Chapter 2 Dominion Academy (Valeria's POV)

The night swallowed me whole.

The moment my feet hit the dense forest beyond my father's estate, I forced myself not to look back. Every instinct screamed at me to run, to put as much distance between myself and my former life as possible. But I couldn't afford reckless speed. Not yet.

I kept my steps measured, silent, each breath shallow as I moved through the thick undergrowth. The wolfsbane in my satchel pressed against my ribs like a reminder. One mistake-one slip-and I would be found.

My father would drag me back. Darius would claim me.

I wouldn't let that happen.

By the time the first light of dawn crept over the treetops, my body ached with exhaustion. My clothes were damp with sweat, my boots caked in mud, but I kept moving.

Dominion Academy was still hours away, but I wasn't stopping. Not until I reached the gates.

By midday, the Academy's towering walls loomed in the distance.

A fortress. A kingdom built for alphas, where only the strongest survived. I didn't know what gave me the idea to come here, but I knew it was the only place I could be remotely safe.

I adjusted my stolen cloak, pulling the hood lower over my cropped hair. I had spent years hearing whispers of Dominion Academy-where elite alphas trained, where only the most ruthless ascended.

If I was going to disappear, I needed to do it in the last place anyone would expect to find an omega.

And what better place than where alphas are gathered?

The entrance was flanked by massive iron gates, etched with the Academy's emblem, a wolf's head, crowned in flame. Guards patrolled the perimeter, their presence a silent warning.

I squared my shoulders and stepped forward. I was going to face them no matter what.

"State your name and rank."

A broad-shouldered guard blocked my path, his piercing gaze locking onto me. I lifted my chin, steadying my breath.

"Val Rhen," I said, forcing confidence into my voice. "Alpha heir of the Ashgrave Pack."

The lie slid off my tongue with ease.

The guard's expression didn't change. His nostrils flared slightly, as if trying to catch my scent. My heart pounded. Did the wolfsbane mask work? Could he tell something was off?

"You don't smell like an alpha," he said, suspicion lacing his tone.

Panic clawed at my throat. I clenched my fists. "I don't need to prove anything to a doorman."

The insult landed hard. His jaw twitched, but before he could react, a voice cut through the tension.

"Having trouble, Lance?"

A girl stood just beyond the gate, arms crossed, eyes sharp with amusement.

She was dressed in a blue uniform. A blazer with the name Lyra Dune inscribed on an iron pin over her left breast while she wore a skirt.

I didn't recognize her or her name for that matter. But something about her screamed strength. The kind only female alphas could have. The kind my father expected from me.

And she was staring at me like I was the most interesting thing she'd seen all day.

The guard hesitated. "This one doesn't smell right."

Lyra stepped closer, tilting her head as she studied me. Her gaze swept over my too-slender frame, my tense posture.

"You think an alpha of my rank needs your approval to enter?" I snapped.

Lyra's lips quirked. Then, to my shock, she turned to the guard.

"He's with me."

The guard frowned. "You sure?"

She shrugged. "If he's lying, he won't last a week. Either way, it's not our problem."

The guard grunted but stepped aside.

I exhaled slowly.

Lyra walked past me, tossing a glance over her shoulder. "Try not to embarrass yourself, Rhen."

I didn't dare respond.

With a quiet nod, I stepped through the gates. I was in.

Dominion Academy was overwhelming.

The sheer size of the place, the towering stone buildings, the vast training grounds-it was nothing like the suffocating halls of my father's estate. But the presence of them was what unsettled me most.

Alphas. Everywhere. It was like being surrounded by an almost impenetrable wall of power.

Their dominance pressed against my skin like a warning. Some barely spared me a glance, too absorbed in what they were doing. Others, however, felt me.

A pack of students lingered near the entrance, their conversation halting as I passed.

"You smell that?" one muttered.

Another tilted his head, frowning. "Something's off about him."

I kept my pace steady, gripping the vial of wolfsbane in my satchel like a lifeline. I needed to dose myself again-soon.

Before they could probe further, a sharp voice cut through the air.

"You. New recruit."

A towering figure stood ahead, his presence alone enough to command silence.

Headmaster Soren.

How did he know I was new here? But then he wasn't the headmaster for nothing. He could tell from scent.

His presence was like steel, he looked imposing, sharp, and impossible to ignore. The stories about him were endless. He had led Dominion Academy for over a decade, shaping countless alphas into warriors.

He looked at me like he already knew I didn't belong.

"With me," he ordered.

I followed, forcing my hands to remain loose at my sides. The last thing I wanted was draw unnecessary attention to myself.

His office was a cavernous space lined with ancient tomes and battle maps. He moved behind his desk, fixing me with a stare that made my bones feel weak.

"Val Rhen," he murmured, his fingers tapping against the wooden surface. "Alpha heir of Ashgrave."

I nodded once. It seemed the guard had somehow communicated to the headmaster about my presence.

Shit.

He studied me for a long moment.

"You don't carry yourself like an alpha," he said finally.

I forced a smirk. "I wasn't aware there was a manual."

His lips twitched, but there was no amusement in his gaze.

"You are here to train, to prove yourself worthy of Dominion." His voice hardened. "Weakness has no place here. You either rise... or you fall."

His words hit like a promise. A warning.

I swallowed, keeping my expression neutral.

"Go to the great hall," he said. "Your room assignment will be posted soon."

I turned on my heel and walked out.

Only when I reached the hallway did I let out the breath I had been holding.

I was finally inside Dominion Academy.

Now let me know where I will be laying my head for the time being.