The True Alpha of Lupine (Seraphina and Ronan) novel Chapter 220

SERAPHINA

Chapter 220: The Empty Seat

A strange, unsettling sensation curled deep within my chest, refusing to be ignored. I splashed cold water over my face repeatedly, hoping to wash away the unease, but it clung stubbornly, like a shadow I couldn’t shake. The earlier confrontation with Ryker had already left my nerves frayed, and now this new feeling gnawed at me—something was terribly wrong, though I couldn’t yet name it.

Stepping out of the restroom, the familiar corridors of the dormitory felt different, charged with tension. Suddenly, a sharp clang shattered the quiet, echoing through the entire Academy. The bell. Its clear, commanding ring was quickly followed by the deep, authoritative voice of Alpha Gideon.

“All Alphas are to assemble in the Grand Hall.”

Doors all around me burst open as the Alphas emerged from their rooms—some faces lit with excitement, others tight with anxiety, and a few whispering in confusion. “Is this finally the trial?” one asked eagerly.

“Yes! I’ve been waiting for this moment forever!” another exclaimed, their energy crackling through the air like static electricity.

My heart raced with a flicker of excitement, but that strange feeling from before quickly returned, dulling the thrill. This trial was the last hurdle before the final challenge—the one that would crown me. Once I passed, I thought, maybe the restless unease inside me would finally settle. That’s how it was supposed to end.

With that thought in mind, I moved toward the Grand Hall, joining the other Alphas, my eyes searching for Ronan. But he was nowhere to be found. Since he left Grace’s room, I hadn’t seen him.

I paused at the entrance where an Alpha Instructor stood, clipboard in hand, ticking off names as Alphas entered. When I reached him, he noted my name and closed his book. “Alpha, some Alphas are missing,” I said, hesitant at the threshold.

He looked up at me with a polite smile. “Everyone participating in the trial is present, Alpha Seth Darven.” Then, catching my meaning, he added, “If you mean Alpha Ronan, Asher, Finn, and Ryker, they are here as audience members. They’ll enter through separate doors.” He gestured for me to step inside.

I nodded, slipping into the hall with a swirl of mixed emotions. Audience? That was new. We’d never had spectators before.

My thoughts were abruptly cut short when I took in the scene before me. The Grand Hall had transformed—it resembled more a grand stadium than the familiar chamber I knew. Rows of figures dressed in black were already seated in the stands. Their presence was commanding, unmistakably werewolves, exuding power and dominance.

“What is all this…?” I murmured under my breath, eyes wide.

“Damn! They’re actually here!” whispered the Alpha beside me, voice trembling. “So the rumors were true!”

Others nearby exchanged shocked, awed glances, murmuring the same.

“What rumors?” I asked quietly.

The Alpha glanced around conspiratorially before leaning in. “You don’t know? When the Supreme Alpha throne is just within reach—only two steps away—they say the King’s Council comes to watch. Those men have authority beyond any of us. That man sitting there,” he nodded toward a stern figure, “that’s Elder Milton.”

I turned to look. The man was older, probably in his sixties, sitting with the calm pride of a king. His gaze swept over us slowly, unhurried but sharp.

“He was the Head of the Lupine Academy… twenty years ago,” the Alpha finished, voice low.

My breath caught. Twenty years ago? That meant—

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