CHAPTER 73: ALPHA ASHBOURNE

Three rules existed in Theo’s mind ever since she set foot into Gravemont Academy.

Rule One: Never let down your guard with those you don’t know, and those you do not trust.

Rule Two: Always keep your heartbeat steady and your fear silent. These students feed on the slightest shift, and Rule Three, most important of all: No matter what happens, never let an Alpha get too close. Their senses are too sharp and too deep. If they get close enough, they might sniff out her secret - she had learnt that lesson from Sylas because that man had only taken one glance at her and picked her out!

And Alpha Ashbourne was standing right behind her.

Theo’s lungs froze and her spine locked in place, the way a prey did when a predator’s shadow passed over it. She felt the power before she even heard his breathing-disciplined and unbearably heavy.

Her pulse tried to spike but she force-flattened it.

Her fingers twitched toward her knee, itching to stand. She knew the protocol... when an Alpha of high rank enters a room, you acknowledge them by bowing or showing respect.

Her legs moved, and she stood up and turned.

She immediately regretted it.

Alpha Ashbourne Sinclair was tall and towering. Apart from his demanding presence, his eyes were a grey so pale they almost glowed, and they swept over her with an unsettling look that was somehow more terrifying than Zeke’s fury or Sylas’s coldness.

Quickly, Theo lowered her gaze respectfully.

"Alpha Sinclair," she said, bowing her head the way male students did, "Sir,"

Liam instantly stepped forward, "Dad—"

But Alpha Ashbourne’s gaze didn’t leave her.

His nostrils flared. He was scanning her.

He was reading her scent, her aura, and her heartbeat, the way Alphas did when determining rank, threat, or lie. His power pressed against her skin like warm iron, like he was testing every false layer she’d wrapped herself in.

Theo kept her shoulders squared and her expression neutral, being carefully unaware and carefully uninteresting.

"Will!," Ashbourne said, his voice deep and carrying weight, "Your Performance today was embarrassing,"

Liam swallowed, his hands fisted by his sides, "I’m sorry, Father. I..."

"But I understand since you were matched up against a Devereux. Although, we never accept draws in our family - it’s a sign of weakness, Will!"

Liam’s head remained bowed, "Yes, Father. I will never lose to anyone ever again,"

Ashbourne’s gaze didn’t shift. He didn’t even blink. Theo had to keep forcing a steady inhale and exhale.

"I’ll only let this slide because your opponent was the heir to the Devereux family, William," Ashbourne finally looked at his son, his expression still unreadable, "And I saw that you’ve improved a lot. Gravemont really stands up to its name,"

Theo wanted to smile at Liam, but she couldn’t risk losing control of her breath.

Just then, Ashbourne’s eyes fell on her again, "And you, Thaddeus Douglas, wasn’t it?"

Her stomach slammed into her ribs, "Yes, sir,"

"You smell... unsettled,"

Theo’s soul almost left her body, but she dragged it back.

She bowed her head slightly, "I apologise, sir. It was the matches earlier. They were... intense,"

A long silence fell over them. Too long.

Then Ashbourne leaned a fraction closer.

Her breath stopped, and Rule Three screamed in her skull.

His pale eyes sharpened, now studying her in a way someone studies something he’s seen before but just can’t put in place.

"Your father is Alpha Douglas Draven," Ashbourne stated.

She nodded, "Yes, sir,"

"Your family are cousins to the Alpha Darius of the North,"

She maintained her calm, "Yes sir,"

"No wonder you look so much like his daughter,"

Oh shit! She almost broke character at that moment, and she actually did.

One eye twitched from fear and anxiety, "Yes sir. We look alike a lot,"

"You look too alike," Ashbourne stated, still staring at her, as though he was trying to break her completely.

To get another reaction. Something that would lead him even further.

Ashbourne turned to his son again, "Are you friends with the likes of him?"

Liam hesitated for a moment, "Yes, Father,"

Ashbourne’s eyes flickered with something sharp, "Good choice, Will. He’ll make a fine Beta in the future, once we’ve brought down the North and defeated every living Alpha there,"

Theo’s jaw almost dropped to the floor.

But then, her father was probably thinking the same thing toward the west.

"Father, would you like to take a walk? There’s something I have been wanting to discuss with you," Liam said, breaking the tension.

Theo watched as Liam and his father walked out of the clinic, before she released a huge breath and collapsed on Liam’s bed like she was now the patient.

She had released every tension she held back, and now, her heart was beating too fast and her muscles kept twitching from the aftermath of the overwhelming pressure she felt.

*He almost sniffed us out, Theo...* Seraphina whispered in a trembling voice.

*That was too close.* Theo replied, then she asked, *How does Ashbourne know that Thaddeus and I look alike?*

*The Tournament of the North, remember? You were the only girl who made it to the finals, and you won. I’m pretty sure a lot of spies watched that match, too. Apart from being Cain’s betrothal, you’re already pretty famous for winning the tournament,*

*If I had known that was the fate that awaited me, I wouldn’t have participated in the first place. All I wanted was for my father to see that I’m worthy to succeed him, but instead I got thrown into the arms of the worst person alive*

Just then, a few of the injured second-yeats walked into the clinic, guided by an attendant to empty beds.

She stood up and glared at them as they walked by. She expected some nasty reactions, but instead, they all looked away, pretending she wasn’t right there.

What the hell?

"Redhead," A voice called up front and she saw Aurelius walking up to her.

Her pulse spiked again, but she kept it steady.

He stopped in front of her, "We need to talk, Redhead,"

She glanced back at the Second-years, then at him. Did he bring them here? Did the Second-years tell him she had beaten them up? Was he here for revenge or something?

"Talk about what?" She asked.

Aurelius looked around them, then smirked, "About something I’m sure you wouldn’t want anyone else to hear. It’s best we go somewhere more...private,"

Her pulse raced again. Did he know something?

************

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