Rosendale

I stood in front of the imposing gates of Rosendale High, my heart beating wildly in my chest, my body slightly trembling. My chest was heaving with fear of the things that could be lurking in there.

But I have made it this far. It has been two months since my brother died, and I have spent every single moment of that time trying to find a way to gain entry into this school. After doing everything, leaving the pack for a month to make it seem like Skylar North had gone rogue so I could safely take this identity, masking my scent and cloning an alpha scent, and applying again and again every week when their admission opened up till I finally received the letter, I knew I had to go through.

I remember the first time I had come with Valerian. The way he had been so excited about this place. And then the last time I came with him. He had been dead, and he was discarded in that nameless grave.

That necklace. That man. That rose. I was none the wiser despite the time that had passed, but at least, I was here now, with an admission letter, and a greater chance at finding out the truth.

I took in a deep breath, my eyes closing for a long moment. I opened my eyes, then slowly pulled the small trunk I had brought with me. It contained only the male clothes I had bought with the very last of my savings, my brother's letters, a few food items, the light brown contacts pack I had gotten, a few tampons and necessities.

The gates opened, and I pulled the trunk in till I got to the main entrance. It was just as imposing, and a little part of me wanted me to back out of this. Valerian was dead. I could be, too.

But that was the whole point. I didn't know how to live without my brother. Even worse, without trying to find out how he died. Why so many things pointed to it not being suicide. Why they never gave me his suicide letter.

The door opened again, and I pulled the trunk with me and walked into the dark hallways. The hallway was filled with a strong alpha smell and dark fog. It looked very typical of a place that held so many secrets. So many skeletons.

It was eerily quiet, and I could hear the loud thump of my own heart and the tapping of my booted feet.

I closed my eyes. The official had told me to come here. I was already done with all of the clearance requirements and had nothing else to do. I thought that was the scariest part, trying to convince them that I was an alpha, but being here amongst potential killers and being so grossly inexperienced and disadvantaged, it was the worst.

A sudden sound stopped me in my tracks, and I froze, my heart going on overdrive. My knees felt weak, and the only thing that kept me from running out of there was the feel of Valerian's cold hand against mine.

"Who are you?"

I swallowed hard, my chest heaving as I turned. A man was standing behind me, his eyes cold. He had light blonde hair and dark blue eyes that just seemed to fit.

"I am... my name is Kian. I have been granted admission and..."

He looked down at my outstretched hand. "Kian?"

I nodded slowly, biting down on my lips. I hoped that completely ditching my brother's name and my true identity would make whoever killed him attempt a move on me since I was just as weak as him, even weaker. I know it is suicidal, but I needed the truth even if I had to die for it.

"Cute name," he said simply to my disappointment. "What is your room number?"

My eyes widened. "Room number?"

He raised a brow. "Were you admitted as an extra or a regular?"

"Extra," I said, completely oblivious of what that meant, exactly. I just knew that I would be within these walls, and that was all that had mattered then.

Seeing how he was looking at me now, like I was completely stupid, it made me think I had made a grave mistake by accepting this admission.

"Is something wrong?" I asked when he wouldn't say anything, my voice slightly shaky.

He gave a small laugh. "No. I am the head of this hostel. My name is Knox."

He still didn't give me his hand, and I pushed my hand into the pocket of my trousers.

"Nice to meet you."

He nodded. "Problem is, Extras do not have access to anything. This is the part where I show you to your room and roommate and tour you around, but you are an extra. You are neither allowed to have a room to yourself nor are you allowed to use the amenities with us."

My heart immediately dropped to my stomach. What? They had those sorts of admissions here? But... Valerian was admitted as an extra, too.

Does that mean... he never even had a room, couldn't use anything, and just...

My heart sank. I didn't expect to meet something like this on the very first day.

"What am I allowed to use?" I asked, my chest heaving.

He sized me up again, then sighed and leaned away from the door. That was when I noticed he was shirtless and had a full sleeve of tattoos on both hands.

"You look a bit innocent, so I will give you a small briefing, but lunch is in two hours, and you will understand exactly what I mean."

I immediately followed him, and he led me across the long hallways before we finally reached a large opening. My jaw fell open as I took in the place. It was like a mega city on its own, with almost everything I could think of.

A large fountain in the middle, and the building extended upstairs and just kept going till I couldn't see anything anymore.

I turned to him, and he was already looking at me.

"Welcome to Rosendale. We have only a few rules here. Most of them apply to everyone, but some of them are for only extras."

I nodded, my eyes fixed on him. I wondered if Valerian had felt this intimidated, this alone. I wondered if he wanted to give up, too.

"First and foremost, don't use the gym while we use it. You can use it after if you find it open."

I nodded. I had no intention of using the gym.

"As an extra, you are Rosendale pack's equivalent of an omega, so you can't eat with us either. You can eat after we are done eating if there are any scraps remaining."

Okay, what the fuck?

"Three. You can sleep anywhere, but you have no room assigned. You can beg anyone without a roommate, and if they let you, then fine. If they don't, the dining, library, or whatever, those are big enough. You are pretty scrawny anyway."

"Wait. Where do I take a bath and, you know... toilet?"

He shrugged. "There are public restrooms, but they are not cleaned, and you will have to do it yourself."

I swallowed. Hell. This place is hell.

"Four. You have an alpha scent, but you are technically an omega to us."

"Is there a way to climb up the ranks?"

"You don't know what you are talking about," he said with a laugh. "You will never be able to climb up ranks in here."

"Why? I have an alpha scent and..."

"Ask your wolf if it can scent mine."

I held my breath and focused. She could, but only faintly. I focused harder, and she immediately whimpered. Too strong. My eyes met his, and he gave a small smile.

"I will not investigate just how weak your alpha potential is as that is not my business. But if your wolf can not stand mine, you have no chance here. We fight shit out in here. For food, for survival. And I am not exactly the strongest. Take the scraps, or risk that pretty face. We don't know mercy, Kian. We know war. We know blood. You get me?"

I nodded slowly. Is that... perhaps, how Valerian died? Because he tried to climb up the ranks? Because he tried to defy the norms?

"As I was saying, unless an alpha singles you out for a fight, don't volunteer. They don't like the omega stench, and the cemetery happens to be big enough."

I clenched my fists as he gave a small smile, then turned away.

"Is that why you wouldn't shake me?"

He laughed, then shook his head. "The last time I shook someone..." He trailed off, then raised his left hand. It was limp and very obviously useless. My eyes widened, and he chuckled. "Exactly."

I felt my blood run cold. I had imagined a school of well trained men and order. This was a jungle, and I have walked right in the middle of it.

"Last," he said, then met my eyes. "Treat this as the most important rule, Kian."

I straightened a bit, something in his eyes telling me my life in here would depend on it.

"Do everything you can to avoid the Princes of Rosendale. Avoid them with your life."