The Alpha's Challenge

Chapter 5

{Molly's P.OV}

After we finished our lunch, we headed over to the university's medical center where we would spend the afternoon working on our practical skills. We had to practice things like complex stitches, inserting cannulas, taking blood, among other skills. I actually really liked the practical element because Miles and Jack were here too and the time went pretty fast. They were studying sport and exercise science, and they had a first aid module on their course. They could top up their credits by attending practical sessions to gain enhanced first aid skills - which was basically just a time for Jack to catch up with the gossip of the day and Miles didn't want to feel left out - he can be sensitive like that.

"Hey guys, how was your morning?" Jack said, throwing his bag under his chair and sitting down.

"It's been alright. A&P was boring as usual, but we only have a couple of weeks left, and I am starting to get nervous about the final exams", I said, thinking too much about the upcoming exam period.

"How was your day?" I asked them both, but looking at Jack.

"It was fine, we have our practical exam soon too, so it feels like we are constantly training for that. I'm not worried we won't pass, but I still want top marks," Jack replied.

"There is no way you two are failing that class. I have seen you both train, and I can tell you its impressive" I said with a grin.

Miles smiled as he made his pectoral muscles dance and flexed his arms.

"Calm down Ken," Georgia replied as she pulled on his arm to bring it back down.

I rolled my eyes as I saw him staring at me whilst showing off.

"Come on, I know you love it", Miles said with a wink, which again earned him another eye roll.

I brought my hand up to my face, moving my hair behind my ear, not realizing that I had bruised my arm earlier.

"What the hell happened to your arm, Mol?" Miles asked. His playful mood disappearing.

"Oh, some self-entitled a**hole knocked me down earlier. It's fine, I didn't even realize I was hurt," I said, pulling my sleeve down to cover the bruise and shaking my head.

"It's not fine. Why didn't you tell me?" He said, moving his attention to Georgia. They stared at each other for a moment before either one of them spoke. It was weird. It was like they were having a conversation, but I just couldn't hear them.

"Guys?" I said, pulling them out of their weird trance.

"Sorry, I was just waiting for a response", Miles quickly added.

"Well, I can speak for myself and I said I am fine. What was I supposed to do, come running like a damsel in distress?" I said, a little harsher than intended.

"No, I just meant if someone is giving you trouble, let us know. We can help" He defended.

"Help how? He probably won't even remember who I am. Besides, it was a misunderstanding. We literally bumped into each other, he didn't go out of his way to knock me down", I argued back.

"How about we go and get some kits to practice on?" Jack suggested, standing up and holding his hand out for me.

I didn't want to carry on talking about this, so I eagerly agreed and stood up.

We decided on the stitching kits and brought enough back for everyone.

There was a comfortable silence among us as we all concentrated and practiced our complex stitching. I was pretty sure I would pass this class with flying colors, but you can never be too sure. I know of a few past students who have thought they would sail through the assessments but something out of the ordinary popped up, and they crumbled under the pressure. I did not want that happening to me, so I would take all the practice I could get.

Before we knew it, the class was over, and we could leave. I had a one-to-one office hours meeting booked in with my final project supervisor, so I said goodbye to the others and told them I would meet them at home. The office hour blocks were in 15-minute sessions, but I wanted to discuss my final draft, so I booked a double slot. I got on really well with my supervisor and the project was one of my favorite pieces of work I have completed.

I chose to do my research on the effects play can have on children's mental health, especially in children with high anxiety. I got to work closely with some of the doctors in the hospital and took on their views of how they treat their patients and if they use play as part of their daily work with children. There were some doctors that highly reccommended it and others who didn't, so it was a nice contrast. So far, the study suggests that play can hugely benefit children's mental health. If I go on to do a post graduate degree, I would like to explore this further and see if I can work with the staff to implement this in their practice... but at the minute it seems like too much of a big dream.

As I was walking across campus, I couldn't help but notice that the i***t who basically ran through me this morning was leaving. He didn't even notice I was walking towards them, but there were a couple of other guys keeping him distracted. They were talking among themselves, and they all seemed so serious. I wondered what they were talking about, but stopped when I noticed one of them intently staring at me as if I was a major inconvenience. He stood taller than the rest of the group and had the most piercing blue eyes. He had short hair that was slightly longer on the top and a trimmed beard to match. He was suited and booting and looked as if he had spent the entire day in meetings. The pale blue shirt he wore stretched over his biceps, almost making the fabric transparent. I could tell he was used to getting attention from women and something inside me knotted at the thought... It felt like I was jealous thinking of other women looking at him and I couldn't understand why... firstly, this guy was a stranger to me and secondly, he was friends with Mr Nice.

As we neared each other, the pressure of his intense stare made me wonder who he really was. Something inside me told me to look away, but I couldn't. I stood to the side, letting them pass, so I didn't get knocked down a second time today... It turns out I quite liked staying on my feet.

"Oh, it learns to move." Brent said, with a smug look on his face.

And before I could even understand what was happening, the blue-eyed god I had just been drooling over had grabbed Brent by the collar of his shirt, pushing him up against the wall and I swear I heard him growl. The atmosphere went icy cold and fists started flying between the boys. I didn't wait around to see what happened next, I ran as fast as my little legs could take me right up the stairs and outside my supervisor's office.

I was not getting caught in the crossfire between those two - but something told me this wouldn't be the end of it.

And oh, how right I was.