The Alpha Princess and Her Enemy

Aftermath

Wrenna POV

The applause roared as Principal Lopez called their names. Wrenna’s heart was still hammering, but she lifted her chin, shoulders squared. An Alpha didn’t falter. Not for betrayal. Not for heartbreak.

As she approached the stage, Brad joined her, walking at her side. She didn’t even acknowledge him. Neither of them spoke, but his presence was heavy at her side.

The Principal handed them both a mic, beaming.

Wrenna’s grip on the microphone tightened when Brad spoke first—doing the lines they’d agreed on.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to this fine event,” he smiled that signature roguish grin of his, “Wrenna and I are honored to be the Valedictorians this year. A shared spot, but what else could you expect with not one, but two geniuses?” the crowd chuckled.

Wrenna stood motionless, the crowd staring up at her expectantly. It wasn’t until Brad nudged her, that she remembered it was her turn to speak.

“Yes, welcome. We,” she said, her tone sharp enough to cut glass, “are honored to be here. When Principal Lopez asked us to do this, we were hesitant at first…” She let her gaze sweep the crowd before landing, deliberately, on Brad.

“But we agreed. Because Alphas keep their word. Some… better than others.”

Brad’s jaw ticked, but the crowd, oblivious, chuckled politely at what they thought was a joke.

For half a second, her mind betrayed her — his lips on her skin, the rasp of his voice in the dark: “This weekend, I’m yours.”

She blinked hard, forcing the memory down. Her smile tightened.

“St. Augustine’s Prep is a school of prestige that accepts everyone for who they are, rather than what they can contribute….”

Wrenna’s thoughts kept trailing off, but somehow, she’d made it through the speech—even chuckling every time Brad made a joke and smiling at all the right moments.

When she handed her mic back to the principal, she’d hoped to escape into the crowd, head back to her parents and granddad. She could feel Brad at her back, trying to catch up with her when—

“Wrenna, wait, we still need a picture of you and Brad. We can’t not have one with the two Valedictorians, right?” One of the teachers that was in charge of the organization chuckled at her own joke, pushing the photographer towards them.

Wrenna smiled coldly, while Brad stood next to her. She sidestepped a little, trying not to breathe in his scent—the scent she’d gotten so used to that past weekend.

The photographer lifted her camera.

“You two look so rigid, loosen up!” the teacher chided. “Go on, Brad, put an arm around her.”

Wrenna’s spine locked, but she didn’t move away as Brad’s arm slid around her waist. His palm rested against her hip, hot and too familiar. She forced her lips into a smile, the kind that looked perfect for pictures but felt like shards of glass in her mouth.

The scent of him—cedar, smoke, that masculine heat she’d drowned in all weekend—wrapped around her like a trap. She stared dead ahead at the camera, refusing to look at him.

“Closer,” the photographer urged.

Brad’s grip tightened. For the briefest second, his thumb brushed over her waist like he couldn’t help himself. Wrenna’s jaw ticked. Against her will, her eyes flicked up at him.

He was already looking at her. Something unguarded flashed across his face—regret, apology, want. She couldn’t tell. But it was there, and that hurt worse than anything.

The camera clicked.

Wrenna jerked away the moment the flash died, her smile gone. She stepped away from Brad, but he grabbed her wrist—stopping her.

“Wrenna, please, listen, I can expla—”

“I don’t want anything from you,” she snapped, yanking free. “You’re nothing but a liar, Bradley Blackbriar. That’s all you’ll ever be.”

“It’s not what it looks like. Wrenna, please.” His voice cracked, desperate. And damn her heart—it clenched anyway. She almost wavered, almost let him explain. When he took another sharp move towards her, he sucked in a deep breath, his face twisting in pain, his hand darting to his ribs.

“Are you o—” Wrenna began asking.

“Babe, your father is looking for you.” Sienna appeared at his side, slipping her hand into the crook of his arm, pressing in close.

Her eyes raked over Wrenna from head to toe, sharp and gleeful. “Why are you wasting your time on her?”

Brad’s jaw tightened. “I—”

“We’re done here,” Wrenna cut him off, her voice steady even as her chest ached.

She stormed back to her family, forcing her steps to stay proud and even. Her father smiled, oblivious, but Veronica’s sharp eyes caught the storm beneath the surface. She pulled Wrenna a little aside and pressed a small white paper bag into her hand.

“The pack doctor asked me to give you this,” Veronica said quietly. Wrenna braced for judgment—but none came. Veronica’s expression was calm, even conspiratorial, as she added, “Let’s not tell your father.”

“What’s that?” Brax asked, glancing at the bag Wrenna shoved quickly into her purse.

“Women’s business,” Veronica replied smoothly, winking at Wrenna.

The rest of the day went by in a whirlwind of emotions. Wrenna was constantly crowded by teachers praising her for her accomplishments, students saying their goodbyes and her Siren’s, making plans to meet up over the summer.

But she barely registered any of it—her thoughts kept returning to Brad.

Every time her eyes unvoluntary found him in the crowd, Sienna was touching him or kissing him—making her stomach churn. He wasn’t actively doing either to her, but still, he wasn’t pushing her away. No, he’d brought her here as if what they had done this entire weekend was just some fling. And maybe it was.

It seemed so silly. She’d hated him all her life, and just one kiss was enough to have butterflies fluttering in her stomach. How did one even fall in love over a weekend?! Though when she thought about it, she had always found him attractive—even though his personality had been s**t.

But over the weekend, she’d seen an entirely different side of him—a side she didn’t hate. At all.

“There you are,” her father smiled as he approached. “Just in case I haven’t said it enough, I’m so proud of you, pumpkin.” He pulled her into a hug and kissed her forehead, and Wrenna basked in the safety of his strong arms.

“Ready to go home?”

“Yes, let’s go home.” Wrenna smiled. It was time to let go of high school, time for family and friends back in the pack, but mostly, time to let go of this silly crush she had on Brad Blackbriar.

At least, that’s what she told herself.

“Come on, Wren, we’re going to be late!” Callie shouted as they bolted across campus.

They’d only arrived at Alpha College yesterday, after a summer spent swimming, sunbathing, and crying into tubs of ice cream while watching sappy romance movies. Her unit had carried her through it—literally. More than once she’d woken up to find all three of them crammed into her bed after she’d cried herself to sleep.

Yeah, it was ridiculous. She was a Goddess-damned Alpha. But the heart wants what it wants.

And this morning? She’d lost precious time before her very first class trying to find something to wear. Nothing fit right anymore. Weeks of lounging around in swimwear and sweatpants, eating junk and barely lifting a finger, had caught up with her. She’d only gotten out of bed for the duties her father had expected of her, as for the rest—Damian had stepped up, covering her responsibilities without complaint.

So far, she hadn’t run into Brad, which was a relief.

“You aren’t thinking about Brad, are you?” Callie whispered as they entered the building, walking toward the aula.

“Brad who?” she smiled, but her smile faltered when they entered the classroom and Brad was the first person her eyes landed on. Wrenna froze, like a deer caught in headlights, before clearing her throat and following Callie to an empty seat.

The aula was larger than she’d expected, tiered rows of desks filled with Alphas and Betas from every corner of the country. The Council had made this course mandatory. Domestic Dynamics, it was called—because even Alphas needed to understand the Luna’s duties, and Betas had to know how to support them.

“Without balance,” the professor began, “packs fracture. The Luna’s role is not ornamental—it is essential. She is the heart of the household, the one who tempers the Alpha’s fire with reason, with care. Some of you may find this tedious, but it is as important as any battle tactic.”

Wrenna crossed her legs, resisting the urge to snort. She could already hear Killian mocking this later.

A hand shot up from a row of boys in front. “Professor, why even bother putting Alpha heirs through this? Shouldn’t the women be focusing on Luna duties, and the men on Alpha training?”

Laughter rippled through the class.

The professor’s eyes narrowed. “Because not all Alphas are men.” His gaze slid pointedly to Wrenna—and to the other Alpha female in the room.

“Or,” Brad drawled from two rows up, not bothering to raise his hand, “because some Alphas are better suited to Luna duties anyway. Saves their packs the embarrassment when they crack under pressure.”

The laughter doubled.

Callie bristled beside her. “He’s talking about you.”

“I know.” Wrenna’s lips curved into a smile that promised blood. She raised her hand, but didn’t wait to be called on.

“Or,” she said sweetly, “because some Alphas repeat a year of school, and the Council wants to make sure they understand the basics.”

The laughter this time was louder—and not in Brad’s favor. His jaw ticked.

But then his gaze slid back to her, sharp and burning, and for just a second she saw it—the flicker of something unguarded. Regret. Want. Hurt. Then it was gone, smothered under his smirk.

“Touché, Princess,” he said smoothly, leaning back in his chair. “Careful though. That sharp little mouth of yours might get you into trouble one day.”

Her wolf growled low. Wrenna leaned forward, her voice low but carrying. “Or it might put arrogant Alphas in their place.”

The professor cleared his throat loudly, snapping the tension. “Enough. This is not a sparring ring. Mr. Blackbriar, Miss Dravenwood—if you want to settle personal rivalries, do it outside my classroom.”

Wrenna forced her eyes away, jotting down notes she didn’t care about, her pulse still thrumming. Brad was silent again, but she could feel his stare drilling into her back.

--

Wrenna rolled her eyes when she and Killian stepped into War Strategy and nearly bumped right into Brad and his Delta.

“Watch it, Princess. Wouldn’t want you to get a booboo,” Brad drawled, his grin widening as the other men chuckled.

Once! She’d cried once — when they were five and she’d run headfirst into him. But hey, she’d left a mark on his forehead too, not that he ever mentioned that part. Asshole!

Before she could bite back, Killian smirked Brad’s way “Yeah, careful, Blackbriar. Wouldn’t want you to scrape a knee. Mommy’s not here to kiss it better.”

The laughter flipped, a few snorts aimed Brad’s way this time. His jaw ticked.

Wrenna smirked, tugging Killian toward the front row. In front, where she belonged.

Certain classes were mandatory for Alphas and parts of their unit—and since Ezra was to be Wrenna’s future war general, seeing as he was the Delta—he had this class as well.

“Thanks,” she said under her breath. Killian pretended to tip his invisible hat at her. Goddess, why oh why did she have to keep running into Brad! Why did he flunk a year! Why had her favorite pink shirt shrunken in the wash?! All questions she had now answers too.

It didn’t take long for class to start—and for them to get into the thrill of battle.

“…then lead the men to this point,” Brad pointed out on the map on the large table where everyone stood around, placing the pawn in the center of the battle, “and then I’d win.” He smirked.

A few of the other Alphas surrounding him slapped him on the shoulder, while Brad crossed his arms and grinned as if he’d won some kind of prize.

The teacher was about to intervene, when Wrenna opened her mouth.

“But…if you do that, you open yourself up wide to be taken down, here,” she pointed at the map, “and even here if they were to come through the forest.” She raised an eyebrow, hands on her hips Brad’s smile faltered, she was about to speak, but she cut him off.

“And what’s to say they don’t have witches? They could even open a portal. So no, you wouldn’t leave yourself so vulnerable.”

“Hmm, interesting, Wrenna. How would you proceed?” Professor Riverwood asked.

“Well, I,” she said, taking the pawn Brad had placed onto the map, and putting it back at its starting point. “Would split up my army, send men through here, and here, then, while my team is fighting, we could surround the enemy, while also sticking close to the treeline—avoiding any threats from behind.”

“That is indeed a far better strategy. Well done, Alpha.” The Professor spoke. Goddess, you should have seen the look on Brad’s face.

“Beautiful and Smart, that’s not a quality you often see in Alpha’s daughters,” a voice from behind her said. Wrenna turned and stared into the most beautiful eyes she’d ever seen. They were green with little brown spots.

“Wrenna Dravenwood,” she smiled flirtatiously.

“Soren Dunn,” he replied, taking her hand and smiling handsomely. Wrenna’s eyes darted to the dimple in his cheek. She liked dimples.

“You’re Damon’s son, and your mother is a polar bear,” it wasn’t a question. Soren’s smile only widened. “Don’t let him hear you say that. My father is all about titles, and yes…my mother is a bear, making me a hybrid…and you know what they say about bears,” he winked.

“Stop hogging Alpha Wrenna,” another voice cut in, smooth and confident.

She turned and found herself looking at Cassian Hatchett. Gabriel Hatchett’s cousin, if she remembered right. Witch blood in his line, though he carried himself like any Alpha heir.

“Cassian Hatchett,” Wrenna smiled, as he slid her hand into his before kissing the back of it.

“I see my reputation precedes me,” he winked. “And I bet you wouldn’t mind going to a frat party tomorrow night with me?”

“Are you always this presumptuous?” Wrenna crooked an eyebrow, but a thrill ran up her spine. He knew what he wanted and went for it. She liked that—a lot.

As if on cue, Soren leaned closer too, clearly unwilling to let Cassian take the lead. Another boy laughed from behind them, tossing in some comment about how “Wrenna should pick a real Alpha.”

Wrenna rolled her eyes as the boys started circling. Goddess, it was like throwing meat to wolves. But that was the curse of Alphas—only another Alpha could scratch their itch. Anyone else just left them restless. Bar their mates, of course.

Her eyes flicked instinctively across the table.

Brad wasn’t smirking anymore. He was glaring. Fury darkened his gaze, his hands fisting at his sides. The sight sent a smug rush straight through her veins.

Perfect. She was going to crush him in every single class they had together.

--

By the time she collapsed onto her bed, the vow still echoed in her head. But Goddess, the first few classes had drained her harder than she expected.

“I need something sweet,” she groaned. Too lazy to drag herself to the campus dining hall, she perked up when she remembered the stash of candy she’d shoved into her purse before graduation. Untouched all summer—it should still be there.

She dug inside, fingers brushing familiar wrappers—until they closed around a crisp white paper bag.

Her eyes widened. Oh f**k. Oh f**k. Oh—