The moment Asher’s words left his lips, there was chaos. Murmurs and anxious whispers spread through the crowd of newbies like wildfire.
Violet clenched and unclenched her fists, the anxiety inside her coiling tighter. She felt sick. Daisy had called this a chase, but the most accurate term was a hunt, because there would be nothing playful or innocent about it.
"Silence!" Roman’s voice boomed, and the noise cut off instantly. The cardinal alphas, Lunaris Academy’s so-called gods, stood before them, their impassive expressions only adding to the suffocating tension. Right now, they looked less like leaders and more like executioners watching their prey squirm.
Violet watched Asher closely. He was savoring this moment, drinking in their fear, their uncertainty, like it was the finest ambrosia.
"The rules of the Running Game are quite simple. You run. We chase." His tone was unapologetic, final, and the slow curve of his lips sent shivers down the spine of anyone who dared look at him.
Violet and her roommates exchanged a look, silent but heavy with understanding of the risk ahead. Around them, the other students panicked wide eyed, their breaths quick and cold sweat breaking out across their faces.
The thought of being chased by wolves was enough to cripple even the bravest of men. And yet, here they were, innocent students about to be thrown into a nightmare. Some looked ready to bolt right then and there, but there was nowhere to run.
This was what Lunaris was truly about. Not academics, not prestige, not scholarships. It was about dominance. About power. About ensuring those at the top never let the rest forget their place. And there was no escaping it.
"Alphas. Betas. Deltas," Roman continued, his voice cutting through the uneasy air. "These are the ranks of wolves that will be hunting you. The ordinary Gammas will be cheering you on from the sidelines, waiting at the finish line." The laughter in his voice made it clear that this wasn’t a race but entertainment.
Violet ignored the bastard. Instead, her gaze shifted to Alaric and Griffin. Their expressions were cold, unreadable, but their stances were tense. They didn’t want to be part of this. That much was clear. But wanting and doing were two different things.
No matter how guilty they felt, it didn’t change the fact that, when the time came, they would chase her down just like the rest.
If they truly felt sorry, they wouldn’t just stand there. They would end this cruel tradition, not uphold it.
Almost instantly, the newbies’ phones beeped in unison. Violet pulled hers out, just as Alaric spoke for the first time.
"A map of the region has been sent to you," he stated, his voice carefully neutral. "You can try to escape beyond the lit areas, but it’s night. And last I checked, humans don’t see in the dark." He let that sink in before adding, "Wolves, on the other hand? They’re the best hunters at night."
Alaric’s warning was clear: stay in the light or be hunted in the shadows.
That was encouraging
He continued, "Your objective is simple, make it to the collapsed wall at the far end of Silver Glade. That is your finish line."
Violet quickly minimized the map and studied the marked ’X’ . How big was the collapse? Could they crawl through? Climb over? Something about it didn’t sit right.
"Five kilometers," Daisy murmured.
"What?"
"Five kilometers to reach the end." Her mind was already working through the calculations. "A normal walking pace would take an hour. Jogging, maybe thirty to forty minutes."
She exhaled sharply. "But I highly doubt they’ll make it that easy." The girl shot a pointed look at the cardinal alphas.
"This is unfair!" Lila yelled at the alphas to everyone’s shock.
Everyone stilled.
"Lila!" Ivy hissed, trying to pull her back, but Lila shook her off and stepped forward, her chin lifted defiantly.
"A human cannot outrun a wolf. This is impossible, and I’m sure you know that as well, cardinal alphas."
A heavy silence followed.
Everyone held their breath, waiting for the alphas to put Lila in her place. No one spoke to them like that!
However, Violet already moved, positioning herself close to her friend. If they dared lay a hand on Lila, she would fight them to her last breath.
"Of course, it’s unfair," Asher admitted shamelessly. His smirk was infuriating. "That’s why you’ll get a head start. Five minutes. Nothing less, nothing more. You’re welcome."
Lila rolled her eyes. He would not be getting a thanks from her.
Her boldness seemed to inspire another girl, who tentatively raised her hand. "I... I have a question."
Asher turned to her, his tone dripping with mock sweetness. "Of course. Ask away, darling. Let it never be said that the cardinal alphas are heartless." He looked straight at Violet when he said that, making it clear who the words were truly meant for. Her.
The girl hesitated, then carefully asked, "What happens if we get caught?"
A dangerous gleam flickered in Asher’s eyes. "What do you think happens?" His voice was all silk and menace. "We kill the weaklings, of course."
A breathless silence followed.
Then Asher laughed, breaking the shock that have overtaken eveyone.
"Relax, I’m kidding." He relished their horrified reactions.
Violet was simply speechless. Only him would enjoy making such dark joke.
"If you get caught, you join the pack that catches you. For example, if you’re in the North pack, but you’re caught by me or one of my people..." His smirk deepened. "Congratulations. You now belong to the West Pack."
Then, slowly, he met Violet’s gaze on purpose as he delivered the final blow.
"It doesn’t matter if you’re dating the Alpha of the North pack. Once you’re caught... you belong to me."
Violet’s stomach knotted at once.
Suddenly, everything Alaric had been trying to warn her about began to make sense.
This wasn’t about the Running Game.
Asher was coming for her.
And he would make damn sure she never left the West House ever.