Chapter 5: Unmistakeably fat..

Kaelen felt his heart pound hard in his chest as he strode through the halls, clearly in a hurry. He ignored the stare from the other students, his mind filled with thoughts of the Omega he'd claimed. He did not know what to expect. Would she be slim, curvy and tall?

Liora hurried beside him, her heels clicking against the stone floor. "She's in the main hall and is supposed to meet Officer Halstead to process her enrollment."

He stopped in his stride and turned to face her, his expression cold. "You're going to help her.You're going to lead her to Officer Halstead.”He paused when Liora's eyes widened. “Make sure she gets her schedule and finds her classes."

Liora's mouth was set in a thin line. She did not want to be serving an Omega but her Alpha had commanded and his words were law.

Kaelen turned away after giving his instructions, his hands clenching at his sides. "I'm going to class. I can't be seen with her."

---

Anaya stood in the hallway, lost. Students passed her, their whispers following her like a shadow. She'd been walking for what felt like hours, trying to find the main administrative building, but every turn led her to another dead end.

A student laughed as he passed her. No one had made a joke, she was clearly the punchline.

She kept her head down, her eyes fixed on the ground. She blinked back the tears and forced herself to keep walking.

"Anaya Morgan?"

She frowned and turned. A tall striking woman stood behind her, her Beta scent commanding attention. She wore the Academy uniform like a fashion piece for the runway.

"I'm Liora Vale," Liora said. Her cold eyes assessed the Omega. Although Anaya wasn't what she expected, she was not shocked by it. "I'm a Beta advisor here at the Academy. I've been sent to escort you to Officer Halstead."

Anaya blinked, surprised. "You... you were sent?"

"By the administration." Liora's expression gave nothing away. "They're aware of your... condition. They want to make sure you don't get lost."

"You don't have to do this… I can find my way," she said quietly.

"I'm sure you can." Liora eyed the girl and pursed her lips. "But the Academy prefers efficiency. Follow me."

She turned and walked away, leaving Anaya no choice but to follow.

---

The main administrative building was a grand hall with high ceilings and marble floors. Officer Halstead sat behind a massive desk, his expression bored as Anaya approached.

"Anaya Morgan?" he asked, not looking up.

"Yes, sir."

He slid a folder across the desk. "Your schedule. Your student handbook. Your dormitory assignment." He finally looked at her, his eyes raking over her with obvious distaste. "You're in Omega dormitory, room 47. Your roommates are Mira, Sera, Tessa, and Daphne. You'll follow their lead, you'll stay out of trouble, and you'll attend all your classes. Understood?"

Anaya nodded and reached for the folder on the desk. "Yes, sir."

"Your first class is Pack History. Room 205. Don't be late."

---

The classroom was massive and already filled up.

High ceilings. Tall windows that let in streams of sunlight. Rows of desks arranged in a semicircle, facing a podium at the front. Students sat in clusters; Alphas at the front, Betas in the middle, Omegas at the back.

The hierarchy was written in every detail. The way the Alphas lounged in their seats, their legs sprawled, their voices loud and confident. The way the Betas sat straighter, more attentive, trying to prove their worth. The way the Omegas hunched in the back, soft and quiet, trying to be invisible.

Anaya stood in the doorway, her heart pounding. She feared it would burst out. She shifted her feet nervously before she entered into the class.

The whispers started immediately.

"Is that her?"

"The new Omega?"

"Look at her. She's so... big."

"Her face is pretty, though. Did you see her eyes?"

Anaya's face burned. She kept her head down, her eyes fixed on the floor, and walked toward the back of the room. The Omegas were there, tucked away in the corner, their eyes following her every move.

She slid into an empty seat, her body screaming in protest. The chair was hard, uncomfortable, and she could feel eyes boring into the back of her head.

She kept her eyes on her desk, her hands pressed to her chest, her only companion the warmth of the bond until the teacher walked in; a tall Beta with sharp eyes and graying hair.

"Good morning, class," he said, his voice carrying across the room. "I see we have a new student today."

His eyes landed on Anaya, and he frowned.

"Anaya Morgan," he said. "I was informed you'd be joining us. Please introduce yourself to the class."

Anaya stood slowly, her legs trembling. She could feel everyone's eyes on her and it made her nervous.

"My name is Ana… Anaya Morgan.” She hated that her voice shook, an obvious sign she was afraid and nervous.

"That's all?" The teacher raised an eyebrow. "No mention of your wolf? Your pack? Where you come from?”

Kaelen Drake strode into the classroom at that moment.

He was tall, broad-shouldered, with dark hair that fell across his forehead and eyes the color of winter frost. His shirt was untucked, his tie loose, his expression cold and dismissive.

He scanned the room, his eyes searching for her. And then he found her.

She was standing in the back corner, her head bent, her shoulders hunched. She was larger than he'd expected—soft, rounded, beautiful in a way that caught him off guard.

Her face was delicate, with high cheekbones and full lips that looked like they'd pout beautifully when she was annoyed. Her hair was long and brown, falling over her shoulders. He couldn't see her eyes.

But her body... she was fat. Undeniably, unmistakably fat.

Kaelen's breath caught. The bond flared, an electric current that raced through his veins, settling deep in his chest.

He'd been imagining someone fragile. Delicate. A small, soft Omega that would fit perfectly in his arms. She wasn't any of those things.

But she was still beautiful. Her skin was like cream, smooth and unblemished despite the bruises on her face.

He forced his gaze away, his expression carefully blank. He couldn't let anyone see that she affected him.

"Kaelen. Late again?" The teacher's voice cut through the room, sharp and disapproving.

Kaelen smiled and rubbed his hands together, his smile sly. "Apologies. I was with my lady." He winked at the class.

One of the Alpha at the front snickered and the class… better still, the Alphas at the front laughed. The teachers just shook his head and waved his hands.

Kaelen walked toward the front of the room, his steps measured, his face impassive. He could feel her eyes on him, feel the bond pulsing with recognition.

But she didn't know. She didn't know who he was.

He slid into his seat, surrounded by admirers who crowded around him, eager for his attention. He laughed at something one of them said but his mind was elsewhere.

The bond was calling to him, demanding that he look at her, that he go to her but he forced himself to stay still and focus on the lesson.

---

Anaya watched him walk to the front. The bond had flared to life the moment he entered the room, a warmth that spread through her chest, electric and alive. She pressed a hand to her chest, trying to calm the racing of her heart.

What is this? she thought. What's happening to me?

She looked at the man who'd just walked in; tall and devastatingly handsome. He was surrounded by admirers, laughing at something one of them had said. He was an Alpha, obviously, and a powerful one at that.

But why did he affect her like this? Why did her heart race when she looked at him? Why did the bond pulse so strongly in his presence?

She looked away, forcing herself to focus on the lesson. She didn't know who he was. But she knew one thing for certain—this man was dangerous.

---

The lesson dragged on.

Anaya struggled to focus, her body aching, her mind racing. The teacher droned on about pack history, about the history of Alphas, Betas, and Omegas.

She felt sleepy. She’d long since learned about all of this. When she had nothing to do back home or rather when she was ignored by almost everyone, her companion had been books

She placed her hands on her chin and her dark eyes scanned the room. Her eyes instinctively settled on the Alpha that had walked in late.

She quickly looked away when he looked in her direction and did her best to focus on the class.

---

When the class ended, Anaya could not feel more relieved. She gathered her things slowly, trying to give the other students time to leave. She didn't want to face them.

But as she stood to leave, a hand landed on her shoulder.

"Anaya.”

She slowly turned and came face to face with Mira, her roommate. She was surprised the girl had come to her after what happened in the dorm.

"I know it's hard. Being new and… different." She squeezed Anaya's arm. "But you'll find your place here. I promise."

Anaya blinked, surprised by the kindness. "Thank you," she said quietly. She felt a flicker of hope. Maybe she wasn't alone after all.

She smiled back… a small, tentative smile. "Thank you, Mira. I appreciate that."

Mira nodded, her eyes flickering with something unreadable. "Of course. We Omegas have to stick together."

She turned and walked away, leaving Anaya standing there, her heart a little lighter.

But later, when Anaya looked back on this moment, she'd realize that Mira's smile hadn't reached her eyes.