brutal odds . " Those twenty ," the instructor continued , his eyes gleaming , " will enter the final stage : a last - standing match . No alliances . No rules . The Alpha who remains conscious at the end will be the victor . They will be rewarded with the highest recognition and the hierarchy room ! " My heart thudded harder . Among all of these Alphas , I had to be the last standing even if my body would be worn out . It was the cost of the freedom , the privacy that was of the utmost importance for me at this academy . " All combatants , to your starting marks ! " the instructor barked . The arena buzzed to life as Alphas spread out across the training ground . I stepped onto the dirt - packed center and cracked my knuckles . Across from me , my opponent - a cocky Alpha from the West pack - flexed his neck like he was already celebrating . His mistake . A loud horn blew , signaling the start of the first round . He lunged . Sloppy . Predictable . I dodged his fist , twisted behind him , and drove my elbow into his spine . He staggered , then I swept his legs out from beneath him and pinned him to the ground in one fluid motion . A gasp rippled through the crowd . " Winner : Alpha Seth Darven !? the instructor shouted . I stood and dusted off my hands , breathing evenly . As I made my way back to the line , I felt them . Eyes . I didn't need to look to know who they belonged to . Dante . He stood in the shade arms crossed, his gaze burning a hole through my skull . Cold . Curious . Possessive . But for some reason my eyes went to another figure just behind the railing Ronan . His eyes weren't cold . They were sharp . Focused . Watching me like I was something dangerous … or something- I swallowed hard and turned away . " Hey ! " Finn's voice rang out as he jogged toward me , a grin splitting his face . " We won at almost at the same time ." I laughed , bumping his shoulder . " Of course you did . You're secretly terrifying " I had seen the silent and shy type Finn portrayed for who he really was . He was actually incredibly strong and powerful " Shh . Let them keep underestimating me ," he winked . I laughed only to feel a pair of cold eyes drilling a hole in the side of my face I followed that feeling and found Ronan glaring at me . What's his deal ? " I said in my mind . " Is he crazy ? " Phina frowned as well , " Yeah , what crazy mood swings this Alpha is having as if we have done him wrong in some way ?! " Ignoring him , I stood side by side with Finn on the winner's side , sharing a moment of quiet pride before the second round was called . Finn said , " I'm gonna hit the men's room before the next match . " T 8:18 。 I stood alone for a while , watching others still locked in combat . Time passed . My nerves began to settle again . But as the second round contestants were being called … Finn didn't return . I glanced toward the dorm building . No sign of him . " Alpha Seth Darven , " soon my name was called . I stepped forward and my opponent was a crazy Alpha with insane physical strength and height ! He was close to seven feet tall When facing that kind of opponent , we needed a brain to defeat them as it was not a real life and death fight . So I finished it by catching him off guard and slamming his head against the ground . He was knocked out and I won . I stepped out of the ring catching my breath when- " Alpha Finn Hart , to the arenal " the instructor called . Heads turned . My pulse stuttered . He was still gone . I scanned the crowd . Nothing . Five seconds passed . Ten . Still no Finn . A quiet warning crept into my thoughts . Something was wrong . Very wrong . The second round was already underway . More and more victors were returning to the winners ' side , bloodied and breathless , while Finn's name still echoed unanswered across the combat ground . The Alpha instructor's jaw ticked as he crossed his arms , scanning the group . His patience was unraveling fast . " Alpha Finn Hart , " he called again , louder this time , voice sharp with authority . " Final warning . " My chest tightened . Where the hell was he ? I didn't even think . I sprinted forward , pushing through the crowd and toward the instructor before logic could stop me . " Alpha ! " I called , breathless as I reached him . His eyes narrowed on me , expression unreadable . " Yes ? " I forced calm into my yoice . " Finn … he's not skipping . His stomach , he's got a stomach ache . Something he ate earlier . But he'll be back . He just needs a moment . " The instructor raised a skeptical brow . " Convenient ." " I swear it's not an excuse . He's not the type to back out . He's probably doubled over in pain somewhere ." A beat passed Then , with a reluctant grunt , he nodded . " Fine , but listen closely . " I stilled . " From this moment on , he'll face whoever is left standing . That means the stronger the opponents , the worse it'll be for him . If he delays too long , he'll be up against the best ." 374 P P . I backed away and returned to the winners ' line , anxiety buzzing in my bloodstream . I scanned the area , still no sign of Finn . Where are you ? I tried not to fidget . Not to pace . But time was slipping away , and so were his chances . Then it happened . Someone brushed past me . Fast . Intentional . I looked up , but the person was already gone , swallowed into the crowd . A folded scrap of paper now sat in my hand . I secretly unfolded it . One sentence . Scrawled in sharp , uneven ink . " You sent your friend to die here in your place ? I thought so highly of you , Seth Darven . Now he is here and ready to die for you . I have to admit that's true friendship . " My heart plummeted to my feet . It seemed someone had asked me and laid a trap for me but Finn…. he went in my place . Send Gifts