105 candidates dead and six injured."
The hot morning air hit Raine's face as she stared at the pile of bodies, her mouth wide open in shock.
Her eyes were getting blurry, her vision fading as she slowly searched through the corpses for a thick red hoodie or tight jeans.
That was what Arinze wore.
But she didn't see him anywhere. Maybe he burned to ashes or got crushed so badly that they didn't even bother picking up what was left of him.
If she had found his body, she would've at least buried it.
"There she is—the orange-haired guy who killed his friend!"
Me?Raine blinked in confusion, turning toward the crowd of guys and girls pointing at her with disgust in their eyes.
"If you're still interested in watching how the dead candidates died, killed themselves—or how they killed each other—the full footage is still with the principal. Alpha Kieran," Alpha Gabriel said cheerfully. He was smiling widely like he was delivering some good news, standing right beside the dead bodies like they didn't bother him at all. Like he actually enjoyed the sight.
Raine stood in the crowd, my eyes focused on the ground.
Thanks to Arinze, she passed the test. But she had no idea what kind of skills these people had—or how she was supposed to survive among them. They all looked like they could tear her apart if she breathed too loud.
"No need to feel guilty," Alpha Gabriel added in a smooth voice. "That's a weakness. And weakness will get you killed. The weak have already been removed. Congratulations, first years! Doesn't that sound great? "
His golden eyes locked with Raine, and he gave a smirk.
It was like he knew something—but also left her confused.
"Did he somehow recognize me?"
She shook the thought off.
There was no way. Even Arinze, who spent time close to her, couldn't tell she wasn't a guy.
"Won't you applaud yourselves?"
loud applause broke out among the students
Being called "first years" must have sparked something emotional in them. Like it made everything feel real—and worth it... Maybe but is that why they had no more room for empathy?
"Yes! That's how you should feel!" Gabriel encouraged. "You didn't die, and that's all that matters. Soon, you'll become the elites. No one will ever crush you again. You won't be an omega anymore!"
He kept going, his voice rising with energy. "The Apex Trial Academy gives you power, connections, and every skill you'll need to take over a pack and make it yours."
Then he turned to the girls. "And for the ladies... you'll prove yourselves too. Here, strength isn't handed to anyone—you take it. If you're weak, you're gone. But if you're strong? You rise. What the men can do, you can even do better"
Raine felt her chest tighten at his words.
She had barely made it through the night. That crazy, bloody trial nearly killed her—and now she had to stand here like nothing happened? Although she undeniably felt encouraged.
She swallowed hard to stop the nausea climbing up her throat.
"On the notice board down there," Alpha Gabriel said, "you'll find your dorm assignments. They're based on your skill level."
The clapping continued, loud and fake like a survival anthem.
Raine's fists curled by her sides. If she wanted to live—if she wanted answers—she had to play along anyways
Alpha Gabriel's sharp eyes found her again.
"Training begins at sundown. Rest if you want. Or don't. It's up to you. Meet me after this.. Rowan"
Everyone's heard swiveled to where she stood. Raine adjusted herself and avoided any direct eye contact. She was shy
"Y'all can go rest now"
The crowd slowly broke apart.
People were pairing off—girls with girls, boys with boys.
But one thing stood out clearly: the girls were avoiding the boys on purpose. Like they didn't want to waste time hanging around a low-rank male and risk missing their shot at getting noticed by an Alpha.
Raine let out a slow breath and dug her nails into her palms, trying to stop her hands from shaking. If she didn't learn how to blend in fast, she'd end up like the burnt bodies on the ground.
She hurried off to where every other person were headed to.
She turned to the notice board and scanned for her name.
When she found it, she gasped
Rowan Vale — Dormitory Sector C.
Sector C.
Probably not among the best but in the worst group either.
She was in the middle.
Good.