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.

watch from a distance. Her eyes scanned across the field. All four Alphas

her looking and winked. The simple gesture made her giggle before she could stop herself. It wasn’t on purpose...he just had that effect. There was something soft in the way he acted around her. Maybe that was just who he was. Or maybe he

was like he wanted to rip her apart with just his gaze. A chill

smile. That twisted, dangerous smile that never seemed to leave his face. He was looking straight at her, like he had been the whole time. Watching her. Studying her. And that look in his eyes—it wasn’t

finally landed on

wasn’t even looking at

face was turned slightly, resting against his hand. His fingers tapped rhythmically on the arm of his seat, lost in thought. He looked cool and distant. Like someone

he did. Why? Why did he help her? Was it just because they were roommates? Or was there something more? Could he already know who she

was Angela, the same girl who was

shouldn’t be letting these Alphas get under her skin. She had been through worse and survived. She was strong. She

wanted to know about the Alphas, right?" Stales spoke up again. He never stopped talking, always filling the silence

to the fire. It crackled quietly while four students took turns with bows

a bird. He moves fast, adapts quickly, and can sneak past

had lifted her like she weighed nothing. If Kaito hadn’t stepped

He can withstand severe

the way Taros had looked at her earlier, how he had offered to take away her pain if she learned her lesson. He wasn’t just powerful. He was kind... at least to

noticed. His brow lifted and his voice dipped

looked away. "I’m

the Alphas are gay, you know. It’s a shame. I can see you falling

and rolled her eyes. "I’m not falling for anyone. And I’m not gay

wouldn’t 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

dropped. That hit harder than she expected. Taros? A flirt? No. He 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

and asked,

head with a smirk. "Hiro’s the lord of tricks. He has illusion powers. He reads and messes with

of fear rushed through her. Her secret. Was it still safe? If Hiro

her face and quickly added, "Relax. He doesn’t use his powers unless he

even worse," Angela muttered, eyes

need to stop thinking about it when he’s around," Stales said, his voice low and serious. "Distract

toward the Alphas, her stomach tightening. "What about the illusion?"

can’t escape it," Stales replied, following her gaze. "None

Kaito... he’s different. I really admire him. You want to know why everyone’s scared of him? Even the

would get dramatic whenever Kaito came up. He always did. The boy practically worshiped her roommate,

role model or something?" she asked, raising a brow. She already knew the answer because of the way Stales lit up gave

be like him?" he said, grinning from ear to ear. "He can control the elements like wind, water, earth, even electricity. He

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

Why he acted like the world revolved

with just a thought. No wonder people feared him. He wasn’t just another Alpha. He was something more.

began, her voice

his expression dead serious now. "Yeah. That was nothing, too. Kaito can turn day into night and

chill slid down her spine. She had to be more

two!