Chapter2

That evening, Brielle and I left the training grounds one after the other, heading toward the cafeteria. As we turned the corner of the corridor, a strange man walked toward us. He wore a sharply tailored silver-gray uniform, but it was his demeanor—the inherent aloofness and oppressive aura of a top-tier Alpha—that drew attention. Lower-ranking wolves passing by unconsciously softened their footsteps in his presence.

Brielle's eyes lit up the exact moment she got a clear look at his face.

"Hey," she poked my arm, her voice deliberately lowered but brimming with unconcealed excitement. "A wolf this handsome has to be new, right? Since when did our academy let in someone of this caliber?"

I didn't say anything, just giving a casual hum in response.

Brielle, however, was already approaching him with a bright, welcoming smile. "You look unfamiliar. Are you new here? I'm Brielle. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me anytime."

Kane stopped in his tracks, his gaze sweeping over her, and then over me. His nostrils flared almost imperceptibly. His eyes lingered on me for half a second before darting away. "Kane."

Brielle asked, as if just mentioning it casually, "Which Kane?"

"Kane Sterling," he answered flatly, as if he were just giving the most ordinary name in the world.

My footsteps faltered, and I froze in place.

The smile on Brielle's face immediately became overly attentive. "The Sterling Pack... So you must be the heir."

Only then did she turn to me, acting as if she had just noticed my presence. "Oh, Wren, you're still here?"

Kane's gaze fell on me again. It rested for less than half a second before shifting away casually.

I couldn't quite describe the feeling welling up inside me. We had never actually met, so of course he wouldn't recognize me. Yet, this "failure to recognize" felt like a tiny, invisible thorn, pricking my chest with a dull, suffocating ache.

"This is my roommate," Brielle introduced me, trying to sound casual, though a flicker of calculation crossed her eyes. "She's not very sociable usually, so just bear with her. Don't take it to heart."

I frowned. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing in particular," she smiled innocently. "Just giving our new classmate a heads-up so there are no misunderstandings."

Kane didn't engage in the banter. He simply gave me a polite nod.

"By the way," Brielle spoke up again, feigning nonchalance. "Are you looking for someone, Kane? I heard... didn't our two major Packs arrange a marriage contract years ago?"

Kane's expression tightened subtly. "Word travels fast, it seems."

"Our academy isn't that big," Brielle smiled, her lips pressed together. She shot a quick glance toward me from the corner of her eye before quickly looking away. "Some wolves always like to hide in the corners, pretending to be completely aloof from the world. But as for what they're truly scheming deep down... who knows?"

I knew that remark was directed at me, but I couldn't be bothered to argue.

Kane, however, cast a thoughtful glance at me again. There was no malice in his eyes, just a pure, detached scrutiny—like he was examining a stranger who might be "problematic."

"It's getting a bit late," Brielle offered, sounding every bit the considerate hostess. "Let me walk you to the administration building for your registration. I was heading that way anyway."

Kane gave a sound of agreement, and the two of them headed toward the building, one after the other. Before leaving, Kane gave me a polite, slight bow of his head in farewell.

I stood rooted to the spot, watching their receding figures. Whatever tiny seed of anticipation I had harbored about my "contractual mate" was crushed before it could even bloom, replaced entirely by an inexplicable sense of grievance.

Later that night, I overheard several students whispering in the hallway. Brielle had already spread an embellished version of her encounter with Kane. And, of course, she didn't forget to tack on a final comment: "That lone wolf roommate of mine has absolutely zero manners. Who knows what wild den they dragged her out of."

I had originally thought she was just a pretentious fake, but I never expected her greed and thick skin to far exceed anything I could have imagined.