Chapter 9: Rejected

Just this year, the Institute confirmed that her wolf had weakened.

They did a test after observing her shortly, and they saw her wolf’s power weakened. They never found out why. Anna also never discovered why, or how, her wolf weakened. But she was the first to feel it then. Back when she was young, she could hear her wolf’s voice. She could talk to it. But after some time, that voice gradually disappeared. And she felt when her spirit would dim—it meant her wolf was struggling inside.

She never knew why.

But until now, it is one of Anna’s biggest secrets.

The Institute’s top agent is growing weaker.

If this accidentally gets out and their enemies catch wind of this, they will definitely not sit still. That’s why she’s very sensitive and insecure about this topic. Because she is the Institute’s biggest asset, and if she falters, the Institute will be in danger.

After that match, Anna did not linger in the HQ any longer, because if she had, they would’ve suspected something was amiss. Sure, she won, but she looked incredibly worn out after that short spat. It’s not a behavior fitting of an A-class agent like her.

So instead, she ambled around their apartment’s street. Her hands were in her pockets and her hoodie hid her face. She let herself wander, getting lost in her thoughts, and feeling for her wolf’s presence.

It felt dim inside. Why?

She heaved a long sigh and returned to their apartment after a short while.

The following morning, Anna headed out early to a coffee shop to meet up with Max. She found him on a corner table with his hands flying on his laptop’s keyboard.

“You’re early,” greeted Anna. She sat down in front of him and his head looked up at her in surprise, following her every movement.

“O-Oh, hi.” He fixed his specs. “I was just revising some parts.”

“Which?”

He moved his laptop to show her his screen and he pointed to some parts in the introduction. “Here. I added more citations and referenced, like, two more studies. I found their research gap was a good fit for our study.”

Anna was leaning on the laptop, nodding in approval at Max’s revisions. She paid no mind to Max’s extra nervous demeanor today, as well as his deep stare.

“They look good,” she says after reading through them. “Well, are you ready for our data gathering tomorrow?”

“Y-Yeah.”

“Good, then. So I have a few sentences already in mind to explain our process…” Anna went on about the writing of their data-gathering process, while Max took notes. The coffee shop was still quiet since it was still early morning, but as lunchtime approached it got more and more crowded. It was not a problem for the two geniuses at the corner who were laser-focused on writing their thesis.

They only stopped for lunch, and for when they had class. Anna started packing up, and Max quickly followed suit.

“Uh, Anna…?”

Max called to her when she rose up from her seat. She expectantly looked at him.

“Do you like… movies?” His expression slightly changed, and from his usual nonchalance, she actually saw him blush slightly with embarrassment. However, Anna didn’t understand why he asked such a random question right now, when they had class in ten minutes, and they were fifteen minutes away from the room.

“They’re alright. Good entertainment.”

He took a rather long pause. Anna intently observed him, down to his microexpressions. She could see he was embarrassed, but he was trying very hard not to let it show. And he’s putting in a lot of effort into this, something he doesn’t look too willing to do.

“Then, would you like to watch a movie? With me?”

—

It was first period, their first of two classes for the day. Anna sat at the back next to the door, while the brooding Max sat by the window. They were on opposite sides of the room. She glanced warily at him while the professor wasn’t looking, and she swore she could see a storm cloud over his head.

It seemed Max was not fond of rejections.

“I’m sorry, Max. I can’t do this Friday. I have an output due that night. Maybe next time.”

Maybe he saw through her lie, which was why he was bitter. She didn’t know—she had no way of knowing. But it was just not something Anna was prepared for, nor something she imagined she could do with Max. He was aloof, distant, cold, and had a good facade of being normal when he obviously wasn’t. She feels uncomfortable around him, and she can’t enjoy a movie with someone she doesn’t feel… safe with.

Though she does want to get to know him more, a movie is just not it. Maybe a better opportunity will come next time. And besides, her Fridays are for rotting at the apartment with Rica, watching some cringe TV series, and eating ice cream.

She merely hopes it won’t be awkward between the two of them after this, especially tomorrow. Tomorrow, they interview Kael and his friends. Tomorrow, she will face him again. Kael and his scent, a scent that she couldn’t keep off of her mind.

After finishing classes for the day, Anna resigns to her bed just before midnight. She stares blankly at the wall and closes her eyes, praying she won’t have another bad dream.

—

Anna groans and turns to her side, where her phone vibrates. With a squint, she focuses on the notification. It was an email from Max.

I’m really sorry, but an emergency happened back home, and I’m urgently needed. I cannot come to the data gathering. If it is possible to reschedule, please do so. But I would understand if you would still interview them regardless. I will support and be grateful for any decision you make. I will inform you when I can come back.

Max