Claimed by the Wrong Alphas

Charis

"My name is Professor Martinez, and I’ll be your orientation guide until your final matriculation into Ravenshore Academy."

A stern-faced woman in her mid-thirties stood before the hall, addressing us.

"The orientation exercise at Ravenshore spans five days only, a week if there are unforeseen circumstances, and during this time, we would test your physical capabilities, mental resilience, strategic thinking and ability to work under pressure. Those who fail to meet the minimum standards will be given one additional opportunity before facing potential dismissal from the academy, and those who pass will officially become first-year students."

I tried to focus on the professor’s words, but I kept noticing Kael’s pale blue eyes drifting in my direction. More often than not, when I glanced toward where he sat, I found him watching me with an intensity that made me uncomfortable.

Was something wrong? Had he discovered something about my identity? He’d mentioned how pinkish my lips were; was that proof that I couldn’t be a boy?

Without thinking, I turned to Rhett, who was sitting beside me, openly texting, not bothering to hide his disinterest in the proceedings. His fingers moved across the screen, and occasionally, he would smirk at whatever responses he was receiving.

"Rhett, let me see your lips," I whispered.

He stopped typing and looked at me, his hazel eyes dancing with amusement. "What?" he laughed. "Don’t tell me what Kael said back then is bothering you?"

I wasn’t paying attention to what he was saying; I was looking at his lips, comparing them with mine. It was pink but not as pink as mine. I sighed and leaned back against my chair. Who thought being a boy would be this hard?

"Don’t let it get to you," Rhett patted my arm comfortingly. "That’s Kael being Kael. He’s always intense."