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Violet looked around, taking in the glow of the street lights lining the forest path, their cold illumination stretching endlessly into what remained of the Silver Glade since they were in the middle of it already.

The sheer amount of effort and resources put into this so-called initiation unsettled her. Presumably, it was for their safety, but most of all, this was undoubtedly a spectacle. A stage, carefully set for whatever twisted initiation the Alphas had devised.

A shiver ran down Violet’s spine. What in the world were they planning?

The group of newbies —a mix of first-year students, new admits, and scholarship students like herself—stood together, their confusion and anxiety saturating the crisp night air. At least, in this moment, there was no divide between them. They were all equally trapped.

Surrounding them were the elites and older students, standing in a loose circle. They were unable to hide their laughter, whispers, and amused smirks as they watched them, ensuring there was no way to escape. They were the enforcers in this initiation.

Violet’s pulse quickened as she searched the sea of nervous faces until she spotted her roommates. Relief flooded her veins like a sudden breath of air breaking through suffocation.

Lila was the first to shove through the tight cluster of newbies, rushing toward her. Without hesitation, she threw her arms around Violet in a tight hug. Ivy and Daisy followed suit, their presence grounding her.

"Are you hurt in any way?" Violet asked, her gaze going from one girl to the next, though it was Lila she focused on first.

"No," Lila answered with a firm shake of her head.

"Me either," Ivy added, though she fidgeted restlessly, as if bracing for the worse.

Daisy, however, crossed her arms, her gaze scanning their surroundings. "I don’t like this."

Violet turned to her, reading the tension on her friend’s face. Daisy was smart. If anyone could figure out what the Alphas were planning, it was her.

"What do you mean?" Violet asked, watching her closely.

Daisy’s lips pressed into a thin line before she answered. "It’s a chase."

Violet’s blood turned to ice.

"Or a run," Lila added, shifting nervously. "I once overheard some older students whispering about a running event for new students."

Daisy shook her head. "Whether it’s a chase or a run, it doesn’t matter." She lowered her voice, saying seriously. "Your biggest concern should be, if we’re running, what’s chasing us?"

Violet swallowed hard, her mind already supplying the answer.

"The wolves," she whispered.

Silence fell as a ripple of fear spread through the girls, their expressions wide-eyed.

Ivy squared her shoulders, attempting to inject optimism into the moment. "Then we just have to make sure we don’t get caught."

Except no one responded, the tension in the air suffocating enough. No one has been known to outrun a wolf.

And then, almost on cue, a horn blared through the clearing and every head turned towards the sound in unison.

From a distance, elevated just enough to loom over the crowd like gods among mortals, were the Terror Four— as she now preferred to call them — Asher, Roman, Griffin, and Alaric.

They stood in unison, exuding raw dominance. Their gazes were unreadable yet imposing. Their mere presence alone speaking volumes about the night ahead and sending a fresh wave of unease rolling through the gathered students.

Violet knew the saying that the Alphas were divided among themselves, each with their own ambitions and rivalries, yet united. And seeing them together now, she finally understood.

They might clash and fight for everything, but when it came to maintaining control over the academy, they were united. Unbreakable.

And Asher, was the first to step forward. Of course, It had to be him. He was the only one who would take pleasure in this.

"Welcome to your initiation, new bloods," he announced, his voice a chilling mix of cold authority and twisted amusement. His eyes scanned their faces, feeding off their fear like a predator savoring the scent of its prey.

"I know you might be scared..." he mused, letting his eyes linger on the trembling first-years.

"Confused..." He dragged the word out, feigning sympathy.

"Angry..."

His piercing eyes locked onto Violet, his lips curving into a knowing smirk. As if her anger was the most entertaining thing he’d seen all night.

Violet clenched her fists so tightly that her nails bit into her palms.

"You have nothing to be scared, confused, or angry about," he continued smoothly, his tone mockingly reassuring. "This is tradition. One that those before you have endured and survived."

He gestured to the surrounding students, the ones watching with sick anticipation. No wonder they all looked so eager. They had suffered through this before, and now, they were here to watch others go through the same torment.

Lila scoffed under her breath. "Such a sweet talker."

Ivy, for once, didn’t argue. Instead, she glared at Asher, her lips curling in rare defiance. "I’d love to wipe that smug look off his face."

Violet, Daisy and Lila turned to stare at her, startled.

"What?" Ivy asked, catching their looks.

None of them replied, though the shift in Ivy’s demeanor didn’t go unnoticed. For so long, she had idolized the Cardinal Alphas. Now, standing in the crosshairs of their twisted game, it seemed she had finally begun to see them for what they truly were.

Roman was the next to speak, "The school may have placed you in your respective houses, but now, it’s time to prove you deserve your place. Or rather..." His lips curved slightly. "Let fate decide."

And Violet knew exactly who the fate are.

Her jaw tightened.

"And how, exactly, will this fate decide?" She asked challengely with a loud voice.

The students murmured, shifting slightly and creating space around her as they exposed Violet to the probing stares of the alphas.

Asher’s eyes burned with something wild, eager, thrilled. He took a slow step forward, relishing the tension.

"Simple," he said, pausing for drama. Then, with a wicked grin, Asher answered,

"Through a task."

Violet’s heart pounded yet she stared him dead in the eyes. "What task?"

Asher tilted his head, as if savoring her unease.

"The Running Game."