The Alpha boys have already shifted into wolves because they shifted outside on the patio while most of the students are shifting in their rooms, like Seth and me.

We shifted one by one, like we were instructed to do. Then we went along to see the academy staff for tagging, putting the tracking collars on our wolves. It is a large undertaking with so many students at once, but that is what makes it fun as well.

The larger wolves, the Alphas, kept on flexing their muscles and showing dominance. Meanwhile, I had my eye on an Alpha who did not shift in underwear outside. He came from his floor already shifted.

Our wolves glanced at each other on the busy patio, crawling with other wolves of all shapes, fur colors, and sizes. The only way to even distinguish each other is by scent. The lucky thing about werewolves is that even if we have never seen their wolf before, their scent is as distinguishable in human form as it is in animal skin.

I could scent Jayden even far away from me as we lined up to be collared. No student or employee left the academy without their wolf having been properly tagged. Several staff members were aiding in the process to speed things up.

Moments before we left, our wolves met and it touched me with its muzzle. My fur bristled when it grazed my skin delicately. I let out a low howl, content to have this moment with him. It was enough to get me pumped for the upcoming outing.

Headmaster Lockwood called our attention to explain how the run would take place. A squad of the Academy's Security Officers in wolf form will be at the front of the students and another at the back. The Alphas would go first, then Betas, Gammas, and Omegas but we would all run together, closely.

Close to two hundred wolves left the Academy property through its large open gates. It was a scene scary enough to frighten anyone who would come across us, impossible to pull off if it was not for the privacy the Colorado mountains afford us.

Seth and I were together with the other Omegas, this being the first time either of us saw each other in wolf forms. It's exhilarating to have this opportunity to be one with our wolf form, close to our classmates.

Our wolves ran free across the forests, scaring any wildlife in the process. I am reminded of that scene from 'The Lion King' where the hyenas scare off a pack of buffalos or something like that, just before Mufasa dies.

The Alphas are driven to show off their superiority by running faster, but the wolves at the front slow them down with occasional growls. We are not meant to be apart otherwise we'd lose our superiority in numbers. Right now not even the most powerful pack of the country would dare to attack us. Not with this many wolves together at once.

We came across a small creek after a long run, that is where we made a pause. It is forbidden for any student to shift back into human form during the run - there are no clothes to cover our bodies here, therefore we should not be nude in public - so we play near the water with each other in wolf form. Seth managed to dip into the water for just a little while, as did many other wolves.

We also had a much needed drink. After the marathon to get here, we needed to replenish ourselves. Far from me, the Alphas teased each other every chance they got, as if trying to exert dominance over the other. Get over yourselves, boys. Come on!

One of the Academy's Security Officers in wolf form howled at us to go back, so the other officers helped line us again for the way back. Time flies when we are running in wolf form, but we must have covered a lot of ground. Wolves are very fast runners.

Seth nudged me to come along as we departed. Being that we were the last wolves to go, I had another drink of water before I joined him in the formation. Here we go again, feeling the wind in our furs as we race across the grass, dodging the trees and fallen branches in the process. It feels so good...

Being a town werewolf, I did not have many opportunities to go on a wolf run. My old pack in Boulder organized an annual run, but it was not mandatory. It was mostly for adults. Teenagers had parties instead, taking whatever chance they could to stay unsupervised.

Whenever someone threatened to leave the formation, an academy wolf would growl at them to go back. They cannot afford to lose any student, much less sons and daughters of such important families. But the only ones brave enough to fool around were the Alphas, unsurprisingly.

But they were prepared for this, that is why the officers came along. They are just as scary as Headmaster Lockwood when they want to be. I would not risk being left behind for one million dollars. Not alone, anyway.

After what it felt like hours, we finally were nearing the Academy. Headmaster Lockwood was there to welcome us back at the gate. The formation stayed strong while almost two hundred wolves ran back to school.

As the Alphas entered the academy first, the rest of us were slowly walking towards the gate when we were surprised by a bunch of rogues coming at us out of nowhere. They were probably hidden in the woods, having disguised their scents to not be detected.

They targeted specifically us Omegas, who are naturally smaller than other wolves, and more susceptible to being captured. In wolf forms, three of them snuck up on us and grabbed an Omega each, including Seth. I narrowly escaped their grasp.

While this was happening, the security officers who were accompanying us immediately darted for the attack but there were other rogues ready to defend those who captured us. It was a planned strike, but I am baffled to see them attempting something like this so close to Ravenwood.

At the same time, we howled for help and all the Alpha students came rushing back along with the security officers. Seth and the other two Omegas that were captured struggled to break free of the larger wolves that had their teeth sunk into their fur and skin. My wolf winced in pain at seeing my roommate bleed as he tried to escape his captor's grasp.

They tried to escape as quickly as they could with the three Omegas, but it was impossible to escape an overwhelming amount of wolves that came after them. Bleeding, the three Omegas were badly bruised but still, their captors preferred to kill them than to surrender them back to us.

Skylar charged ahead with a dozen of his classmates, leaving no time for anyone to kill his brother. They narrowly escaped the killing bite once the rogues were overrun by Alphas rabidly trying to protect the Omegas and strike them down.

It was an all out embroil. A bunch of wolves were entangled as we could barely identify who was the rogue and who was the student or security officer, except for the tag around their necks. Eventually, all seven rogues were eviscerated by raging Alphas who did not hesitate to go for the kill.

Human form officers came and took the three badly bruised Omegas inside the Academy, straight to the infirmary. A doctor was called, but for now, a school nurse attended to the three Omegas. I was so worried for my friend. Students struggled to organize themselves to shift back into humans. Only Skylar went straight ahead to the infirmary and stayed with his brother.

Someone would bring him clothes as he waited for the nurse to treat Seth and the other Omegas who were nearly killed. Meanwhile, Headmaster Lockwood urged the students to return to their dorms, shift back into human form, and take a shower just as planned.

Obviously, no one wanted or could shift into a human right there on the patio. I waited for my time in the long line back to my dorm. The Alpha wolves were all disturbed by this event, especially Skylar considering how much he loves his brother. He may be misguided at times, he may not be my fan, but no one can say he doesn't love his brother very much.

I know he was completely distraught by this.

Security officers dealt with the remains of the rogues and conducted a sweep of the nearby area, but found no other wolves. Lockwood called the parents of the students who got injured as it was his duty as the head of the academy. The gates remained closed for the day, except for the deliveries which were previously scheduled.

It was already lunchtime at the academy and all the students talked about nothing else except for this unprovoked attack this close to Ravenwood. This was as bold as suicidal, but very troubling for everybody. I could not go see my friend for the time being, so I went to the dining hall as scheduled. Skylar was absent as predicted.

All of us were hungry after this morning's marathon, so we had to eat lunch. But the academy was in uproar with worried talks. After lunch, we were instructed to wait inside the Stronghold Hall for updates.

It would take close to an hour for Headmaster Lockwood to appear. Since today is a national holiday, teachers are off for the extended weekend. Only those who remained in the estate are with him on the stage.

"Hello. I appreciate your patience at this troubling time. I understand you must be worried about your classmates, so I am relieved to report that they all have been treated by a doctor and they are in recovery. It is unlikely that their wounds are life-threatening at this point, but they are being observed in the medical ward." Headmaster Lockwood started, much to our relief.

I breathed out a sigh, incredibly worried about Seth's health. And the other two Omegas.

"Unfortunately, due to the nature of our academy, we are a target for people with nefarious motives. They mean to take our prestigious students for Goddess knows what reasons. Thankfully, they have never succeeded and they never will." He spoke with pride in his tone, though he was respectful, somber.

"We have built this academy to offer you a safe place to prepare for your future and make the best match possible. You can sleep safely tonight because these walls have protected thousands of students before and will continue to protect you tomorrow. I give you my word that we are taking all necessary precautions to ensure your safety. I am committed to this and I would lay down my life to protect any student." He said, passionately.

"Trust me when I say this, your safety is of the highest priority for me. My grandson is a student of this Academy and I will die before I let anyone harm him or anybody else, for that matter. Unfortunately, they saw a vulnerability today. Nobody expected that they would attack us this close to the academy. I take full responsibility for this and I can only strive to earn back your trust." He said, misty-eyed.

I understand it takes a lot to move the old Alpha, but today was not a usual day. This is bad. They nearly captured three students a few feet from the Academy. How did no one see this coming? They waited for the Alphas to enter and knew exactly what they were after and how to grab us.

It was so fast, it was overwhelming. I was right beside Seth when he was grabbed. It could have been any of us Omegas.

"You are dismissed, but nobody is allowed to go into town today. We are in lockdown until we can better assess the threat." He concluded, deeply disturbed by all this.

Jayden approached me as we exited the auditorium. We haven't talked since we returned from the run. With everything that happened, I was too preoccupied to even look for him.

"I cannot tell you how relieved I am that you are okay. I am so sorry for your friends." He told me, feeling bad about the situation.

"Thank you. I just hope to be able to see Seth today. They haven't allowed anyone other than Skylar inside the medical ward. I hate to ask you this, but is there anything that you can do? I don't want to impose, but it's an emergency." I pleaded with him, considering he is a Lockwood.

Jayden looked at me with pity in his eyes. He felt bad about the situation and he knows how much I care about my roommate, for one. It seems as if I have been friends with Seth all my life instead of a week. It is silly to say this, but I really am worried about him.

"I cannot make any promises, okay? But I'll see what I can do. I have never seen my grandfather so distraught like this, apart from when his mate died." He said, troubled.

Most of the students returned to their rooms after the assembly or stayed in the common areas. I am sure lots of them were planning on going out, but that is no longer an option. Understandably so.

I waited in the library on the fourth floor while Jayden talked to whoever he could to secure me a passage to the medical ward in the third tower. Unlike normal schools, the academy's infirmary was not an open door where students came as they pleased to talk to the nurse.

The nurse's office is inside a closed door in the third tower. Werewolves rarely get sick, so the only concern she had was to provide prophylactics to the general population or to talk to the students about contraceptive options. You can make an appointment to see her, only then a security officer swipes you inside the building.

"I can take you to see him, just for five minutes. His parents are flying from Texas to see him." Jayden came to deliver the great news later that day.

"Perfect. Thank you, I really appreciate this." I said, getting up from my seat. Hardly anyone came here unless there was a specific assignment, but the library has very interesting books to read about our history.

Jayden walked with me to the third tower where an officer saw us together and swiped us in. Once we were inside, it was easy enough to find the medical ward on the first floor. This is not your run of the mill nurse's office. There was a proper medical ward with beds and hospital equipment. Not like an I.C.U but way better than my old high school.

The three Omegas were lying on the beds recuperating. A doctor was on sight overseeing things as was the academy nurse. She recognized Jayden and smiled at him.

"Good afternoon, Brenda. I brought a visitor today. Is that okay?" He greeted her with a polite smile and I did the same, smiling at her.

"Sure." She replied, not exactly sounding confident about her permission.

Immediately, I approached Seth's bed. Skylar was beside him, sitting on a chair, holding his hand and looking worried for his brother who was awake and pleased to see me. I asked him how he was feeling.

We talked for a moment. He didn't look too bad, but I know most of his injuries are on his back which is covered by bandages now.

"I am so sorry for everything. I cannot begin to put into words how horrible I've been feeling. I was worried sick about you." I told him, feeling some kind of survivor's remorse.

"Nobody could have expected this would happen so close to Ravenwood. They got complacent for one minute then..." He commented, aching.

I am so happy to see him well. But this is a lot to absorb from a simple run.

A|N: BOOM!

What a close call, huh?

Fasten your seatbelts, the Alphas are coming!

What happens next is not expected by anybody.

It's called "There will be".

Love,

Léo.