He Became Alpha, But Still Chose Me

Ember's POV

"Oh my God! Look at this!" Lily squealed, waving her wrist around.

The delicate silver bracelet caught the light perfectly. "Jake gave it to me yesterday! To celebrate our three-month anniversary!"

The other girls rushed over, gushing and cooing over it. I stayed on my bed, suddenly finding my textbook way too heavy to hold.

"Ember, why aren't you coming to look?" Lily turned around, a hint of smugness in her eyes. "By the way, have you ever even dated anyone? We've been at Moonlight Academy for three years now. You should really experience the freedom this place offers!"

Moonlight Academy.

This special school brought together werewolves from all different packs, and most importantly—here, no one could sense each other's true nature. No Alpha, Beta, Omega hierarchies. Everyone interacted as equals. That's exactly why I chose this place.

The room went dead silent.

I could feel everyone staring at me like I was some kind of exhibit. My hands automatically clenched into fists, nails digging into my palms.

"I've been... focused on my studies," I managed, trying to keep my voice steady even though my heart was racing. "Dating can wait."

"Wait?" Sarah's eyes went wide. "Ember, we're seniors! We graduate soon! Do you realize what that means?"

Leaving Moonlight Academy meant returning to the real world. Back to a society built on rigid hierarchies.

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. Here, I could be friends with anyone without worrying about status differences. But after graduation?

I shot up from my bed so fast my textbook hit the floor with a loud thud. The girls jumped.

"I'm... I'm gonna shower." I grabbed my towel and bolted, my heart about to explode.

The hallway was quiet except for my frantic footsteps. I stopped at the bathroom door and stared at myself in the mirror—twenty-two years old, long hair, decent face, and eyes that currently screamed panic.

I'd never dated anyone. And this might be my only shot.

The next day at lunch, I wandered around the cafeteria with my tray, looking for a seat.

Moonlight Academy's cafeteria was always buzzing like this—students from different packs sitting together, laughing and talking. No strict hierarchies here, no fancy VIP sections for the elite. Anyone could sit anywhere.

God, I loved this freedom.

Last night's panic was still eating at me. I'd been distracted all morning. Looking around at all the couples sharing meals, looking so natural and comfortable together, I felt this weird mix of envy and anxiety.

Lost in thought, I didn't notice the tall figure in front of me until—

CRASH!

My tray slammed right into his chest, soup splashing everywhere. I looked up and forgot how to breathe.

His face looked like it was carved by some master sculptor. But what really got me was his scent—this mix of mint and cedar that was somehow both cool and warm, with this underlying... authority that I couldn't quite place.

That scent was... different.

My heart skipped a beat, then started hammering like crazy. Everyone else kept eating and chatting, but he stood there with this invisible force field that made people keep their distance.

"Watch it," he said, voice low and smooth but cold as ice.

"S-sorry!" I stammered, my face burning up.

He glanced down at his soup-stained shirt and frowned. I noticed students at nearby tables sneaking looks at him, their eyes showing something like... respect? Fear? That was weird for Moonlight Academy, where everyone was supposed to be equal.

He didn't say anything else, just looked at me once.

That one look made my entire wolf soul shake.

What was this feeling? Why did he seem so different from everyone else?

I'd never felt attraction this intense before. Like some invisible force was pulling me toward him, screaming—this is the one.

"I'm Ember, I'm really sorry..." I tried to say more, but he'd already turned and walked away.

I stood there like an idiot, watching his straight back disappear into the crowd. My tray was shaking in my hands, heart still going nuts.

That night, I lay in bed frantically googling on my phone.

"Aspen Nightfall"—barely any results. Just a few photos from school events where he was always standing in corners, always alone.

"Can't find much," I muttered, staring at the ceiling, my head full of his sharp features and those intense eyes.

"Ember?" Lily called from the next bed. "You okay? You've been acting weird since lunch."

I took a deep breath. The idea in my head was getting clearer and clearer.

I sat up so fast I scared all my roommates.

"I've decided!" My voice cut through the darkness. "I'm going after Aspen Nightfall!"

"WHAT?!" all three girls shrieked.

Lily flicked on her bedside lamp, staring at me wide-eyed. "Aspen Nightfall? That loner ice prince? Ember, are you sure?"

"He seems impossible," Sarah frowned. "I heard he never talks to girls. Even though the academy promotes equality, he's got this whole... untouchable vibe."

"Exactly," the third roommate nodded. "My friend tried to ask him out once. Didn't even get a glance. It's like he lives in his own world."

The harder the challenge, the more interesting it gets. And this is Moonlight Academy—nobody's untouchable here.

I clenched my fists, determination blazing in my eyes.

"I want an epic romance before graduation! I felt something today, and I'm not letting it slip away. Here, we're all equals. I have every right to go after him!"

Lily looked at me, worry and excitement mixing in her expression. "You're serious?"

"Dead serious!" I jumped out of bed, pacing around the room. "I'm making a complete plan. Find out his schedule, where he hangs out, what he likes..."

"You're insane," Sarah laughed behind her hand. "But... I'm kind of excited to see this. At Moonlight Academy, anything can happen, right?"

"Operation starts tomorrow!" I faced myself in the mirror, fist raised. "I'm going to make him notice me!"

My roommates looked at each other, then burst into excited squeals.

"We're totally supporting you!" Lily jumped up and hugged me. "This is going to be better than any romance novel!"

I hugged them back, feeling braver than I ever had before.

Aspen Nightfall, whatever your deal is, we're equals here.

You ready? Because I'm coming for you.