Witch in wolf's clothing - Namaari

Chapter 5: Silverpeak University

I jolt awake as sunlight streams through the window. "Oh no, I forgot to set my alarm. What time is it?" I grab my phone from the makeshift nightstand and see that it’s already 8 AM. My first class starts at 9, and I still need to get my schedule, check in, and settle into my dorm. I start cursing under my breath.

Jumping out of bed, Zephyr leaps down beside me. "Luckily, I didn’t unpack anything. I can just take my bag with me," I say, grabbing my things. There’s no time to change clothes. I throw open the door and rush out, only to trip over a tray on the floor filled with food and drinks. The remnants cling to the bottom of my pants. "Great, just great," I mutter, but there's no time to worry about it.

Zephyr chirps, "Well, at least you had breakfast served to your room."

"Not now, Zephyr," I snap, hurriedly wiping off the mess. Huffing, Zephyr scampers up my leg to my neck, becoming invisible. I race down the stairs, taking them two at a time.

At the bottom, an Omega stands with my jacket. I snatch it from her hands. "Thanks. What’s your name?"

The Omega looks momentarily surprised before replying, "It's Gwyneth."

"Thank you, Gwyneth," I say, and then sprint out of the packhouse.

As I rush out of the packhouse, my eyes catch three men standing near a sleek sports car in the driveway, looking utterly divine. Realizing these must be the renowned triplets, Kaynim, Tazzym, and Zyméo.

The first one, with broad shoulders and muscular arms, exudes a commanding presence. His sharp and powerful features include a strong jawline and high-set cheekbones. Stormy, piercing blue eyes gaze out from under neatly combed dark brown, wavy hair. Above his right eyebrow, a faint scar adds a rugged, experienced allure to his appearance. His gaze is always sharp and alert.

"This must be Kaynim," I mutter to myself, recalling Nikolaj's description of his serious demeanor and strong aura as the firstborn of the three.

The second man, just as tall and muscular as the first (whom I suspect is Kaynim), has a slightly leaner build, giving him a more agile and fluid demeanor. His face carries a softer expression compared to Kaynim's, yet he shares the same strong jawline and cheekbones. His intense blue eyes lend him a mysterious and deep gaze. His dark brown hair is slightly longer than his brothers', styled in a tousled manner that gives him a rebellious charm. A small mole beneath his left eye serves as a distinctive feature, and his smile carries a playful and mischievous edge.

"Tazzym," I conclude silently, noting his rebellious appearance that matches Nikolaj's description perfectly.

The third man, matches his brothers in stature and muscular build, but his muscles appear more pronounced due to his rigorous physical training. He exudes strength and vitality. He strikes a balance between the sharp and soft features of his brothers, sporting a strong jawline and soft, yet penetrating blue eyes that convey wisdom and calmness. His dark brown hair is shorter and slightly messier, reflecting his carefree and spirited nature. His eyes hold a gentle, thoughtful gaze.

"Zyméo," I determine with a nod, remembering Nikolaj's mention of his exceptional prowess in combat training and calm demeanor.

I continue to gaze at them, studying their distinct expressions. Kaynim’s gaze remains intense and focused, Tazzym appears somewhat disdainful, while Zyméo furrows his brow in curiosity. Taking a deep breath, I approach them cautiously.

"Hey, I'm N... uh, Ari. Lilystone Ari," I introduce myself, hesitating slightly before extending my hand. The triplets look down at my hand, their expressions unreadable for a moment. Tazzym steps closer, scrutinizing me.

"Ew, ever heard of washing?" he remarks with a smirk. "I thought the Moonstone pack had more money. Don't they provide clean clothes for their Omegas? Here in our pack, even female Omegas get new clothes if they can't afford them."

I'm taken aback by his comment. "Even female?" I retort, surprised by their blatant attitude. Despite my shock, I gather myself and add, "Well, maybe in Moonstone, we prefer to conserve resources and focus on substance rather than appearances."

Tazzym's chuckle cuts through the tense air, and for a moment, I'm caught off guard by his blatant disregard. Kaynim steps forward, his voice firm and commanding, "Watch your mouth, Omega. We are Alphas, and you will address us accordingly, with respect. Be grateful we're allowing you to study here; it's a favor for Prince Nikolaj. Don't expect anything more from us."

His words sting with their arrogance, but I maintain a composed exterior. Behind their bravado, I sense a deeper insecurity, a need to assert dominance. The triplets turn sharply and stride towards their sleek sports car, exuding a sense of entitlement as they slide into the leather seats. Zyméo's parting glance feels less harsh, almost contemplative, but it's overshadowed by Tazzym's sneer and Kaynim's steely gaze.

As they drive off towards the university, I breathe a sigh of relief, glad to be out of their oppressive presence. Hurrying to my own car, I slide into the driver's seat, feeling Zephyr chirp from my jack pocket as he becomes visible again, "See, told you... dickheads."

I manage a faint smile at Zephyr's bluntness, grateful for his unfiltered honesty. Starting the engine, I focus on the road ahead, the quiet determination rising within me. Silvermist may not have given me a warm welcome, but I won't let that deter me.

Arriving at the university, I see the large, imposing letters above the entrance: "Silverpeak University." The campus is mostly deserted, as most classes have already begun. I take a moment to stare at the building. Out of the corner of my eye, I spot the triplets' car parked nearby.

"No time," I mutter to myself, starting to walk away, but Zephyr suddenly jumps out of my pocket and chirps, "If you won't do it, I will."

Before I can react, Zephyr darts toward the car. With a sharp nail, he quickly scratches a caricature of a wolf with a giant nose on the hood. He then scurries back to me, looking quite pleased with himself.

"Zephyr!" I scold him, trying to keep my voice low. I struggle to suppress a smirk. "You can't just go around doing that."

Zephyr climbs back into my pocket, unrepentant. "They deserved it," he says with a satisfied chirp.

Shaking my head, I rush across the grounds, heading straight for the administrative office. Inside, I find a reception desk manned by a stern-looking woman. "Hello, I'm Ari Lilystone, I’m new here," I say, slightly out of breath. "I'm enrolled in the Master of Advanced Pack Strategy and Operations program. I need my schedule and books, please."

The woman eyes me skeptically, her gaze lingering a bit too long. "Are you sure you're in the right place? We don't get many women in this program, and certainly no Omegas."

I don’t have time for this. "Just check the database," I reply, irritation creeping into my voice.

She huffs but complies, tapping away at her keyboard. After what feels like an eternity, she finally hands me a printed schedule, a stack of books, and a key. "Here’s your schedule and textbooks. This is also the key to your dorm room for tonight. Your first class is in Lecture Hall A. It's down the main hallway and to the right."

"Thank you," I say curtly, grabbing the items and hurrying off.

The hallways of Silverpeak University are grand and modern, with sleek designs and cutting-edge technology integrated into the architecture. I navigate through them quickly, glancing at my schedule to confirm the room number.

As I rush, I take a moment to scan the list of classes for my Master’s program. I see a variety of courses: Warfare Strategy and Tactics, which will delve into the principles and frameworks for planning and executing military operations effectively; Resource Management, focusing on the strategic use of resources within a pack to ensure sustainability and efficiency; Crisis Leadership and Decision Making, exploring how to lead under pressure and make crucial decisions during conflicts; and Operational Logistics, covering the intricacies of organizing and maintaining pack operations smoothly. There are also several practical classes, like Weapons Training and Physical Conditioning and Endurance.

My heart races with excitement as I read through the list. The physical training courses, especially the weapons training, catch my eye. Growing up, my cousins and I trained day and night together in the packhouse. My cousin Archie is a master archer and taught me all his tricks with the bow and arrow. My cousin Elliot is skilled with knives, and I learned to handle them well under his guidance. Jessi, another cousin, often sparred with me using a bo staff, honing my combat techniques.

I chuckle to myself, remembering how Uncle Issac ensured that none of his children would be defenseless, whether in wolf or human form. Those memories of rigorous training flood back, and I feel a surge of confidence. I can't wait to apply everything I've learned.

Finally, I spot the door to Lecture Hall A. I push open the door to the lecture hall, and suddenly, all eyes are on me. Feeling a wave of nervousness wash over me, I mutter, "Sorry."

The professor, a stern-looking man with sharp features, narrows his eyes at me. "And who might you be?" he asks, his voice carrying a note of impatience.

"I'm Ari Lilystone, sir," I reply, addressing him politely to maintain my composure.

"Welcome to Resource Management, Miss Lilystone," he says, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Given that resource management requires punctuality and efficiency, it seems you have some catching up to do."

The class erupts in laughter, and I feel my face flush with embarrassment. Quickly, I make my way to the back of the room, avoiding eye contact as I slide into an empty seat.