Chapter 7

Xena’s POV

I hadn't noticed how crowded the campus had become. The first bell rang, letting us know we had five minutes to get to class.

Samuel frowned as we both stood up to head inside. I felt someone watching me and turned to see Ryder staring at me from across the quad. Helen was practically glued to his side. I wanted to smack that smug look off her face, but I turned and headed to class instead.

The morning dragged by slowly. The teachers' lectures were mind-numbingly boring. I was taking all advanced classes, which actually required me to pay attention, but I couldn't focus.

My last class before lunch was Advanced Calculus. The door opened, and Ryder walked in with another guy I didn't recognize. Ryder scanned the room, spotted me, and sat on the opposite side. His sexy friend sat next to him. I was in the back row—I couldn't concentrate in the front. Not knowing what was happening behind me made me anxious, so I always sat in the back.

Occasionally, I'd feel his gaze on me, but I tried to focus. The teacher was reviewing last semester's material, so I pulled out my sketchpad and continued working on my phoenix design. Most people didn't know my IQ was off the charts. Three years ago, I tested out of high school, but I didn't want to be a freak, so I chose to stay and go year by year.

All the teachers knew, which is why they never called on me or worried when I skipped. Not to mention they were all werewolves who knew exactly who I was. Dad and the other alphas had ordered them not to tell anyone about my intelligence. It wasn't something I wanted to share anyway.

When the bell finally rang, the teacher called out, "Miss Harris, could you come here for a moment?"

Everyone left except Ryder and his friend. "Hello, Ms. Johnson. I'm Ryder, and this is William. I wanted to introduce myself," he said smoothly.

"Ah yes, Alpha Benedict's son?" she looked at him.

"Yes, ma'am," he replied.

"Pleasure to meet you. I should mention that even Alpha's sons aren't exempt from homework," she said, giving him a stern look. I stood awkwardly to the side.

"Understood," he said, clearly annoyed but not arguing.

"Miss Harris, can I count on you again this year?" she asked, turning to me.

I couldn't help the smug smile that crossed my face. "Yes, ma'am. Looking forward to it."

"Excellent. I'll email you the details."

"Sounds good!" I said before walking away.

"Wait!" Ryder jogged to catch up with me. "Xena, this is William. He'll be my beta. William, this is Alpha Hank's daughter."

"Pleasure to meet you," he said formally.

I raised an eyebrow at his professionalism. "Likewise. If you'll excuse me..." I turned to leave. My stomach was growling.

"Still on for this afternoon?" Ryder called after me.

"Yes, sir," I replied without looking back. I could feel them following me, but I didn't care. I needed food.

The lunch bell rang, and I quickly grabbed my tray, scanning the cafeteria for familiar faces. Like always, each group had claimed their territory, wolves sitting with their packs while humans filled in the remaining spaces, blissfully unaware of the predators in their midst.

Leonard waved at me from our usual spot. I made my way over, ignoring the whispers that followed me. My reputation had a way of parting the crowd like the Red Sea.

"Your lip doesn't look too bad," Ama commented as I slid into my seat.

I shrugged, brushing my fingers absently over my split lip. "I've had worse." Ama's green eyes flashed with sympathy, but she knew better than to push the subject. Being surrounded by my friends felt safe—my own personal bodyguards. Not that I needed protection, but there was comfort in numbers.

"Did you talk to Dad?" Logan asked, his voice low.

"Briefly, before Philip came in," I replied, taking a half-hearted bite of my burger. The bland cafeteria food tasted like cardboard in my mouth, but at least it was something.

Ama leaned in, her blonde curls falling forward. "What's the punishment?"

"None. For now." I took another bite, forcing myself to eat despite my lack of appetite.

My thoughts drifted to the endless list of tasks waiting for me—homework, the shop, designs for Ryder's bike. I barely registered the conversation shifting around me until Samuel's voice pulled me back to reality.

"Are you going to the club with us tomorrow?" he asked, his gray eyes studying me intently. It was Friday, and we usually went out on Velvet Den.

"I don't have anything to wear," I complained, glaring at Leonard. "You guys always spill drinks on me."

"We could go shopping tonight!" Ama exclaimed, practically bouncing in her seat.

I shook my head. "Can't. I have that appointment, remember?"

"I'll shop for both of us," she offered with a grin. "I know your size."

"Don't you dare buy me anything pink," I threatened, pointing my fork at her like a weapon. "I will stab you."

They all laughed, and I felt myself relax a fraction.

The bell rang too soon, and I dumped my tray, heading to my next class. I usually sat alone—none of my friends qualified for college-level accounting. But today was different.

I had just settled into my seat when Ryder and William walked in. They slid into seats beside me with a few minutes to spare before class.

"Do you take all the advanced classes?" Ryder asked, his green eyes curious.

"Yes," I replied simply, pulling out my notebook.

"Why accounting?" He leaned closer, his scent—pine and something wilder—distracting me for a second.

I arched an eyebrow. "Why is a guy who's going to inherit an Alpha position taking accounting?"

"What happened to your lip?" William asked.

Ryder's eyes immediately darted toward me, turning sharp as his expression grew serious.