Chapter 5

• The only memories left from my school days are dark and gloomy.
• When I was eight, my father brought Evelyn, Laila's daughter, home.
• "Evelyn's father died for me," my father lied to me, "You should take care of her like a real sister."
• I obediently nodded, gave her my favorite teddy bear, and introduced her to my circle of friends.
• Everything was fine at first, until one day during recess I noticed that the seats around me were empty.
• Friends who used to share lunch with me now avoided me as if I were something dirty.
• "How dare we dislike Alpha's daughter?" I finally stopped a former friend, her mouth twisted in a strange curve, her eyes fixed on something behind me.
• I turned around and saw Evelyn standing at the end of the hallway, flashing a sweet smile at her.
• The feeling of being entangled in an invisible web grew stronger.
• I went to confront my father, but Evelyn's tears silenced me. She curled up on the sofa in my father's study, trembling like a wounded animal.
• "You've disappointed me so much," my father's cane slammed heavily on the floor, accusing me, "How could you suspect a friend without evidence? It's because of your personality that you're being ostracized by your friends!"
• Later, as other kids started having their own packs, my body remained as calm as the surface of a lake under the moonlight.
• My father brought me back home under the guise of protection, and I rarely went out.
• Sometimes when I returned to school, I could only sit alone in the farthest corner of the library, watching the students outside, with Evelyn always by the side of my former friends, laughing the brightest.
• Sighing, I walked into the school.
• No matter what, I had to follow the rules and stay here until I saw my mother.
• At the same time, I wanted my father to know one day what kind of blood flowed in the daughter he considered worthless.
• "Are you Riley Engel?" a girl blocked me like a gust of wind, "You're much prettier than your file photo."
• I froze. This girl, Abby, had already familiarly linked her arm with mine, making my ears turn red. It had been a long time since I had been this close to someone my age.
• Abby dragged me down the corridor, "Catherine asked me to pick you up. She's the beta of our tribe, my sister." She rolled her eyes, "It must be a direct order from the Alpha."
• "My sister told me you're a special recruit for the 'New Elite Program'," Abby suddenly leaned in, "The 'New Elite Program' is specifically for selecting warriors with special talents. Even if you weren't from our tribe before, you can still be admitted to the school."
• "It's been a long time since we recruited through the 'New Elite Program'. Apart from Jinya, who is a year older than us, he's my brother. Before that, I only heard that Ella from the Grey Hollow tribe entered the school through this program..."
• "Ella...Ella? Was she here before?" I was shocked, not even I knew this history.
• "Yeah, she used to be from our tribe, but later went to Grey Hollow tribe to become a Luna..."
• "Ella? That traitor?" A blonde girl next to me deliberately bumped into my shoulder, "Hope Nocturne tribe doesn't repeat the same mistake and take in some shady characters."
• The contemptuous words about my mother stabbed into my chest like a knife, and I couldn't help but glare at her.
• "What's with that look?" she squinted, "So arrogant? Tell me your rating, you mongrel."
• "Rating?" I was still a bit confused.
• She sneered and pointed to the line of students in front, who were each placing their palms on a screen hanging up, the runes on the screen changing with each touch, reminding me of the stone I saw at Kade's yesterday.
• "You have to go through this test every semester when you enroll," Abby explained to me, "It will test your wolf soul purity, combat talent..."
• "But don't worry, even if you're found to be just an Omega, the school won't kick us out, just might be placed in Class E."
• "Omegas can at least be used as breeding tools," the girl interrupted with a cold laugh, "But if you're a waste without even a wolf, you'll just have to wait to be kicked out."
• "Don't listen to her, Rye is a special recruit, she can't be just a regular person." Abby defended me.
• She didn't notice, my face was unusually pale at this moment.
• As the screen got closer and closer, my heart felt like it was about to burst out of my chest. Sweat soaked my back, and my throat tightened as if someone was strangling me.
• Am I going to be kicked out? But I haven't seen my mother yet...
• Abby sensed my anxiety and gently squeezed my shoulder, "Don't be nervous, watch my demonstration."
• She confidently pressed her palm against the cold screen. The runes immediately came to life, moving around the screen like a swarm of fireflies. After a dozen seconds, all the dots converged into a dazzling "A."
• "Amazing! It's still an A!" Abby exclaimed excitedly, jumping up and down. "I told you the special training would pay off!"
• When she turned to me, her eyes sparkled. "It's your turn, Ray."
• My legs felt as heavy as lead.
• The blonde girl leaned against the wall, a malicious smile playing on her lips. "Let's see what the special admission student can do."
• Trembling, I raised my hand and placed my palm on the screen. The runes suddenly erupted, much more violently than when Abby was tested. The entire hall was illuminated by a strange blue light.
• "This...this isn't right..." Abby frowned. "The test has never lasted this long before..."
• A full minute passed, and the runes continued to agitate. Suddenly, the screen emitted a piercing scream! Everyone covered their ears in pain.