Escaping My Obsessive Alpha

CHAPTER 6: A Stranger in a New World

Clarice’s Point of View

The campus gates towered over me as I stepped through them, my backpack slung tightly over my shoulder. The morning sun reflected off the glass buildings, and the walkway buzzed with students heading in every direction. Laughter, chatter, rushing footsteps everything moved so quickly that for a brief second, I wondered if I was ready for this world at all.

But I straightened my spine and kept walking.

And then I heard...

“Who’s she?”

"yeah... I'd like to know too"

“She looks like she walked out of a magazine.”

I tried not to react, but the attention made my wolf twitch uneasily. Back home, respect came from rank. Here, it seemed to come from appearance, curiosity, and first impressions.

The administration building stood ahead tall, wide, and painted in soft cream colors. I pushed open the glass doors and stepped inside. Cool air-conditioning welcomed me, along with the faint smell of paper, ink, and something sweet from the vending machine nearby.

A receptionist looked up from her desk. “Good morning. Can I help you?”

“Yes,” I said, handing her the sealed letter my aunt gave me. “I’m a new student. I was told to submit this.”

She skimmed the letter, nodded, and directed me.

“Principal’s office second door on the left.”

My heart drummed lightly as I headed down the hallway. Everything here was so clean and organized. I knocked gently before entering.

The principal a middle aged man with silver hair and warm eyes stood from his chair when he saw me.

“You must be Clarice,” he said with a polite smile. “Welcome to Phoenix City University. I’ve reviewed your file. Everything looks in order.”

Hearing that made my chest loosen a bit.

“We’re happy to have you here,” he continued. “A student guide will take you to your department and introduce you to your adviser.”

A few minutes later, a woman in her early twenties maybe an assistant or student volunteer came in.

“You’re the new transfer?” she asked brightly. “Come with me, I’ll show you around.”

I followed her through the hallways as she explained where everything was the library, the cafeteria, the labs, the study halls and also my locker. I kept nodding, even though half of my attention was on absorbing every sound and scent.

Finally, she led me to a large classroom buzzing with voices.

“Your class is already in session,” she whispered. “I’ll notify the lecturer and then you’ll be introduced. Don’t worry first days are always like this.”

The door opened, and the classroom fell silent.

A tall woman, the lecturer, glanced at me before addressing the room.

“Everyone, we have a transfer student joining us today.”

Suddenly, every pair of eyes in the room turned toward me. Heat rushed to my cheeks but I remained still.

“please introduce yourself to the class,” the lecturer said.

I stepped forward slightly, clearing my throat.

though a little bit shy and nervous.

"hi...um...My name is Clarice,” I said nervously. “I transferred recently, and I hope we can get along.”

The reaction was immediate.

well I was really expecting...uhhh like you're welcome or something, but they just stared at me. I mean is this a new mode of greeting...I was confused, I didn't know what to do before the teacher coughed a little bit bringing them back to reality.

"Sit anyway you like"

I know that then sat at the third seat close to the window. I pretty much like staying here.

I heard some murmuring, few students exchanged impressed looks. Others whispered behind their hands. Some didn’t bother hiding their curiosity.

The lecturer clapped her hands lightly.

“That’s enough.”

As soon as I sat down, a girl beside me leaned in.

“Hi! I’m Maya,” she said with a warm grin. “Welcome. If you need help finding anything on campus, just ask.”

Another student from the row behind chimed in. “Hey, if you ever want to join a study group, we’ve got one. You’re welcome anytime.”

More whispers floated my way.

“She looks like a model…”

"and she's rocking it with those red hair of hers...oh...I'm so jealous"

I smiled politely, not too wide, not too cold. Friendly enough to blend in… not enough to attract unwanted attention.

As the lecturer resumed teaching, I opened my notebook and tried to focus. Human classes were different no pack ranks, no dominance tests, no warrior drills. Only textbooks, screens, and endless information.

Still, something fluttered in my chest nervousness mixed with excitement.

This was real.

This was my new life beginning.

When the class ended, I headed to the cafeteria several students approached me some introducing themselves, some complimenting my appearance, some simply curious. I answered as calmly as I could, matching their friendliness while keeping a small emotional distance. I know even if the humans and werewolf are different there are some things that can't change which is the nature, I know not that everyone who seem friendly are actually friendly though I've been getting praises and comment I can still feel some glares and scowl, and I knew for sure things ain't going to be easy as it seems.

A new world.

New faces.

New rules.

I'll need to learn to adjust and maybe I'll start by making you friends or you can say companions and I think I'll start with the girl who introduce her name as Maya she seemed nice. and so after taking my food I headed to where I spotted Maya and a few friends around her and then I asked, "can I sit."

"sure why not" she made space for me and then I sat. sienna friends talked a lot about different things I just chimmed in the little bit from time to time.

And for the first time since leaving Silvercrest, I allowed myself to breathe freely.