My Mate. My Mission

Chapter 9

VAE

“I’m done now, Nyx. Let’s go,” I said, sliding my jacket over my shoulders and turning away from the mirror to face her.

But she sat on her bed, eyes still locked on her phone. I rolled my eyes. She had woken me up this morning, insisting we must not be late, and now she was still on her bed, completely focused on her screen.

“Nyxara?”

“No f*****g way!!.” She suddenly exclaimed, sitting up and completely ignoring me.

She looked so focused on her phone that I narrowed my eyes and walked up to her bed. “What’s wrong?”

She looked up at me, shoving her phone in my face. “They changed our schedules.”

“What’s that supposed to mean? Is it odd if they change class schedules?”

“Yh, nothing’s wrong with that, but this current change applies to all ranks in the school. We get to attend the nobles’ and alphas’ exclusive classes, even combat training. And that’s our first class.” She handed the phone over to me and did a small happy dance.

I took the phone from her, scrolling through it.

They really had changed it. It was different from the one they provided on the first day.

ACADEMIC NOTICE: Schedule Update

Dear Students,

Effective immediately, the Academy has revised the Omega Training Schedule.

Beginning today, Omega students will attend selected core academy classes alongside Alphas, Betas, and Noble-ranked students.

NEW CORE CLASSES

Combat Training

Tactical Strategy

Supernatural Theory

Advanced Pack Studies

First revised class: Combat Training

7:30 AM | Combat Arena

Students are required to report to their assigned classes on time.

I handed the phone back to her. “Well, that’s new.”

She took it from my hand. “It’s the best thing. Finally I get to go to combat training and at least beat some alpha or beta.” She chirped happily.

“C’mon, we don’t want to be late for the first class,” she said, opening the door. Then she stopped, looked back, and sang playfully, “Combat training…”

I laughed lightly and followed behind her. The door clicked locked the moment we stepped outside.

Through the dorm hallways, everyone seemed to have different opinions about the schedule change, some were happy about it, while others had mixed feelings.

We walked outside, and Nyx turned to me as if she wanted to say something, then pressed her lips together and faced forward again.

“What did you want to say?” I asked, noticing her hesitation.

She turned to face me, walking beside me and trying to match my pace. I slowed down so I could hear her.

“Unpopular opinion.., but do you think the crown prince is related to this? ’Cause look at it. You told me yesterday he is your mate. And you’ve kissed him, thanks to that video…” She gave me a teasing smile. I looked away from her, smiling a little and trying to ignore the soft, restless stir Lora was making inside me.

“Then today we see the schedule change that adds omegas to all the classes they were restricted from. Don’t you think there’s a connection? You know… maybe the prince wants you closer.” She kept that teasing smile on her face.

I stared at her, then looked ahead. “Who knows? Maybe the academy finally realized we exist.” I shrugged.

“C’mon, you know,I can see the smile on your face,” she said, pointing at my lips with that same teasing look.

And she was right. I was indeed smiling—probably because of Lora.

‘Stop blaming me’! Lora groaned, though the soft, eager flutter in my chest gave her away.

I ignored her again and turned toward Nyx. “Let’s just go.”

She chuckled and walked on.

Finally we reached the combat class. It wasn’t really a classroom. The Combat Arena rose like a small open stadium, rows of tiered seats circling a wide, sand-packed fighting ground in the center. The space felt raw and exposed under the morning light, built for blood and bruises rather than lectures.

I looked around for security cameras. There were none. Looks like there were no rules here, and breaking legs was permitted.

“Gee. They’re so petty. Just because there’s a change in schedule and omegas attend their classes, they’re giving us those scornful looks. Pathetic.” Nyx whispered in my ear.

And she was right. The elite students were indeed looking at us with open scorn.

“C’mon, let’s sit here. It’ll avoid their trouble and give us a better view.” She pulled me toward the rows of seats near the center. I sat beside her.

We watched the arena fill up. Different wolves, both first-years and seniors attended this class.

Soon I caught that intoxicating scent again. I didn’t even have to turn to know who it was by now.

“Hey, there comes your prince,” Nyx whispered in my ear, chuckling.

I heaved a sigh. “Stop reminding me he’s near.”

But Lora was already stirring, a quiet, content warmth blooming under my ribs.

I turned to look at him. He walked in with heavy strides, his aura rolling ahead of him. Everyone could feel it. His soon-to-be beta walked beside him.

They still had the usual reactions to him, girls trying to get his attention and all.

I rolled my eyes.

He walked to his specially arranged seat. Just as he was about to sit, he locked eyes with me, an arrogant smirk on his face and a look that said he was fully aware of my eyes on him.

Arrogant bastard!. Just wait until I take my revenge and slit your throat.

I turned away immediately to the center of the arena before he could see my reaction.

But I felt someone’s glare on me. I turned toward it and met Seraphine’s gaze. When she realized I’d caught her staring, she didn’t look away. Instead she looked briefly surprised, then she faked a smile and turned aside.

I chuckled, amused by her reaction. At least something entertaining could come from this ridiculous morning.

Finally a tall, muscular man walked up to the center of the arena, and everyone quieted at once.

He scanned the crowd and began, “Some of you must be confused about today’s schedule change.” The entire arena stayed silent. His voice boomed to the edges.

“Starting today, the academy will be adding students into selected core classes. There will be no separation from now on.”

Someone started whispering, then another, until everyone was talking.

“Silence.” The man growled, and everyone immediately shuts up.

“If you have any more questions, take them to the academy council.” The arena went dead quiet.

He scanned the arena a second time and continued, “Now combat training.”

Nyx shifted beside me. “This is my favorite part,” she grinned excitedly.

I glanced at her, amused. “It’s just combat. Why so much excitement?”

She scoffed. “As if you’ve done this before.” She glanced at me, then back at the arena.

Of course, I had done better, with knives. But I couldn’t tell her that. So instead, I kept quiet and focused on the arena.

The man introduced himself as Instructor Draven. He explained how the ranking system here was different from the academy’s: you could hold a high rank at the academy and a low rank here, and vice versa. I noted that down. At least when I don’t have to pretend to be a weak omega, I could kick some butts.

The ranks ranged from Novice, to Elite, to Apex.

After his long speech and introduction, he asked for a volunteer who wished to boost their rank.

Some wolves raised their hands, and he picked a brunette.

She stood up and walked into the center of the arena. Instructor Draven asked her to pick her opponent.

She scanned the crowd.

Then her eyes landed on me.

“You,” she said, pointing at me