The room echoed with silence - stalls empty , lights flickering faintly . No sign of him . Not even the scent of his cologne . Phina growled in my mind , " He hadn't come here . " I turned and sprinted out , checking every hallway , every stairwell , even the supply rooms along the east wing . Nothing . No trail . No sound . Not a single trace of him . " Where the hell are you ? " I whispered under my breath , panic clawing tighter with each passing second . When I rounded the main corridor near the dorm wings , I met with Asher . " Why are you here ? " He sighed and asked instead of replying to my question , " Still can't find your friend ? " I shook my head ; chest heaving . " He's not in the Academy . I've looked everywhere . Every floor , every wing - he's just gone . " Asher's jaw tightened slightly . " That's because he's most likely not inside the building . " " What do you mean ? " " There are too many eyes in here , " he said simply . " Instructors . Dorm assistants . Patrol wolves . If someone wanted to hurt him , they wouldn't do it where there was this much surveillance ." A cold chill ran down my spine . " That means … " I realized something . I didn't wait . I took off again , flying down the empty hall . The moment I crossed the rear courtyard , the air changed . It was quieter . Too quiet . Then I saw it - the abandoned building tucked into the far side of the academy grounds , half - swallowed by shadows and wild ivy . Windows boarded up . Doors hanging half off their hinges . Without wasting another second , I shoved the door open and stepped inside . My heart stopped . Finn was there . He was on the floor - bleeding - his arms shielding his head as a group of Alphas surrounded him . Each one taking turns landing kicks or laughing . And among them- Reed and Cassius . My stomach twisted . Finn's blood was on their fists . I couldn't breathe . Couldn't speak . My body locked up . They didn't see me at first . My eyes were glued to Finn - his swollen lip , the deep purple bruises already blooming on his cheek , the crack of blood on his brow . I stepped in slowly Then Cassius looked up , and that sickening grin spread across his face . " Well , look who finally arrived , " he sneered . Reed turned slowly , grinning wider . " You're late , tiny motherfucker . The show's already started . " 2/4 P. I did not look at them . I could not . All I could do was stare at Finn - slumped , gasping , but alive . They all looked at me up and down as I continued walking in slowly . " Hey Seth ! " Alpha Asher stepped through the doorway , his presence like a blade slicing through the thick air . The Alphas froze . Even Reed's smug grin twitched into uncertainty . Cassius narrowed his eyes . " You brought help ? Really ? " Another one snorted . " Can't even stand up for your weak little friend without crying for backup ? " Reed glared , " Let me guess , this time Ronan refused to help you so you brought another one ? Do you think you will be able to get out of here alive ?" But Asher didn't say a word . His sharp eyes took in the scene - Finn on the ground , my rigid stance , and the circle of wolves that had clearly expected to have more time . His gaze flicked to me , " Seth . " " Alpha Asher , " I cut him off and tilted my head to meet his gaze , " Can you do me a favour ? " Asher raised a brow , his posture casually unreadable . " Go on . " " Take Finn . " My voice didn't shake . " Get him to the trial grounds . His name's being called . The instructor is waiting . " The room silenced even further if that was possible . Asher froze in surprise . Reed scoffed . " Hey , you think you can walk out so that you can go and play ? Don't be so cocky little fucker . You are not leaving . " " Who said I am leaving ? " I quipped , not even sparing them a glance . " I'm sending Finn away seeing as I am here now , he does not need to be here . You wanted me here , right ? " saying that I turned to Asher again , " Please take him ." Asher looked at me for a long moment - calculating , unreadable - then nodded once . I strode forward and everyone had to make space for him . No one dared stop him . Because challenging Asher was as good as walking into your own execution . He moved forward , helping Finn to stand up . He was still dazed , his breath shallow , but his eyes flickered open the second he sensed movement . When Asher carefully pulled him to his feet , Finn stumbled but caught himself . Then his hand shot out and caught mine , gripping it tightly . " Come with me ," he said hoarsely . " You can't stay here . Let's go - now I smiled at him , small and warm . " Soon . " " Seth - no- * Finn , " I cut in softly . " You have to go . They're calling your name . You have to show up . The instructor is waiting . If you don't go now … they'll disqualify you . And remember I am not letting you win so easily , ' I grinned . He pursed his bleeding lips , eyes full of resistance and fear - for me . But finally , slowly , he nodded . P Asher wrapped Finn's arm over his shoulders and began to lead him toward the door . The Alphas stepped aside without a word , their sneers long gone . The moment they passed the threshold . I was alone in a room full of Alphas with unfinished business . Eight Alphas stood before me , shoulder to shoulder , forming a wall of muscle , ego , and bloodlust . Their sneers curled like smoke . " This is where you die , motherfucker , " Cassius taunted , cracking his knuckles . " And no one will even know . " I told you it would not end there , " Reed growled at me . " But if you lick my shoes I might let you live . " They all laughed - cruel , unafraid , and confident in their numbers . I stared at them blankly . But then , as if struck by an invisible force , their laughter faltered . One by one , their grins slipped away , and their eyes shifted past me . Something had changed . I felt it before I heard it - the slow , deliberate footsteps , the shift in the air , the dark heat coiling behind me like a rising storm . And then … A warm breath ghosted along my ear . " You know , " came a smooth , low murmur , voice dipped in shadows and silk , " eight versus one looks an awful lot like suicide . " I didn't flinch . Didn't turn . But every nerve in me lit up like lightning . Ronan's voice was dark velvet , threading around my spine as he leaned closer , face beside mine . " If you cry out my name for help ," he continued , " I might be tempted to save you . " I slowly titled my face a little to meet his smiling eyes . Then I slowly turned to face him . 7 His violet eyes glinted like moonlit steel , expression unreadable , but something in them burned , calling to decrease the distance between us and I rose on my toes . I slid a hand up into his thick soft hair , as I pulled him down slowly to my face and whispered into his ear - my lips grazing his skin . " Alpha Ronan .." I whispered , soft but sharp as a blade . His breath hitched , just a fraction , as our eyes locked . " Help me . " A slow smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth . But I wasn't finished . … Be my watchdog for a while , " I added , voice turning cold as steel , " and make sure no one escapes before I'm done with them . " " What the fuck , " his smile widened , something dangerous gleaming behind it . " And you say you aren't seducing me . " Send Gifts