Chapter 1 – My first kiss

Lila’s POV

Today I had my first kiss. It wasn’t planned. It was also with a complete stranger.

I’ve always had my first kiss envisioned from the moment I learned what real love was. I imagined the sparks we would feel as we share that passionate moment. I imagined what my wolf would feel like when she recognizes him as our mate.

Going to a large college, I thought I would at least find one person that would make me want to give him everything my heart had to offer.

But I never felt what my mother felt for my father.

I’ve had a boyfriend for a couple of months, but it still never felt right. I keep thinking that when I turn 18 and get my wolf, maybe she would recognize him as our mate. Maybe he’s the one I’m supposed to be with for the rest of my life, even if I don’t see it yet.

But the moon goddess thought otherwise.

As I walked through the halls of my school, Higala Shifter Academy, I paused when a familiar sense washed over me. My boyfriend, Scott, was nearby, and he wasn’t alone. The halls were growing quiet as students went to class. It was only the sounds my heartbeat left as I made my way around the corner, only pausing when I heard a familiar giggle of a she-wolf, Sarah, and the husky growls of Scott.

“You are so naughty, Scott,” Sarah chuckled.

“Only for you, babe,” he replied, muffled as her lips closed around his.

At that moment, I felt sick to my stomach.

My next class, ceramics, was with Scott. I didn’t even want to take that class, but he thought it would be fun to take a class together. I was an art student, so I agreed.

As I stepped away, I paused as I saw a tall and broad gentleman across the hall, staring in my direction. Our eyes met only briefly and I had to admit that he was strikingly handsome.

“Oh, Scott. Stop it. You know we can’t be seen together. What if your girlfriend finds us?”

“She’s in class. She’s never late. You don’t need to worry.”

My heart was heavy in my chest, but also a wave of fury and resentment crossed me.

A crease formed between the gentlemen’s brows. I realized tears had escaped my eyes. They weren’t so much as tears of heartbreak, more like tears of disappointment. I wiped my face with the back of my hand and was about to walk past him.

I didn’t want anyone to see me like this.

Just as Scott came around the corner, I felt him freezing as he saw me. Sarah stood beside him, and I heard her gasp. I met her beautiful blue eyes.

“Lila?” Scott breathed, staring at me in shock “What are you—”

Before he could get the entire question out, I turned to the gentleman beside me, placing my hands on his shoulders and pulling him toward me. He went easily, though his eyes showed nothing but confusion. I closed my eyes tightly so I wouldn’t have to see his expression any longer.

Then, our lips touched.

His lips were soft, and they tasted so sweet, almost like marshmallows. However, his lips remained unmoving. His hands rested lazily by his sides, though mine moved comfortably around his neck.

My heart was beating rapidly in my chest. I had no idea what I was doing. I’m not sure why I did it; maybe to hurt Scott. Maybe because I was sick of holding out for something that might never be good enough in comparison to the role models I grew up with.

Either way, I seized the moment.

Though, I had no idea who this man was.

I pulled away from him, breathlessly gazing up at his grey eyes. They were growing darker as he stared into me. I wasn’t sure what lingered in his gaze, but he didn’t pull away from me. My hands continued to rest behind his neck, and I realized I was pressing my body into him.

My face grew warm as I stepped away, touching my fingers to my lips.

That was my first-ever kiss.

What. Did. I. Do?

“I need to get to class,” he said, his tone was low and almost husky. That was the first thing he’s ever said to me.

I was too stunned at my own actions to even ask him what his name was. But I nodded, brushing my dark hair out of my face with my fingers.

Scott and Sarah had already gone to class. I turned away from him, without saying anything and went in the direction of the main office. All I could think about at that moment was getting out of my next class.

I couldn’t face Scott again after that.

Even as I walked away, I could feel the gentlemen’s eyes on the back of my head, watching me.

…

“Unfortunately, there’s only one class available. All other seats are filled,” the receptionist, at the main office, said, glancing at her computer.

“And what class would that be?” I asked, trying to keep the tears from resurfacing in my eyes.

“Shifting and Combat,” she answered, staring up at me. “Would that be all right?”

Shifting? I had yet to obtain my wolf; so, that class might be difficult. However, I was skilled in combat.

“Anything but ceramics,” I said to her in return.

She frowned for a moment.

“Is everything all right, Lila? You aren’t being bullied in that class, are you?” She asked. “I can give your father—”

“No!” I said quickly; the last thing I wanted was for my father to find anything out about what had happened. He was the head of the Alpha Committee and worked closely with Scott’s dad, another Alpha. “It’s nothing like that,” I assured her.

She looked unconvinced, but she nodded just the same as she looked back at her computer, typing away. She soon printed out a new schedule, handing it to me.

“You are now in Shifting and Combat 101 with Professor Enzo. It’s in the school arena. You can head there right now.”

The arena was on the opposite end of the school; I’ve only been there a few times to practice my combatting.

But how was I going to get through a semester of shifting classes when I couldn’t even shift?

My 18(th) birthday was only a few days away; I was supposed to be heading home for the weekend to celebrate with my family. I thought I would have obtained my wolf by now, but I was mistaken.

I was the youngest wolf to get accepted into the Higala Shifting Academy; one of the largest schools for werewolf and bear shifters. I was also the only one who didn’t have a wolf yet. But that didn’t mean I was incapable.

Like my mother, I am a Volana wolf. Volanas are more powerful than regular wolves. The moon goddess had gifted us with many different abilities. Although, I haven’t received these abilities just yet.

However, I’ve studied and practiced my entire life, with some of the greatest gamma warriors and my father, on how to fight and defend myself.

I reached the arena and stood outside the doors; I could already hear the growling of wolves as they practiced their combat with one another.

Stepping inside, my eyes scanned the area briefly. Not one wolf was paying me any attention, they were fixated on each other. They were large and ferocious looking; it reminded me of the gamma training I used to watch growing up.

Stepping further into the arena, I allowed the door to shut firmly behind me. The biggest wolf stood on the far side of the arena, overlooking the combat unfolding before him.

That had to have been the professor.

He was a beautiful dark wolf that almost looked blue from the crystal lighting that danced off his thick fur. His dark eyes scanned the arena briefly before they landed on mine.

He looked oddly familiar; it wasn’t until he shifted back into his human form that I realized who he was.

It was him…

The man I kissed only moments ago in the hallway.

The man I had given my first kiss to, was my professor.

Chapter 2 – Shifting and Combat 101

Lila’s POV

I couldn’t believe that the man I had shared my first kiss with was my professor. Suddenly, it felt like the arena wasn’t big enough.

Professor Enzo was extremely handsome and incredibly muscular. I ran my eyes from his gorgeous grey eyes down to his incredible 8 pack abs. His arms were large, and I could see small veins appearing around his biceps. His dark, wavy hair was kind of shaggy, dancing around his broad and manly features. He had sweat beading on his forehead and dripping down the side of his face, and some more sweat on his chest, dripping down his torso.

My face instantly began to redden as he walked toward me.

“Can I help you with something?” He asked, raising his brows, and meeting my eyes.

“Sorry; I just transferred to this class,” I say to him, showing him my printed schedule. “I’m Lila…”

He looked at the schedule briefly; silence growing thick between us as he pulled his eyes from the schedule and back onto my face.

“You can join the other students,” he said, turning away from me.

My eyes widened as I glanced at the others who were still fighting in their wolf forms. I swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat.

“Actually, I can’t shift,” I say quickly before he’s able to walk away.

He freezes; for a moment, I thought I heard a low growl in the dept of his throat.

“What?” He asked in a disbelieving and slightly annoyed, tone. He turned back and I saw that his grey eyes were now dark and threatening. “What do you mean you can’t shift?”

“I mean… I haven’t gotten my wolf yet,” I tell him, biting my lip hard.

He glanced down at my mouth, staring as I chewed my bottom lip nervously. I could feel heat circulating my features. My heart was pounding so quickly and loudly against my chest, I thought he would be able to hear it.

“Why are you in a shifting and combat class if you can’t shift?”

“I’m good at combat,” I answer. “Just because I don’t have a wolf doesn’t mean I’m not capable. I’ve been practicing my entire life. Let me show you what I can do.”

“I don’t have time to babysit,” he muttered, sounding incredibly annoyed. “Besides,” he added. “I don’t have a partner for you. All my students fight in their wolf forms.”

“I can train with her,” a she-wolf said as she shifted back into her human form.

She had a kind face; her hair was short and dark. Her eyes were big and brown, with long lashes. She was looking at me fondly with a sweet smile.

“I don’t mind,” she said again, pulling her eyes from me to look at Professor Enzo.

“Fine,” he said.

He walked away without another word.

“I’m Becca,” she said, holding her hand out for me to shake. I took it, returning her smile.

“It’s nice to meet you,” I say in return. “I’m Lila.”

“Oh, trust me, I know exactly who you are. I also hear you are one of the best fighters in this school. Professor E. would have been stupid to turn you away.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at her words; this was my first year at this school and I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised that word travels fast. I’m known around Elysium for my combat and clever mind, but we weren’t in Elysium.

We were in Higala. The largest city outside of Elysium.

“I appreciate your kind words,” I say in return, and I meant that.

She went to say something else, but her words fell short when we heard another, more familiar, voice.

“Well, look who it is,” Sarah scoffed. “If it isn’t the little slut; coming to play with the big dogs?”

I rose my brows; she was calling me a slut? After I just caught her making out with my boyfriend?

“Though I shouldn’t be surprised,” she said, her tone growing icy as she glanced behind her shoulder at Professor Enzo who was staring in our direction with a crease forming between his brows and his frown deepening. “Considering how much you like Professor Enzo; it’s a no-brainer that you’d transfer to his class.”

“I’m here to practice my combat skills, like everyone else.”

This made her laugh.

“Please; the only skills you are practicing are the skills with your lips.”

“She’s actually a very capable fighter,” Becca chimed in.

“That’s rich coming from a lowly Omega,” Sarah sneered, causing Becca to flinch. “Your kind shouldn’t even be allowed at this school.”

Becca looked genuinely hurt by her words.

“Ew Sarah, why are you even talking to that Omega?” Another girl said, stepping beside her.

Both girls laughed and I saw Becca’s face reddening as she lowered her gaze.

“Omegas are nothing but trash,” Sarah agreed. “But what’s worse than an Omega is someone who can’t even shift into their wolf. It’s no wonder your boyfriend wanted my lips instead of yours.”

I stepped in front of Becca, blocking her out of sight of the other wolves.

“What gives you the right to decide if an Omega is capable or not? I happened to have seen her fight only moments ago and she seemed quite capable to me. It’s my understanding that we are at this school to learn. So, let’s not cause issues for one another,” I said, staring around at their faces. “As for my boyfriend goes…” I say, meeting Sarah’s eyes. “He’s clearly not man enough to be able to handle me. So, he’s all yours.”

Without another word, I grab Becca’s wrist and pull her along with me to a different part of the arena and away from the nasty she-wolves.

I got another glimpse of Professor Enzo as we passed, and I thought I saw a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

“Thank you for standing up for me,” Becca said in a low tone once we were a distance away. “I’m used to being bullied though. Omegas aren’t typically liked around here…”

I rose my brows at her, confused.

“Why?” I asked. “Some of the best wolves I know are Omegas. They are incredibly kind and genuine. Don’t let bullies like that make you think otherwise.”

She beamed a wide smile at me; I could tell she felt a lot better.

“It’s obvious some people here don’t recognize you as Alpha Bastien’s daughter. Let’s show them what you can do!”

I smiled at her words; that sounded like a perfect idea. I couldn’t shift into my wolf form, which meant, I needed to wow them in other ways.

I faced Becca, getting into the stance I was most comfortable in.

Soon, we were both fighting.

She managed to dodge most of my attacks. However, I was holding back a lot. I didn’t want to hurt her.

I dodged her attacks with ease; she couldn’t even come close to me. I could feel the eyes of the other students on me, their mouths gaping as I did an acrobatic move. Something I’m sure none of them were expecting.

I did a front flip, kicking my legs out and purposely missing Becca by a hair. Though, it frightened her enough to stumble backward and lose her footing.

I grabbed a sphere off the wall of weapons, twirling it in my hands quickly, doing a somersault and twirl move. She dodged the first attack thinking I was aiming for her head when I was actually aiming for her feet. So, she tried to dodge but instead tripped, falling to the ground again.

I stepped, lightly, on her chest, pinning her to the ground with the sphere pointed directly at her.

She stared up at me with awe; everybody gasped.

I looked around, almost forgetting that there was an audience. None of them spoke for a long while until a couple of them clapped. Then, almost everyone started cheering.

Everyone except Sarah and her friend.

I smiled pleased, taking my foot off Becca, and helping her to her feet.

“That was incredible!” She breathed, staring at me with wide eyes.

“It was nothing,” I shrugged, putting the sphere back on the rack.

I turned to see Professor Enzo staring at me; his arms folded across his chest and his face expressionless.

Before I could approach him and ask him what he thought, I heard beeping going across the arena.

I frowned as I realized it was everybody’s phone.

As they all went to check their phones, I heard the gasps and saw the shocked expressions. Becca covered her mouth with her hand as she stared at her own phone.

“What’s going on?” I asked, glancing over her shoulder.

As soon as I saw what they were all looking at, my heart plummeted into my stomach.

It was a picture of me… kissing… Professor Enzo.

Chapter 3 – A photo has been leaked

Lila’s POV

“Everybody needs to get off their phones!” Professor Enzo’s voice was deep and boomed across the arena.

I couldn’t even move; my entire body felt frozen as I stared at the picture on Becca’s phone. I glanced around the arena only to be met with a bunch of curious and shocked expressions. Everybody was staring at me.

Sarah and her friend were chuckling as they were glaring at me.

“That’s one way to get ahead…” I heard her muttering.

Professor Enzo grabbed Becca’s phone to look at the photo; I hadn’t even realized he was approaching us. His jaw twitched as he took in the photo.

“This is terrible photoshop skills,” he said, shaking his head as he gave Becca her phone back. “You can clearly see the outlining around my body. Someone is really trying hard to spread nasty rumors.”

Everybody pulled their eyes from me to look back at the picture, assessing it.

“He’s right… this is terrible photoshop,” someone murmured.

“How pathetic. Why go to that many lengths to spread this kind of rumor?” another said, shaking their head.

Sarah’s mouth was nothing more than a thin line as her obvious plan was unraveling. I couldn’t help the smile that twitched at the corner of my mouth.

“I almost thought for a minute that you actually kissed Professor Enzo,” Becca laughed from beside me, averting my attention from Sarah to her. “Although, I wouldn’t have been surprised. He’s so handsome. Anyone would be lucky to be able to kiss him. A lot of women around here want to.”

“Really?” I asked, raising my brows. “Because of how handsome he is?”

“That and because he’s very young; he’s only 23,” Becca explains. My eyes widened; I knew he looked young, but I didn’t think he was that young. “He’s also the strongest and toughest professor at this school. Which is to be expected considering he is an Alpha.”

“He’s an Alpha?” I asked in surprise; I had no idea. He must know my father then. I couldn’t help but look back at Professor Enzo who was busy showing some students new moves.

“Yes,” Becca answered. “I believe he’s the Alpha of the Calypso Pack.”

The Calypso Pack.

That was the pack my mother was born in; her parents were from the Calypso Pack. I remembered, from when I was young, that their former Alpha was Blaise, the most powerful shifter in the universe.

I wondered how Enzo became their Alpha.

The thought was quickly brushed from my mind as class concluded.

“I’m starving…” Becca said as she gathered her belongings. “We should get some lunch.”

“I’ll be there in a minute,” I tell her, glancing over my shoulder at Enzo who was typing something on his phone. He had a stern expression; his eyebrow twitching only slightly. “I need to talk to the professor about something.”

“Okay,” Becca said giving me a half-wave. “Then I’ll see you in a bit.”

She turned and left the arena with the others, leaving me alone with Professor Enzo.

“Professor?” I say, stepping closer to him. He glanced up at his phone to look at me, narrowing his eyes. “I just wanted to say that I’m sorry for this mess…”

“It’s been dealt with,” he muttered, showing me his phone. “I got the picture taken down.”

I rose my brows in shock; that was so quick. When he saw my shocked expression, a smirk appeared on his lips.

“I know the guy who runs this platform,” he explained. “He took it down without question.”

“Thank you,” I said to him, feeling an overwhelming sense of relief.

I went to turn away, but his voice stopped me.

“I was trying to figure out why you looked so familiar to me and then when I saw you fighting, I realized who you were,” he said. I could feel his eyes on the back of my head and knew how intently he was staring at me even before I turned around to face him. “You are Alpha Bastien’s daughter.”

It wasn’t a question.

I nodded my head once.

“You know my father?”

“He’s one of the strongest and fiercest Alphas,” Enzo said; his expression was hard to read. “I can tell that you’ve trained under him.”

“For my entire life,” I say, staring down at the ground almost sheepishly. I wasn’t sure why I was feeling embarrassed suddenly. “My father is my role model… as is my mother.”

He said nothing to that; he just stared at me for another short while. Soon, he turned away to clean up his belongings. I stood there for a moment, unsure of what to say.

“I’m actually having a birthday party this weekend,” I tell him before I could grasp what I was saying. His body tensed for a moment, and he looked over his shoulder to glance at me. “A lot of Alphas will be there. I’m turning 18, so it’ll be a big bash in Elysium. You’re invited, of course. All Alphas are.”

“Is that so?” Another smirk appeared on his lips, causing my heart to somersault.

“Yes,” I answer, pleased that my voice didn’t sound strained. “Of course, you don’t have to. But I figured I’d offer the invite.”

When he didn’t say anything in response, I took that as my cue to leave. I turned away, feeling awkward, and started to walk toward the exit.

“Should I bring anything?” He asked before I could leave.

I paused; my breathing got caught in my throat.

“Just yourself,” I say, instantly regretting how lame I sounded.

I left without another word.

…

“I can’t believe my daughter is turning 18,” my mother breathed as she wrapped me in her arms. I smiled into her embrace. It felt good to be home after a few weeks of living at the academy.

Higala Shifter Academy was about an hour’s drive from Elysium, so I had to live in a dorm room. I tried to come home most weekends though.

“How do you feel? Any changes?” My father asked, eyeing my features carefully.

I thought about it for a moment before answering; typically, when a wolf was about to make an appearance, it could be felt.

I shook my head, sighing in defeat.

“I feel the same,” I answer. “Maybe I won’t get a wolf.”

“Don’t say that,” my mother said with a frown. “You’ll get your wolf and you’ll be stronger than ever.”

“Your mother is right, Lila bean,” my father chimed in. “It’s in your DNA.”

I knew they were right; I was just being impatient. I wanted my wolf so badly that it was driving me insane. I was hoping that once I got my wolf, I would be able to sense my mate and get Scott’s betrayal out of my mind.

I looked between my parents who loved one another so much; it pulled at my heart. Even after everything they’ve been through in their entire lives, they always stood by each other. My father said that a mate bond is the strongest form of companionship.

He’s proved that repeatedly; even when my mother pulled away, he always went after her. He never gave up. He’s loved her unconditionally and I admired that so much.

I aspired to have that more than anything.

But without a wolf, I felt like that was impossible.

“Guests will be arriving soon, Lila bean,” my mother said, giving me a fond smile.

I stared myself over in the mirror one last time; I was wearing a silky pink and black dress that flowed evenly around my knees. My father had already gone to greet some of the Alphas that already arrived. My mother stood behind me, staring at me fondly with tears welling up in her eyes.

“I’m so proud of you, you know,” she breathed, wrapping her arms around me, and giving me a tight hug.

The two of us looked a lot alike; I had her dark hair and fair features. Most importantly, I had her Volana eyes. One violet and the other blue.

She released me and draped an arm through mine, pulling me along with her toward my bedroom door. I could already hear the guests piling into the foyer of the packhouse.

“Oh, I forgot to mention. I invited my professor as well,” I tell her. She paused for a moment and glanced at me. “Actually, he’s the Alpha of the Calypso Pack. Enzo.”

She rose her brows.

“Alpha Enzo is your professor?” She asked; she didn’t sound displeased, just surprised. “I never took him as the kind to be a professor.”

“Do you know him well?” I asked, peering up at her.

She thought about it for a moment before answering.

“As well as I can I suppose. He’s the son of the former Alpha of the Calypso Pack, Blaise.

Chapter 4 – 18(th) birthday party

Lila’s POV

My mother took one look at my face and started laughing.

“Why do you look like you’ve seen a ghost?” She asked.

“Enzo is Blaise’s son?” I asked; I was completely and utterly shocked. “I had no idea he had kids.”

My mother nodded.

“I don’t think Enzo was ever close to his father,” she explained. “I believe he lived with his mother in a different pack. When his father died, he went back to Calypso. Being Blaise’s only living relative and all.”

“If I had known he was Blaise’s son, I wouldn’t have invited him. I’m so sorry…”

“Sorry? Why are you sorry? I’m glad you invited him. Your father will be pleased. He rather likes Enzo. Said he has a good head on his shoulder. He’s nothing like his father, that’s for sure.”

“So, we trust him?” I asked, raising my brows.

“Lila bean, we can’t fault Enzo for something his father did. You should know that better than anyone.”

She gave me a small smile, staring around my concerned face. She placed a hand on my shoulder, causing me to meet her eyes.

“I promise, if there’s something you need to be concerned with, I will tell you,” she said gently. “But for right now, there isn’t. Enzo is not a villain. Those days are behind us.”

I felt better knowing she wasn’t worried. I trusted my mother more than anyone.

“So, when were you going to tell me about Scott?” My mother asked as we made our way out of the apartment. I paused and turned to her.

“How did you know about that?” I asked.

One of her eyebrows went straight up as she looked me over.

“I’m your mother; you can’t hide things from me,” she replies.

I wanted to laugh; she always knew when something was going on.

“Does dad know?” I asked.

“Do you not want him to know?”

“I just don’t want to make the Alpha committee weird is all,” I tell her. “Because Scott’s dad is a member…”

“Your father is extremely professional. He would let something like that intervene with his work,” she said in return. “But I won’t say anything if you don’t want me to. I’m assuming we won’t be expecting Scott tonight then.”

It wasn’t a question.

I turned away and walked down the stairs to greet the guests that have arrived. The first person I saw wasn’t surprising. Brianna. My best friend. She ran to me, wrapping her arms around me, and nearly knocked me off my feet.

I laughed at her excitement.

“Oh my goddess, Lila!” She cooed happily, twirling me around. “You look stunning! How do you feel? Do you feel 18?”

I sighed, shaking my head.

“I feel the same as I always had,” I tell her. “I was hoping I was going to get my wolf today…”

“You still might,” she assured me, giving me a broad smile. “The day is still young. Regardless, you are going to get your wolf and it’s going to be glorious when you do!”

Brianna had gotten her wolf a couple of months ago and she hasn’t stopped talking about it. She describes it as having a real genuine best friend who knows you from the inside and out. Then, she paused when she saw my face and added, “no offense. It’s just different… you know.”

I assured her that I didn’t take offense to that, and I knew what she meant.

My mother told me about a time she thought she lost her wolf for good. It was like losing a part of herself. Her mind was so quiet, and she felt so lonely. “Your father made me feel less lonely,” she added.

That was exactly the kind of love I wanted; I wanted someone to make me feel less lonely even if I didn’t have a wolf. But I also really wanted to meet my wolf. I wondered what she would look like. What she would sound like. I wondered what her name would be.

Soon, the packhouse was filled with those I love; my mother brought out a huge cake. It was red velvet with chocolate frosting; my absolute favorite flavor. When everyone sang happy birthday, I grew teary-eyed.

For a moment, I forgot all about Scott’s betrayal. I forgot all about my wasted first kiss.

Until he walked in.

At first, it was just the strong scent of marshmallows, but then I saw him standing at the doorway of our packhouse. He wore a dark button-down blazer and dress pants. His hair was still shaggy, but he wasn’t covered in sweat this time.

He was greeted by a few Alphas, including my father. I watched as the two shook hands; my father had said something to him that I couldn’t hear. My mother stood by my side instantly.

“Enzo’s looking rather nice tonight,” she said from beside me.

“Yeah, he is,” I admitted to her. “I wasn’t really thinking he was going to show up.”

“Your Alpha Bastien’s daughter; of course, he’s going to show up when invited. Almost every Alpha is here.”

I thought about our shared kiss a couple of days ago and my face grew warm at the memory. But then I remembered that Enzo was Blaise’s son. I don’t think he knew what had gone down with his father and my parents. I don’t even know if Enzo knew that I was a Volana wolf. We aren’t that common, and most don’t know what we look like at first glance.

I wondered if that would even matter to him.

I always had this strong idea of what true love would look like. My parents have true love; that was always the vision I had for myself. I wanted someone who loved me just as much as I loved them. Who would do anything for me. Someone that would die for me. But I don’t envision Enzo being that person. And I wasn’t even sure why.

I guess I never really envisioned Scott being that person either.

Enzo’s eyes scanned the room briefly as the Alphas continued talking to him. It was like he was looking for something. As soon as his eyes landed on me, it was like he found it. His eyes darkened only slightly. I gave him a polite smile, hoping that my face didn’t reveal my thoughts. His face remained expressionless though; he eventually pulled his eyes away from me to speak to the other Alphas.

The nerve of that guy.

It was my birthday, and he couldn’t even come over to greet me?

“Happy birthday, kiddo,” my uncle Aiden, the beta of the pack, said as he approached. He gave me a quick hug.

“Thanks,” I say to him with a broad smile.

“How did you manage to get Alpha Enzo to show up?” He asked, following my gaze to Enzo who still paid me no attention. “That guy hates parties.”

“How do you hate parties?” I asked, raising my brows.

“He’s always been odd like that. Ever since he was a kid. He’s always only had one focus and that was to get to the top. I admire his ambitions honestly, but it would be nice to see him smile once in a while.”

“He doesn’t smile?”

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen him smile,” Aiden answered.

The only type of smile I’ve seen him do was smirking. I thought he’s come close to a real smile when I told Sarah off in the middle of his class, but I was probably mistaken. As I looked back over at Enzo, he was looking directly at me.

…

Third Person POV

“She completely embarrassed me in the class,” Sarah cried to her new boy-toy Scott.

She doesn’t think of Scott as her boyfriend, she just wanted to see if she could steal him away from Lila.

Which she did.

Ever since Lila started going to the academy, everyone’s attention has always been on Lila. Sarah used to be the best student and now it was Lila. Sarah used to be the center of attention, but now all anyone ever talks about is Lila.

She doesn’t care that Lila is Alpha Bastien’s daughter; she doesn’t have a wolf so that makes her a nobody in Sarah’s eyes. She’s worse than an Omega.

“You should have heard what she said to me, Scott,” Sarah continued to huff. “She also said that you weren’t man enough to handle her.”

“Says someone who wouldn’t put out,” Scott said with an eye roll. “Just forget about her. Who needs her.”

“You’re right…” Sarah agreed. “But that doesn’t mean I’m going to stand for it.”

“What does that mean? What are you planning on doing?

“I overheard her talking to Professor Enzo after class today. She invited him to her birthday party.”

“Okay?” Scott urged.

“I think it’s time we crash a party.”