A Love Story With Alpha

My name is Ingrid, and I’m the queen bee of a high school. There’s not a single soul here who doesn’t know my name. With my gang of girlfriends, we roam the campus like we own it, and no one dares to cross us—not even the teachers, who keep their distance. While other girls were lining up on the sports field to confess their love to the bad boys, I was already notorious for hanging out with them. This earned me a reputation that left me isolated and schemed against by other girls. For a while, I absolutely hated those bad boys—and the backstabbing girls even more. But now? I’ve long given up trying to please the world. I live loud and bold, owning the swagger of the "bad girl" lifestyle. Like now, as I stand here, I can feel the eyes of the crowd glued to me. “What’re you staring at? Never seen a beauty before?” I shout. My voice scatters the onlookers instantly. Some duck their heads and hurry away, though a few can’t help sneaking a second glance as they flee. I don’t care what they think. Wiping the blood from the corner of my mouth, I look down at Xiongba, sprawled on the ground like a dog. His muddy sportswear is a mess, and his face is swollen like a r****h. I chuckle, a mix of exasperation and satisfaction bubbling up. “Full recovery, baby.” “Ingrid, are you even a woman? Could you go any easier on me?” Xiongba growls through gritted teeth. “Why don’t you ask yourself if you’re even a man? With those flimsy arms and legs, and you still dare to bully the weak? Learn how to be a decent person!” I lecture him, righteous indignation in my tone as I ruffle the hair of the younger boy beside me. His greasy locks almost make me grimace. “Ha! Like you’re any better. Look at yourself! What gives you the right to preach to me?” Xiongba retorts, full of defiance. “What’s wrong with me? I don’t do anything bad. Sure, I skip a few classes and maybe snack on egg pancakes during lessons…” My voice trails off as I notice the younger boy staring at me in confusion, and I feel a pang of awkwardness. I roll up my sleeves, ready to beat Xiongba again. “Alright, alright! You just want money, don’t you? Fine! I took seven bucks and twenty-five cents from him. It’s all yours!” Xiongba reluctantly pulls out a crumpled wad of cash and shoves it into my hand. I take the money, wave him off dismissively, and without hesitation, pocket the cash. “Big sister, that’s my money,” the younger boy tugs at my sleeve pitifully. “I know, I know. You think I’d actually keep your money?” I laugh awkwardly, handing it back to him. “Next time, don’t carry so much cash around. If you run into someone like Xiongba, you’ll be in trouble.” The boy walks away happily, but as I watch his retreating figure, I can’t help feeling a bit annoyed. “Not even a tip?!” I sigh, scattering the remaining onlookers and preparing to head home. Looking up, I notice the darkening sky, heavy with gray clouds that threaten to unleash a downpour at any moment. “Nine Steps Street,” I read aloud from a street sign, wandering into a familiar alley. When I was a kid, this place had a few stores with slot machines. With some spare change in my pocket, I figured I’d try my luck and kill some time. But the alley looks different now—high walls, intricate eaves, and clean cobblestone paths stretching deep into the unknown. It feels completely out of place compared to the outside world. I freeze. Did I take the wrong turn, or was this alley remodeled? Curiosity gets the better of me, and I keep walking. Turning corner after corner, I realize something’s wrong. Every path looks identical, down to the tiny gutters along the walls. I’m lost. The dim light makes the surroundings eerie, and the growing darkness sends a chill down my spine. I can’t help but recall the old tales of fox spirits and ghosts haunting alleys. My palms start sweating. Just as I decide to turn back, a deep, raspy breath echoes behind me, followed by the sound of heavy footsteps. It feels like some massive creature is approaching. Fox spirit? Ghost?! My heart tightens, and I can’t stop myself from glancing back. In the dim alley, a shadowy figure seems to move. Hesitant, I debate whether to investigate when suddenly, a huge beast with crimson fur lunges at me, its sharp fangs glinting menacingly. “Holy—!” I yelp, ducking just in time as the creature leaps over my head, wind whipping past me. Before I can catch my breath, an even larger beast slams me to the ground. What the—?! Did the zoo let all the animals out today?! The monster sniffs my face, its hot breath freezing me in place. I open my eyes and meet a pair of dark, piercing eyes—so sharp they seem to cut through me. “S-Spare me!” I stammer, my voice trembling. “That trick of feigning innocence to escape worked well—you even fooled me, the leader,” a deep, magnetic voice rumbles.