Xeney

Chapter 5

Mark and Katie arrived at the school, blending in as they entered the bustling courtyard. Xeney's cute, petite appearance quickly drew attention, turning heads as they passed. It wasn’t long before Mark spotted his target—a boy surrounded by fawning girls and admiring boys. "I'm guessing that's him," he muttered to Katie.

"You got it," Katie replied. She was in her human disguise, but Mark had no such need. His appearance was naturally deceptive, just another perk of his new identity. On the way, Mark had learned that by becoming an Enforcer, he had effectively been conscripted into life as a Warrior Monk—a realization that still left a sour taste in his mouth. The idea of being a warrior with supernatural powers and fighting God’s enemies? That was exciting enough, but the ascetic, monk-like lifestyle? That was a deal-breaker.

Yet, the promise of becoming human again someday was the only reason Mark had begrudgingly accepted his fate. He'd also learned that many Enforcers willingly sacrificed their gender to eliminate distractions from their duties, a concept he still struggled to fully grasp.

Pushing those thoughts aside, Mark focused on the present. His target, Marcus, was approaching. Mark’s stomach twisted as he realized he still hadn’t learned how to suppress his power—something vital for blending in. The supernatural creatures at the school could sense it; they knew something was off. But Marcus? He didn’t care.

The leader of the pack, Marcus had sensed the raw, unfamiliar energy radiating from Mark—or rather, the female persona he was now bound to. There was something unnatural about this girl. Despite her physical allure, there was no scent of pheromones, which was abnormal for a female of any species. It should have been a glaring red flag, warning all nearby supernatural beings to keep their distance.

Any older, more experienced Morphs or supernatural Alphas would have heeded that warning. But Marcus wasn’t like them. Reckless and arrogant, he dismissed the unease of his pack members, who quietly murmured to each other, urging their leader to back off. Marcus ignored them, his eyes fixed on Mark.

He saw only an opportunity—a potential mate with raw power, someone who could produce strong offspring. His confidence oozed with every step he took toward Mark.

Katie whispered to Mark as Marcus closed in. "Keep your cool. Remember the mission."

Mark tensed but nodded, adjusting his posture to seem nonchalant. This was the start of his infiltration, but something told him it wasn’t going to be as easy as it seemed.

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Marcus stepped in front of Mark, flashing a cocky grin that radiated self-assurance. His eyes gleamed with the unmistakable look of someone who believed they were in control. "You’re new here, aren’t you?" His voice dripped with predatory curiosity. "Haven’t seen anyone like you around."

Mark forced a tight smile, trying to mask the rising discomfort twisting in his gut. "Just transferred in," he replied, deliberately softening his tone to fit the persona of Xeney. This was all part of the act, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that Marcus was a little too interested.

Marcus tilted his head, his sharp gaze lingering on Mark, studying every inch with growing intensity. The silence between them stretched uncomfortably as the tension mounted. Then, Marcus leaned in, his voice more possessive than friendly. "I think we’ll be seeing a lot of each other, new girl."

Katie, standing just within earshot, watched the exchange with thinly veiled amusement. "Smooth," she muttered under her breath, barely able to contain her eye roll.

Mark gulped, fully aware that this was just the beginning of his infiltration, and it was already more unsettling than he'd anticipated. Yet, he had to play along. The mission demanded it.