38 A Clash of Alphas

The instructor cleared their throat, tapping their tablet.

"Alright," they said smoothly. "Switch roles. Lin Nara, it's your turn to test your partner's instinct response."

Nene smirked.

Oh, this was going to be fun.

The Beta across from her tensed slightly, jaw locking—already preparing himself.

He knew what was coming.

And honestly?

Nene liked that.

Because if he wanted to play dominance games, then she was going to show him exactly why he shouldn't.

She didn't even move forward.

Didn't change her expression.

All she did was let go of the control she had been holding back.

A small shift in posture.

A subtle push of Alpha energy.

Not aggressive.

Not hostile.

Just a reminder.

And immediately—

The Beta's body stiffened.

His shoulders tensed.

His breath hitched.

Because now he felt it.

The difference between a Beta posturing and a true Alpha testing them.

Nene watched as his instincts kicked in—his wolf recognizing the imbalance, trying to decide if it should push back or submit.

A few seconds passed—

Then, slowly, his gaze flickered away.

A silent acknowledgment.

Nene grinned.

"Smart choice," she murmured.

The instructor nodded approvingly.

"Very good," they said. "Now, switch partners. We have a guest Alpha joining us for the next round."

Nene blinked.

Wait.

What?

She turned her head—

And froze.

Because stepping onto the mat, calm, unreadable, exuding quiet authority—

Was a tall, unfamiliar Alpha male.

Dark hair. Sharp features. A presence that immediately commanded attention.

And the moment his golden eyes locked onto hers—

Nene's instincts bristled.

The second the visiting Alpha stepped forward, the entire room reacted.

The Betas and Omegas shifted instinctively, straightening their postures, some lowering their gazes without thinking.

Even the instructor's body language changed—more formal, more careful.

Because this wasn't just any Alpha.

He was dominant.

Powerful.

And when his golden eyes locked onto Nene's—

Her instincts screamed.

Not in fear.

Not in submission.

But in pure, sharp awareness.

This is different.

He studied her for a moment, then stepped onto the mat.

"Lin Nara," the instructor called. "Meet your new partner for the next round."

Nene exhaled slowly.

She didn't move.

Didn't lower her gaze.

Didn't back down.

Instead, she crossed her arms, tilting her head slightly.

"Got a name?" she asked.

The Alpha's lips twitched, amused.

"Ji Cheng," he said smoothly. "It's a pleasure."

His voice was deep, controlled.

His posture relaxed—but too intentional.

Because this wasn't just a casual introduction.

This was a test.

A silent, instinctual game of dominance.

And Nene?

She was not going to lose.

The instructor clapped their hands.

"Alright," they called. "Lin Nara, you'll be responding to the next test. Ji Cheng will be applying dominant pressure. Your job is to resist escalation."

Nene rolled her shoulders.

Easy.

Except the second Ji Cheng took a single step closer—

Her wolf reacted.

Pure, sharp territorial instinct.

Because for the first time in this class, she wasn't being toyed with.

She was being challenged.

The moment Ji Cheng stepped forward, Nene's instincts sharpened.

Because this?

This wasn't some Beta testing limits.

This wasn't an instructor trying to measure her reactions.

This was a real Alpha.

And he wasn't just posturing.

He was watching her. Testing her.

Measuring how much she would push back.

The energy between them shifted instantly—a silent, instinctual tension settling between two dominant forces.

The instructor cleared their throat.

"Lin Nara," they called, "your goal is to hold your ground without escalating."

Nene exhaled slowly.

Fine.

She could do that.

Ji Cheng took another step.

Slow. Controlled.

His gaze locked onto hers—steady, unwavering.

The moment he pushed dominance energy outward—

Nene felt it hit her like a slow-moving tide.

Not overwhelming.

Not aggressive.

Just… there.

A constant, unshakable presence.

The kind that told her—without a single word—I am stronger than you.

And Nene?

Her wolf bristled immediately.

Because no, he wasn't.

Her body reacted before her mind could stop it—

A sharp, instinctual push back.

Not full force.

Not a challenge.

But a correction.

A silent 'don't test me.'

Ji Cheng's eyes flickered slightly.

Like he hadn't expected her to react so quickly.

His posture shifted just a fraction—interest piqued.

And then, smoothly—

"You've got bite," he murmured.

Nene smirked.

"Surprised?"

Ji Cheng's lips quirked slightly.

"A little," he admitted. "Betas don't usually push back like that."

Nene's eye twitched.

Oh.

Oh, this bastard thought she was a Beta.

She could use that.

She tilted her head slightly, keeping her smirk in place.

"Well," she murmured, "guess I'm just built different."

Ji Cheng let out a low, amused hum.

And for the first time, Nene realized—

He wasn't just testing her.

He was interested.

And that?

That could be very dangerous.

The instructor finally stepped forward, clearing their throat.

"Alright," they said smoothly, "that's enough."

Nene blinked.

Wait.

That's it?

The instructor tapped their tablet, skimming through the notes.

"Lin Nara," they said, "your response was controlled enough to pass. You pushed back, but you didn't escalate. That's progress."

Nene exhaled slowly.

A pass.

She wasn't sure if that was good or bad.

Ji Cheng, still standing too close, tilted his head slightly, watching her like she was some kind of interesting puzzle.

But before Nene could acknowledge that problem, the instructor looked up again.

"Oh, one more thing," they mused, scrolling through the logs.

Then—casually, too casually—

"You're married, correct?"

Nene stiffened.

What.

She forced herself to stay neutral.

"…Why?"

The instructor shrugged.

"Married Alphas tend to stabilize faster if their bond is strong," they explained. "Your progress will depend on the kind of Alpha your mate is."

They glanced at their tablet again.

"And according to your behavioral log," they continued, "your husband is highly dominant."

Nene blinked.

Oh.

Oh, shit.

She hadn't even thought about that.

Her instinct control was being measured—which meant they had been monitoring her Alpha-related responses.

And of course, Alexander would rank at the top of the dominance scale.

Nene cleared her throat.

"So…?" she muttered.

The instructor sighed, rubbing their temple.

"So," they said, "this is going to be a lot harder for you than I thought."

Ji Cheng smirked slightly.

And Nene?

She was starting to regret showing up to class at all.