Boorman studied her for a long second, his silver brows knitting together as if trying to read her soul. Then he scoffed softly.
“Hmph. This is a training field, not a playground,” he said. “Anyone who laughs again without permission will run fifty laps—alone.”
A loud gulp moved through the crowd.
“Yes, sir!” everyone answered at once.
Satisfied, Boorman turned and faced the entire field.
“Today is not ordinary training,” he announced. “This academy was built to separate the strong from the weak. Some of you will break today. Some of you will cry. Some of you may even beg to quit.”
His eyes swept across the students like blades.
“But those who remain standing,” he continued, “will take their first step toward becoming true Alphas.”
Rowan leaned toward Philipa and whispered, “I sudd
