Meeting Draven
948 Words
They stepped fully into the wide hall, and the pressure in the air grew heavier.
It felt like an invisible weight pressing down on everyone’s shoulders. Breathing became harder. Muscles tightened without warning. For a brief moment, the hall was completely silent.
Senior students were scattered everywhere—leaning against pillars, sitting on railings, standing with crossed arms. Their eyes were cold and sharp, filled with challenge and cruelty. Each gaze seemed to say the same thing:
Prove you belong here—or break.
It was not spoken, but it was clearly understood.
Then— Everything fell apart.
From behind Philipa and Rowan, legs suddenly gave out. Several new students collapsed to the floor with frightened cries. Others screamed and turned around, pushing and stumbling over each other as they ran toward the gate, completely frightened.
Philipa turned her head slightly, watching them flee in terror. Now she understood.
This was not normal intimidation from trained warriors.
This was a test of survival. Anyone without strong will or inner strength would be crushed by the combined pressure of the senior students’ auras.
Seconds passed. A silent battle raged in the hall.
Sweat rolled down Rowan’s face as he struggled to stay standing. His teeth clenched tightly, his legs shaking. Philipa felt it too—her knees trembled slightly, her chest tightened, and her wolf growled inside her, demanding to be released.
But she held on. Slowly, the seniors’ expressions changed.Some frowned in confusion.Others stared in disbelief. A few looked impressed.
One tall, muscular senior stepped forward. He looked Philipa up and down, then leaned closer and sniffed the air around her. A lazy grin spread across his face.
“Not bad,” he said. “Didn’t expect much from a skinny guy like you.”
Laughter broke out around him. Before Philipa could respond— Heavy footsteps echoed through the hall. Each step was slow and firm, filled with authority.
Instantly, everything went quiet.
The senior students reacted without thinking. Some stepped back quickly. Others pressed themselves further against the walls. Smiles vanished. Faces turned pale.
Then— A terrifying aura flooded the hall.
It crashed into Philipa like a violent wave.
Pain shot through her body. Her knees buckled, and she nearly fell. Clenching hers hands into fist, her wolf screamed inside her, struggling hard against the chains she forced upon it.
Rowan dropped to his knees. He gasped for air, his face soaked in sweat, his skin turning pale as he fought to stay under control.
From the far end of the hall, a tall figure walked forward. Broad shoulders, strong, deadly build. A face so handsome it was almost cruel to be his.
His sharp eyes glowed faintly as he frowned, and with every step he took, the pressure grew worse. Even some senior students groaned and three fell to their knees.
“Damn…” someone muttered weakly. “I still can’t get used to his aura.”
He stopped directly in front of Philipa, his eyes locked onto hers. For a moment, he simply stared.
Then his lips curved into a slow, confident smile. “Impressive.” The crushing pressure eased, and the heavy aura slowly faded.
But gasps of shock spread through the hall.
“Wait, what…?”
“He didn’t fall…”
“He stood against Draven!”
“That’s never happened before!”
“He’s strong—for someone who looks like that!” They whisper
Draven?. The name echoed loudly in Philipa’s mind.
“So,” he said calmly, his voice smooth and dangerous, “we have a new student?”
Philipa forced herself not to stare, though his presence was overwhelming. He felt like a storm waiting to destroy everything in its path.
He leaned closer, then he sniffed her. Inhaled an exhaled slowly.
Her heart slammed hard against her chest.
Did he smell it? Did he find out?
No one else had noticed her hidden scent—but the way his eyes narrowed made her skin crawl.
“You smell different,” Draven said quietly. “Not like other Alphas.”
He studied her carefully, “You must be hiding something” he said “Tell me your name, newbie.”
Something inside her snapped, and she scoffed loudly. Just like her arrogant brother Kaden. Are all men created just to be bullies?.
“I don’t answer to you,” she replied coldly. “You don’t look like one of the staff, so why should I tell you my name?”
The hall exploded with gasps.
“Alright, he insane!”
“He f*****g just challenged Draven!”
“Relax guys! He is a newbie, and knows nothing. Besides, it isn't bad if he wants to get killed on his first day!” And some chuckled.
Draven stared at her. Then—He laughed.
A low, pleased sound. “The stubborn type,” he said with interest. “I like that.” He stepped back, giving her space. The others looked shocked again.
Philipa straightened immediately. She turned to Rowan, who was still trembling badly. Grabbing his arm, she pulled him to his feet.
“Come on,” she said firmly. “We still need to register.” Rowan nodded weakly. They walked past Draven.
Behind them, his voice followed—amused and dark.“Welcome to Ashbourne, newbie,” he said. “Try to survive in here.”
Philipa didn’t look back. But one thing was clear— She just got the attention of the most strongest Alpha on her first day, who happens to be a bully in academy, and that was the most dangerous thing that could happen to anyone who wishes to survive quietly...
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