When someone of the importance of Frederik Stronghold enters a building, you are sure to take notice. Not only is he a tall, imposing Alpha, but he does have a certain aura. Add his Luna, Dahlia, and the two of them are the poster couple for the success of this program.

If ever there was an emblematic couple of why Ravenwood Academy works, it’s the Strongholds. Dahlia is the daughter of a powerful Alpha in Tennessee, so when she attended this academy a couple of decades ago, she was the one to get.

She is an Alpha werewolf by blood, but not the heir of her pack which made her primed for the picking among all the other Alphas in her class. Two decades later, she is still together with her partner even more than ten years after their contract expiration date.

Without the certainty of mates, there is only so much we can plan for or count on. Though their union is not without its trials and tribulations - remember the Alpha’s mistress? - she is the best Luna and mother to their twin sons that he could ever hope to find without any help from the Goddess.

People from my mother’s generation often wondered about their mates and who they could possibly be. It is a curse when so many teenagers have fought off the mate bond and the idea of a forced pairing, but when they were forsaken by the Goddess suddenly all they seem to want is a mate just like their parents had. In many cases like my grandparents, still have.

Humans don’t have the best track record in regards to relationships, so now that we are downgraded to their level, we are no better than them.

We all heard the helicopter arriving yesterday afternoon. There were no classes, so a bunch of students were outside or in the common areas of the academy when it landed. Suddenly, the power couple appeared out of the elevator with a couple of warriors as escorts. Warriors are defenders of a pack, the men and women trained like soldiers to take on rogues or enemies.

Headmaster Lockwood accompanied them straight to the medical ward in the third tower to check on their son. I had just finished my visit to Seth and I was glad that he was doing better. That was scary as hell.

The Alpha couple did not interact with any students, they just came to see their sons and stayed in the third tower, which is restricted for students. The next day, they visited their son once again and stayed with him, I mean them both until it was time to leave.

I could only admire the great looking couple from a distance, dressed in fancy clothes that I could never afford to buy for myself. Funny enough, Luna Dahlia doesn’t buy her own clothes. She has people for that.

Later that day, my roommate was finally discharged by the doctor along with the other two Omegas. I welcomed Seth with a light hug since his back was still littered with bruises that were carefully bandaged.

He was happy to be there back in our room and returning to classes on Wednesday.

By Thursday, things were business as usual in the Ravenwood Academy as most of the students had moved on from the scare. The wolf healing did its job and Seth no longer needed bandages.

If there is one advantage of being a werewolf is our fast metabolism and healing capabilities. Not to mention the sense of smell, but that is our most powerful sense.

“I am so glad to be here again like normal. How are things with your prospect?” He asked me on a Friday morning, during breakfast inside the dining hall.

“I don't want to call him my prospect just yet because I don't want to jinx it, but we are doing so good I am scared to admit it.” I replied, feeling giddy with excitement.

“You definitely shouldn't call him your prospect. My dad and his grandfather are already in talks of matching Jayden to my brother.” Skylar interjected from his table in the Alpha section. He had a devious smile while Jayden glared daggers at him a few seats away.

“What?!” I gasped in shock, staring at Seth in surprise.

“Is that true?” I questioned him, beyond shocked by this.

“They don't get to match anyone, Jake! Don't worry about it!” Seth tried to appease me, not exactly denying it.

“So, it is true!?” I gaped at him, feeling betrayed though technically it wasn't his fault.

“Of course it is! I am all for it, little brother. I like Jayden for you!” Skylar chimed in, relishing in the dramatic conflict. Other students caught in the crossfire are eating up the family drama.

“You have been cock blocking me for a week and now you are pushing me towards the one Alpha who is already taken?” Seth snarled at his brother, raging.

“But he is not taken. It has only been two weeks of school. Your roommate will never be approved for the marital contract, but you can.” He countered, incisively.

“Shut the fuck up, Skylar!” Jayden seethed, mad at him for interfering.

“I cannot believe this! The only person I thought I was safe from…” I muttered, frustrated by this.

“I swear to Goddess I did not suggest this to my parents, nor did I have any say in this whatsoever. You have to believe me, I have no interest in keeping you from your man!” Seth defended himself, vehemently. He looked at me with an innocent expression on his face, saddened by this.

“I highly doubt you would reject him if there was an offer on the table. I saw the way you looked at him when we were in the locker room.” I told him in an accusatory tone.

“He's hot! I am not denying it! But there are 60 other boys that I could go for, he's not the only Alpha for me!” Seth shot back, trying to convince me he was not trying to take him from me.

I was having such a good time. Now on top of all the competition I have for Jayden, I have to be on the lookout for my only friend too..?

“I hate you so much right now!” Jayden was practically foaming at Skylar he was about to shift into a wolf and challenge him to a combat.

“Don't be like this, Jay! I actually like you. You should see it as a compliment. I usually don't think anybody is good enough for my brother.” His smug grin was giving me creepy chills.

“I am glad you're enjoying yourself. Good luck trying to convince Helen to accept your claim!” Jayden shot back, eyes glowing in anger.

“I've moved on already. Don't worry about me. I have no problem getting my match. It's already in the works.” He declared, referencing a Gamma female that he was getting to know intimately the other day, inside the locker room of our floor.

“Speaking of which, if you could ‘get to know her’ outside of our locker room that would be great. I don't need to hear you moaning.” Seth told his brother using air quotes for effect. Skylar laughed out loud.

“Sorry about that, it's hard to get privacy here.” He justified himself, not even flustered.

“I am sure your roommate could accommodate your needs.” Seth rolled his eyes.

“Not likely.” He rebuked, glancing at Jayden.

“You're roommates?” I gasped in shock at this information.

“Trust me, it is not by choice. They don't allow us to change rooms, I tried.” Jayden grunted, frustrated.

Wow. Who said breakfast cannot be entertaining? That was a lot!

As we took our morning classes, things were normal once again in Ravenwood and nobody mentioned the incident at the wolf run. But they did comment on seeing the Alpha couple last Monday.

After the final class of the day, Seth and I returned to our dorm room. He told me that he and his brother were staying here this weekend since they just saw their parents. I volunteered to stay here too and keep him company.

Seth assured me that he had no intention of going after Jayden and I shouldn't worry about what his parents wanted for him. They are not the ones signing the contract.

I tried to put it past me since I already expected an uphill battle to get with an Alpha like Jayden, but I shouldn't be discouraged. I just didn't anticipate competing with Seth too.

I have no illusion of thinking that I could play in my roommate’s league. I cannot compete with his money or breed, I can only hope he will honor his word and go for any of the other sixty Alphas available to him.

Before we finished changing for dinner, there was a knock on our door. Seth looked at me with a naughty grin and said Jayden had come to ask me out.

But when I opened the door, I was surprised to see a tall, lean but muscular, pale white guy with a charming smile.

“Hi.” I greeted the stranger at my door. Immediately his eyes roamed the room in curiosity.

“Hello there. Can I speak to your roommate, please?” The gentleman asked, looking at Seth who was tying his shoes.

“Of course, just as long as you don't enter our room.” I said with a warning tone. I do not want any Alpha boy in my bedroom, least of all one I don't know.

Seth walked to the door still open, while I finished my preparations.

“What can I do for you?” Seth greeted him, intrigued by this surprise visit.

“I am Sean, nice to meet you. I'd like to ask you out on a date tomorrow.” He said with a thick British accent. Seth gaped at him in shock for a while.

At this moment, he looked at the pale boy up and down, noticing how casually well dressed he was.

“Sure. Why not?” Seth agreed, surprised to be asked in the first place. Very surprised.

“Perfect. I'll pick you up tomorrow right after lunch.” He winked at him, then walked away.

The two of us stared at each other, thinking what the hell was that? But ultimately decided to laugh at the situation.

We arrived at the dining hall and before I could even grab a tray to pick up some food, Jayden was waiting for me with a knitted frown, tapping his foot on the ground.

“What did that foreign exchange student want with you? Does he want to take you back to England?” He interrogated me with a worried expression on his face.

First, I was intimidated by his strong presence in front of me. Then I found it funny that he was jealous of me.

“Are you jealous?” I teased him, smiling at the intimidated Alpha boy.

“No, I am not. I would just like to know what were his intentions with you.” He questioned me, peeved about this. I loved to see him so pressed about this, not going to lie.

“He has no intentions with me whatsoever, he only came to ask Seth out.” I clarified for him, who smiled in relief.

“Oh!” He gasped. “Good for him.” He immediately changed features, now he seemed more relaxed.

“You look so adorable, jealous of me.” I provoked him.

“I wasn't jealous, I was concerned when I saw an Alpha going into your room.” He tried to throw it off.

“Wait, what did that second-class Alpha want with my brother?” Skylar interjected, hearing this discussion. Oh boy…

“Who are you calling second class? My bloodline is older than yours!” Sean defended himself with his East London accent.

All of us were standing in the line to get some dinner, but since people are fed by order of arrival, all of us were lined up together.

“You should have known by now that you can't ask my brother without going through me first.” Skylar glared at him as if he was the king of Alphas.

“Skylar!” Seth growled at his brother.

“You are his brother, not his father. I am not the least bit intimidated by you.” He stood his ground, staring him down.

The glaring competition was on, all the while Seth was mortified by this.

“Mom told you to leave me be! Stop interfering in my love life! I know what's best for me!” Seth glared at his brother, impossibly mad.

“I am just looking out for you, brother. He can't claim you!” Skylar argued, peeved.

“The only boy you want to claim me is taken, so if you keep this up I will leave this place unclaimed. I highly doubt that it would go over well with dad.” Seth shot back, grunting in annoyance.

“He is not taken, he's just mistaken.” Skylar stated, looking at Jayden who was not pleased.

“The only person mistaken here is you. At first, I thought it was sweet how much you care for your brother, but now it has become a liability. Seth is right. If you don't leave him alone, no guy will ever have the courage to ask him out for fear of you.” Jayden told him, irritated.

“Apparently not all guys.” He spoke, glaring at Sean.

“How is it fair that you are already screwing around and your brother can't even be asked out? Check your privileges, Alpha! Omegas are werewolves too! Your condescending tone and superiority smugness are not doing you any favors.” Jayden lectured, standing his ground against Skylar.

Gobsmacked. I had yet to see someone going after Skylar and make him see his errors, but to do so brilliantly like that… I am done for.

Seth and I swooned together at him while Skylar was speechless.

“You have never been sexier than right now.” I complimented him, in awe of the young man.

Jayden got flustered at the way I was looking at him when a Ravenwood staff member called me out to move on with the line and serve me some dinner.

“Okay, I recognize you hit the jackpot as far as prospects go. I don't know how he can be so down to Earth instead of being a privileged asshole like my brother.” Seth said, taking a jab at his twin in the process.

“Hey!” Skylar scowled.

“I guess I never felt the pressure to pick a rich partner like my roommate does. I do recognize he is under an immense amount of pressure to claim a partner of the same caliber as his mother. My mom just told me to pick an Omega because I am obligated to start a family someday.” Jayden declared, now in Skylar's defense.

I could not take my eyes off him, even standing with a tray of food next to the huge line of students. Seth was swooning too.

“Dude, you are literally perfect for my brother. I won't stop until I convince you he's the better match for you.” Skylar chimed in, admiring his fellow Alpha. Seth was uncomfortable once again at his insistence.

“If my grandfather cannot change my mind, I highly doubt that you can. You should start looking at other possibilities for him or better yet, leave him alone to make his own decisions.” Jayden stated, confidently.

I have never wanted him more than I do now. He is the sexiest boy I have ever met and I will do everything to make it possible for us to be together.

A|N: I feel like I am doing the same thing I did in “Topping the Alpha” and setting myself up to make people hate me for my future choices.

I am aware that may have sounded a bit cryptic, but there is a lot of stuff to come and this ship is not set in stone.

Maybe with the twist that is coming next, I will make myself more clear. Who knows?

Next is "Bad Things".

Love,

Léo.