Breena had instantly recognized the spark of hostility in Hannah’s posture.
She knew her former pack sister was looking for a fight, and on a morning already weighed down by exhaustion and looming secrets, Breena had zero tolerance for it.
She hadn’t realized Hannah and Shadron were enrolling at Gortgic University as first-year students.
Suddenly, the lavish celebration at the Groovesway pack house yesterday made complete sense—it hadn’t just been a feast; they were celebrating the pack heiress’s admission into higher education.
Mrs.
Helena, a veteran educator who could read a troublemaking student in seconds, adjusted her glasses and looked Hannah up and down with cool authority.
“Miss, Breena happens to be the top-performing student in her year,” Mrs.
Helena stated smoothly, her voice cutting through the quiet courtyard.
“Despite missing classes due to unavoidable personal circumstances, she consistently maintains a perfect straight-A average and knows this campus better than most.
So, it would benefit you greatly to work just as hard if you hope to match her academic standing.
You may trust her to guide you, or, if you feel otherwise, you are entirely free to excuse yourself.” Suppressed giggles broke out among the surrounding freshmen.
Hannah’s face flushed red as the humiliation settled in.
Her carefully planned attempt to degrade Breena in front of her new peers had backfired spectacularly, turning her into the punchline of the morning.
Clenching her jaws so tightly the muscles in her cheek twitched, Hannah stiffened her spine.
“Thank you, Madam.
I am suddenly feeling unwell, so I will excuse myself for today.” Mrs.
Helena offered a crisp, indifferent nod.
“You are excused.
Just ensure you do not lose your way when lectures commence.
I maintain a zero-tolerance policy for tardiness—be late by even a single minute, and you will find the lecture hall door locked against you.” Hannah detested the woman’s dismissive tone.
She wondered bitterly if all human professors were this insufferable and self-important.
Given the chance, her wolf instincts urged her to wipe that superior look off the lecturer’s face.
But she couldn’t afford to ruin her academic record; her parents expected excellence, and missing foundational classes was out of the question.
Swallowing her rage, Hannah forced out a tight, clipped response.
“I think I will endure after all.
I wouldn’t want to miss a single lesson—I plan on securing those perfect As myself.” Her eyes flicked to Breena.
“Just like her.” Mrs.
Helena gestured toward the main glass doors.
“Lead the way then, ladies.
Questions regarding the facilities should be directed to Breena and Jojo.” The cohort fell into step behind Breena and Jojo as they crossed the threshold into the bright, vaulted halls of the medical complex.
Intent on making a statement, Hannah deliberately laced her fingers through Shadron’s, pulling him close so their shoulders brushed as they shadowed Breena’s heels.
She tilted her chin, ostentatiously displaying their togetherness for everyone to see.
Breena kept her eyes fixed ahead, entirely indifferent to the theatrical display behind her.
Her complete lack of reaction only stoked Hannah’s fury further.
Grouting her teeth, Hannah stepped forward and intentionally drove her boot onto the back of Breena’s left shoe.
Fabric tore with a sharp sound, dragging the sole right off the upper shoe.
Breena stumbled slightly, catching her balance against the wall before spinning around.
For a split second, her eyes caught Shadron’s—she thought she saw him try to reflexively jerk his hand out of Hannah’s grip, his face tightening with embarrassment, but she quickly dismissed the thought.
Why would he pull away from his own mate?
Breena looked down at her ruined footwear, then lifted her gaze to meet Hannah’s smug smirk.
“Do watch your step, Miss,” Breena said, her voice smooth and devoid of panic.
“It seems your mind is so terribly preoccupied that you’ve forgotten how to walk in a straight line.” Hannah’s breath hitched in fury.
The nerve of this shiftless girl, pretending they were complete strangers!
“Oh, I am so terribly sorry,” Hannah drawled, leaning down to inspect the tattered shoe with mock pity.
“Did I step on your cheap little shoes?
I certainly didn’t mean to tear something so…
flimsy.” Shadron tugged gently at Hannah’s arm, his brow furrowed in discomfort.
“Come on, Hannah.
Drop it already.
You’re creating a scene.” Hannah ignored him, stepping closer to Breena.
“Are you really going to—” CRACK!
A loud, sharp crack echoed off the walls as a clenched fist connected solidly with Hannah’s cheekbone.
Hannah’s head snapped sideways from the impact.
Jojo stood over her, breathing heavily, her knuckles red and her eyes blazing with fury.
“You will not disrespect my friend like that, you arrogant bitch!” Jojo hissed, pulling her arm back to swing a second time.
“Jojo, stop!” Breena gasped, darting forward and grabbing Jojo’s wrists to pull her back.
“Don’t do this!
You’ll get dragged to the disciplinary committee for physical assault!” Hannah snarled, her claws threatening to breach her skin as her wolf surged forward.
“Let me at her!
I’ll tear that human apart!” Before Hannah could lunge, Shadron wrapped both arms around her waist, hauling her back by main force.
“Calm down, Hannah!” he urged, his voice frantic as he pulled her toward a marble bench along the hallway.
He pinned her shoulders down and leaned in, whispering urgently into her ear.
“Violence is strictly prohibited on campus!
You’ll be expelled on your very first day!
Control yourself—you can deal with her outside the gates where the university rules can’t protect her!” Breathing heavily, Hannah allowed herself to be restrained, though her glare remained locked on Breena’s retreating figure.
She watched as Breena led the group away, her arm wrapped around her visibly furious friend while dragging one broken shoe across the floor.
“That foolish human will regret ever laying a hand on me,” Hannah spat under her breath, her fingers digging into the bench.
“I’ll make sure of it.” For the next two hours, Breena and Jojo put their personal troubles aside, professionally guiding the freshmen through the pathology labs, lecture halls, and clinical simulation rooms.
By noon, they dismissed the group near the central quad and made their way to the campus cafeteria to grab lunch.
The massive dining hall was packed to capacity, buzzing with the loud chatter of incoming students attempting to navigate their first day.
Sitting across from Jojo at a corner table with a pair of simple sandwiches, Breena sighed softly.
“You know you’re going to get summoned for that punch, right?” Jojo took a bite of her sandwich, shrugging her shoulders with complete unconcern.
“Of course I know.
But honestly?
It was worth every second to stop that spoiled princess from walking all over you.
She literally made you walk around the entire faculty missing half a shoe!” “You know I don’t care about being humiliated,” Breena said gently, reaching across to pat Jojo’s hand.
“I’m used to her family’s nonsense.
But Hannah’s father has immense influence, and they’re wolves.
I just don’t want you getting kicked out of school because of me.” “It’s already done, babe,” Jojo replied, chewing carelessly.
“I’ll handle whatever penalty they throw at me.
That girl doesn’t scare me.” She leaned forward, wiping her mouth with a napkin.
“By the way…
has that gorgeous specimen of a man outside finally left?” Breena blinked, brought back to reality.
She checked the watch on her wrist.
“Oh, right!
I need to finish up here quickly so I can head over to the forest.
I have to source herbs for that bastard.” Jojo arched an eyebrow.
“You mean the Lycan King?
What kind of illness does he even have anyway?” Before Breena could answer, the chair right beside Jojo was pulled back with smooth precision.
A broad, towering figure settled into the seat with effortless grace.
“Mind if I join you ladies?” Franco asked smoothly, setting a cup of black coffee on the tray.
Breena groaned under her breath, looking across at her friend.
“Talk of the devil, and he appears.” Franco turned his head toward Jojo, a faint, teasing smile playing on his lips as he looked down at her.
“Oh?
It seems this lovely young lady was just talking about me?” Jojo’s cheeks flushed a bright, immediate pink.
Up close, without his dark sunglasses, Franco’s sharp jawline and deep-set eyes were overwhelmingly striking.
She swallowed hard, wondering vaguely if every male in the Lycans possessed such ridiculously great genetics.
Breena leaned back, crossing her arms as she glared at him.
“Sir Franco, could you perhaps grant us a little privacy?
We are in the middle of a private conversation.” In truth, Breena had been subtly scanning the room for an exit route to slip away from his constant surveillance, but Franco seemed to have a terrifying knack for appearing out of thin air.
Franco took a slow sip of his coffee, completely unfazed.
“Please, carry on with your talk, Miss.
I shall simply pretend to be deaf.” Breena stared at him flatly.
How were they supposed to discuss with the King’s right-hand man sitting right next to them?
Catching Jojo’s eye, Breena gave her a subtle, exaggerated wink—a silent signal for Jojo to invent an excuse to leave the table, allowing Breena to break away a few minutes later.
Jojo caught the signal instantly.
She cleared her throat, pushing her chair back.
“Right!
Well…
I’m just going to step out to use the washroom in the…” “Jojoline Shemens!” A strict, projecting voice cut over the ambient noise of the cafeteria.
Breena and Jojo both turned toward the double doors of the dining hall.
Standing at the entrance, holding an official leather-bound ledger, was the University Student Body President—Hedrin Thorn.
His expression was stern as his eyes locked directly onto Jojo’s table.
“You are required to report to the Disciplinary Committee office immediately.”