THE BEGINNING
1486 Words
Ayla
I followed the signs toward the Administration Building, trying to ignore the curious glances from other students. My plain jeans and simple t-shirt stood out among their uniforms that probably cost more than my entire wardrobe.
The building was just as intimidating inside. High ceilings, marble floors, and portraits of stern-looking people lining the walls. Behind a massive oak desk sat a woman with silver hair pulled back in a tight bun.
She looked up as I approached. “You must be Ayla Rashborne. I'm Mrs. Emily, the registrar.” She pushed papers across the desk. “Class schedule. Dorm assignment. Campus map, that's all you'll need.”
Her expression softened slightly. “I understand you're non-verbal?”
I nodded and held up my whiteboard.
“Most classes require verbal participation. You'll need to work something out with your instructors.” She paused. “Your first class is combat training tomorrow at 8 AM in the East Gymnasium. Don't be late. Professors don't tolerate tardiness.”
I wrote, “Thank you.” As I nodded.
“You're in Raven Hall, third floor, room 312. Your roommate is Sienna Thorne.” She waved a dismissive hand. “That's all.”
I gathered my papers and suitcase, following the map toward Raven Hall. The dormitory was beautiful, it is a stone building with actual ravens perched on the roof, their black eyes watching me climb the steps.
The third floor was quiet. I found room 312 at the end of the hall and pushed open the door.
Two beds, two desks, two wardrobes. Large windows overlooking the training grounds. One side was already claimed with posters everywhere, clothes scattered, and books piled high. The other side waited, bare.
I started unpacking. It didn't take long. I didn't own much.
The door burst open mid-way through my last shirt.
“Oh my god, you're here!” A beautiful girl barely five feet tall walked in. Wild curly brown hair, bright-green eyes, uniform made rebellious with rolled sleeves and a loose tie.
“I'm Sienna! Mrs. Emily said I was getting a roommate, and I've been waiting all week because having a room to yourself is boring and…oh.”
She stopped, staring at my whiteboard. “You're the mute wolf, aren't you?”
I flinched, but Sienna didn't notice.
“That's so cool! I mean, not cool that you can't talk, that probably sucks, but cool that you're here anyway. Most wolves who can't shift just accept being omegas. But you said screw that. That takes guts.” She flopped onto her bed.
“I'm a late bloomer too. Didn't shift until nineteen. Turns out I'm half phoenix. Who knew, right?”
I couldn't help but smile.
I wrote, “Nice to meet you.”
“We're going to be good friends, I can tell.” Sienna sat up, suddenly serious.
“Fair warning though…this place is intense. Classes are hard, teachers are tough, and there's this whole social hierarchy thing. The full-blooded kids think they're better than mixed breeds. Just ignore them. They're assholes anyway.”
We spent the next few hours talking well, she talked while I wrote responses. She told me about campus life, the best places to eat, which teachers to avoid. By evening, my head was spinning with information but my cheeks hurt from smiling.
Maybe Howlston wouldn't be so bad after all.
By midnight, I gave up trying to sleep. My mind raced replaying the rejection, worrying about tomorrow's classes, and wondering if coming here was a mistake.
I slipped out of bed quietly, grabbed my hoodie, and decided to explore. Maybe a walk would clear my head.
The hallways were dimly lit and empty, my footsteps echoing softly. I wandered aimlessly, not really paying attention to where I was going.
I found myself in an unfamiliar section. The hallway opened up to what looked like a training facility with large windows revealing a massive gymnasium inside.
That's when I saw him.
A man stood in the center, shirtless, his body covered in sweat as he moved through complex combat drills. Even from a distance, I could see the precise control in every movement, the raw power barely contained.
He was tall, easily over six feet with broad shoulders and muscles that spoke of serious training. Dark hair, a strong jaw, and even in dim lighting, I could make out sharp, intense features.
I should have walked away. Should have gone back to my dorm.
But I couldn't move.
Then he stopped. Went completely still. And slowly turned his head toward the window.
Toward me.
Our eyes met through the glass, and my breath caught.
His eyes were amber. Not brown, not gold, but true amber like honey held up to sunlight. They looked right at me intensely and that made my knees weak.
For a long moment, neither of us moved. My heart pounded so hard I feared he could hear it through the glass.
Then he grabbed a towel and walked toward the door.
I got scared. I needed to leave. Now.
The door opened.
He stood in the doorway, towel around his neck, chest still rising and falling. Up close, he was even more devastating. Sharper features, a stronger presence, and those amber eyes that seemed to see straight through me.
“You're out past the curfew.” His voice was deep, rough, with an edge of authority. “Students are supposed to be in their dorms by eleven.”
I fumbled for my whiteboard with shaking hands: “I'm sorry. I couldn't sleep, I was just walking.”
He read it, expression unreadable. Then his eyes traveled over me assessing, cataloging every detail.
“You're new.” Not a question.
I nodded. Wrote: “First day. I'm Ayla.”
“Arkon.” He extended his hand.
I hesitated, then reached out.
The moment our palms touched, everything changed.
Electricity shot up my arm, so intense it was almost painful. The air crackled for a few seconds. Arkon's eyes flashed red, It actually glowed, and his entire body went rigid.
I tried to pull back, but his fingers tightened around mine. Not painfully, but firmly, like he couldn't let go. His jaw clenched, a muscle ticking beneath his skin. His breathing changed, it was now deeper and more controlled, like he was fighting something.
Then he released my hand and stepped back.
“Go back to your dorm.” His voice was cold. “Now.”
I stared at him, confused. The energy between us still crackled, making the air thick. My hand tingled where he had touched it.
“Now, Ayla.”
I nodded quickly and turned to leave, my heart racing, my hand still buzzing with that strange electricity.
I didn't look back. I just walked as fast as I could without running, my mind spinning with questions.
“What was that? Why had his eyes glowed? Why did he look at me like…". I couldn't even finish the thought.
Back in my room, I climbed into bed and stared at the ceiling. My hand still tingled. I could still feel the warmth of his palm, still seeing those amber eyes burning into me.
I turned on my bed until I finally slept off
****
Morning came too quickly.
Sienna's alarm went off at seven. “First day of classes! What do you have first?”
I grabbed my schedule, Physical training. Eight AM.
“Me too! We're in the same class! I heard the new professor is supposed to be really good. Intense, but fair.”
I got dressed in black leggings and a gray tank top with the academy logo. My stomach twisted as I couldn't stop thinking about last night. About Arkon.
We entered the gymnasium, the same one from last night, and it was already filled with students. Sienna led me to the mats near the middle.
“The professor should be here any minute.”
The door opened.
My entire world tilted.
Arkon walked in, dressed in black training gear that made him look even more intimidating. His amber eyes scanned the room with that same intense focus.
No. This couldn't be happening.Arkon, the man from last night, is the professor?
His eyes swept over the class. Then landed on me.
And stopped.
His expression didn't change, but those amber eyes burned into mine.
Sienna whispered, “That's him. That's Professor Arkon. Isn't he gorgeous?”
I couldn't respond. Couldn't breathe.
“Good morning.” His voice carried through the gym. “I'm Professor Arkon. Welcome to Physical Training.”
He outlined the class expectations in his commanding and professional tone.
“Pair up,” he ordered after some minutes. “Someone you don't know.”
Students scrambled to find partners.
“Ayla Rashborne.”
My blood almost turned to ice.
Professor Arkon was looking directly at me.
“You're with me.”
- Writer
