When The Moon Hides Her Crown

RONAN

Reaper.

That's what they called me.

A name I earned at fifteen, the night I took my first life. Not in a sanctioned duel, but during a hunt. A traitor, disguised as a childhood friend. The betrayer. The liar I hated down to the marrow of my bones.

I didn't hesitate. Didn't flinch. I buried him myself, while I walked away with blood on my hands towards my father's throne that awaited me. But I wanted to build my own. And the place to do that was Lupine Academy.

Lupine Academy, where power meant everything and weakness was a death sentence, I'd built a reputation no one dared challenge. The dominance, ambition and bloodlust was second nature but none of them dared to cross me.

Not the sons of regional Alphas, not the heirs of centuries old bloodlines. I wasn't just an Alpha. I was the Alpha. The reaper. The one they whispered about when they thought I wasn't listening.

I ruled this Academy long before I was officially crowned its top rank inhabitant. I was staying only to win battles that no one could have been in the past 100 years and build my own throne. Even if I had to make steps carved of blood and death.

And I liked it that way. But...then he crossed the Academy gates.

I could feel it the moment a new presence broke into my world. It was not like others. Not bold, not overconfident instead observing, quiet, careful but his amber eyes locking with mine burning ones with a stubborn defiance.

The moment our eyes met, it stirred something within me that I could not pinpoint. And my wolf that only showed his teeth to the strong, challenge, blood, violence and victory awoke in my mind, secretly watching the boy standing among my aura without flinching or fearing.

On top of that his scent or rather, the lack of one made my instincts twitch. Every wolf had a scent. Every single one. Except this one.

Interesting.

I'd been watching from the balcony, arms crossed over my chest as the new recruits arrived and ran away. All were forgettable, losers that were accidentally born as Alphas, and would only be blessed with the Alpha position when their father chose them based on their bloodline.

But him... this small Alpha with a questionable appearance, was a puzzle. And I didn't like puzzles. Not in my territory.

His presence whispered that he didn't belong here. His shoulders squared, but there was something too precise about the way he moved. Like a soldier pretending to be a thug. Loose clothes like losers but a strong aura with a pretty little face? Everything was odd about him.

And when I questioned his identity, he tensed, not visible to anyone else, but I caught it. He never tore his big and beautiful amber eyes away. Unreadable. Cold. But I'd been Alpha long enough to recognize fear pretending to be bravery. However this one was hesitant.

He answered in a tone that was too carefully crafted to be natural. "Seth Darven."

The name mingled in my senses like poison.

His absence of a scent prickled at me. My instincts screamed there was something greatly wrong. Only a faint trace of herbs, some artificial masking agent. Or perfume. Clever. Too clever.

He had to be hiding something. I expected him to crack. Most did. But his expression didn't so much as twitch. Impressive. Way too impressive. This little wolf was not what he looked like.

And the way he talked back to me...he was not afraid even a little bit. Wolves knew better than to raise their voice to me. This one either didn't, or he didn't care. Both possibilities made my blood stir. And a trill of interest coiled in my gut. Dangerous. Reckless. And exactly the kind of thing I hated... or craved.

And I wanted to play with this new pup a little longer.

But then Jordan and his pathetic pack of lap dogs cornered him like vultures fighting over a carcass. My observation was interrupted. The mocking taunts. The way Seth sat there, unmoved, unbothered pissed me off for some reasons. Then Jordan made the mistake of grabbing his collar.

I moved before I realised. Slamming my drink onto the table with a metallic crack that shut the entire room up.

"How dare you let them bully you?" I murmured, lifting his chin between my fingers. His skin felt delicate beneath my touch. His amber eyes widened in shock.

The bell rang in the distance, sending the rest of the Alphas sprinting out of the cafeteria without a backward glance.

Except Seth, he jerked his face away and rose with a small frown on his face.

"What you've been doing since I arrived - staring, touching, that's bullying too, Alpha Ronan," he said calmly, stepping closer. "If you want me to deal with them, I should probably start with you, don't you think?"

For a brief, sharp moment, our eyes locked. But like usual he did not let my gaze linger on his longer. Before he turned away, grabbing his tray.

I did not move away from his path. He brushed passed me too closely. I closed my eyes and inhaled in that moment. Once again the herbs and perfume. Nothing else.

My wolf growled low in my mind, restless.

"Who's that cocky little bastard you're letting roam around?" Asher muttered, having leaned against the wall the entire time.

"That's what I intend to find out," I replied, eyes tracking Seth's retreating figure. Particularly the way his ass looked, even in those loose pants.

"But for now let him think he could run," I murmured.

Let him think he could hide. Let him believe this was over.

Let him imagine he could win, either this battle for the throne or the fire he'd just set between us.

Because in my world, nothing stayed hidden for long.

And if Seth Darven thought he could walk into my territory without answering to me... he was about to learn the hard way.

As he reached the exit, he glanced back over his shoulder, meeting my gaze one final time.

The corner of my lips curved into a cold, feral grin.

"Run, little wolf."