The First Class

Chapter Two – The First Class

Maelis’ POV

Cassandra spent more time preparing for combat class than she had spent preparing for registration.

She stood in front of the mirror, adjusting her hair and checking her reflection from every angle while I sat quietly on the edge of the bed, fastening the buttons of my academy uniform.

“I heard Silas will be attending the first combat class,” she said.

My hands paused for a moment. Silas.

Even I had heard his name, everyone had.

He was one of the strongest Alpha heirs at Alpha Academy, someone whose reputation had reached every pack long before he stepped through the academy gates.

Cassandra smiled at her reflection. “I need to make a good impression.”

I lowered my eyes and continued fixing my sleeves.

Cassandra looked at me through the mirror. “You should try to look less ordinary.”

I glanced at her.“I wasn’t trying.”

She let out a small laugh. “That’s exactly the problem.”

Her eyes moved over my plain uniform and simple appearance. “No matter what you do, people won’t notice you.”

Her words were not meant to hurt me, that  was what made them worse.

She said them like they were facts and perhaps they were.

I had spent years becoming someone people looked past. “I’m ready,” I said quietly.

Cassandra smiled, satisfied, and walked toward the door.

“Good. Don’t embarrass me.”

I followed behind her, like always.

The combat hall was already filled when we arrived.

Unlike the excitement of the registration courtyard, this place carried a different atmosphere. Pressure.

Every student here wanted to prove something.

The large stone room was surrounded by training grounds, weapon racks lined the walls, and protective barriers surrounded the fighting areas.

Students gathered in groups, talking about their abilities and discussing which opponents would increase their reputation.

The instructor entered, and the entire room fell silent. “Today is your first wolf assessment.”

Several students immediately straightened. 

“You will choose an opponent and test your strength, speed, and control over your wolf.”

Excited whispers spread through the room.

The instructor continued. “This is not about defeating someone weaker than you.”

His gaze moved across the students. “It is about showing us who you truly are.”

One by one, students began choosing their opponents.

The stronger wolves quickly became surrounded, everyone wanted a chance to fight someone powerful.

A good performance could change how people viewed them, I stayed near the back.

That was where I belonged, away from attention, away from questions, invisible .

Then the doors opened, the  entire combat hall went quiet.

I looked up. A young man stepped inside,I recognized him immediately, the same man who had stared at my blood yesterday.

“Silas.” Everyone shouted his name, his name moved through the room like a whisper.

The same man who had looked at my blood yesterday.

The same man who had looked at me like he knew something I didn’t.

His golden eyes slowly moved across the room.

Students immediately stood straighter, some tried to catch his attention, some  hoped he would choose them.

Then his eyes stopped, one  me.

My heartbeat changed.

I quickly looked away. Why was he looking at me?

I had done everything possible to avoid attention.

I was no one. 

I was supposed to remain no one. 

“Silas,” the instructor called. “Will you participate?”

For a moment, nobody moved, everyone m waited for his answer.

Silas didn’t respond immediately, his eyes remained on me.

Then he finally looked away and walked toward the center of the training area. “I’ll participate.”

The room instantly became louder.

Excited whispers filled the hall. Silas never needed to prove himself, If he chose to participate , it meant something.

Students began waiting, wondering.

Who would he choose? A strong Alpha her, a talented warrior.

Someone worthy of his reputation.

I lowered my head, hoping I would disappear before his attention returned to me, It didn’t work.

The instructor looked toward Silas. “Choose your opponent.”

Silence fell over the room. Silas scanned the students, then his golden eyes found mine again.

My heart stopped. No! Shelly  not.

He took one step forward and  pointed directly at me. “Her.”

The entire combat hall went silent, I stared at him in disbelief. Me?

Out of everyone here… He chose me.