Chapter 1 Chapter 1
Remy Clemson:
“How dare you put a fucking love letter in my man's locker with those filthy hands of yours, you dumbass?” Taylor yanked her by the hair and aggressively forced her to her knees. She roughly grabbed her by the jaw, tilting her head upward, as her minions took videos and photos of her.
“I'm uploading this right now to the school group. You slum bitches from the gutters need to know where you stand,” Suzzy, one of Taylor's minions, muttered enthusiastically with a smile on her face as she began uploading the videos.
“Now listen to all you scholarship opportunists who think you can spread your wings and compete with us when it comes to the Rune brothers. This...” She pointed at the girl, whose name was Vanessa. “This is exactly what will happen to any of you if I catch you glancing or even staring at them. Now come here.”
She dragged her by the hair as Vanessa kept struggling while they left the classroom.
Welcome to another random day in Ashford High School, where only the rich control the school.
I shook my head and turned my attention back to the book right in front of me when suddenly the classroom broke into an uproar. I wasn't fazed because it's normal, especially since today is Friday and one of the few days the Rune Alpha brothers attend school. I was still sitting down while every other student was standing, straining their necks to catch a glimpse.
Suddenly, everywhere turned quiet as the students moved away from the entrance door, and I immediately knew they were close.
Walking through the door, six feet tall with green eyes, long black hair tied in a messy bun, sleeves folded, hands tucked into his pockets, and a face as blank as white paper, he stopped right in front of a student. Methodically, he tilted his head to the side as the corners of his eyes met the male student's.
“What are you still doing here? Aren't you supposed to have been expelled?” His tone was blunt, his face filled with apathy.
The boy immediately fell to his knees.
“I'm sorry, Alpha. I promise I won't do it again. Please forgive me. My life will be ruined if I leave this school. People will laugh at me. Please... please.”
He bowed his head countless times.
Everywhere turned quiet as everyone watched attentively.
“Piece of shit. Drag him out.”
He gestured to a group of boys, who immediately seized the boy.
“Please, please, please have mercy...!”
He kept yelling as they dragged him out. Everyone made way as Kael walked to his seat and sat down.
His name is Kael, the heir to Moon Shadow Pack, and one of the four Alpha quadruplets. I have never liked him. Matter of fact, I hate him, and I'm afraid of him.
Afraid of him for obvious reasons.
I hate him because he's the only reason I'm not the top student yet. He's the top student in the school while I'm just second, and I don't get it because he's always so nonchalant. So how does he manage to be so smart?
I mean, I've never seen him buried in his books, but I burn myself out every day studying, and yet I still cannot get ahead of him. In a school where I can only survive on my scholarship, I just cannot afford to mess around, especially this semester. I really have to become first in order to boost my score, or I'll lose my scholarship, and that's such a crazy requirement because I'm already doing my best. I don't get how they expect me to pass him when rumors have it that no one has ever done it.
These past few weeks, I've buried myself deep in my books, and in just three months I'll have to prove all that through the exams. I can't help but think about what will happen if I lose my scholarship. It's a miracle to be in a prestigious high school like Ashford, a place meant only for the rich and not people like me, which is why I never interact or mingle with anyone.
I was unaware my gaze was on him until he stared back, his green orbs piercing mine. My eyes twitched in shock, and I swear I saw a taunting smirk on his face as I tore my gaze away, completely shifting to the side and focusing my attention to the left.
“Is that for me? Thanks.”
He grabbed the ice cream from her and kissed her cheek while the girl became a blushing mess.
“I got this for you too.”
Another girl handed him a flower.
“As long as it's from a beauty, I'll always accept.”
He winked at her.
His name is Alpha Zayn, the second among the four Alpha quadruplet brothers.
I've heard rumors that his smiles are more like a façade for who he truly is. I still think he's better than Kael.
Ewww... even thinking about him gives me goosebumps.
“Why is everywhere so quiet? Come on, guys, this is not a dead zone. Let's cheer up.”
He clapped his hands as everyone walked back to their seats while the girls ogled him.
Seeing him walking in my direction, I immediately lowered my gaze to the book in front of me, praying he wasn't walking toward me, but no... he fucking stopped right in front of me.
I gulped nervously, biting my lower lip while I fidgeted with my hands beneath my desk, wrinkling my skirt. My heart was thundering so loudly that he might hear it if he moved any closer.
“You're so beautiful, I can't help but want to chat with you. Can I borrow this?”
“Uh...”
My voice cracked a little as I slowly lifted my gaze, only to realize he was talking to the girl sitting right next to me.
“Can I borrow this?”
He picked up the manga on her desk.
“Sure.”
The girl blushed furiously, batting her lashes. My nervousness slowly disappeared and was replaced with something else...
Disappointment.
My shoulders slumped, and I sighed.
Ryker has always been my secret crush. I know my one-sided crush is useless, but I can't help falling for his angelic personality. Watching girls flock around him every day always reminds me that I can never, and will never, be noticed by him. A nobody like me from the slums dares to crush on one of the Alpha brothers of Moon Shadow Pack.
That's such an impossible dream.
The last to walk in was Kieran, the silent one. He barely talks, his headphones always on as he walks straight to his seat. No one attempts to speak to him or go near him. Always chill and mysterious.
Zayn stood up, walked to the front of the class as a student suddenly presented a microphone to him. He held the microphone, his smile radiating brightly, showing his charming dimples, while girls and boys swooned all over him.
He stared into everyone's faces while I hid my gaze and always looked away, careful not to share a glance with him.
“The Rune Night Initiation Party is this Friday, and as you all know, it's strictly by invitation, and only those who are lucky enough to get accepted will receive their invite,” Zayn announced.
“Yesssssssss..!”
The whole place broke into excitement as the students rejoiced happily.
“See you all there, and hoping you get selected.” Zayn winked as he dropped the microphone, and they all left.
I made sure not to lift my gaze even when I felt a pair of eyes on me. I still dared not to. Until they finally left, I lifted my gaze and breathed out in relief.
Rune's initiation party has always been something that the students looked forward to, though it has never interested me because I've never heard anyone talk about what's done at the party that's organized by the Alpha brothers and run by them. All I know is that you get an invitation, and if you're lucky enough to get a code at the party, then you'll unlock a portal and will be given special treatment in and outside of school and become a Rune member. That's all I could grasp. I'm not interested in things like that. I'm more focused on my grades and my part-time jobs.
The rest of the day passed by in a blur as all the students were barely concentrating in class. Everyone was looking forward to getting an invitation to the party happening tonight. The last lesson for the day was still on when suddenly everyone began checking their phones.
“Yes…”
“Yes…”
Screams of excitement broke out from all angles.
“I got an invitation! Finally, I can't wait to meet Kael, oh my gosh!” Kathy screamed in happiness. Everyone in school knows her father is the chairman of the school council, and she has had this undying crush on Kael for the longest time. I wonder what she sees in him.
Seeing the chaos and disorganized class, the teacher packed up and left as no one was listening to him anymore.
I checked my wristwatch, and I had just thirty minutes to get to my first part-time job, so I quickly packed my bag and stood. But just as I was about to take my first step, my phone beeped, a notification sound followed by a message.
Could it be my boss from work?
I swiped my phone and clicked on the message.
Ramy Clemson, you've been invited to the Rune's party tonight. Miss it and stand a chance of losing your scholarship.
For a minute, my body went cold as I looked around me. I have never taken an interest in this or even applied for an invitation, so why am I getting one?
What the hell is happening?
I can't lose my scholarship. At the same time, I can't lose my job.
Who's messing with me?
