Kael leaned back in his seat, spinning his pen as the lecture dragged on. Around him, his classmates were in various stages of focus: Zara furiously taking notes, Jonah doodling on his tablet, and Tyrell balancing his chair precariously on two legs. Professor Alder's booming voice filled the room as he explained the intricacies of pack hierarchies, but Kael's attention was already drifting.
"Kael," Fenn whispered, leaning over with a smirk. "You zoning out again, or are you waiting for your royal insight to be summoned?"
Kael rolled his eyes. "I'm conserving my brilliance for the right moment."
That moment came faster than expected. "Mr. Kael," Alder called, turning toward him with a knowing glint in his eye, "since you seem particularly thoughtful today, perhaps you can explain how disputes are resolved between two alphas."
Kael straightened, grinning. "Easy. Whoever growls the loudest wins."
The room erupted into laughter, and Alder shook his head, suppressing a smile. "Care to try again? Perhaps with a more serious answer?"
Kael tapped his pen against his chin, feigning deep thought. "Alright. It's about respect. Dominance is shown through actions, not just growls. If words fail, a challenge might happen—but only if the pack agrees it's necessary."
"Not bad," Alder said with a nod. "Although I might argue you've left out the nuances of mutual submission."
Kael smirked. "Mutual submission sounds like a fancy way of saying they both chicken out."
The laughter doubled, and even Alder chuckled before continuing the lecture.
The highlight of the class came when Alder announced a group debate. The students were split into two sides, one arguing for traditional challenges to resolve disputes, and the other advocating for modern alternatives.
Kael's team, tasked with defending non-violent solutions, was immediately skeptical.
"This is ridiculous," Maren complained. "What's the point of being werewolves if we can't fight over stuff?"
Kael raised an eyebrow. "So you're saying you'd fight me over… what, a parking spot?"
"Depends," Maren shot back. "Is it a good spot?"
"Exactly why we're on this team," Zara interjected, glaring at both of them. "Focus, people."
They brainstormed strategies, though most ideas were shot down for being "too boring" or "too peaceful." Eventually, Kael proposed an absurd compromise.
"Let's suggest competitive howling," he said, grinning. "Loudest howl wins."
Zara groaned. "We're doomed."
When it was time to present, Kael stepped forward, radiating confidence. "Ladies and gentlemen," he began, gesturing grandly. "Violence is overrated. Why waste energy fighting when you can settle disputes with, say… synchronized tail wagging?"
The class dissolved into laughter, and Kael took the opportunity to continue. "Imagine it: two alphas in a wag-off. First one to stop loses. It's efficient, entertaining, and no one gets hurt."
"Except their pride," Fenn called from the opposing team.
Kael grinned. "Exactly. And isn't that the real test of an alpha? Handling defeat gracefully?"
Their argument didn't win, but Kael's delivery left the class in stitches. By the end of the session, Alder admitted, "While unconventional, your creativity is commendable. Perhaps not practical, but commendable."
As they left the classroom, Fenn clapped Kael on the back. "You're insane, you know that?"
Kael shrugged. "Insane, or innovative?"
"Both," Zara muttered, shaking her head.
As Kael, Fenn, and Zara left the lecture hall, their laughter echoed through the corridor, carrying with it the remnants of their debate . Heading toward their next class, Unity in Diversity, Kael couldn't help but feel a mix of curiosity and discomfort. The class was all about bonds—mate bonds, soul connections, and the unique ties that existed between different species. It was a subject that had always fascinated him, but also made him uneasy.
"I hear today's lecture is about the mate bond," Zara said, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Should be fun watching you squirm."
Kael smirked, rolling his eyes. "Why would I squirm? It's just a lecture."
Fenn grinned. "Sure, until they start talking about destiny and soulmates. Then we'll see if the great Kael can keep his cool."
Kael shot him a playful glare but said nothing more, his mind already drifting toward the inevitable topic.
The classroom was a spacious amphitheater, filled with students from all walks of life—werewolves, vampires, gnomes, elves, sirens, and others. As Kael scanned the room, his eyes found exactly what they were looking for: Theron, the gnome, sitting at his usual spot, hunched over a device, oblivious to the world around him. The sight of him, so absorbed in his tinkering, always brought a smile to Kael's face.
Without a second thought, Kael excused himself from Fenn and Zara, abandoning them to join his favorite person. He strode across the room with purpose, his large frame making its way easily through the sea of students. Theron was so focused on his project that he didn't notice Kael sitting down next to him at first.
The quiet hum of the room continued, but the moment Kael settled in, the air seemed to shift. Kael watched Theron intently for a moment, his presence looming beside the small gnome. Theron, completely absorbed in his tinkering, finally looked up. His gaze shifted slowly from the device in his hands to the tall werewolf sitting next to him, and his eyes widened in surprise.
"Kael?" Theron blinked, his eyes wide in disbelief which faded immediately replaced by an annoying huff. "Stop staring at me, it's distracting "
Kael grinned, leaning casually against the desk glancing at the gadget in Theron's hands. "Is that the thing more important than me? We've not seen each other for so long, I know you missed this face"
Theron rolled his eyes, then looked down at the device ignoring him, "We literally saw each other this morning"
Kael chuckled again, resting his arm casually on the desk, still unable to wipe the smile from his face. He loved the way Theron could get lost in his world of inventions, as if nothing else mattered.
Before Kael could tease him further, the classroom doors opened, and Professor Lyra, an elegant elf with flowing green hair, entered. Her calm presence filled the room instantly, and all chatter ceased. With a slight nod, she made her way to the front, her green eyes scanning the class with quiet authority.
"Good morning, students," she said, her voice smooth and soothing. "Today we'll be discussing the nature of bonds, particularly the mate bond. We'll explore how it manifests differently across species and what it means for the individual and their society."
She continued, her voice resonating with a musical cadence. "Today's topic is one that transcends species. While its mechanics differ across cultures, its essence is universal—a connection that binds two souls."