A Beauty In An All-Male Alpha Academy

Chapter 11: The Initiation II

Her eyes snapped open, and the first thing she saw was him. Alpha Hiro, with the same calm, unreadable smile on his face like nothing ever shook him. Angela’s head throbbed, a dull ache pressing behind her eyes. For a second, she wondered if she was dreaming. Why was he standing so close? Was he still watching her? Still mocking her in silence?

He had to be insane just like everyone said.

"Thank God you’re awake," Stales said quickly, his voice laced with worry as he leaned closer. He looked genuinely scared, like he had been preparing to lose her forever.

Angela gave him a weak, painful smile, though her heart was anything but calm. Deep down, a part of her wished she had stayed unconscious. At least then, she wouldn’t have to face Alpha Hiro again. She was sure he’d hurt her. Maybe not here, not now, but he’d come for her the way Renn did. There was no doubt about it.

But instead, Hiro simply walked past her. He said nothing. Just turned and strolled toward a group of boys dressed in black like him. That was it. No threats. No smirk. No revenge.

She blinked, confused.

"How long was I out?" she asked, turning to Stales.

"Since you stepped into this academy," he said dryly.

Angela rolled her eyes and tried to sit up. "No. I mean since I fainted."

Stales looked sheepish. "Oh. Right. Just a few minutes, I think. We used water to wake you." He pointed at the jar sitting beside her. It was nearly empty now.

That’s when she noticed the cold creeping into her skin. Her clothes clung to her. Her hair felt heavy. They had poured water on her. Not a little splash...no, they soaked her like she was a dying plant. Seriously?

She shivered and frowned. Is this how boys did things? No gentleness, no care? Just dump a whole jar and hope for the best?

Then panic hit her like a slap. Her hair. Was it still in place? If it got too wet, too messy, someone would notice. Someone would figure it out.

Her hands flew to her head in a rush, trying to fix what she could. Her heart pounded hard in her chest. This school would destroy her. Mentally. Emotionally. Everything was already falling apart and it hadn’t even been a full day.

"You looked cute though," Stales said suddenly, a soft smile tugging at his lips as he looked away, a little shy.

Instead of feeling flattered, Angela felt her stomach twist. That word cute was dangerous. Her mask was slipping, and if anyone noticed, it would all be over. They would know she wasn’t a boy. They would know she didn’t belong here. Fear flared in her chest, but she forced herself to stay calm, even though her heart was racing.

"I’m not cute," she said sharply as she stood, brushing sand off her soaked clothes. Her voice came out harder than she meant, but she didn’t care. Around them, the students were still laughing, still playing their ridiculous games like nothing had happened. Not one of them had checked on her when she fainted. She could have dropped dead and they wouldn’t have blinked. That was the kind of place this was.

"There’s nothing wrong with telling your fellow guy that he’s cute," Stales said gently, watching her with those kind eyes of his. "I mean, you are."

Angela frowned. "That’s gay," she mumbled. The words sounded strange coming out of her mouth, but she had heard them before...so many times. Back in her old school, the boys used that word like it was something bad. They didn’t cry, didn’t hug, didn’t show anything soft, because softness meant weakness. Softness meant shame. But now that she thought about it, what was so wrong about it? Why did they make it sound like a curse?

But Stales didn’t seem to care about any of that. And she had noticed how the boys here acted. They touched each other, joked, hugged without shame. There was no fear in their affection. Maybe this place was wild, but at least it wasn’t fake.

"We’re friends," Stales added. He stood too, holding the jar in one hand. "There’s really nothing wrong with it. The boys here don’t care. I don’t care either. But if it makes you uncomfortable, I won’t say it again."

Angela looked at him for a moment. Really looked. He was taller than her by at least three inches. His skin had a warm caramel glow under the firelight, and his eyes were soft, kind, honest. He was handsome too, but not in the dangerous way the Alphas were. Stales felt safe.

She looked away quickly. Her heart wasn’t ready to trust anyone just yet.

walking toward the edge of the camp where they could sit and watch from a distance. Her eyes scanned across the field. All four Alphas were there, spread out but

wasn’t on purpose...he just had that effect. There was something soft in the way he acted

her eyes landed on Renn, the warmth vanished. His stare was sharp and bitter. It was like he wanted to rip her apart with just his gaze. A chill crept down her spine, and

her, like he had been the whole time. Watching her. Studying her. And that look in his eyes—it wasn’t

finally

even looking

on the arm of his seat, lost in thought. He looked cool and distant. Like someone had ruined his

in for her when Renn attacked. He didn’t have to, but he did. Why? Why did he help her? Was it just because they were roommates? Or was there something more? Could

it possible he knew she was Angela, the same girl who was

under her skin. She had been through worse and survived. She was strong. She had to be. Crumbling now would mean

right?" Stales spoke up again.

quietly while four students took turns with bows and arrows, aiming at a board to

shift into different forms like wolf, lion, fox, even a bird. He moves fast, adapts quickly, and

a word. It all made sense now. That strength... that control. No wonder he had lifted her like she weighed nothing. If Kaito hadn’t stepped in earlier, Renn might’ve crushed her just to prove a point. A knot formed in her stomach.

power. He can accelerate healing factor that allows him to rapidly recover from injuries. He

had looked at her earlier, how he had offered to take away her pain if

lifted and his voice dipped with curiosity. "Why are you

cheeks warmed. She looked

hard. None of the Alphas are gay, you know. It’s a

"I’m not falling for anyone. And I’m not

be wrong if I was, right?" she added

just so you know... the Alphas definitely like girls. Especially Taros. You should see them when the girls’ school visits. It’s a different

didn’t seem like the type. But then again, Grace once told her the ones who smile the most are the biggest heartbreakers. Maybe she was being foolish again, letting the girl in her dream a little

asked, "What

illusion powers. He reads and messes with your mind. Makes you see things that aren’t even

Her secret. Was it still safe? If Hiro could see through illusions... could he already

noticed the look on her face and quickly added, "Relax. He doesn’t use his powers unless he wants to mess with someone

Angela muttered, eyes wide.

from him, you need to stop thinking about it when he’s around," Stales said, his voice low and serious. "Distract yourself. Think of anything else. But if you’re not strong enough, he’ll break into

stomach tightening. "What about the

Stales replied, following her gaze. "None of the

want to know why everyone’s scared of him? Even the staff?

Stales would get dramatic whenever Kaito came up. He always did. The boy practically worshiped her roommate, though she still couldn’t understand why. To her, Kaito was cold,

role model or something?" she asked, raising a brow. She already knew the

he said, grinning from ear to ear. "He can control the elements like wind, water, earth, even electricity. He can call on them during battle, build shields, change the ground

Kaito. He sat there like a king on his throne, calm, still, listening to nothing and no one. Like he

it made sense. Why he acted like the world revolved around him. It kind of

to destroy or save the world with just a thought. No wonder people feared him. He wasn’t just another Alpha. He was something more. Something

began, her voice barely above a whisper. "That was

expression dead serious now. "Yeah. That was nothing,

slid down her spine. She had to be more careful than ever around

two! Step