Running From A Wolf

Chapter 9.

"So, you're the first girl among us," a bubbly guy a few years older than me stood before me, assessing me.

"Is that a good thing?" I crossed my fingers, hopeful.

"Nope. We boys barely survive here. We still die a hundred times per session. You will definitely beg for heaven within the first hour."

I gulped. So much for an encouraging welcome.

"Miss Kiara, meet Frayer Greyson." Ryan stood beside me. "He will take you through the rules and regulations of this academy."

The selection was a very long process. Since I was selected already, Ryan summoned one of his students to come over and guide me.

Or maybe to keep an eye on me. I could see the untrustworthy looks Ryan kept throwing at me.

"Sure, but will those guys be following us?" Frayer warily eyed the tall guards behind me.

Ryan waved them off. "Break her legs if she misbehaves. You're her senior, discipline her when necessary."

"As you say." Frayer nodded solemnly.

Bro, what have I ever done to you?

I seemed to have multiple unfortunate clashes with men lately. Were my stars aligned wrong or something?

"Oh, by the way, I don't know your surname," I said, turning to coach Ryan. "Who are you?"

The air chilled. Frayer's jaw hit the ground while Ryan's smile widened.

"Ryan Stodon, Expert at Bluedale University, your trainer and master for the next four years. Also, founder of Stodon Blade, the third largest security firm across the United States." For some reason, I got the feeling that he really wanted to strangle me.

I blinked innocently. "Oh! You're famous."

"Yes, to everyone except you. Am I right?" He bared his perfect teeth, complete with a pair of glinting canines.

I shifted on my feet, a little creeped out. "Then what are you doing here, taking up a meager role for some pediculous college?"

"Pediculous?" Ryan's smile was really petrifying now.

"Um, yes, it's just another shifter college, isn't it...?" My voice faded to a squeak.

Ryan's black eyes suddenly had a bright red glow around it. His large fists cracked and he eyed calmly me with his canines protruding.

"This is his ancestors' academy," Frayer coughed, disbelief glaring across his chubby features. "Dummy."

I mouthed a silent 'oh'. Then I froze for a moment, my mind completely blank, before I jumped around to face Ryan again.

I leaned forward enthusiastically and beamed. "Oh, my mighty Coach! Your predecessors must have offered years of good sacrifices to the great almighty, for now there exists someone as great as you!"

". . ." Both of them stared at me with identically cynical expressions.

"I mean," I continued, "your reputation is spread over all the terrestrial shifter communities. Who wouldn't love to have such a genius, especially at such a young age, as a trainer? Ah, I feel so blessed! Please guide me, sir!" With a dramatic sigh and wave of my palms, I bent my knees in an awkward curtsy.

". . ."

"Master, are you unwell today?" Frayer observed Ryan with furrowed brows.

"I wish I was." The corner of Ryan's right eye twitched slightly.

"Where did you pick her from?" Frayer scrutinized me.

"Show her around. Her training starts tomorrow. I need to go and ponder a little more about my life. Oh, and get rid of her makeup. It hurts my eyes." Ryan rubbed his eyes wearily. Without any further consideration, he turned and left.

Why, God, why? We had a deal! Let my college life be easy! Let the others face the challenges, but why me?

"Let's go." Frayer sighed softly and walked to me.

"Can I have a few minutes?" I leaped to my toes and tried to peek into the crowds in the distance. "I want to see if my friend is- ahh!"

Frayer's hand grabbed the back of my shirt and pulled me away. After a round of futile struggles, I just followed him sulkily.

~•~

She is here.

As soon he stepped into the arena, he could smell her jasmine fragrance. It had a slightly intoxicating essence to it and he was unable to resist her scent. Like he was unable to resist her...

"Alpha, the headmaster is here," a short, lean man with glasses spoke beside him.

"Alpha Aaron!" The headmaster was beaming with smiles. "You missed the orientation and the selection has almost been concluded."

"My apologies, Headmaster Stodon," Aaron said coolly. "The meeting lasted longer than initially expected."

"No harm done, Alpha." The headmaster turned to face the bustling crowds of mostly teenage shifters, his wise gaze speculative. "The program had a few disruptions. I am glad that you weren't present to witness the embarrassing fiasco."

"Is that so?" Aaron's eyes skimmed between the testosterone-filled bodies. But he couldn't smell her scent anymore.

"Is something bothering you, Alpha?" The headmaster's sharp eyes analysed the handsomely built man.

"Have you had any special shifters join the institute this year? Unusual species?"

"Well, yes. There were a few. A couple of vultures, a trio of beavers. We even have a cat."

A streak of gold flashed in Aaron's eyes. "That's interesting."

"Yes," the headmaster sighed. "The felines have stayed away from society for decades; I almost couldn't believe my eyes."

"Excuse me, I need to clear my mind." With a nod, Aaron headed down the stairs.

The headmaster found himself looking at Aaron thoughtfully for a few minutes. Then his eyes shifted to a sulking girl with horrendous makeup standing quite a distance away, her back facing the crowds. A sudden gust of wind raised the back of her short wig, pulling it off of her head.

Kelsie's wavy locks fell to her waist in brown waves, strands of honey glinting under the sun. With a panicked jolt, she gathered her hair into a bun and placed the wig back on top, glancing around to ensure that nobody noticed her. Since all the students were too must gathered around the other experts, she pinned the choppy wig, hiding her hair again.

Her newly appointed Expert, Ryan Stodon, approached her with another built student. He gave her a few instructions, then moved past. Kelsie turned to the crowds of packed students and tried to walk over before she was pulled away by the bulky guy beside her.

The headmaster's eyes shifted between the lady troublemaker, Kelsie Kiara, and his Alpha friend, Aaron Thorne, a few times, scrutinizing them. One was dressed in a custom suit as he strolled leisurely at the edge of the arena, not unlike a king of nobility. The other was dressed in baggy clothes and terrible makeup while she struggled under the hands of her newly introduced senior.

Headmaster Stodon's eyes narrowed. With a flick of his fingers, his vision sharpened enough to see tiny glittering dust encircle Kelsie, then twirl towards Aaron, like a lasso attaching the two of them together.

Hmm. These two... Interesting.

The headmaster observed them for a long while, then shook his head. It wasn't any of his concern. And if it wasn't his business, he wasn't going to interfere with any fateful events.

One lesson had been enough for his lifetime. He didn't want to risk it again.

Meanwhile, Aaron slowly stepped around the circumference of the bleachers. His cold demeanor caught the attention of a few other students, male and female alike. Soon, a few voices were raised in debate.

"Ah! There's a god right there! Who is that man?!"

"Oh. My. Heart. That person has such a strong persona. I can feel my skin burst from all the way out here."

"I feel it too! That's how we felt in the presence of shifter leaders, remember? I wonder who this man is."

"Those eyes. They almost killed me with cold fire. But it would completely be a fire worth dying for!"

Kristine Fort smiled at the numbered token in her hand and breathed a sigh of relief. Although she was dubious, If Kelsie said that her resume was perfect, then it had to be. She was fairly confident of being selected. Now, she would have to learn to survive among competitive adults.

A commotion at the edge of the crowd caught her attention. She frowned, rising on her tiptoes to peek above the heads before she recalled that she was already elevated in her wedges.

Kristine's eyes widened. Was it Kelsie? Did she get into trouble again? She had to help her.

Kristine hurried to them and poked her head over the bobbing heads. Her jaw dropped open, stunned.

Alpha Aaron. What was he doing there?

Ignoring everyone around her, Kristine immediately ran to his side. The aura from him was as cold as usual, but he had always been intimidating since they were young kids. She was used to his dangerous aura, sometimes preferring them to the fake smiles of her social circles.

"Aaron?" She hesitated slightly.

"Hmm?" His distracted eyes glanced at her for a few seconds before her features registered. "Kristine."

"Yes," she replied and fell into pace beside him.

They walked together in silence. The shifters in the arena were clicking pictures and gossiping faster than a river's currents, but the noise did not disturb the two contemplating figures, each lost in their own thoughts.

"I heard that you are here as an Expert?" Kristine asked.

"Yes."

"Not as a student?"

"I have already completed my post graduate course. It is more convenient to be an Expert."

"But I thought you wanted to investigate some matters?"

"I just need access to the libraries and the archives."

"And as an Expert, you wouldn't have to worry about teaching anyone for a while, if ever."

Aaron didn't respond, tacitly agreeing with her.

They continued to circle the platform. Kristine felt her chest compress ever so slowly.

"Your friend," Aaron abruptly spoke up. "Where is she?"

"Who?" Kristine's brows furrowed. "Kelsie?"

Aaron nodded.

"I don't..." Kristine blinked once, then suddenly gasped. "I forgot! I need to find her!"

"What happened?" Aaron eyed her suspiciously.

"She got into major trouble again!" Kristine groaned. "She even tried to leave the selection. She's probably fine now, but I'd better check on her."

Then, with a short farewell, Kristine dashed towards the campus, where all the recruits had been guided.

Aaron looked at the refined buildings beyond Kristine's running figure. His emotions threatened to take control. Sudden instincts consumed him with the thoughts of finding her. He needed to find her.

His little kitten.

With a deep breath, he closed his eyes. When he opened them again, the emerging golden flakes had disappeared. Settling his fiery nerves, he headed back to his entourage.

She was here. And she couldn't escape. She would be trapped here for four years.

The raging wolf inside him roared with the need to mark her. To make her his. She couldn't belong to anyone except him. The large wolf within him paced impatiently, its fangs salivating at the thoughts of the tiny kitten.

She'll be mine soon. We shall take it slow. .