Nene stood outside the training facility, arms crossed, staring at the large gates in front of her.
A Beta camp for young wolves raised in human environments.
That's what they called it.
But really?
It was just werewolf school.
And she was starting it under a fake name.
She pulled out her temporary ID badge, eyes narrowing at the name printed on it:
"Lin Nara"
Nene huffed.
Her mother insisted it was necessary.
Most of the students here were from lower-ranked families, Omegas, and Betas who needed to learn pack integration.
If they found out she was an Alpha—let alone Zhao Alexander's wife—it would cause unnecessary attention.
So, for the next three months, she was just Lin Nara, a normal Beta with no ties to anyone important.
Nene rolled her shoulders, adjusting her bag.
Fine. Whatever.
She could play along.
For now.
She took a deep breath, pushed open the gates, and stepped inside.
The facility was massive—a mix of outdoor training grounds, modern classrooms, and lounge spaces.
Groups of students were scattered across the courtyard, talking, laughing, some already heading toward their first lessons.
No one paid her any attention.
Which was exactly what she wanted.
She scanned the welcome brochure, reading the schedule:
1:00 PM - Pack Dynamics & Hierarchy
2:00 PM - Instinct Control
3:00 PM - Social Integration Training
Nene grimaced.
This was going to be a long day.
Still, she forced herself to keep walking, blending into the crowd.
For the first time in a long time—
She was just a normal student.
And honestly?
She wasn't sure if she liked it.
Nene dragged herself into the first classroom, found a seat in the back, and slumped into it.
If she was going to suffer through this nonsense, she was at least going to do it from a comfortable, unnoticed distance.
The classroom was large and modern, with holographic displays lining the walls.
Students—mostly Betas and a few Omegas—chatted amongst themselves, barely sparing her a glance.
Perfect.
She pulled out her tablet, pretending to be invested in reviewing the lesson materials.
The instructor, a middle-aged Beta with sharp eyes, stepped to the front of the class, clearing his throat.
"Welcome," he said, voice firm but polite. "This course will cover Pack Dynamics, Hierarchy, and your roles within a structured pack system."
Nene resisted the urge to groan.
She already knew this stuff.
Alphas at the top, Betas as the backbone, Omegas in supportive roles—blah, blah, blah.
The instructor continued.
"A strong pack operates on structure," he explained. "Hierarchy is determined by strength, instinct, and sometimes bloodline. However, respect must always be maintained—an Alpha who rules by fear alone will find themselves challenged sooner or later."
Nene rolled her eyes.
Tell that to half the Alphas she knew.
A holographic chart appeared, breaking down the standard pack roles:
Alphas: Leaders, protectors, enforcers. Betas: Strategists, mediators, high-functioning members of the pack structure. Omegas: Emotional cores, balance-keepers, critical for morale.
Nene barely paid attention, scrolling mindlessly through her tablet—
Until the instructor said something that made her pause.
"Of course," he continued, "these roles shift depending on dominance levels."
Nene's brows furrowed slightly.
She wasn't the only one who noticed—a few other students exchanged glances.
A Beta sitting in the front raised a hand. "Shift how?"
The instructor nodded.
"Dominance isn't just about rank," he explained. "It's also about individual dynamics. A dominant Beta can sometimes outrank a submissive Alpha in decision-making, depending on the situation. Likewise, an Omega with high intelligence or social influence can hold more power than a Beta."
Nene blinked.
Wait.
That… wasn't what she had been taught.
She had always assumed rank was absolute.
But now?
Now, she was actually curious.
Nene leaned forward slightly, actually interested now.
Because this?
This wasn't the usual nonsense about Alphas being untouchable rulers.
This was something different.
The Beta in the front raised his hand again. "So you're saying rank isn't everything?"
The instructor nodded. "Correct. A weak Alpha isn't automatically superior to a strong Beta. Instinct matters, but intelligence, influence, and adaptability play equal roles in determining real power within a pack."
Nene's mind spun.
Because—that actually made sense.
Alexander, for example—yes, he was a powerful Alpha, but his real strength wasn't just his instincts.
It was his mind. His control. His ability to manipulate situations in his favor.
She had always assumed Alphas ruled because they were the strongest.
But what if strength alone wasn't enough?
Someone else raised a hand. "What about fated mates?"
The instructor smiled slightly. "Ah. That's a complicated subject."
Nene's stomach tightened.
She immediately focused, suddenly very aware of her own situation.
"Fated mates," the instructor continued, "are rare bonds that override traditional pack rankings. While an Alpha usually leads a pack, if their fated mate is a strong Beta or Omega, the power balance shifts."
Nene froze.
"So an Alpha's mate can influence their decisions?" someone asked.
The instructor nodded. "More than that. An Alpha with a fated mate becomes extremely territorial and protective. Their judgment can be clouded if their mate is threatened, making them vulnerable. For Beta or Omega mate it'll be a different they'll just be very happy all time."
She shoved the messy thoughts in her head away, forcing herself to stay focused.
The instructor clapped his hands together. "Alright! That's enough theory for now. Let's move on to practical exercises."
Nene groaned internally.
Great.
She was still sore from training with her grandmother.
Nene stood at the edge of the practice ring, arms crossed, already unimpressed.
The instructor had split the class into pairs, assigning them to basic dominance exercises—small challenges meant to test instinctual reactions.
For most students, it was supposed to be a learning experience.
For Nene?
It was a joke.
"Alright," the instructor called out. "We'll start with a simple stance-off. You and your partner will hold eye contact and apply subtle dominance pressure. The goal is to hold your ground without escalating into aggression."
Nene huffed.
Easy.
Her partner, a nervous-looking Beta, shifted uncomfortably. "Uh… go easy on me?"
Nene nodded absently. "Yeah, sure."
The second the instructor gave the signal, Nene let her instincts settle—just enough to push back against her partner's energy.
Immediately, the Beta flinched.
Their shoulders curled inward, their gaze dropped to the floor, and their entire stance collapsed within seconds.
The instructor raised an eyebrow.
Nene blinked.
…Wait. That was it?
She barely even tried.
The Beta stepped back, rubbing their neck. "Uh… yeah, I'm done."
The instructor sighed. "Lin Nara, let's try another match."
Nene shrugged. "Fine by me."
New opponent. Another Beta.
Nene adjusted her stance, carefully keeping her dominance levels low.
It didn't matter.
The second she locked eyes, the Beta tensed visibly, muscles locking up.
Five seconds later—they broke away.
Again.
Nene groaned.
"Too easy," she muttered.
The instructor narrowed his eyes, clearly reevaluating her.
"Alright," he said. "One more."
This time, he picked one of the strongest Betas in the class.
Nene perked up slightly.
The Beta stepped up, rolling his shoulders, determined.
Nene grinned.
Finally. A challenge.
She squared up—
And the moment their energies clashed—
The Beta buckled.
Nene barely even pushed, but his instincts immediately submitted, his knees locking as his posture crumbled.
He lasted three seconds.
Nene sighed, rubbing her temple.
The instructor stared.
Then, slowly—he smirked.
"Well," he mused. "I think we've learned something interesting today."
Nene gritted her teeth.
She already knew what he was about to say.
She wasn't a Beta.
And no matter how much she tried to blend in—
Her instincts weren't letting her.
The instructor smirked, arms crossed as he studied her like a puzzle piece that didn't quite fit.
"Well," he mused, "that confirms it."
Nene exhaled sharply. "Confirms what?"
He raised an eyebrow. "You're an Alpha."
Nene rolled her eyes. "Yeah, and?"
The instructor chuckled. "You're not even denying it?"
Nene huffed, shifting her weight. "What's the point? You'd figure it out anyway."
The Beta she had just destroyed still looked a little shaken, avoiding eye contact with her like she was some kind of wild animal.
Which, okay—maybe she was a little aggressive.
The instructor tilted his head. "I assume you're violent?"
Nene snorted. "That's a hell of an assumption."
He just grinned. "Not really. Most untrained Alphas either suppress their instincts or overcompensate with aggression. You don't seem suppressed."
Nene smirked. "I take that as a compliment."
The instructor nodded approvingly. "You should. At least you're aware of it."
He glanced at her file, scanning the fake name.
"So, Lin Nara," he mused, "what exactly are you doing here?"
Nene sighed.
She had been wondering when he'd ask.
"Not here to make trouble," she muttered. "I just want to pick up the basics."
The instructor raised an eyebrow. "You weren't raised in a pack?"
"Raised human," Nene corrected. "Someone trained me a little, but I never did the whole 'pack structure' thing."
The instructor hummed thoughtfully. "Then you're in the right place."
Nene tilted her head. "Even though I'm not a Beta?"
He smirked. "Especially because you're not a Beta."
Her stomach twisted slightly.
Because she had a feeling that meant she was about to get a very different kind of training.