Caught by the Alphas: The Hidden Beauty of Alpha Academy

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."

ALEXANDRIA

As the last of the casket was buried beneath the soil of our humble pack, tears pricked the back of my eyes once more. I let one final tear fall before I turned away from the sight, leaving the elders to tend to Alexei's final resting place.

My pack members looked to me, most of them appearing as though they wanted to say something but were holding back their words. They, too, had tears glistening in their eyes. Despite having just turned eighteen, Alexei had been a remarkable leader to us all.

Everyone witnessed how he fought tooth and nail to earn our pack the respect we always deserved. Now, as the next in the direct lineage, I was poised to inherit the title of Alpha. However, despite the gradual evolution of the world around us, female Alphas remained unrecognized. Many women had attempted to claim the title, only for their packs to be dissolved and merged with the nearest, larger pack led by a man. This reality served as yet another reason why my brother's death remained a well-guarded secret within our pack.

As I stepped inside our house-where Alexei and I had grown up-an overwhelming sensation of suffocation enveloped me. His scent still lingered in the air, choking me with memories despite knowing that his presence had long since faded. I couldn't bear to remain there any longer.

I snatched my wallet and phone before rushing out the door. At that very moment, I found Mandy waiting for me with swollen eyes and a concerned expression. She was Ryland's mate, originally from one of the largest packs in the country. Yet, when she met Ryland, she didn't hesitate to defy her family's wishes and leave her former pack. Since her arrival here a year ago, she had become my closest confidant.

"Are you going somewhere?"

I pursed my lips and nodded. "I just need some space."

"I can accompany you, if you want," she offered.

"I want to be alone."

She opened her mouth to argue but ultimately nodded in defeat. "Please stay safe," she said softly.

I remained silent, merely nodding before walking away from the house that felt achingly empty. I wandered aimlessly, my feet directing me away from our territory, leading me to neutral ground-right where the notorious red district was located.

In our world, packs claimed their own territories, yet neutral grounds served as common business areas for all. I found myself standing at the entrance of a club, a place that Alexei had warned me to avoid. It was bustling with people, many from packs far and wide who traveled to this particular area to escape their responsibilities.

As the lights of the club assaulted my senses, I stepped inside, unsure if I was drawn by my grief or pure curiosity-perhaps it was a combination of both.

The club's vibrant atmosphere blurred my vision even further, and as I attempted to take in my surroundings, I suddenly felt a hand snake around my waist, causing me to flinch and instinctively step back. Yet, the grip only tightened, pulling us into an uncomfortable proximity.

I turned to glare at the man, who wore a clueless smile and held a drink in his free hand.

"A fresh face," he smirked. "This is what I like to see."

"Let go of me," I commanded, my tone icy.

"Do you want a drink?" he asked, his breath reeking, wafting unpleasantly into my nostrils. "The name's Matt, by the way." I instinctively covered my nose and pushed him away. However, judging by his scent and the commanding presence he exuded, it was clear I was dealing with an Alpha-and one who was strong.

His gaze roamed from my face to my neck, leaving me aware of the danger I was in.

"I said, let go, or else," I reiterated, my voice more assertive this time.

He merely smiled, an unsettling glint in his eyes. "Or else, what, sweetheart? You have the face of an angel, you know that? You're also rather familiar."

I froze. If he was indeed an Alpha, there was a strong possibility he was attending Alpha Academy. Did he recognize my brother?

"I think I've seen you in my dreams," he added, a smirk playing on his lips.

What else could I have expected?

Truth be told, aside from his natural commanding power, I was certain I was stronger than him. I was prepared to push him away once and for all, but before I could make my move, I felt a cold glass pressed against my lips, forcing me to swallow its contents against my will.

My eyes widened in shock, and with all my strength, I finally managed to push him away.

"Sweetheart," he continued, still blissfully unaware of the hints I was giving him. "All the girls here want to sleep with me. You should be flattered that I'm taking an interest in you. Unless... you have a boyfriend."

At that moment, I felt my senses beginning to dull, a strange fog swimming around in my mind. Frowning, I quickly realized that he must have slipped something into the drink.

"Shit," I cursed under my breath, frustration bubbling up inside me. He smirked at my outburst, clearly ready to take advantage of his shitty move.

What the heck did he give me? A wave of heat washed over me, making me feel things I had never felt before. Every second that passed fanned the flames of an unsettling awareness within me.

"If you don't have a boyfriend," he continued, his grip tightening around my waist with a squeeze, "then you really have no reason to refuse me. Even if you do have one, I don't see him here, so it's okay."

He was trash, utter trash.

This encounter only solidified my belief that all so-called Alpha males were nothing but obnoxious, self-serving villains. I wanted to fight back, but the effects of whatever he had given me were binding my will.

I glanced around the club, searching desperately for anyone who might offer help. But most people were lost in their own worlds, busy grinding against each other, and they didn't seem to find our interaction even slightly unusual. Then, through the haze of bodies and flashing lights, my gaze landed on someone standing at the entrance.

In an instant, he captured my full attention. It felt as if the entire club had quieted down when he walked in. The overhead lights illuminated his path, casting a soft glow, and even though my vision was slightly blurred, I could make out the strong angles of his face.

His lips were what captivated me the most, bold and inviting, and his scent-oh, his scent. It overpowered the foul odor that emanated from Matt, intoxicating me even further.

Before I could process my own actions, I found myself walking toward him. His pink, rough lips remained the only focus in my hazy view, drawing me in like a moth to a flame.

He halted in his tracks, and as I stood in front of him, my focus sharpened. My breath hitched in my throat.

He was even more handsome up close.

Then, without any forethought, I wrapped my arms around his neck and pressed my lips against his, surrendering to the moment.

ALEXANDRIA

What even prompted me to do this?

I had never kissed anyone before, but in that moment, I was glued to his lips like I had done so plenty of times prior. It was just a mere pressing of our lips-frankly, because I had no idea how to kiss. However, the sparks that flared with that kiss felt just as intoxicating as I had read about in my favorite romance novels.

I could feel the gazes of those inside the club boring into us, accompanied by gasps of surprise and the murmurs that rippled through the crowd.

Whoever this man was, he seemed to carry an air of fame. Nobody batted an eye when Matt tried to assault me, but suddenly, when I kissed this mysterious stranger, everyone around us tuned in as if our moment was a live show.

I pulled away after what felt like an eternity, though my wolf was whining inside me, begging me not to break the spell.

But, just as quickly as I had pulled back, I found myself being pulled toward him again, and the simple pressing of our lips evolved into what felt like a full-blown make-out session.

His lips moved against mine in a rhythm I struggled to match, as he kissed me like someone who had done this countless times before. I could even feel him smile against my lips, and for a brief moment, the world outside faded away.

"What do we have here?" he murmured, breaking the kiss with a teasing glint in his eyes. "Another one of you desperate ones, huh? I can't even get a moment's peace in here."

"Uh, what?" I stammered.

He placed his hand gently under my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. Despite the darkness of his pupils, his honey-brown irises still shone through, captivating me.

"Well, you aren't that bad to look at," he smirked, a mischievous glint glimmering in his eyes. "So, I'll give you what you want."

Before I could comprehend what was happening, he grabbed my wrist and dragged me out of the club. The man who had been with him-sporting longer brown hair and striking blue eyes-saluted and shot me a smile that bordered on mocking.

"Good luck," he said with a wink.

I didn't have the chance to process his words or behavior before I was unceremoniously shoved into the passenger seat of a car, the door slamming shut behind me.

"What are you doing-"

My words were cut short when he suddenly revved the engine and drove away from the club, my heart racing alongside the speeding car. My eyes widened in disbelief while he focused intently on the road ahead.

Was I really going to be killed like this?

"Who sent you this time?" he asked, his voice low and dangerous.

My fear came to a sudden halt, replaced by a wave of confusion as I tilted my head to the side.

"I don't know what you're talking about," I replied.

"Classic line," he sighed, glancing at me momentarily before shaking his head in disbelief. "They even had you ingest something to intensify your scent and heat? Do your people honestly think I'd be fooled into believing you're my mate?"

The car came to an abrupt stop, making my heart race, and I gasped as the seat was pushed back.

"But I'll give you something in return for your courage," he chuckled deeply, and a shiver ran down my spine at the sound. Before I realized what was happening, I found myself no longer sitting in the passenger seat-I was perched on his lap.

"I'll make you satisfied so you won't bother me again. Tell your people to stop pestering me, too. I don't have anything for you."

After uttering those words, he placed his hand possessively on my nape, guiding me closer to him. Our teeth clashed in a painful display, but as I whimpered, he dove deeper, his tongue sweeping inside my lips and massaging the sensitive muscle.

"Nnnghh," I couldn't suppress the involuntary sound that escaped me.

He chuckled once more, the rumble vibrating through my entire body.

"You seem to be enjoying this too much for someone who's supposed to be pretending."

It felt like I was losing my mind; I had no clue what he was talking about, and my brain was turning into absolute mush.

He claimed my lips again, exploring, and I couldn't keep up with his pace. Soon, I was gasping for air and found myself instinctively pushing against his chest. But he only continued to claim my lips, so I bit down on that soft muscle, making him groan and finally pull away.

Breathless and utterly bewildered, I looked up to find his lip bleeding.

"I'm-"

I was about to apologize but then realized that this wasn't my fault.

He wiped the blood from his lips, his tongue darting out to lick the area clean. My eyes followed the motion despite my best intentions, ignoring the heat radiating from my body.

"Who even are you?" I exclaimed, frustration boiling over.

He raised an eyebrow, shaking his head in disbelief. "Well, this is a new strategy. I never thought you would go the amnesiac route. You're telling me you don't know me?"

I glared at him, even while still on his lap. "Not everyone knows a pompous, arrogant Alpha. In fact, I don't care who you are! You dragged me out here and kissed me!"

He shook his head, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Your strategies are changing, I see. Whatever-I've already given you my lips. I'm not about to hand over anything else."

Then, to my astonishment, he opened the car door and, without a hint of hesitation, shoved me away from his lap. I landed hard on the cold ground, my knees scraping painfully against the cement, blood rushing to the reddened area.

I opened my mouth to unleash another tirade, but he simply tossed money over my body, leaving me speechless.

"There," he said, an insulting smirk stretching across his face. "Use that to get home. And do me a favor-stop playing these roles. It won't do you any good, even for a pretty girl like you."

With that, he slammed the car door, returned to the driver's seat, and peeled away, leaving a cloud of dust and dirt swirling around me. I glared at the back of the car, raising my middle finger high in the air.

"Asshole!" I screamed into the emptiness of the deserted lot.

I looked around, disoriented, realizing I didn't even recognize where I was. To top it off, my body was still heated from what Matt had given me, and my wolf's senses seemed impaired because of it-I couldn't even reach out to her.

Still, I stood up from the hard ground, taking a deep breath to steady myself.

"Alphas are really the worst," I muttered under my breath, walking away, all the while ignoring the lingering tingles on my lips.