To Caelum, another interpretation was apparent, one that hinted at an eagerness to escalate the situation to a more complicated case. His internal monologue seemed to read, 'How quick is the Luna to jump to pressing charges against Brother Ran?'
Dean Emerson and Caelum exchanged looks, their silent communication revealing a mix of bewilderment and gossip.
Dean Emerson broke the silence first, his tone grave. "Can you afford to skip classes during physical education? Return to your class immediately!"
Caelum took off without a second thought. 'I must save Brother Ran! He is really the most pitiful cousin I've ever had.'
Before long, the class bell rang through the hallways, announcing the end of the lesson.
Caelum wasted no time, racing towards Kieiran's Section 1B class.
As he entered, the overpowering scent of pheromones hung heavy in the air, causing him to hold his breath involuntarily. 'These teenagers are really getting more and more lustful! This is a school! A place to study and make friends, not a place to date or make out! I feel nauseous just by standing here and watching them flirt.'
Kieiran lay sprawled across his desk, undisturbed by the commotion of his classmates.
'Thankfully, they haven't disturbed my brother yet! Just look at Brother Ran. He must have been exhausted from fulfilling his pre-Alpha duties, and the warriors who trained him should have bullied him again! If this goes on, his body may be crippled. But who told him to have a powerful father?'
Males and females exchanged flirtatious glances, their actions evoking Caelum's reproach.
"Seriously? Find a room! There's a famous inn across the school. Go! Help yourselves there and stop performing here! Show yourselves some respect!" he scolded, prompting the students' hasty departure from the classroom.
Caelum's reprimand roused Kieiran from his slumber. 'He really has a big mouth...' Kieiran thought to himself.
Within a radius of a few meters centered on him, silence fell like a blanket. 'Why could I feel that my bones are shifting? Do I need to go for a run?'
No one dared to speak above a whisper or move around carelessly. The commanding aura of the Alpha radiated from him, creating a terrifying barrier.
"He looks extremely hot when he's annoyed!" a cute girl whispered, but everyone heard it.
"Correction! He's not annoyed. He just woke up on the wrong side of the bed!"
"Get out! Why are you still dawdling here?"
While girls harbored crushes on him, boys only had fear. Even though he was just an eleventh grader, the seniors in twelfth grade avoided crossing his path whenever possible. A werewolf with an Alpha's blood will always remain different from everyone.
A werewolf carrying an Alpha's blood will forever stand apart from the rest of their kind. The essence of an Alpha runs deep within them, intertwining with their very being to shape their nature and destiny.
In the heart of every Alpha-blooded werewolf, an invisible force pulses, radiating strength and authority that commands attention even without words spoken. It's a presence that draws others in, instinctively recognizing the power and potential that lies within.
Physically, they often possess an aura of robustness and vitality that sets them apart from their peers. Their features might hold an intensity that mirrors the might of their lineage, eyes brimming with a combination of wisdom, determination, and a touch of mystery. When they move, there's an inherent grace and confidence that stems from their innate connection to their Alpha heritage.
Yet, it's not only their physical attributes that make them distinct. Their mindset is molded by the same lineage, granting them a natural inclination for leadership and decision-making. They carry an air of responsibility that comes with the weight of guiding and protecting their pack, a duty etched into their very DNA.
Emotionally, an Alpha-blooded werewolf often exhibits a complex blend of steadfastness and vulnerability. They possess an unwavering dedication to those under their care, driven by an instinctive need to ensure the well-being of their pack. This devotion might be accompanied by a profound sense of duty that they bear with honor.
However, beneath the surface, there might also be a quiet solitude that stems from the realization of their unique position. They understand the isolation that comes with their authority and the need to make tough choices that might not always be understood or appreciated by others.
This sense of separation is a part of their journey, reminding them that leadership can be a lonely path.
And with Kieiran's situation, he's falling into the dark side.
Amongst the people he met, he's only gotten along well with Caelum.
Caelum is quite different.
He and Kieiran have been buddies since they were kids, and interestingly, they're also cousins. Their relationship is far from ordinary.
Caelum pulled a nearby chair and sat down with enthusiasm, exclaiming, "You're still in the mood to catch some Zs here! Seriously, Brother Ran, you and your... uh..."
He wanted to ask if Kieiran could call his mom. He thought to himself, 'I mean, she's your biological mother, after all.' But then, he remembered that Kieiran's parents had split up ages ago.
Kieiran's mom used to work under Zephyir's wing, so it's kind of a touchy topic. 'However, Uncle's ex-wife is dealing with her current life, and she's basically out of the picture. Plus, if Aunt Lycia were really concerned about Bother Ran, she wouldn't wait this long to see him. And let's not forget that Uncle Zephyir hasn't exactly stopped them from meeting up.'
With these thoughts whizzing around in his mind, Caelum quickly altered his words, "You could give your dad a call. It's better to let him know about the mess you got into from you rather than from someone else."
Kieiran replied in his usual laid-back manner, "Nah, no need. Someone will relay the news to him before I could."
Caelum wasn't ready to give up. He probed further, "But what if your stepmom decides to stir the pot?"
Kieiran's response was as casual as ever, "She won't."
Caelum persisted, his voice dropping a notch, "How can you be so sure she won't add fuel to the fire? Come on, don't think about those drama scenarios. Let's consider real life, our lives. Remember Lewis? His dad remarried a while back, and his stepmom gave birth to a younger sibling not long after. Now his dad dotes on the younger one more. You know how that feels, right?"
"Are you not concerned that your stepmother will give birth to your dad?"
Kieiran remained unfazed, his voice still steady, "Actually, that might not be a bad thing. It would mean I won't have to inherit the Alpha's responsibilities and deal with all those problems day in and day out."
Caelum couldn't believe his ears. "Seriously? This is about family dynamics, not just pack duties!"
Oh well, what can you say?
He's the Alpha's son, good-looking and practically invincible.
His future's bound to be bright no matter what!
Kieiran was living in his own world, seemingly indifferent to whether his stepmother would take any legal action against him. Yet, the fact that his stepmother was meddling in school affairs struck a chord within him.
'She can't be here just to see my jokes... Uncle Lucas must have forced her to attend instead of sending any officer from the pack. I can't imagine Dad telling her to come and take care of me when Dad doesn't even have time to text me.'
Truth be told, Kieiran wasn't entirely against his father's remarriage. Having one more person in the family wouldn't disrupt his life significantly. Besides, he was well aware that he and his stepmother would go their separate ways after just a week.
'She can't be a person without a goal, and I can't be her goal. People should be smart enough to feel that I do not want closure. And I only trust a few people.'
His parents hadn't been living together since he was very young, and even when they did meet, it was with an air of unfamiliarity and politeness.
Contrary to many other couples, his father hadn't been unfaithful during their marriage, and his mother hadn't fought tooth and nail for his custody. Their separation was amicable. That's why, after becoming single once again, his dad had the right to pursue happiness with someone new.
"It's their lives..." he murmured and sighed. Caelum sighed beside him.
He thought to himself, 'My dad brought me up to this world because I am his responsibility. If I compare Mom to Dad, Dad must have cared more about me compared to Mom. I could see Caelum's worry, and maybe he wanted me to call his aunt, but I just couldn't bring myself to.'
Kieiran stared at his hands where thick calluses were exposed.
'I've been doing my best for so many years, but I never saw a day where they could stay by my side and appreciate me. I guess I wasn't that important to them. They always made me feel like an accessory in a loveless marriage, or if there was love, it should have been weak. So weak that it could fade as years go by...'
Caelum suddenly saw a drop of water on Kieiran's hand.
"Brother Ran! Do you play with your saliva, too, when you're bored?"