Windsor's POV
The man at the podium smiled, his teeth gleaming white under the spotlight. He looked like he'd stepped off the cover of a business magazine, with silver hair that caught the light and a suit that probably cost more than my family's car.
"Good evening, students. I am Headmaster Toby Sinclair, and I want to personally welcome each and every one of you to what will undoubtedly be the most transformative years of your lives."
Pauline leaned over and whispered in my ear. "He's going to talk forever. Sinclair loves the sound of his own voice."
I tried to focus on the headmaster's words, but my mind was spinning from everything Pauline had told me about factions and Alphas. The magnitude of what I didn't know was overwhelming.
"Apex Vanguard Academy has stood as a beacon of excellence for generations," Sinclair continued, his voice carrying easily through the massive hall. "Here, you will not simply learn. You will discover who you are meant to become."
"Blah, blah, blah," Pauline muttered under her breath. "This is your chance to learn what really matters."
She shifted closer to me, keeping her voice low. "Listen carefully, Windsor. The faction system isn't just about school politics. It's about survival. If you don't align yourself with a strong Alpha, you'll be treated like trash. Ignored, bullied, excluded from everything that matters."
My stomach twisted. "What do you mean, treated like trash?"
"I mean students who don't have Alpha protection get pushed around, denied opportunities, sometimes even physically harmed. The academy turns a blind eye to it because they believe in the hierarchy. Strength rules here."
On stage, Sinclair was still talking about tradition and excellence, but his words felt hollow now. This place wasn't about education. It was about power.
"Each Alpha is different," Pauline continued, her eyes fixed on the stage. "They have different reputations, different expectations, different benefits. You need to understand who they are before you make your choice."
"But how do I even get an Alpha to accept me?" I whispered back.
"That's the real challenge. They don't take just anyone. You have to prove your worth somehow. Intelligence, skill, connections, or..." She trailed off, looking uncomfortable.
"Or what?"
"Other qualities they might find valuable."
I didn't like the way she said that, but before I could ask more questions, Sinclair' voice rose with obvious excitement.
"And now, students, it is my honor to introduce this year's faction leaders. These exceptional young Alphas represent the very best of what Apex Vanguard Academy produces."
The crowd stirred with anticipation, and I felt my heart rate spike. These were the four people who would determine my fate at this school.
"First, representing the East faction, please welcome Gideon Ashworth."
A tall, lean figure walked across the stage with confident, measured steps. He had black hair and wore black-rimmed glasses that somehow made him look more intimidating rather than scholarly. His presence commanded attention without him having to say a word.
"Gideon is known for his strategic mind," Pauline whispered. "His intelligence is supposedly out of this world. He approaches everything like a chess game, including relationships. He’s pragmatic to a fault, and a lot of students try to get on his ‘waitlist’ to gain his favor and the points that come with it."
The crowd applauded politely as Gideon took his position on stage. His expression was cool and calculating as he surveyed the audience, and I had the unsettling feeling that he was cataloging every face he saw.
"Next, from the South faction, Logan Havenbrook."
I recognized him immediately. The blonde guy from my encounter outside the dorm. He moved with the easy confidence of someone who'd never doubted his place in the world, flashing a brilliant smile at the crowd as he walked.
"Logan's the definition of a playboy," Pauline said, and I could hear the disapproval in her voice. "Rich, charming, and completely shameless about it. His family has serious money and influence, which makes him powerful beyond just his Alpha status."
As if he could hear us talking about him, Logan winked at a group of cheering girls in the front rows. Several of them nearly fainted on the spot.
"He's popular with certain crowds," Pauline added dryly.
My palms were getting sweaty as I waited for the next introduction. I already knew who it would be, and I wasn't ready to see him.
"Representing the West faction, Weston Blake."
The applause was thunderous as my ex-mate walked onto the stage. He looked exactly the same as always, all broad shoulders and easy confidence. His smile was the one that had made me fall for him in the first place, warm and genuine-looking.
Or at least, I'd thought it was genuine.
My hands clenched into fists in my lap as I watched him wave to the crowd like some kind of celebrity. The rage that bubbled up in my chest was immediate and fierce.
"Weston is considered the most reliable of the four," Pauline was saying. "He has a reputation for being kind and strong, someone you can count on to keep his word and protect his people."
I nearly choked. Kind? Reliable? Keep his word?
The same Weston who had been sleeping with my best friend behind my back for years? The same Weston who had rejected me like I was nothing more than an inconvenience?
"Are you okay?" Pauline asked, noticing my expression.
"Fine," I managed through gritted teeth.
"You look like you want to murder someone."
"Just listening," I said, but my voice came out strained.
On stage, Weston was still soaking up the adoration of the crowd. He looked more muscular than I remembered, probably from whatever training regimen the Alphas followed. Part of me hated that I still noticed.
"And finally," Sinclair announced, his voice rising with obvious anticipation, "the Alpha we've all been waiting for. Representing the North faction, Zion Hansen."
The crowd erupted. The applause was deafening, accompanied by cheers and what sounded like actual screaming from some of the female students. Even Pauline was clapping enthusiastically beside me.
"He's everyone's best bet," she said, raising her voice to be heard over the noise. "If you could get into the North faction, you'd be set for life."
I craned my neck to see over the crowd as a figure emerged from the wings. Dark brown hair caught the stage lights, and even from this distance, I could make out striking gray eyes that seemed to take in everything at once.
The cheering grew even louder as he moved across the stage with fluid, controlled movements. He didn't wave or smile like the others had. He simply walked to his position with an air of quiet confidence that somehow commanded more respect than all the showmanship in the world.
"He's gorgeous," Pauline sighed. "And powerful. And completely untouchable for someone like me."
But I wasn't listening to her anymore. As the spotlights fully illuminated the stage, I got my first clear look at Zion Hansen's face.
My heart stopped.
A small gasp escaped my lips as recognition hit me like a physical blow.
The Alpha of the North, the most powerful student at Apex Vanguard Academy, was the same man I'd crashed into at the academy entrance.