Defy The Alpha(s)

Chapter 6: Welcome To Lunaris Academy

As Violet stepped off the train, she was immediately struck by the sheer magnitude of Aster City. It was everything she had imagined and more. If she could compare it to her district, it was safe to say that she had been living beneath a rock all through her life.

As a capital city, it buzzed with energy, alive with towering buildings, throngs of people, and a chaotic blend of sounds that reverberated through the air. Yet, despite its overwhelming presence, no one seemed to notice her.

The girl with the unusual purple hair and duffel bag passed unnoticed through the crowd. In her district, she had always drawn stares, whispers following her wherever she went, but here? She was just another face in the sea of humanity. The reality was both liberating and unsettling.

However, what took Violet aback, though, was the diversity of the people around her. Even among humans, there were so many different races, ethnicities, and styles all mingling together. But it wasn't just humans. For the first time in her life, Violet came close enough to the werewolves, creatures she had only read about in textbooks or heard whispered stories of.

Violet had studied them enough to recognize them by the way they carried themselves, strong, imposing, and exuding a certain raw energy that was impossible to ignore. Her mother hadn't been exaggerating. These creatures were stunning in an almost unnerving way. Tall, muscled, and impossibly attractive, they exuded an effortless dominance that made it hard not to stare.

But Violet knew she couldn't spend the day gawking. This was unfamiliar territory, and as exhilarating as it was, it was also dangerous. Anything could happen in a place like this. She could be robbed, scammed, or worse, kidnapped. Her instincts, finely tuned from years of cautious living, kicked in, and she approached a few humans who seemed approachable.

"You're going to Lunaris Academy?" the man she asked — Carlos, he introduced himself — gave her a look she couldn't quite decipher. There was something unsettling about his expression, almost as if there was pity mixed with concern.

"Yes," she answered.

"No bus goes directly to Lunaris Academy," he finally said, his voice thick with an accent she couldn't place. "You'll have to hire a taxi."

Violet's stomach sank. A taxi? Oh god, no.

Back in her district, no one took taxis. They were far too expensive, and she had little money to spare. Violet was stuck, unsure of what to do next. Nancy had given her all that she could spare and she couldn't waste it on a taxi ride.

Carlos must have sensed her distress, because he added, "Follow me."

Violet's gut didn't scream danger, but she was cautious nonetheless. They walked to a nearby parking lot, and Carlos approached a man in a car. After a brief, animated conversation, Carlos waved her over.

"That's my cousin, Amilo," Carlos said, pointing to his cousin who was now trying to turn in the right direction. "I talked to him. He'll take you for half the usual price. You can trust him."

Violet's chest. "Thank you," she murmured,

though his tone grew darker. "Just be careful in that damned school. Our kind thinks it's a privilege, but those furry freaks are no good. Devourers, the lot of them. And I wonder

made the warning even more ominous, but Violet brushed it aside, pushing the fear away. It wasn't

glanced over to Amilo,

almost making her bristle, but there was no

name, where she was from, and a compliment

Amilo never seems to

teasing smile on

much, but being reminded of it stung. Amilo must have sensed her change in demeanor

had a decent voice, but Violet wasn't about to compliment him. Not when she was grateful

flanked by thick, untamed wilderness, Amilo's voice broke

see was more trees, nothing but dense forest

frowned. "Mister, there's nothing but—" Her words cut off as Amilo rounded a bend, and

she whispered, her

the pages of a fairytale. Nestled in a sprawling estate surrounded by lush forests and rolling green hills, the sight was both

large arched metal sign emblazoned with an elaborate

topped with white stone, elegant yet formidable. The surrounding walls seemed to stretch endlessly, marking the boundaries of the prestigious grounds. Neatly landscaped shrubs lined the perimeter, and small spotlights set around them, likely illuminating the grand structure at

technology was a rare privilege, the gate was surprisingly automated, sliding open smoothly as they approached. They were met with a small security checkpoint

a tone

unexpectedly small, the enormity of the moment

name, the guard's stern face softened into a welcoming

to his partner in the security booth. The barrier was

in her mind, but she shrugged it off. He was probably just logging her arrival. Though she didn't own a phone, Violet was familiar enough with basic tech, thanks to the media center back in her old school. Hopefully, Lunaris Academy would offer better resources, and she wouldn't have to

gently in the breeze. Wide, manicured lawns stretched out on either side, dotted with stone fountains, their water glinting in the afternoon sun. Vibrant flower gardens bloomed around them, each petal carefully arranged, proof

arrived at the academy