Chapter Five: Partners

Noah's POV

On my first day of school, I planned to make an impression but it seemed like after last night and what happened with ivy and that asshole Kael, everyone had their own impression.

I walked down the hallways of the prestigious school and past the lockers that had your names inscribed onto it and painted with the rank you fell into.

For the newbie omegas, our locker was bright blue, the stronger Omega's with enough practice times had darker shade of blue, the gammas had navy blue, the Alpha's owned matcha green and top Alpha's who were god's themselves, had emerald green lockers.

Same went for witches and other creatures but it was an insane way to impose hierarchy.

‘That's her, isn't it?’

‘i thought she was all that when Alpha Kael escorted her to the dorm’

‘I heard Ivy pushed her.’

‘No, Kael did.’

Giggles and whispers followed me down the hallways but after I placed my books in my locker, I kept walking with my shoulders straight.

If there was one thing losing my father and my sister within a year had taught me, it was that people eventually got bored if you refused to give them a reaction.

Besides, showing emotions in front of these people would be like bleeding in shark infested waters.

They'd never let me live it down..

When the bell rang, I checked my schedule on my phone.

Introduced to Wolf Psychology for my first class.

Fantastic.

Exactly the last thing I needed, a room full of judgemental wolves.

I pushed the classroom door open and the noise inside immediately softened.

Every head turned to me and it made my stomach twist.

“You must be Miss Hale."

I averted my eyes towards the teacher standing at the front of the class.

I nodded.

“Perfect timing." She said and I immediately knew I was going to whatever came next. “Class," she announced.

The room fell silent.

“We have a transfer student joining us this term."

I could feel every single gaze feasting on me and it made my chest tightened.

“This is Noah Hale. I expect everyone to make her feel welcome since it's no game to be a transfer student in the second year. She was given an exception for her high grades….”

The teacher's voice became indistinct as my eyes scanned the room and immediately regretted it and green eyes met mine.

Kael Draven.

Sitting comfortable at the back of the class with a confident demeanor like he owned the class room and for a brief second, his gaze held mine.

Then another pair of eyes caught my attention.

Ivy Blackhart.

Her smile was sweet.

Fake sweet.

Because I remembered exactly how that smile played at the end of her lips as she pushed me towards the pool.

“Miss Hale? I'm Mrs Reid and I'm your homeroom teacher.”

I looked away and back to the teacher. " Take a seat.”

I hurried towards it.

Thankfully it was nowhere near Kael.

"Today's topic," Professor Frey announced as she wrote across the board, "is Wolf Instincts."

Several students groaned but she ignored them.

"As most of you know, discovering your wolf changes more than your ability to shift."

She paced slowly. "Your senses sharpen, your hearing becomes more acute, hunger increases and physical strength improves. Such as reflexes which tend to become faster.”

She turned to the board and wrote.

I could hardly catch up, since this was clearly for wolves who had evolved while I, I shifted once and never again since then.

It was how I knew I was just an omega.

"More importantly, your instincts begin influencing your behavior." She turned back to us, her eyes scanning the room. "We wolves are naturally territorial despite these modern times, protective, possessive and pack oriented.”

My pen paused as the word. Possessive.

And for some reason my mind flashed to Kael's hand around my waist and the way he had tightened around it for a brief second.

" Sometimes..”

Mrs Reid's voice echoed and I immediately forced the thought away.

"...these instincts can become difficult to understand.”

She paced. "Especially when emotions become involved.”

A few students exchanged knowing looks and that made her sigh.

"Yes, that includes mates."

“Mates." I found myself whispering.

" However, that discussion is for another day.”

Disappointed groans echoed around the class but then the teacher smirked and clapped her hands.

" Assignment time.”

The room collectively groaned again but she didn't care.

I was starting to believe Evergreen hired the most bitchiest staff and none of them could be subdued by any student.

"You'll be working in pairs, so before I choose for myself, you should choose a partner.”

Followed by her words, the room immediately exploded into movement and desks shifted.

Being the new girl means I'd probably end up alone but I couldn't work any more efficiently if not alone.

“Kael." Ivy's voice echoed. “I'll work with you."

Her giddy tone made me roll my eyes.

“Actually Miss Blackhart.” Mrs Reid replied, looking down on the rooster in her hand. "Mr Draven?” she called.

"You'll be partnering with Miss Hale."

Wow, congrats to unfortunate Miss Hale..

Wait.

Miss Hale?

My brain stopped functioning but then all eyes turned to me and I knew immediately that Mrs Reid had detonated a bomb.

I was Miss Hale.

"You'll be researching changes in sensory perception after wolf emergence." She started to continue before I found myself echoing.

“No."

"No.”

The exact same moment Kael’s voice echoed through the room as well.

Mrs Reid slowly lowered her glasses.

“Ma’am I can work alone, there's really no need.." I started to say.

"Same here Mrs Reid, because I'd rather fail than work with her."

I rolled my eyes at his effort to do too much.

"Mr Draven, your threats are merely empty and would just prompt me to make both of you permanent partners.”

Kael sighed. "Ma'am…"

“I'm not asking, Kael Draven.”

Then she turned to me. "And No to you as well.”

She looked up to the class.

“You shall present your work tomorrow so get to work."

I sank into my chair and across the room, Kael looked equally horrified.

For the first time since arriving at Evergreen academy, we actually agreed on something.

Unfortunately, neither of us had a choice.