Chapter 6: Stay out of the way.

Anaya limped through the hallway, her schedule clutched in her trembling hands. She'd found her way out of Pack History, but now she was lost again. Her next class was Etiquette at Room 312.

She looked up at the numbers on the walls; 204, 206, 208... and sighed. She was going the wrong way.

She turned, her body screaming in protest. The cuts on her back had stopped bleeding, but they still throbbed with every step. Her ribs ached. Her head pounded. She wanted nothing more than to lie down and sleep for a week.

She kept walking, her eyes fixed on the numbers, her mind elsewhere. She was so lost in thought that she didn't see him until it was too late.

"Watch where you're going, fatty."

Anaya stumbled back and pain spread throughout her body. She'd walked straight into someone. A tall, broad-shouldered Alpha with cold eyes and a cruel smile.

Her schedule slipped from her fingers, scattering across the floor.

"I'm sorry," she said quickly, ignoring her papers on the floor, staying submissive. "I didn't see.. "

"Of course you didn't." The Alpha's voice was dripping with contempt. "Do you know who I am?" the Alpha asked, his voice sharp. "I'm Dorian Vance. My father sits on the Council. I'm the most powerful Alpha in this Academy."

Anaya's mouth twitched at the sides but she did not say a word. This was the usual arrogance that wolves displayed. What was her business with his position in the Academy?

Second most powerful, someone whispered behind him. Kaelen Drake is first.

Dorian's jaw tightened. "Shut up," he snapped. Then he turned back to Anaya, his eyes glittering with malice. "You're in my way, Omega. Move."

Anaya nodded and bent over, her hand hovering over the scattered papers.

"Did I say pick up your papers?" Dorian asked, his voice low and dangerous.

Students were watching on the sides now and Anaya felt unprecedented shame. With effort, she straightened her body. "I just wanted to..."

The Alpha laughed-a harsh, mocking sound. "Maybe I should teach you a lesson. Show you what happens to wolves who don't know their place."

Anaya's heart skipped a beat and she bit her lips, trembling slightly. She dreaded what was to come. Even if this Alpha wanted to knock her out, no one would stop him.

He reached for her..

"Back off, Dorian."

The voice cut through the hallway like a blade, cold and commanding.

Kaelen had been heading to class when he saw her.

She was standing in the middle of the hallway, her papers scattered across the floor and Dorian Vance was looming over her.

Watch where you're going, fatty.

The words hit him like a slap, and something dark and dangerous coiled in his chest. The bond flared, demanding that he act, that he protect her.

He forced himself to walk slowly, his expression carefully blank but his hands were clenched at his sides, his jaw tight.

Get away from her, he thought, his eyes fixed on Dorian. Get away from her now.

"Vance," he called out, his voice flat. "You're blocking the hallway."

Dorian turned, his expression shifting from cruelty to surprise. "Drake. I was just..."

"I don't care what you were doing." Kaelen stopped a few feet away, his eyes cold. "Move."

Dorian's jaw tightened, but he stepped aside. Even he knew not to challenge the Playboy Alpha.

Kaelen's gaze flickered to Anaya. She was staring at him now, her gaze thankful. He could see the bruises on her face, the dark circles under her eyes. She looked exhausted.

He forced his gaze away, his expression cold and dismissive. "You," he said, his voice clipped. "Watch where you're going next time. This isn't the slums. We don't tolerate incompetence here."

Anaya flinched, her face burning. "I'm sorry. I didn't..."

"I don't want to hear it." He turned away, his voice flat. "Just stay out of the way."

***

Anaya bent over to pick up her papers. The students had slowly dispersed as the fiasco had been put to a stop by Drake.

Drake. She wondered why he came to her rescue only to insult her right after. She wished she could fight back and stand up to these bullies, but she was powerless. She shook her head and focused on what she was doing.

"Hey."

She frowned and looked up. What now?

A boy stood in front of her, his expression kind. He was tall, with warm brown eyes and a steady gaze. His scent was Gamma, but there was something about him that commanded attention.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice gentle.

Anaya shook her head, not trusting her voice.

He crouched down, helping her gather the last of her papers. "I'm Riven Cross," he said. "I'm a Gamma. I saw what happened. Dorian's an asshole. Everyone knows it."

She swallowed hard. "Thank you."

"It's no problem." He handed her the papers, his eyes soft. "You're Anaya, right? The new Omega?"

She nodded and wondered if he would ask about her wolf. She sighed in relief when he gave her a warm, reassuring smile.

"Don't worry about Kaelen," he said, his voice low. "That's just how he is. He treats basically everyone like that."

Anaya looked down at her hands. Not everyone, she thought. He was surrounded by admirers in class and he was laughing with them.

But she didn't say that.

"Come on," Riven said, offering her a hand. "I'll walk you to your next class. Which one is it?"

"Etiquette. Room 312."

"Ah, a classic." Riven grinned. "Don't worry. I've got it memorized. Follow me."

---

They walked together, Riven chattering about the Academy, about classes, about the teachers. Anaya listened, grateful for the distraction.

"You'll get used to it," Riven said. "It takes time, but you'll find your place."

Anaya nodded, but she wasn't sure she believed him.

"How did you get into the Academy?" he asked, his voice casual. "I mean, you're new and it's Mid-semester. That's pretty unusual."

Anaya's fingers tightened on her blazer. "The Council sent me," she said quietly. "I didn't have a choice."

Riven's eyes flickered with something unreadable. "The Council. That's... interesting."

She looked at him and frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Nothing." He smiled, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Just that you must be special if the Council took an interest in you."

Anaya didn't know what to say to that. Darius Blackwood surely did not see anything special in her.

They walked in silence for a moment, and then Riven stopped in front of a door.

"Here we are. Room 312." He smiled. "Good luck, Anaya. And if you ever need anything..." He paused, his eyes soft. "..I'm here."

She felt a flicker of warmth in her chest. "Thank you, Riven."

He nodded and walked away, his hands in his pockets.

Anaya watched him go, her mind racing. She didn't know who to trust or believe. But for the first time since she'd arrived at this place, she felt like she might have found a friend.