The Problem With Athletics

For the remainder of the afternoon, Mara found herself thinking about Seraphina Valecrest far more than she wanted to. Not because the woman had been openly hostile. Open hostility was easy. She understood hostility because it announced itself and usually arrived shouting. However, Seraphina had smiled. That was significantly more concerning.

By the time Mara reached her final lecture of the day, she had concluded that beautiful, polite women were responsible for at least half of history's disasters. Possibly more.

The lecture itself passed in a blur of economic theories and graphs that looked increasingly personal in their attacks. When class finally ended, Mara emerged into the cool evening air with a headache and a growing resentment toward statistics.

Unfortunately, her schedule informed her that tomorrow morning included an athletic assessment for all first-year students. Apparently Larkin believed suffering should be well-rounded.

The following day only confirmed her suspicion. The athletic complex occupied nearly an entire section of campus. There was a gymnasium, an indoor track, a swimming facility, and several training halls. As well as what appeared to be enough sports fields to invade a small nation.

Mara stood near the entrance staring at the buildings. "You have a private library, a private gym, and private dining rooms," she muttered. A freshman beside her glanced over. "What?" Mara shook her head. "Nothing. I'm just trying to determine at what point rich people admit they're avoiding society." The boy laughed, then immediately looked guilty for it. Interesting...People still did that around here.

Inside, dozens of students gathered near the courts while instructors organized groups. The atmosphere felt noticeably different from ordinary classes. Less formal and more competitive. Several students were already trying to impress each other. A few were failing spectacularly.

Mara approved because nothing revealed character faster than unnecessary competition. "Vale." She turned. Ethan Hale stood nearby. Dry this time. Which was probably for the best. His expression suggested he was still recovering emotionally from their previous encounter.

Mara nodded politely. "Fountain survivor." His jaw tightened. "That's not funny." "It wasn't for you." A nearby student snorted. Ethan ignored them. To Mara's surprise, he didn't look angry anymore. Embarrassed, perhaps. Annoyed but not angry. "Coach assigned me to your group."

Mara looked toward the roster board. Unfortunately, he was right. "Oh." "You sound disappointed." Mara chuckled. "I'm trying to keep an open mind." "You threw me into a fountain." "You were behaving poorly." Ethan stared. Then, unexpectedly, laughed. Just enough to surprise both of them.

Maybe there was a person hiding beneath all that arrogance after all. Before Mara could investigate further, a whistle echoed across the gym. Students immediately began moving toward assigned stations.

Somewhere above the courts, overlooking the entire facility from the upper balcony, several older students observed the proceedings. Most of the first-years never noticed them. Mara did. One dark-haired figure stood near the railing. Arms folded and watching.

She refused to look twice. Mostly because she already knew exactly who it was. And because looking twice had become a dangerous habit recently. Unfortunately, awareness arrived anyway. Like it always did. She could feel that strange certainty whenever Alaric Arden's attention settled on her.

The sensation made absolutely no sense. And Mara disliked things that made no sense. Which, unfortunately, now included Alaric Arden himself. Below the balcony, Coach Ramirez clapped his hands sharply. "Today's assessment is simple." That was a lie and Mara knew it immediately. Every authority figure who described something as simple was preparing a crime.

"We'll be evaluating endurance, teamwork, and problem-solving." Mara groaned internally, because she disliked group activities. To her, they were humanity's greatest mistake. Around the gym, students groaned. Mara joined them on principle.

By the time the first exercise began, she discovered two important things. First, Larkin students were far more athletic than expected. Second, many of them lacked survival instincts. The obstacle course alone proved it.

One boy attempted a shortcut and landed directly in a padded barrier. Another tried showing off and fell into a safety net. A third somehow managed both. Mara watched thoughtfully. "For a school full of geniuses," she informed Ethan, "some of you make remarkably poor decisions." Several nearby students laughed. Even Ethan looked offended on behalf of the entire institution. Which only confirmed she was right.

Across the gym, hidden behind calm grey eyes and perfect composure, Alaric Blackthorne found himself fighting the urge to smile. Again. And for the first time in years, the future Alpha King realized he was beginning to look forward to classes he wasn't even attending. Simply because Mara Vale might be there.