CHAPTER 3: FITTING IN
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"First day at Alpha Academy?" Damon asked, now fully dressed in a black t-shirt that stretched across his broad shoulders. He was studiously avoiding eye contact, as if making direct visual connection might somehow trigger flashbacks of The Towel Incident.
"Yeah. Just transferred," I replied, dropping my backpack on the empty bed and trying to look manly about it. What did guys do? I flexed my arm awkwardly while setting down my bag.
Damon raised an eyebrow. "Did you just hurt yourself?"
"No," I said quickly, abandoning the flex. "Just... stretching."
"Mid-semester transfer is unusual." He tilted his head, studying me like I was a particularly puzzling math problem. "Where'd you say you were from?"
"Western packs," I replied, keeping my voice low as I'd practiced. "My parents are diplomats. We move around a lot." I busied myself unpacking, painfully aware of his gaze. The strange electricity from our handshake still tingled through my body. Mate bond. The words echoed in my mind like a death sentence.
"You're staring at that sock like it holds the secrets of the universe," Damon observed, amusement coloring his tone.
I blinked, realizing I'd been holding the same sock for a full minute. "Just... thinking about sock... things."
"Sock things," he repeated slowly.
"Yep. I'm very passionate about... socks." Moon help me.
His lips twitched. "So, about earlier—"
"We agreed never to speak of it," I reminded him quickly.
"Right. Good. Great." He cleared his throat. "Orientation's in the main hall. I can show you the way if you want."
"Thanks, but I'll manage." The less time spent with him, the better. Every second in his presence was another chance to blurt out something stupid like "your eyes are the color of a perfect summer sky" or "I think you might be my mate but surprise! I'm actually a girl and oh by the way, I'm supposed to marry your brother."
He shrugged. "Suit yourself. Bathroom's all yours." He paused. "And maybe knock first from now on? Just a suggestion."
"Definitely knocking. Forever. For everything. I might start knocking on open doors just to be safe."
Once alone, I locked the bathroom door and leaned against it, breathing hard. I applied more scent neutralizer, hands shaking. In the mirror, a stranger stared back—short-haired, sharp-jawed, eyes wide with panic.
"You can do this," I whispered to my reflection. "Just get through today without proposing to your roommate or revealing your secret identity. And definitely don't mention his... everything." I made a vague gesture at the lower half of my body and shuddered.
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The main hall buzzed with testosterone and competitive energy. Hundreds of young wolves sized each other up, establishing dominance hierarchies before classes even began. I kept to the edges, head down, avoiding eye contact—the opposite of Alpha behavior, but safer.
Two wolves nearby were comparing bicep sizes. Another group was debating protein powder brands with scientific intensity. One guy was actually growling at his own reflection in a window.
Boys were weird.
"Welcome to Alpha Academy!" A booming voice silenced the room. Headmaster Grayson, a massive gray-haired Alpha with eyebrows that could qualify as separate life forms, stood on a raised platform. "For those joining us mid-term, I'm Headmaster Grayson. At this academy, we forge the next generation of pack leaders."
I scanned the crowd, relieved to see other nervous-looking first-years. At least I wasn't the only one feeling out of place.
"Your schedule indicates your pack classification," the Headmaster continued. "Alphas, you'll have advanced combat training. Betas, strategic studies. Your dormitory assignments are final—no exceptions."
My heart sank. No chance of switching rooms to escape Damon and his distracting... everything.
"One final note," Grayson's eyes swept the room. "We've received word that Princess Aria of the Silver Moon Pack has gone missing. If anyone has information, report it immediately. Her father has offered a substantial reward."
Whispers erupted around me. I kept my expression neutral despite my racing heart.
"That's Dominic Blackwood's fiancée," someone nearby muttered. "Heard she ran away before the wedding."
"Wouldn't you?" another replied. "The guy's ancient. Probably needs Viagra just to shift into wolf form."
I choked on air, coughing to cover my laugh.
"Enough!" Grayson barked. "Dismissed to your first classes. First-years, remain for campus tour."
As the crowd dispersed, I found myself in a group of about twenty younger wolves. Our tour guide, a senior named James, led us through the sprawling campus.
"Classrooms are in the west building, training grounds to the east," he explained. "Library's in the north tower—off limits after curfew. Cafeteria serves four meals daily because we're wolves and we eat constantly."
The Academy was impressive—stone buildings covered in ivy, modern facilities, and forests beyond for full-moon runs. Under different circumstances, I might have enjoyed being here.
"And this," James said as we entered a massive gymnasium, "is where you'll have your placement tests tomorrow. Physical assessment to determine your training level."
My stomach dropped. Physical tests. The one thing I couldn't fake.
"What kind of tests?" a nervous boy beside me asked.
James grinned. "Strength, speed, endurance. Combat skills. The works. Don't worry—they just want to see your potential."
Potential I didn't have. Not as an Omega pretending to be an Alpha. I was doomed. They'd discover I couldn't bench press my own backpack, and it would be game over.
The tour ended at the cafeteria for lunch. I grabbed a tray and loaded it with food, realizing too late that I'd selected a typically feminine meal—salad, fruit, small portions. Nearby, boys piled their plates with mountains of meat and carbs like they were preparing for hibernation.
I was about to return for more food when someone bumped into me hard, nearly knocking my tray over.
"Watch it, runt," growled a tall, muscular wolf with a cruel smile and eyebrows that looked like angry caterpillars. "You're in Alpha territory now."
"Sorry," I muttered, trying to step around him.
He blocked my path. "What pack did you say you were from? You smell... different." He leaned in, sniffing, and I fought the urge to knee him where it counts.
My heart raced. "Western territories. Excuse me."
"Leave him alone, Carter," came a familiar voice. Damon appeared beside me, his presence commanding immediate respect. "First day and you're already bullying freshmen? Compensating for something?"
Carter's demeanor changed instantly. "Just welcoming the new blood, Blackwood. No harm done."
"Find someone your own size," Damon said coldly. "Or better yet, find a personality. I hear they're giving them away free at the student store."
Carter slunk away, and Damon turned to me. "You okay?"
I nodded, annoyed at needing rescue but also secretly thrilled at his defense. "I could have handled it."
"Sure you could." His eyes twinkled with mischief. "You were about to unleash what, exactly? Those deadly sock-folding skills you mentioned earlier?"
I felt heat rise to my cheeks. "I have other skills."
"I'm sure you do." He paused, then added in a lower voice, "By the way, we're even now."
"Even?"
"You saw me naked, I saved you from Carter. Perfectly balanced, as all things should be."
I choked on air. "We agreed never to speak of that!"
"And now we never will again," he said solemnly, though his eyes danced with humor. "You might want to grab more food. Your wolf needs protein, especially before placement tests. Unless you're planning to impress the coaches with your ability to photosynthesize."
Before I could respond with a witty comeback, which I definitely would have thought of eventually, a group of students called Damon's name. He gave me a casual salute before joining them, immediately the center of attention.
I found an empty table in the corner and ate quickly, observing the social dynamics. Damon was clearly popular—other students gravitated toward him, seeking his approval. The Blackwood heir. My mate. My enemy's brother.
After lunch came my first class—Pack History. I slipped into a back seat, relieved to be in familiar territory. This, at least, I could handle. As the professor droned on about ancient pack wars, I allowed myself to relax slightly.
Until tomorrow's physical tests, I could maintain my cover. But what then? How long before someone discovered I wasn't who I claimed to be?
As class ended, I checked my schedule. Combat Basics was next—the class I dreaded most. As I gathered my books, I felt a prickle on the back of my neck. Turning, I found Damon watching me from across the room, his ice-blue eyes intense and curious.
He knew something wasn't right about me. I could feel it.
And that terrified me more than any physical test ever could.
But it also sent a thrill through me that I wasn't ready to examine too closely.
