Jasmin's POV
Matthew immediately released his grip and backed away with a hurried apology, slipping out of the room along with the others who followed his lead.
I watched them retreat, then turned my attention back to Max, disturbed by the sudden shift in his demeanor. The air around him had turned electric with barely contained aggression.
What triggered that reaction?
"Max," a voice called from beyond the doorway.
He pivoted toward the entrance where an imposing Alpha stood casually propped against the frame. Dirty blonde hair caught the light as he surveyed the room with calculating eyes. His commanding presence seemed to suck the oxygen from the space, making my skin prickle with awareness.
Max acknowledged him with a slight nod, his gaze flickering briefly in my direction before he stalked from the room without another word.
I released a shaky breath, only then realizing how tense I had become. Something about his proximity set off alarm bells in my mind that I couldn't quite identify.
The remaining students quickly dressed in their uniforms while I busied myself organizing my meager possessions, methodically placing each item in the small cupboard while trying to appear occupied with the mundane task.
Hardy's boot connected with my shoe without warning. The impact wasn't brutal, but it carried enough force to send a clear message.
"Listen up, Tiny," he snarled, towering over me with a expression that promised trouble. "I assume you bothered reading the dormitory regulations."
I met his hostile stare with practiced indifference. "I did."
"Then explain why you're still fooling around instead of getting ready!" His voice cracked like a whip through the room. "That bell rings very soon, and every student better be where they're supposed to be. Having to share space with a pathetic excuse like you already makes me look bad. Don't you dare show up late or pull any stunts that reflect poorly on me. I run this room, and I guarantee if you step out of line even once, I'll make you regret it."
He spun around and stormed out, leaving me alone in the suddenly quiet space.
I stared at the empty doorway as his footsteps echoed down the hall, just as the warning bell chimed through the building.
Grabbing my uniform, I bolted from the room and raced through the deserted corridor toward the communal bathroom. Relief flooded through me when I found it completely vacant, but that feeling quickly soured when I examined the shower facilities. The frosted glass panels provided minimal coverage, offering only the faintest outline of privacy.
My jaw tightened. How was I going to navigate this daily challenge? I could manage it now, but maintaining this charade long-term seemed impossible. Eventually, someone would see something they shouldn't. I needed a better strategy.
Stripping quickly, I took the most efficient shower possible, doused myself with the scent-blocking cologne, and threw on my clothes. By the time I burst into the cafeteria, I was gasping for air and dripping with a mixture of shower water and nervous sweat.
The dining hall buzzed with conversation as Alphas consumed their meals, their attention shifting to me with expressions ranging from mild curiosity to outright contempt. Their scrutiny felt like pinpricks against my skin, but I kept my face neutral and approached the serving station.
Only to discover it had been picked clean.
Every container sat nearly empty, scraped bare of anything substantial.
Even the desserts and premium items that should have been portioned equally among students had vanished completely. I glanced at the serving staff member, who immediately averted his eyes, guilt written across his features.
Mocking laughter erupted behind me.
I turned to see the same pack of Alphas from yesterday, their plates overflowing with enough food for three people each. My missing portion sat among their excess.
"Hey there, Tiny," Denzel called out with a predatory grin. I recognized him as one of Harris's closest allies from the previous day's confrontation. "Looks like I got a bit carried away at the food line. Don't worry though, I'll be sure to save you some scraps when I'm finished."
The group around him burst into laughter. I let my gaze drift past Denzel to the far side of the cafeteria where familiar blue eyes tracked my every movement. Harris sat among his followers, looking like he wanted to tear me limb from limb. I calmly looked away from his murderous stare.
I refused to give Denzel the satisfaction of a reaction. Maintaining my composed expression, I collected what remained on the serving trays: a few apple wedges, a small portion of cold potatoes, and a glass of water.
It wasn't substantial, but it would suffice.
I carried my meager meal to an isolated corner table, settling into solitude. Clyde caught my eye from across the room where he sat with his group, offering a subtle smile that I returned. But Max was nowhere to be seen. Strange, considering the strict adherence to rules seemed to apply to everyone else. What gave him the freedom to come and go as he pleased?
The first official day of training loomed ahead, and I needed to maintain my focus. I wouldn't allow a bunch of arrogant Alphas to derail my carefully laid plans.
Keeping a low profile remained my safest bet for now. What mattered was surviving this place, absorbing everything I could learn, and eventually securing the top position on the rankings.
Unfortunately, fate had different plans in store.
Denzel and his pack approached my table like circling predators, surrounding me with wolfish grins that promised entertainment at my expense.
"Eating like a bird again. Is that why you look so scrawny and pathetic?" Denzel announced loudly enough for the entire cafeteria to hear.
Waves of laughter rippled through the nearby tables.
I continued eating my apple slice methodically, refusing to acknowledge his presence. His taunts bounced off me like rain on stone. I felt no shame about my build. As an Alpha female, I possessed the finest physique my genetics could provide. Compared to the broader, more muscular frames of male Alphas, my stature naturally appeared more compact. That didn't translate to weakness.
Denzel's friends joined the verbal assault, their voices dripping with mockery. "Makes you wonder how this tiny failure even got accepted here. Probably has some influential daddy pulling strings behind the scenes."
Another round of laughter swept through the room while Denzel kept his eyes locked on me, hungry for any sign of a reaction.
"We all know who's getting eliminated after today's challenges," another voice added smugly, and the stream of insults continued flowing.
But I remained stone-faced. I didn't react. I didn't flinch. I gave them absolutely nothing.
Denzel's amusement curdled into frustration when his attempts to provoke me failed completely. His hand shot forward, grabbing my collar and yanking me toward his face.
"Listen here, you little piece of shit," he hissed, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "How dare you act like I don't exist?"
In my mind, Heather roared for release. 'Let me handle this. I'll break every bone in his hand.' Not yet, I silenced her, keeping my expression blank and emotionless.
I stared directly into Denzel's eyes without blinking, my gaze empty of fear or submission. Something in that hollow stare made him falter, uncertainty flickering across his features. He sensed the challenge. The disrespect.
His fist began to rise toward my face.
Before he could complete the motion, someone slammed a drink container onto my table with explosive force. The metallic crash cut through the cafeteria like a gunshot.
Dead silence fell over the room.
Denzel's face went pale as ash.
Every person in the dining hall held their breath.
"Evan Clemens," my name rang out in a voice that commanded absolute attention.
I slowly raised my head to find Max standing directly behind me, his expression thunderous, radiating an aura of barely leashed violence.
He didn't spare Denzel a glance. He didn't acknowledge the others.
His complete focus centered on me.
"You are a wolf under my protection," he said quietly, his words carrying the weight of an unbreakable vow as his fingers tilted my chin upward, forcing our eyes to meet. "How dare you allow yourself to be disrespected?"