Chapter 1 Forbidden Territory

Winter

Rule number one at Valence Citadel Academy: Never cross into Crimson territory.

Rule number two: Never touch the enemy.

Rule number three: Never look Alpha Malakai in the eye.

I repeated those three simple rules like a quiet prayer as I stood at the school gates, looking up at the huge building before me. Valence Citadel was a massive castle built from black iron and dark stone. Its sharp towers blocked out the morning sun, making the whole place look dark and scary.

"Focus on your classes, Winter," my older brother Derek said. He dropped a heavy arm over my shoulder, almost knocking the air out of my chest. "Stay right next to me. If you are not with me, stay glued to Julian. Do you understand?"

"Derek, you are crushing me," I said, trying to wiggle out from under his heavy grip. "Relax. I am going to be completely fine."

"I am relaxed," Derek grunted, though his stiff body said otherwise. His sharp eyes scanned the busy courtyard, watching every passing student like he expected a sudden fight. "Whatever you do, do not talk to anyone wearing a red and black uniform. Don't speak to them. Don't even look at them."

Julian walked up to us with a calm, friendly smile. "Don't be upset with him, Winter. Your brother is just trying to keep you safe."

"I know," I sighed, giving Julian a small nod before turning back to Derek. "I am twenty-two, Derek. Not twelve. I can take care of myself."

Derek’s jaw tightened. "You are twenty-two and you don't know how to fight, Winter. We are not safe at home anymore where every guard protects us. This school is full of dangerous wolves looking for a fight."

"I am not made of glass," I muttered.

"You are my sister," he answered firmly. "That means our enemies will try to hurt me by coming after you."

Before I could answer, Derek’s phone started ringing loudly. He pulled it out, checked the screen, and swore under his breath. He gave me one last serious look, then rushed off toward the main gates to handle an emergency, leaving me alone with Julian.

Julian fixed his jacket. "Shall we go, Winter? Class starts soon."

"Lead the way," I said, breathing a sigh of relief.

Step one done, I thought. I survived my brother's protective lecture.

We had only walked for two minutes across the open courtyard when Julian's phone rang in his pocket. He answered it, and his smile vanished instantly.

"What is it?" he asked, his voice suddenly very serious.

He listened for a few seconds before hanging up. He turned back to me with a worried look.

"Something urgent came up at the main gate," Julian said quickly. "I can't walk you to your classroom right now. Just use the map on your phone."

"Wait, Julian," I blinked, surprised. "Derek said you were supposed to stay with me—"

Before I could finish my sentence, he turned around and disappeared into the thick crowd of students.

I stood completely alone, staring at the empty spot where my bodyguard had been standing just seconds ago.

"So much for keeping me safe," I whispered to myself, pulling my bag strap higher on my shoulder. "Great job, guys."

I unlocked my phone, opened the school map app, and found my classroom building. The route looked easy. Walk straight down the main hall, turn right at the archway, and go up the stairs.

I started walking, keeping my eyes on the path ahead.

It didn't take long for the whispers to start. Groups of students standing near the stone pillars turned their heads as I walked past, their voices clear in the quiet morning air.

"Is that Derek's sister?"

"Why is she here? I thought her pack kept her locked away at home."

"She looks so soft. Like she would break if you yelled at her."

I kept my head up and ignored them completely. People always made assumptions about me because of my brother's reputation. I kept moving, following the map on my screen. Turn left, turn right, and head up the stairs.

But the farther I walked, the quieter the hallway became.

The silver banners of my pack started to disappear from the walls. The loud voices of the crowd faded into a heavy silence. The air in the hallway began to change, growing warmer and smelling faintly of smoke.

I slowed down and looked at my phone with a frown.

The clean white walls of the main building were gone. Now, the walls were made of rough, dark stone. The torches burned with a bright orange flame.

And hanging right above the hallway arch was a huge red banner with a black wolf on it.

Crimson Pack territory.

My stomach dropped into a cold knot.

"Oh, no," I whispered, the blood draining from my face.

I had taken a wrong turn. I was standing right in the middle of the one place my brother told me to avoid.

Panic hit me immediately. I didn't even check the map again. I spun around on my heel, ready to run back toward the bright main hallway before anyone saw me.

I took one fast, blind step backward.

And slammed hard into a chest that felt like a solid brick wall.

I stumbled back, my boots slipping on the slick floor as I scrambled to get away.

"Watch where you are going, Frost-Vein trash," a sharp, mean voice called out.

My head snapped up.

Standing in front of me was a girl with bright red hair, sharp eyes, and a cruel smile. She wore the red and black uniform of the enemy pack, and her rank pins showed she was a top warrior. Behind her stood two huge male guards, blocking the entire hallway.

Roxanne.

I recognized her right away from the files Derek made me read. She was the meanest fighter in the Crimson Pack.

"I... I made a wrong turn," I said, trying to keep my voice steady even though my heart was pounding. "I was just leaving."

Roxanne took a slow step forward, her eyes narrowing as she looked at my uniform logo.

"Leaving so soon? But you just got here," she laughed mockingly. "Wait a second. I know that face. You are Derek’s hidden little sister, aren't you? The weak little princess they keep locked away in their estate."

The two guards behind her laughed.

"I don't want any trouble," I said, taking another step back. "I am going back to the main hall."

"Going back?" Roxanne scoffed, her voice full of anger and jealousy. "Or did you come over to our side on purpose to get Alpha Malakai's attention? Did your pack send you to use your innocent look to trick him?"

My eyes widened in shock. "What? No! I haven't even met him! I don't even know what he looks like!"

"Don't lie to me," Roxanne snapped, stepping closer in a flash.

Before I could move, she grabbed the collar of my shirt and shoved me hard against the stone wall. The back of my head hit the brick, sending a burst of pain through my head.

"Derek thinks he owns this school, and now he sends his pathetic sister to walk around our halls," Roxanne sneered, leaning in close. "I wonder how tough your brother will act when I burn your face so no Alpha ever looks at you again."

Fear rushed through me. I tried to use my ice magic to protect myself, but the heat coming off Roxanne was too strong. My power flickered and died.

"Roxanne, stop," I gasped, trying to pull her hands off my shirt. "I'm telling the truth, I was just lost—"

"Shut up!" Roxanne yelled.

She raised her free hand, and bright orange fire lit up across her knuckles. The heat washed over my face, hot and dry. She pointed her flaming fist right at my cheek. She knew who my brother was, and she didn't care if this started a pack war.

I squeezed my eyes shut, waiting for the painful burn.

"Take your hands off her, Roxanne."

The voice wasn't loud, but it cut through the air like a knife.

It was deep, rough, and so full of authority that the temperature in the room instantly shot up. The air became heavy and hard to breathe.

Roxanne froze immediately. The mean smile disappeared from her face, replaced by total shock. The fire on her hand went out instantly.

She let go of my collar so fast I almost fell to the ground.

The two guards behind her bowed their heads at once. Roxanne slowly turned around and took a respectful step back.

Walking out from the dark shadows of the hallway was a guy who commanded the whole room just by standing there.

He was tall, broad-shouldered, and wore a dark leather coat trimmed in red. Dark hair fell over his forehead, and his face was sharp and strong. But it was his eyes that caught me. They were a bright, glowing copper color, burning like fire.

Alpha Malakai Drake.

Rule number three repeated in my head: Never look Alpha Malakai in the eye.

I knew I should look down at the floor. I knew I should turn my head away. But I couldn't move. I was completely stuck, staring right into the burning eyes of the enemy Alpha.