Chapter 2: Into the Wolf's Den

Maeve's POV

The realization hit me hard - my first kiss had been with my professor. Suddenly, it felt like the arena wasn't big enough for both of us.

His striking blue eyes captivated me before my gaze traveled to his impressive physique. Sweat glistened on his forehead, trailing down his chiseled face and across his defined eight-pack abs.

My face instantly flushed crimson as he walked toward me.

"This area is not open to visitors," he said, his voice low and cold.

"Mrs. Green said I should report immediately... I'm Maeve, the new transfer student," I stammered, holding out my schedule change form with a slightly trembling hand.

He glanced at the schedule briefly; an uncomfortable silence grew between us as he lifted his gaze from the paper back to my face.

"Get training gear and join group three," he ordered, turning away dismissively.

My eyes widened as I looked at the others who were still fighting in wolf. I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly dry.

"Actually, I can't shift," I blurted out before he could walk away.

He froze mid-step; for a moment, I thought I heard a low growl rumble from deep in his throat.

"What?" he asked, his tone disbelieving and slightly irritated. He turned back, and I saw that his blue eyes had darkened to almost black. "What do you mean you can't shift?"

"I mean... I haven't gotten my wolf yet," I admitted, nervously biting my lower lip.

His gaze dropped to my mouth, lingering as I chewed my lip anxiously. Heat spread across my face and neck.

"Then please explain," he asked, his voice dropping to a dangerous, husky tone, "why would someone without wolf choose my Combat Training course?"

"Combat is my strength," I stated, sounding more assured than I truly was. "The absence of my wolf doesn't diminish my abilities. I've trained since childhood. Give me a chance to demonstrate my skills."

"Can't waste time on an exception like you," he grumbled with irritation. "Everyone here trains in wolf, and I have no suitable partner for you."

"I can train with her," a soft voice offered as a small she-wolf shifted back into human.

She had a kind face with short, dark hair. Her big dark eyes were framed by long lashes, and she looked at me with a friendly smile.

"I don't mind," she repeated, shifting her gaze from me to Professor Cyrus.

"Fine," he said curtly.

He walked away without another word.

"I'm Freya," she said, extending her hand. I took it, returning her smile.

"It's nice to meet you," I replied. "I'm Maeve."

"Oh, I definitely know who you are. Professor Cyrus would be a fool to reject you."

Her comment made me laugh. I hadn't expected my reputation for combat skills to precede me at Morpheus Crescent Academy, this elite shifter school I'd just entered.

"Thank you for that," I replied genuinely.

She was about to respond when another, less pleasant voice cut through our conversation.

"Well, look who it is," Juniper scoffed. "If it isn't the little slut, coming to play with a lowly Omega?"

I raised my eyebrows; she was calling me a slut? After I just caught her with my boyfriend?

"Are you trying to prove yourself after being dumped? Or..." she continued as her gaze drifted deliberately to Professor Cyrus across the arena, her lips curling into a knowing smirk, "...maybe you're here for someone else?"

"I'm here to practice my combat skills, like everyone else," I replied evenly.

This made her laugh.

"Please; the only skills you're practicing are the ones with your lips."

"She's actually a very capable fighter," Freya interjected.

"That's rich coming from a lowly Omega," Juniper sneered, causing Freya to flinch. "Your kind shouldn't even be allowed at this school."

Freya looked genuinely hurt by her words.

"Juniper, why are you even talking to that Omega?" another girl said, stepping beside her.

Both girls laughed, and I saw Freya's face redden as she lowered her gaze.

"Omegas are trash," Juniper agreed. "But worse is someone who can't shift. No wonder your boyfriend dumped you."

I stepped in front of Freya, shielding her from the other wolves' cruel stares.

"Who are you to judge an Omega's capability? I saw her fight—she's skilled. We're here to learn, not tear each other down," I said firmly. "As for my boyfriend... he clearly can't handle me. So he's all yours."

Without waiting for a response, I grabbed Freya's wrist and pulled her away from the nasty she-wolves to another part of the arena.

Passing Professor Cyrus, I caught a hint of a smile at the corner of his lips.

"Thank you for standing up for me," Freya said quietly once we were far enough away. "I'm used to it though. Omegas aren't liked here..."

I looked at her, confused.

"Why? Some of the best people I know are Omegas. They're kind and genuine. Don't let bullies tell you otherwise."

She beamed; my words had lifted her spirits.

"Some people clearly don't recognize you as Alpha Rodolfo's daughter. Let's show them what you can do!"

I smiled at her suggestion—perfect. Since I couldn't shift, I needed to impress them differently.

I faced Freya and took my fighting stance. Soon, we were engaged in combat.

She managed to dodge most of my attacks, though I was holding back considerably. I didn't want to hurt her.

I evaded her strikes effortlessly as she failed to land a single hit. I felt the eyes of the other students on us, their jaws dropping when I executed an unexpected acrobatic move.

I performed a front flip, kicking out and missing Freya by a hair. The near miss startled her enough to make her stumble backward.

Grabbing a staff from the weapons rack, I twirled it expertly before executing a somersault and spin. She dodged my first strike, thinking I aimed for her head when my true target was her feet. As she evaded, she tripped and fell.

I placed my foot gently on her chest, pinning her down with the staff pointed at her.

She stared up in amazement as everyone around us gasped.

I glanced around, suddenly aware of our audience. After seconds of silence, a few students began clapping. Soon, almost everyone cheered.

Everyone except Juniper and her friend.

I smiled as I removed my foot and offered Freya my hand.

"That was incredible!" she exclaimed with wide-eyed admiration.

"It was nothing," I shrugged, returning the staff.

I turned to see Professor Cyrus watching me, arms folded, his expression unreadable.

Before I could approach him, a series of beeps echoed throughout the arena.

I frowned as everyone's phones went off simultaneously.

As they checked their devices, gasps and shocked expressions spread across the room. Freya covered her mouth as she stared at her screen.

"What's going on?" I asked, peering over her shoulder.

As soon as I saw what they were looking at, my heart plummeted.

It was a picture of me... kissing... Professor Cyrus.