Chapter 1 Alex's Death

ALEXANDRIA

"You have to let him go, Alex," Ryland, our pack's Beta, said, his voice trembling as he grasped my arm, trying to pull me away from the most important man in my life-my twin brother.

I turned to him, my eyes brimming with unshed tears. "I can't just let him go! He has to live!"

My gaze drifted back to the hospital bed. Just hours earlier, the pack had gathered for dinner, sharing laughs and stories, when a chilling call from Alpha Academy shattered our world. My brother-the only family I had left-had been found in a car crash, and now he was fighting for his life.

Each ragged breath he took felt like a thread pulling me closer to an abyss I couldn't bear to face. If I lost him, I would lose everything.

After years of struggling as a small pack, desperate for recognition from others, Alexei had finally been accepted into Alpha Academy. With less than twenty members, other packs often looked down on us, many unaware of our existence.

"I need to keep trying," I muttered, breathless, as I focused on summoning his fighting spirit. As the lead medic, or Theta of the pack, I desperately wanted him to hold on. The doctors surrounding us seemed indifferent, labeling it a "lost cause."

"Alex," I whispered, caressing his cheek. We shared the same nickname growing up, a connection that made us feel inseparable. Although he pretended to dislike it, I knew he secretly cherished it.

Suddenly, his eyes fluttered open, and relief surged through me. But that relief quickly morphed into dread as I saw the hopelessness behind his gaze.

"Alex," he managed, forcing a small smile despite his condition.

My tears intensified. "I'm here. I'm right here."

"W–who did this to you?"

He opened his mouth, but only a rattle escaped. I recognized it-the death rattle. I had witnessed it with my father, my mother, and now my brother.

"The Academy," he finally breathed. "They-they're going to bury me."

His breaths grew more ragged. I gripped his shoulders, searching for help, but the doctors passed us by, as if we were invisible. I heard Ryland's choked sob from behind me.

"Alex! Alex! You can't die, please! You said we were going to grow old together," I cried. "We haven't even met our mates. What about our dream pack house?"

All of the desires I shouted were sent into oblivion. I watched as my brother took his last breath, the light in his eyes fading away. I stood there for a while, my throat raw from the volume of my voice.

I wanted to shake him awake, but I knew that, too, was futile.

He was dead.

The only family I had left was gone.

My tears continued to fall, but my body no longer shook; the pain had become so overwhelming that I felt numb.

Unfamiliar footsteps snapped me back to reality. I covered my brother's body with a white cloth, leaving his face exposed. I turned around and found a man in his mid-40s staring at Alexei without an ounce of remorse.

The crest on his chest revealed he worked at Alpha Academy. When he spoke, I realized he was the one who had delivered the dreadful news over the phone.

"How is he?" he asked, a tired sigh escaping his lips.

My grip tightened on the sheet that covered my brother, shielding him from the man's sight.

"Who are you?" I demanded, refusing to answer his question.

He sighed again and shook his head. "I'm Christian Ford, a professor from Alpha Academy. I was on my way to our monthly party when I saw the crash."

He clicked his tongue in annoyance. "Some of the kids these days are really ill-behaved. He was intoxicated when we found him. Although he's an Alpha, he's quite weak, so his tolerance isn't that good. He shouldn't have driven."

My hands trembled with rage as I looked at his indifferent face. He was acting like this was merely an inconvenience to him.

"So, you're saying it's Alexei's fault he's in the hospital?"

Christian shrugged. "Who else is to blame?"

My eyebrow twitched.

"Sweetheart," he stepped closer, probably noticing my expression.

I felt Ryland stiffen beside me, but I kept my head high. I might not have a high rank in our pack, but I was raised by fighters.

Christian stopped right in front of me, his eyes raking over my face and body in a way that sent shivers down my spine-not the good kind.

"I hate to break it to you, but your brother doesn't have a good reputation at school. With all due respect, he needed to be put in his place for acting out in a realm filled with the best Alphas of the land."

With every word he spoke, my fury intensified.

"I'm here to report whether he has died; if so, we can make the necessary arrangements. Now, all hospital fees have been covered by me, and unfortunately, you'll have to pay them. However, I can waive the fees if you give me something else."

He placed his hand under my chin and lifted my face, licking his lips in the process. Ryland growled, tense and on the edge of pouncing. But I held out my hand to stop him.

Christian smirked. "It's crazy how similar you look to your brother, but you're so much prettier, hmm?"

I didn't look away from his eyes-not even for a second. I slapped his hand away, maintaining our eye contact and forcing myself to smile.

"We won't need any of your help."

His smirk vanished instantly.

"My brother is not dead, and we have enough money to cover the hospital expenses. Now, I suggest you go back to that party you were talking about and stop hitting on women who could be your daughter."

His jaw clenched as he looked away, momentarily ashamed. He cleared his throat, finally stepping back. "So, he's still alive, huh?" he muttered.

That made me frown.

"We'll see him next week, I guess. Tell him to take this time to recuperate. I'm sure he'll need it once he comes back." he added, backing out into the hallway.

Ryland was by my side in an instant. "Are you okay?"

I nodded, but as I looked at Alexei's lifeless body, I knew I was far from okay.

"Why did you tell him that Alexei was still alive?"

"Because he is," I said, my determination and anger intertwining.

Ryland was silent for a moment before he grasped my intentions.

"Alex," he murmured in disbelief.

My gaze remained fixed on Alexei, my fists clenching tightly.

"I refuse to believe he died for nothing. Something must be going on."

I finally tore my eyes away from his body.

"I'm going to get to the bottom of this."

"Alex, don't," Ryland warned again, but my mind was already set in stone.

Despite the ache in my chest and as a tear fell from my eyes, I said resolutely, "I'm going to Alpha Academy in his place."