I didn’t see Maximus again until we had training with Valentin. He kept his distance, sitting away from myself and Loren at lunch and barely acknowledging me in our classes. Yet, he was an ever-present figure in my life. I’d catch him looming during Basics or walking behind me as I went home from dinners. He wasn’t gone, he just wasn’t near.
It actually shocked me to see he’d come to training the following Monday evening. Thorne was there as well. He stood begrudgingly; arms crossed over his chest like there was anywhere he’d rather be. Maximus held a similar stance, eyes shifting back and forth between Valentin and I like a hawk.
The headmaster looked as he usually did, completely unphased by anything either of the younger Alphas were doing. He stood with his hands behind his back and w
