Mated to my Rival

Vanya's Roommate

Chapter 5

Vanya

“Here are your things,” the goblin said, handing me a neatly folded uniform, a schedule, and a brass room key.

I looked at the room number and winced. Room 69D? Seriously?

The goblin went on to explain that the dorms for Alpha candidates—especially those taking the Alpha Trials this year—were located outside the main campus. A secluded area. The training fields and hunting grounds were close by, meant to sharpen our skills without distraction.

I left the main building and started toward the dorms. But I didn’t even make it ten steps before something slammed into me with brutal force.

A ball—hard and fast—hit me square in the head. My vision swam with stars as I stumbled back and hit the ground, hard. My belongings scattered, my head throbbed, and rage bubbled up inside me like a volcano ready to erupt.

I pushed myself up, teeth gritted, and grabbed the ball that had hit me. It wasn’t a regular one—it was lined with steel under the rubber. Definitely not meant for fair play.

Then I heard laughter.

Looking up, I found myself surrounded by more than ten boys, all towering over me like giants.

“What a weakling,” one of them laughed. He had long, midnight-blue hair tied back, and the others chuckled along with him. All tall. Broad-shouldered. Alpha material.

My jaw clenched. Heat rushed to my cheeks. I didn’t say a word—I just squeezed the ball in my hands. It had air in it, but the steel lining resisted at first. I didn’t stop. My anger pushed me, and the ball gave way with a loud hiss as the air escaped. What remained was a flimsy, crumpled shell.

The laughter stopped.

I threw the now-useless ball back at the midnight-blue-haired guy. He caught it, and he didn’t look pleased.

The next moment, he shoved me hard in the chest. I staggered but kept my footing. The rest of his group closed in, surrounding me like wolves circling prey.

“Are you f*****g challenging me, fucker?” he growled, his eyes burning with fury. Clearly, he had a short fuse—and an even bigger ego.

“You think you’re strong, huh? Who the hell are you? I’ve never seen your girly face around,” another boy sneered—buzz-cut, broad, with a mocking smirk.

Then a third one snatched the ID card from my hand. “Vaughn Divinci,” he read aloud. “New recruit, mid-year?” His eyes lit up with amusement. “Signed up for the Alpha Trials?”

They all burst into laughter again.

“Buddy,” the buzz-cut guy said, stepping forward, “with that short and weak little body, you’re not going to last a week in training—let alone survive the Alpha Trials. Why don’t you go back to your tiny little pack and cry in your mama’s lap? You don’t belong here. Can you see him surviving the trials?” he shouted to the others.

They jeered in response.

I had dealt with bullies before. Nero back home had been ruthless. But something told me these guys would be ten times worse.

I looked around, sizing them up. Fighting here would be reckless. I had to be smarter. Not impulsive. I wasn’t here to win petty battles—I was here to win the battle.

“What do you want?” I asked, my voice steady despite the fire burning inside me.

The midnight-blue-haired guy laughed, dark and loud.

“Nothing much,” he said. “Just give me the ball. In the same shape it knocked you out. Hand it over, and we’ll leave.”

They all stepped closer, closing the circle.

I looked down at the crushed, flattened ball in my hand.

They knew I couldn’t give it back the way it was. That wasn’t the point.

They didn’t want the ball.

They wanted to see me break.

“What do you actually want? An apology?” I asked, keeping my tone calm. I’d dealt with narcissistic, egotistical people before. He wanted a reaction—but I wasn’t going to give him one.

“Why not, bud?” he shrugged casually. “Start by licking my feet. I think I could accept that as an apology.”

The others burst into laughter.

First day, and I’m already getting bullied.

I should’ve expected this. This place was designed to build the strong—but also the most ruthless.

I clenched my jaw and bent down. But instead of groveling, I reached into my boot and pulled out Nero’s dagger. I was done playing calm. I wasn’t going to let them humiliate me. If I backed down now, they’d never stop. I’d be their favorite punching bag.

I gripped the dagger, ready to shove it into his foot.

But before I could, someone moved with supernatural speed, grabbing my wrist and twisting it. The dagger dropped from my hand, clattering to the ground.

“This twisted motherfucker tried to stab me?” the midnight-blue-haired guy shouted. “I’ll break his damn bones!”

He stepped forward to attack, but the guy who held my wrist twisted it harder, making me wince in pain. I looked up—tall, blonde hair, green eyes, sharp features, and a very pissed-off expression.

He shoved the blue-haired guy in the chest. “Back off, Wilde. If the coach sees this, we’ll get nailed for bullying. We can’t afford that.”

“He tried to use a weapon, Kross!” Wilde snapped. “Weapons aren’t allowed unless given by the academy. This b***h can’t be an Alpha. Look at him. From what angle does he look like one of us? Must be some damn rogue—or mudblood.”

Then he spat near me. Just hearing him say that made my blood boil.

I didn’t hesitate—I kneed the blonde in the gut. His grip on me weakened. With rage blinding me, I lunged toward Wilde and shoved the dagger into his shoulder—deep and hard.

At least, that’s what I imagined doing.

In reality, Kross still had my wrist. His other hand was holding Wilde back. That moment of revenge had only happened in my head—but damn, it felt good just thinking about it.

But now, all of them stared at me like I was prey. I knew then—I wouldn’t just fail to blend in here. I’d be a walking target.

Kross looked at me with a judgmental glare that made me feel small. Then he let go of my wrist and picked up the dagger.

“Everyone, back to the grounds. Nothing happened here,” he commanded.

To my surprise, they all listened.

Alpha types don’t take orders easily... so why did they listen to him?

As they walked off, Wilde gave me a nasty smirk and slid his thumb across his neck, a threat. He stuck out his tongue, trying to be intimidating.

I smirked back and flipped him off.

Kross was still watching me. His green eyes were cold, unreadable, but something about him felt off. His veins were popping, muscles tight—on the outside, he looked calm, but I could tell he was holding something in.

And then he turned and walked away.

“Hey! Give me back my dagger!” I shouted after him.

He didn’t stop. Didn’t turn around. Didn’t say a word. I guessed he was taking it to the academy office, following protocol about unauthorized weapons.

Great.

Looks like I’ll meet hundreds of jerks like him when I sit on the Alpha throne.

Might as well consider them practice.

...

Later, once I got to my dorm and made sure I had privacy, I finally relaxed. I stripped off my clothes and let my girls breathe for a bit, just strolling around in my underwear.

After a shower, I returned to the room and looked around. It wasn’t bad. Big enough for two. Two beds, two desks, two cupboards, one shared changing space. Comfy enough. I figured I’d have a roommate.

That was a problem.

Keeping my identity a secret would be hard with someone around 24/7.

I sighed and got dressed again. Time to bind up. The binder was tight—it was going to take time to get used to this—but I didn’t have another choice. Just as I was about to pull on my oversized shirt, I heard the door handle shake.

My eyes widened.

Shit.

They must have a key too!

In a panic, I yanked on the shirt and quickly sat on the bed, trying to look casual.

I glanced up, not really caring who had walked in—probably just some random Alpha brat I’d have to deal with. I didn’t even bother moving at first.

But then I saw the height. The posture. The calm, collected energy that made the air shift.

I stood slowly, something in me already bristling.

He walked in like he owned the place, threw his bag on the empty bed like it belonged to him—and for a second, I held onto hope that it was just a illusion. That the universe wasn’t this cruel.

Then he looked at me.

Sharp green eyes. Blond hair. That face I already wanted to punch once today.

“You have got to be f*****g kidding me,” I muttered.

Of course. Out of everyone in this damned academy, my new roommate had to be him.

Kross.