IMMORTAL DESIRES

CHAPTER 2

Leyala's Pov

### Chapter 2: The Rules of Survival

"The year was 1026 when the global accords were signed in blood," Mr. Gable’s gruff voice droned, his piece of white chalk scraping sharply against the blackboard. He was an old, scarred warrior wolf whose joints had given out years ago, relegating him to teaching Pack History at Lupine Ridge High. "The human governments thought they were signing peace treaties with one another. In reality, they were signing their absolute subservience to the high throne of the Blood Court."

Leyala stared out the classroom window, the distant line of dark pine trees doing nothing to ease the knot tightening in her stomach. Every werewolf pup knew the reality they lived in. Humans ran the public world—the infrastructure, the cities, the technology—but the true masters of the planet were the vampires. Or *leeches*, as her foster father Marcus called them when he thought she wasn't listening.

The global power structure was an iron pyramid. At the absolute peak sat King Luscious and his council of Six Elders. Each of those six ancient vampires ruled over an entire continent, maintaining absolute dominion over every creature that walked the earth. Beneath their supreme authority, the world was fractured into thousands of regional vampire covens, witch covens, and wolf packs, all forced to operate like gears in a massive, hidden machine.

But the most sacred, unyielding decree of the Blood Court wasn't tax or tribute. It was the Law of Secrecy. The supernatural world was strictly forbidden from revealing its existence to the masses. The few humans who did know the truth were either high-ranking officials paid to look the other way and manage the laws, or the unfortunate, high-society blood bags the vampires kept in luxury as "pets."

"And what happened when the Wiccan factions attempted to tip the global balance of power exactly one thousand years ago, Chloe?" Mr. Gable snapped, his sharp eyes landing on Leyala's best friend.

Chloe flinched, sitting up straight in her wooden desk. "They... they grew too powerful, sir. They tried to use ancient blood magic to overthrow the regional vampire lords."

"And the result?" Mr. Gable pressed, slamming his palm on the desk.

"The cull," Chloe whispered, a visible shiver running down her spine. "The Blood Court sent the enforcers. Over three-quarters of the global witch population was eliminated in less than a month to restore absolute order. Especially..." She swallowed hard, glancing toward the blackboard. "Especially under the command of the Blood Prince, Darian. The Executioner."

Just hearing that name made the air in the room feel heavy. The Blood Prince was a legend of pure terror—the ultimate weapon of his father, King Luscious. He was the one who enforced the Law of Secrecy with a merciless blade. If a pack or a coven threatened to expose the world, Prince Darian was sent to wipe them from existence. The wolves of the Black Ridge Pack might have been proud apex predators in their own territories, but compared to the monolithic power of King Luscious, his Six Elders, and his executioner son, they were just pieces on a chessboard.

When the bell finally rang, signaling the end of history, Leyala let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.

"God, Gable always loves to remind us how low we are on the food chain right before a festival," Chloe muttered as they walked out into the corridor, heading toward the outdoor training grounds for Advanced Combat. "Like, yes, we get it, the leeches rule the continents. Can we focus on the fact that we might get paired up for life tonight?"

"It’s a reminder to keep us compliant," Leyala murmured, adjusting the collar of her gym shirt as they stepped into the harsh sunlight. "The Elders don't want us feeling too proud."

The outdoor combat pits were already roaring when they arrived. The scent of trampled grass, sweat, and aggressive adrenaline was suffocating. The entire class gathered around the ring, cheering loudly as Sophie, the daughter of Beta Thomas, dominated the center of the dust.

She was breathtakingly lethal. Moving with a terrifying, fluid grace, Sophie bypassed her opponent's guard, swept his legs, and slammed him into the dirt with enough supernatural force to leave a crater. The bleachers erupted into cheers and howling. Sophie stood over him, her chest heaving, a smirk playing on her lips as she tossed her glossy hair over her shoulder. She looked like a future Luna. Strong, dominant, and perfect.

"Next pair!" the combat instructor barked, his eyes scanning the crowd before landing directly on Leyala. A cruel smile touched his lips. "Leyala. Let's see what the Gamma's house has taught you. Pair up with Sophie."

The whispers started instantly among the students on the bleachers.

"Is he serious? She doesn't even have a wolf."

"Sophie's going to break her in half."

"Why is a wolfless freak even in the advanced combat class?"

Leyala swallowed her fear and stepped into the ring. Sophie’s smile turned razor-sharp as Leyala raised her fists, putting up a defensive guard.

"Don't worry, Leyala," Sophie purred, her voice carrying easily to the front rows. "I'll go easy on the wolfless. Wouldn't want to ruin your face before the big bonfire."

Before Leyala could even process her movement, Sophie blurred. Without the supernatural speed of an active wolf, Leyala was completely blind to the attack. A heavy blow struck her ribs, sending a shockwave of pain through her chest. She gasped, trying to pivot, but Sophie was already behind her. She hooked her foot behind Leyala's ankle and shoved her hard into the dirt.

Leyala flew through the air, crashing violently into the ground. The impact knocked the wind right out of her lungs, and a chorus of mockery and laughter erupted from the bleachers. Tears of pain and sheer embarrassment pricked the corners of my eyes as she lay there, staring at the grey sky, feeling entirely defeated. Sophie stood over her, laughing softly with her friends, basking in the pack's approval.

"That's enough," a deep, authoritative voice cut through the laughter.

The jeering stopped instantly, the sudden silence heavy and absolute.

Through her blurred vision, Leyala saw Jax step into the ring. As the son of Alpha Richard, his word was law among the youth, and his presence carried the crushing weight of a future leader. He didn't even look at Sophie, who suddenly looked very small and defensive under his sharp glare. Instead, Jax walked straight over to Leyala, kneeling down in the dust. His handsome face was etched with pure concern, his intense eyes locking onto hers as he reached out.

"Are you okay?" he asked softly, taking her hands in his. His grip was warm, strong, and steady.

"I'm fine," Leyala choked out, her voice tight with humiliation.

With effortless strength, Jax pulled her up to her feet. He stayed close, his hand resting protectively on the small of her back as he brushed the dust and dried grass from her clothes, completely ignoring the stunned silence of the rest of the class.

He leaned down slightly, his voice dropping into a quiet, intense murmur meant only for her. "Don't let them see you flinch, Leyala. You are worth ten of Sophie, wolf or no wolf. Just trust me, okay? Tonight, everything is going to change for us. I promise."

The words sent a violent tremor through her heart. For a fleeting second, looking into his eyes, the high school rumors felt real. He sounded like a mate who would protect her from the world, regardless of her status.

But by the time the final school bell rang and Leyala escaped the suffocating atmosphere of Lupine Ridge High, the adrenaline faded, leaving only a dull ache in her ribs and a heavy weight in her chest. Returning to her foster parents' house was her only comfort, though even the quiet rooms felt heavy with expectation today.

As soon as the front door clicked shut behind her, the absolute quiet of the house enveloped her. She dropped her backpack onto the floor and leaned against the wood, letting out a ragged sigh.

"Leyala? Is that you, sweetheart?" Elena’s voice called out from the kitchen.

Leyala walked in, finding her foster mother neatly folding linens at the table. Elena took one look at Leyala's pale face and the faint shadow of dust still clinging to her jawline, and her expression instantly softened with deep, maternal worry. She set the linens down and rushed over, gently taking Leyala's hands.

"What happened?" Elena asked softly, her thumbs brushing over Leyala's knuckles. "Was it combat class again?"

Leyala looked down, unable to hold her mother's gaze as a fresh wave of embarrassment threatened to surface. "Sophie took me down in front of everyone. It wasn't even a fight, Mom. I was on the ground before I could even see her move. The whole pack laughed."

Elena squeezed her hands firmly, her voice turning fiercely protective. "Listen to me, Leyala. Sophie has a wolf, and she has been trained to be a weapon since she could walk. Your lack of a shift does not define your worth in this world. Marcus and I... we see who you are. You have a strength they will never understand."

"Jax stopped it," Leyala whispered, looking up, her chest tight with a confusing mix of hope and terror. "He pulled me up. He told me to trust him. He said that tonight, everything is going to change for us. Mom... what if the rumors are right? What if he claims me tonight? I'm terrified. If he chooses me, the pack will hate him. They'll say a wolfless Omega ruined their future Alpha."

Elena’s eyes filled with a complex, bittersweet sorrow. She reached up, gently tucking a strand of Leyala's unruly silver hair behind her ear.

"Jax is a powerful young man, and he cares for you deeply, Leyala," Elena said carefully, her voice laced with a quiet gravity. "But instincts are a powerful, unpredictable thing when the bonfire is lit. If he stands by you tonight, then he is braver than his father ever was. But if he doesn't... if the pack's expectations push him another way... you must promise me you won't let it break you. You are a daughter of this house, and your life is worth more than a boy's crown."

Leyala swallowed hard, the warning lingering heavily in the air. "I promise."

"Good," Elena whispered, forcing a warm, reassuring smile to break through her worry. "Now, go upstairs and take a long, hot bath to soothe those ribs. Then, we will get you ready. You look beautiful in that blue dress, and tonight, you will hold your head high."

A few hours later, the preparation was complete. Leyala stared at her reflection in the full-length mirror. The simple, elegant dark blue dress hugged her curves, making her pale porcelain skin look almost luminous. Her silver hair had been brushed into soft, shimmering waves that caught the dim light of the bedroom. She looked like a woman ready to meet her destiny.

But inside, her soul remained completely silent. There was no growl, no scratch, no inner wolf preparing for the midnight shift.

Marcus stepped into the room, dressed in his formal Gamma leathers, his face filled with a father's pride. "The Black Ridge Pack is already gathering at the ridge, Leyala. The bonfire is lit. It's time to go."

Leyala took a deep, shaky breath, looking at her foster parents one last time. She forced a smile onto her face, hiding the deep, aching dread in her heart. Tonight, the masks would have to come off. She was going to the bonfire to watch the boy she loved claim his true future, while she remained invisible in the shadows.