Three

KAELYN

“You're…my roommate?” I asked, my voice cracking. I could barely believe it.

What were the chances that I would he paired with the Student Council President.

None.

He walked past me without a reply.

I watch him as he sat on his bed, pulled off his shoes and socks, before turning to the other side, facing the wall.

It was obvious he didn't want to engage in any form of speaking with me.

I was grateful for that. At least.

I took some of my clothes and walked to the wardrobe at my side of the room, shoving my neatly folded and ironed clothes into it. She ironed every single one of the wears.

Of course, she had.

By the time I arranged my things, it was already dusk. The sun lowered over the Academy, casting an orange glow on the black stone walls.

The warmth didn't seem to touch the Academy. It still felt dark, deep and hopeless. Like a place which swallowed souls.

In the large Academy, Kaiven was somewhere.

If he was alive.

I heard the shuffles of sheets behind me and I turned to see Evren, pulling himself out of the bed.

“It's dinnertime.” He said curtly and walked out of the room.

I drew the curtains close, maintaining the darkness of the room, before I walked out behind him.

We walked out of the building and towards the other one at the other side of the Academy.

Students dressed in blue jacket and trousers, arranged themselves in straight troops as they made their way into the cafeteria.

Organized, orderly and quiet, except for the whispers here and there.

Evren stepped into line. And I did behind him.

“How many students are in the school?” I asked behind him, quietly.

He didn't look back as he replied, “600 students.”

I blinked.

600 students?

That means there were majority of the lower class citizens in here.

Omegas, Gammas, Deltas and warriors wolves.

If all the alphas and betas were here, they'd be only about 60 students. There were only 33 packs.

I walked in line till I got my own dinner. Evren was nowhere to be seen.

I sighed, walking towards an empty seat in the far end of the cafeteria.

My eyes roamed around the place as I started eating and I noticed the large table set in the middle of the cafeteria. It has six seats, arranged opposite each other in threes.

Evren was there, and some other guys. One seat was empty.

Evren's eyes flicked towards me and I immediately looked away, staring at the window. Drawing Evren's attention continuously would make him overly suspicious. It's either I avoided him totally or I befriended him. The latter felt impossible. I wonder how Kaiven got him as a best friend.

“New student?” Someone asked and I looked upwards to see two guys staring at me.

One big guy with a body that could shadow mine thrice. He was huge. The other was a blonde, he slipped into the chair effortlessly.

“Yes.” I replied quietly.

“Nice to meet you.” Big guy said, “I'm Davyn.” He dropped his tray and stretched his hand towards me. I took it.

A big mistake.

His palm swallowed mine wholly.

He gave a light laugh, “You have a small palm. Like a girl's.”

I gave an awkward chuckle as I pulled my hand away.

I'll need gloves.

“I'm Mason.” The other guy introduced himself.

I'm not sure what to say. Introduce myself?

“Uh, I'm Kaelyn.”

Mason raised his brow.

“Kaelyn?” Big guy looked at me.

“Yes.” I hesitated, “I know it sounds like a girl's name but it's actually unisex.”

“Oh,.” They both breathe out, nodding their head slowly.

Kaelyn was mostly not unisex.

“So what rank are you?”

I blinked, “Rank?”

“Haven't you taken your test yet?” Mason asked.

I shook my head.

“You'll take it tomorrow morning then.” He said, concentrating on his food.

I took a bite, slowly. I didn't know there was a test.

“How does the ranking works?”

“You will tomorrow. I hope you get into the same rank with us though.”

“What are your ranks?”

“We are claws.” Davyn chuckled, his voice husky, but cheerful.

Claws.

I wonder what level of ranking it was.

••••~••••

“There are four ranking levels.” Commander Stone's voice thundered across the field. “Initiates. Claws. Fangs. Prospects.”

Claws.

Claws was second to the last.

That wasn't near the top. Not even close.

Davyn and Mason!

“Your respect,” Commander Stone paced about, “is according to your ranking.”

His eyes assessed all of us and landed on…me.

“You,” he called sharply, walking towards me, “Why do you look smaller than the rest of the students?”

My spine stiffened as I sucked in a deep breath, “Genes….sir.”

“Genes.” His voice proved that it was unbelievable.

The other students chuckled but his gaze sent them quiet.

“I hope your ‘genes’ doesn't make you a liability.”

My eyes moved till they stared at him right in the eyes, “I'm not a liability….sir.” My voice didn't shake. I wondered how.

“Hmm,” he scoffed lightly. “I'll know after you prove it.”

“Students!” Commander Stone walked away from us back to his previous spot, “Split.”

The sounds of foot running was heard as they splitted into two groups of equal numbers, fifteen students each on one group. I ran to join one group.

We stared at each other.

“Your opponent is the one opposite you.” He said sharply.

My stomach flipped.

The person standing across was a tall, bright eyed guy who looked too confident to be bitten. His eyes met mine and he smirked–a warning.

“If you are able to beat them before the hourglass empties,” Commander Stone looks at us, “then you are accepted into the Claw Rank. If you fail….you remain at Initiate.”

I sucked in a deep breath.

“There is only one rule. No shifting.”