Chapter 4: A Public Spectacle

Maeve's POV

"My class schedule is none of your business, Juniper," I managed, controlling my voice.

"Oh, but it is!" Juniper laughed. "My boyfriend's ex suddenly taking an interest in my favorite professor? How amusing. Though I should warn you, someone like you—without even a wolf—will only be a joke here."

Then to my surprise, Freya spoke up.

"If I may say so, Juniper," she said softly but firmly, "Maeve's fighting skills surpass many students who already have their wolves."

Juniper and her followers gasped dramatically, as if they'd witnessed something absolutely scandalous.

"My, my, the little Omega can speak!" Juniper feigned surprise. "I thought your kind only knew how to wag tails."

The girls around her laughed sharply.

"God, Juniper, be careful," one follower said. "She might dirty your new clothes. These Omegas always have that... inferior smell."

I saw a flash of hurt cross Freya's face as her shoulders sagged slightly.

Juniper leaned closer to me, her voice turning nasty. "Honestly, you should thank me. If it weren't for me, you might still be deluding yourself that Louie would like a freak without even basic wolf. You know what? He said those color-changing eyes of yours made him sick."

I felt heat rushing to my face, my fingers trembling slightly. My eyes made Louis sick? How ironic. Just days ago, he'd held my face in his hands, telling me how special my eyes were, how I was his one and only.

Instead of backing down, I stepped forward, looking directly into Juniper's eyes.

"Listen, Juniper," I said, my voice low and dangerous. "You can mock my lack of wolf, my eyes, and even my romantic choices. But I will not let you insult Freya's dignity or that of any Omega. If you continue acting like a spoiled princess, I'll show you that even without wolf, I can make that pretty face of yours a little less perfect."

As my anger rose, a strange heat flared behind my eyes, almost burning. Something shifted in Juniper's expression - whatever she saw made her and her followers stumble backward, their smugness replaced by uncertainty.

Taking Freya's arm, I turned away. But before heading to the other side of the training grounds, I glanced up.

My breath caught. Professor Cyrus stood across the arena, arms crossed over his broad chest. His blue eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that sent a shock wave through me. His muscles defined beneath his tight t-shirt, sweat making his skin gleam under the lights, emphasizing his strong jaw and sharp features.

He didn't acknowledge me – yet I couldn't look away. My heart hammered as I forced myself to turn, cursing the heat creeping up my neck.

When we reached a quiet corner, Freya's eyes shone with gratitude.

"No one has ever spoken up for me like that... especially against Juniper," she said, her voice trembling. "That might cause trouble for you."

I shook my head, taking two training wristguards from the equipment rack.

"I don't care about that," I said, fastening the guards. "My father taught me that a person's worth isn't measured by their bloodline or rank, but by their actions and character."

"In Cassiopeia pack, do Omegas have equal status?" Freya asked curiously.

"Every member has their own value," I nodded.

A spark of hope lit Freya's eyes. "That sounds like an ideal place... It's so different here. Most students come from traditional packs where they believe Omegas are only fit to be servants or... worse."

Anger flashed in my eyes. "Then it's time they changed their perspective." I handed Freya hand guards. "Come on, let's give them a show, prove that rank doesn't equal strength."

A genuine smile appeared on Freya's face as she took the guards.

Facing her, I assumed my fighting stance. We began sparring, and I deliberately controlled my strength.

Freya shifted into her wolf, her fur rippling as she circled me. She lunged, teeth flashing, but I was ready. My body responded almost before my mind could process her movements.

From the corner of my eye, I noticed other students stopping to watch us. I heard gasps as I executed a series of moves my uncle had taught me—techniques designed for humans to evade werewolves.

My heart pounded with exhilaration. For once, being wolf-less didn't make me feel inferior; it made me unique.

I executed a perfect backflip followed by a low kick, deliberately missing Freya's leg by an inch.

Taking a silver staff from the weapons rack, I twirled it expertly, strategically aiming for her lower body before tripping her to the ground.

With light precision, I placed the staff against her chest, pinning her down.

The previously silent training ground erupted into applause. Only Juniper and her followers looked displeased.

I removed the staff and offered my hand to help Freya up.

"Goddess, that was incredible!" Freya exclaimed. "Your movements are more agile than many who already have their wolves!"

"Thanks," I said modestly. "Just years of training."

As I returned the staff, I felt eyes on me. I turned to find Professor Cyrus approaching with powerful strides. Students parted before him like water around stone.

He stopped close, his dark gaze assessing me. A muscle in his jaw ticked as his eyes moved from my face to the staff. "Impressive technique," he said, his deep voice conveying a professional calm, despite the compliment. "Though your defense left your right side vulnerable twice."

I swallowed before saying, "I'll work on that, Professor."

Something flashed in his eyes before his expression hardened again. He gave a curt nod and turned, fingers clenched at his sides as if restraining himself.

But before I could step toward him to ask about joining his class, notification sounds filled the air. Students pulled phones from their bags.

The atmosphere shifted instantly. Shocked gasps and whispers rippled through the crowd.

"What is it?" I asked, though something in my gut already knew this wasn't good.

Wordlessly, Freya turned her phone toward me. The image made my blood run cold.

There it was - me, my arms around Professor Cyrus's neck, kissing him.