Chapter 76. Confess

ARDEN

The gymnasium was so loud it felt like the floor trembled with every cheer. It was the grand finale of the Academy Wars.

Only five academies remained. The rest had been weeded out over the past few days. Now, the final round had begun—the Death Match.

The five schools sat on different podiums, each of us armed with a blank white board and markers in hand. The rules were simple: answer quickly and answer correctly. Get it wrong, and you’re out. No lifelines. No second chances.

I glanced to my left. Elias had his brows furrowed, arms crossed as he awaited the next question. Across the room, representatives from the other schools fidgeted.

The moderator stepped up to the mic. “Next question. In pack dynamics, what is the most effective method to strengthen a bond between alphas and betas in high-pressure missions?”

Pens flew across the boards.

I didn’t even have to think.

Shared vulnerability.

I scribbled it across the board i