“In a story, there is always the main character,” Hallsworth spoke as the class ran circles around the huge gymnasium. “An individual whose survival is vital to the narrative. They get all the luck, plot armor, and the privilege of a happy ever after as their ending. Unfortunately, this is real life, and there are no such thing as main characters in the real world. All of you are fodder, and the next time you even blink could be your last millisecond on this plane of existence. No heartfelt speeches, tearful goodbyes, or dying wishes.”Arrows – wooden ones – randomly shot from parts unknown, occasionally disrupting the pace of most of the students. Andre slightly tilted his head forward to avoid an arrow aimed at his temple as he ran, and his peers behind him stumbled back at the object whizzing by.Even though he was an omega, what he lacked in strength, his enhanced senses made up for. Sure, it didn’t stop him from getting slapped by bigger and stronger wolves, but it was excused by

Despite a tumultuous first day, the rest of the week seemed to pass by seamlessly – or rather, as much as it could. In Andre’s mind, the last class of the day with Miss Hallsworth made the week slog by quite a bit. He was all too happy that it was Friday.“Oh, man,” the omé let himself fall back on his bed, blowing out an exhausted breath. “I don’t think I can take another day of that class. I can’t keep walking around without being able to feel my limbs.”Rafe chuckled as he headed over to his own, taking off his sweat-drenched shirt. “Your muscles are tearing themselves apart right now, but by the end of the weekend, you’ll wake up feeling like a whole new man. Trust me on that, dude.”“Of course, you’d say that. I can’t even imagine what you’re going through. Heading to the gym after a class with Miss Hallsworth? I think we need to take you to a psychiatrist soon because that is crazy.”Although Andre couldn’t help but let his eyes roam over his best friend’s body, his stomach stir

“I’m so fucking sick of that bastard!” Rafe hissed, his fists clenched on his knees, seething while glaring into his lap.Andre, seated next to him at the bleachers he had been watching from, rubbed his best friend’s back soothingly. The hover screens had been focused on other participants at the time of the confrontation, but he had a feeling something went wrong the second Rafe popped back in on home base.“He’s the biggest of schmucks, yeah. He ruined your favorite shirt.”The blond had to button up his flannel, not wanting the extra embarrassment on his walk of shame to the sidelines. “Lindsay said Aspen would do something about him. Lo and be-fucking-hold, he’s still finding ways to be the biggest pain in our asses!”“Well, the official club members are allowed to spectate a lot closer and comment on performances. I think I saw your coach let Zoel transport over to where you were. Maybe he thought he was gonna recruit you or something.”“Well, that’s dumb,” Rafe scoffed. “Don’t t

The next day, before the second half of tryouts began, the four first-years, Lindsay, and the other humans gathered for breakfast in the main building cafeteria.“He was a bumbling idiot,” Rafe retold the events of last night as he and Andre shared a couple of twinkies. “I mean, more so than usual.”Lindsay looked up from fiddling with her WardNav and blew out a breath laced with both approval and disappointment. “If he were human, his future would be clear. Potbelly, permanent five o’clock shadow, and beer bottles littering his trailer floor. Honestly, you probably should have left him to drown in his own puke.”“I second that,” Rudy agreed loudly, his mouth full of waffles. “Better yet, you could have sacrificed him to whatever spirits were haunting the place.”Sam glared at her brother next to her, silently scolding him over talking with his mouth full.“That’s what I’ve been saying, but no…” Rafe rolled his eyes as he glanced at Andre, putting all the blame on the omé.The young w

They never found the elusive barbarian until the next day in World Formation, where he pretty much had to make himself present. Rafe thought he would just skip, but twenty-four hours was apparently enough for the fellow first-year to recuperate.They had badgered him out of concern. The blond superhuman even tried a bit of humor, half-joking when he asked if he wanted to maim a few of his clan members in retaliation, but that only got a hint of a grin from the brooding redhead.“You sure, man?” Joe spoke to him during a group assignment. “You can come by and hang out for a minute or two. We don’t mind.”Daeran agreed, shaking his head and shrugging to show that he didn’t mind.Frodd feigned the umpteenth grin and declined. “Nah, mate. I’m bang on. No need to worry your heads off about me, alright?”“If you say so, bro.”“Just know that the offer stands anytime you need it,” Andre said, that bright, compassionate, and kind smile on his face that softened the hardest of hearts a beacon