Chapter 42 Grand Incentive
ARDEN
Π
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“So, all of the Alphas have approached you now?” Tessa asked as we entered the assembly hall. For some inexplicable reason, Mr. Winters had called all students together for an important announcement, thereby canceling our first class of the day.
At that moment, I spotted the True Alphas sitting at the front, divided by their respective factions. It was as if they sensed my presence, for they all turned to me in unison. Rowan shot me a playful wink. Jaxon narrowed his eyes, projecting an air of possessiveness. Elias wore a smirk that hinted at his amusement.
Cadę, however… swiftly averted his gaze, appearing completely uninterested.
“It doesn’t matter,” I replied to Tessa. “They’re no different from the other men in this school.”
“Even me?” Owen interjected.
“You’re different. You just want to graduate without any hassle, like me.
Qwen shrugged, a casual acceptance in his demeanor. “That’s true
With that, we navigated our way to the very back of the hall. The stares of other students were impossible to ignore. There were still subtle attempts to capture my attention, yet I maintained my focus.
The noise gradually subsided when Mr. Winters arrived on stage, though it didn’t completely vanish.
“Good morning!” he exclaimed cheerfully, scanning the student body with an approving gaze. “It’s nice to see such handsome Alphas seated here at the very front. A light ripple of chuckles spread across the room.
“Anyway, I canceled the first class for this important announcement. As you all know, this school has a unique rule that has been in place since I became the headmaster. In a world so tainted, the definition of purity has long been obscured.”
At that moment, I froze upon hearing the word “purity. “Tessa and Owen stiffened beside me, and I couldn’t help but notice the furtive glances the others shot my way.
“However, there exists one definition that will remain objectively pure–one’s virginity.”
My heart began to race with a sense of dread. The stares directed toward me grew more pointed, accompanied by whispers that dug deep into my heart.
“It has been many years since I took on this role, yet it has only been a few where I have placed great significance on one’s purity. In that span of time, I have never encountered a truly pure woman.”
“Do not misunderstand me–I am not shaming those who have sought physical pleasure: At the end of the day, we are all werewolves, and higher education generally commences at twenty. It is in our nature to seek it.”
“I find myself utterly fascinated by this concept of objective purity. I admire it,” he continued.
I felt as though my spine had been paralyzed. He was speaking of me with such high regard, but his words veered dangerously close to fetishization.
“Anyway, that’s not the primary reason I’m here today,” he laughed heartily, and for the first time since he began speaking. I felt I could finally breathe.
This announcement concerns the current ranking,” he said, a sinirk playing on his lips. “Once again, this is a monumental.
Though the semester is less than halfway finished, the scores have reached unprecedented heights. It truly is groundbreaking
“Moreover, the competition for the top spot is extremely close
That much was undeniably accurate. The ranks refresh in real time, with the four True Alphas intermittently claiming the top position, often with Gade holding on to it the longest. However, the difference in their scores was merely tenths, sometimes even mere single digits apart.
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Chapter 42 Grand Incentive
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“You all know me–I am an advocate for healthy competition. Thus, after the preliminary examinations a month from now, I will be granting a grand incentive to the individual who secures first place in the overall category.”
The lingering noise that seemed to always be present finally stilled, and everyone turned their attention to Mr. Winters, who was smiling so broadly that his cheeks appeared ready to rip apart.
“So, the day after the preliminary exam scores are revealed, the top student will have the chance to visit the headquarters of the United Factions and speak among those in positions of power.”
Gasps echoed across the hall, and students began animatedly discussing the incentive. However, I felt the familiar tightness coil in my stomach once more. At the end of the day, it all boiled down to points–and the reason Mr. Winters spoke about purity in the very beginning was because he knew the stakes. The points tied to my virginity still held the most value, and even the highest–ranked contenders in the preliminary examinations would not be able to reach the top without claiming my purity,
“That is all,” Mr. Winters said, beaming with satisfaction. “For the remainder of the first period, go ahead and rest! Our school, while prioritizing excellence, also values your mental health! Have a good day, everyone!”
With that, he descended the stage to the sound of students clapping in approval. Sensing my discomfort, Tessa grasped my wrist and pulled me out of the hall, disregarding the calls of my name. Owen trailed close behind, ready to protect me. 1 WILL grateful to have them there.
Once outside, Tessa swiftly enveloped me in a hug. “I used to admire Mr. Winters for this system, thinking it would be fairer than the previous one, but now I see it for what it really is a cruel, cruel game. You are a person, not a prize.
Owen bit his lip and nodded in agreement. “Yeah,” he muttered. Just as I thought the chaos had subsided, Owen was suddenly shoved to the side, causing him to fall hard onto the grass with a loud thud
“Owen!” My eyes widened in alarm, and I quickly helped him up before pivoting to confront the culprit, who turned out to be none other than Kieran
“There you are,” he smirked at Owen, his expression self–satisfied. “It’s been a while since I last saw you. So, it turns out you’re hanging out with this virgin, huh?”
I bit my lip, running my fingers through my hair in frustration. “Kieran, haven’t I beaten some sense into that thick skull of yours already?”
“What mind?” Kieran shot back, raising an eyebrow. “I don’t have one, according to your words.
He then turned his attention back to Owen, who had directed his gaze to the ground in embarrassment. “Are you hoping to get lucky too? Is that why you’re hanging around this bunch? Well, of course,” he chuckled darkly. “Why else would you be
“Kieran, stop it,” a voice chimed from behind. We all turned to see Jaxon striding toward us with a slight frown. However, night behind him was another person I was not eager to see.
“Arden,” Elias said, bypassing Jaxon, who scowled at the sight of him approaching me. “Let’s study before the next class.”
“I don’t think so, another voice interjected from my right. Rowan, accompanied by some of his friends from the South, arrived, declaring their claim to my attention. “Arden needs to check my cafe’s inventory with me.”
*30 ́hat is happening?” some began to whisper, glancing between us.
” has started”
would give up everything to be in her shoes–being fought over by the Alphas, I were in her place, fit surrender to all of them!”
official. The peaceful, quiet life I had longed to maintain had gone down the drain.
Kwan was the first to touch me, his hand curling around my wrist with a boyish grin. “We need to talk,” he said, his voice derpavely ląda. “Just the two of us. I have something important-
She has scene thing important with me Elias cut in smoothly, yanking my other wrist in the opposite direction. “We’re reprearning the school together, remember?”
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Chapter 42 Grand Incentive
“You’re just
“Oh, come off it,” Rowan scoffed. “You’re just trying to keep her to yourself.”
“You’re literally doing the same thing-
“I’m the one she needs to speak with.”
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Jaxon’s voice cut through, adding more to the chaos. Jaxon’s hand slid firmly around the small of my back. “This isn’t how we settle things. You,” he looked pointedly at the others, “are making a scene.”
I could barely understand what was happening. Everything was too loud–voices blending together, people watching, whispering, judging behind their hands.
Tessa tried to step in, positioning herself protectively in front of me. “Back off!” she snapped. “Let her breathe!”
I couldn’t breathe.
It was all pressing in on me. I closed my eyes, trying to retreat inward, but even that small haven felt like it was collapsing under everyone’s attention.
And then everything stopped.
A hand closed around mine. I didn’t have to look to know who it was.
Code.
He pulled me gently out of the circle of noise, away from the grabbing hands and venomous stares. No one said a word. Even the Alphas fell silent, stunned that he had stepped in.
I didn’t say anything as he guided me behind the admin building, grasping at the calm he offered, however fleeting it was
We stopped beneath the trees, the leaves rustling in the breeze. For the first time that morning, I could hear myself think.
“Why are you talking to me?” I finally asked, sounding confused. “After everything you said to me last week?”
He didn’t meet my eyes. He gave me a little bit of time to calm my breathing before he asked a question.
-Can you… sleep
with me
I froze. It was like ice water p poured over my entire body. I stared at him, disbelief washing through every limb, every nerve ending. “What?”
His jaw clenched, but he didn’t look away. “It would benefit the two of us
I let out a soft laugh. Then another. And another, until it turned into something hollow.
I shook my head slowly. “I thought you’d be different.”
He finally looked up, eyes shadowed.
“But you’re all the same,” I whispered, stepping back from him.
You all want my body as a prize.
