Chapter 1
My dad introduced me to his old friend's son, hoping we'd form an alliance bond.
When I saw who it was, I was stunned.
It was none other than my chief instructor for combat training.
His dad and mine clinked their glasses, grinning. "Looks like you two are a perfect match."
He, who had just chewed out the whole school in front of everyone that afternoon, gave me a half-smile. "Did you remember all the moves I taught you this afternoon?"
*****
We'd been through two weeks of the month-long combat training, and now it was time to show off what we'd learned to the academy's top Alphas.
After all the classes had finished their drills, we all gathered in the middle of the field, waiting for the Alphas to weigh in.
Up in the center of the second-floor stands, an instructor in military uniform held a microphone, critiquing the class that had just gone before us.
When it was our turn, the instructor tore into us, even calling out our own instructor, Jake Wilson.
"Your class is the worst in the whole school. Even the instructor's marching posture is subpar, and the students are utterly slack. You're all getting extra training," he barked.
Having been chewed out in front of the whole school like that, no one in our class could hold their heads up at lunch in the cafeteria.
Jake tried to comfort us. "He's the chief instructor for this combat training. He served overseas for two years and has always been incredibly strict.
"Back when we were at the Undergraduate Academy, we got chewed out by him constantly. You kids don't stand a chance against him."
That afternoon, while every other class returned to their dorms to rest and rest, we were stuck with extra training.
The next morning, whether from sheer exhaustion or something else, everyone in my dorm slept in.
Lily Sheppard, one of my roommates, glanced at the clock. "Thank goodness, we're only five minutes late. We can explain it to Instructor Wilson when we get there."
But when we arrived at the training ground, it wasn't Jake waiting for us; it was the chief instructor who'd ripped into our class earlier.
Oh no, we were screwed. Why was he here?
My three roommates and I instantly tensed up.
Everyone else was already lined up holding their postures. The four of us crept carefully to rejoin our formation.
Without turning his head, the chief instructor said, "Go stand over there."
The rest of our classmates and Jake, who was standing nearby, all shot us looks of sympathy.
I couldn't help but whisper to Lily, "Why is the hard-ass chief instructor here?"
"Don't talk," the chief instructor snapped, turning to glare at me.
I fell silent out of fright and obediently went to stand as punishment.
We stood at attention for what felt like forever, and the sun grew blisteringly hot.
Finally, the chief instructor introduced himself. "I'm Liam Brown. You can call me Instructor Brown.
"From now on, your class will have two extra hours of training every day. No excused absences, no tardiness. Report to me if you have any issues. I'll drop by unannounced for inspections regularly. Understood?"
Just then, a huge wasp came buzzing at me. I let out a shrill scream and jumped out of my skin.
Everyone turned to look at me, startled.
Liam spun around. "What are you doing?"
I hurried back to my spot and mumbled, "A wasp flew at me"
"Didn't I say to report anything that happens?" Liam snapped.
"You did, but I couldn't react in time."
Liam turned to the rest of the class. "Dismissed."
Then he walked straight over to the four of us.
He fixed his gaze on me. "What's your name?"
"Amelia Smith."
He paused for a moment. "Alright, I've got my eye on you. Now, you four, why were you late?"
An overwhelming sense of pressure radiated off him.
We all froze, none daring to utter a word.
After a long stretch of silence, I whispered, "We overslept."
"Is this the kind of attitude you bring to combat training? Twenty push-ups each. Now," Liam barked.
Push-ups? Seriously?
With the sun beating down on us and after standing at attention forever, we barely had any strength left.
I thought I was getting heatstroke. Everything started spinning.
Right before I blacked out, I heard Liam call, "Amelia!"
*****
When I came to, Lily told me that Liam had princess-carried me across the whole field, in front of everyone, and brought me to the campus healing den.
I was stunned for a second, then buried my face in her shoulder, wailing, "Ugh, this is so embarrassing."
Lily burst out laughing. "Honestly, Instructor Brown was pretty hot just now. If only he weren't so scary."
Another roommate smacked her on the head. "Stop fangirling. Instructor Wilson said he's the Brown Pack heir. If he hadn't enlisted, he'd be going back to take over the pack.
"Guys like him always take mates from equal packs. We don't stand a chance."
Lily laughed. "I'm kidding. He's way too scary. What if I screw up and he has me dropping for push-ups?"
We all cracked up.
Lesson learned: never gossip about someone behind their back.
Right then, Liam appeared in the doorway.
Our smiles froze solid.