'Magnus?' Claire's voice interrupts my thoughts as she approaches our table. I blink a few times, irritated at myself for breaking my own rule of making eye contact with Nina. I need to cease these thoughts about her and move forward, especially if I want to become the Alpha that commands respect.
I rise from my seat and walk over to Claire, not responding to Nina. My thumb grazes over the scratch on Claire's cheek as I ask, 'Are you okay?'
Nina slumps and silently walks away, her eyes downcast.
Claire blushes slightly, her cheeks warming as she responds, 'I'm fine. May only scratched me once.'
I try to fight myself from staring at the retreating figure of Nina.
Unable to ignore the persistent ache in my heart, I contemplate whether dating Claire might help me finally move on from Nina. 'Claire?' I say, a smile on my face.
'Yes, Magnus?' Claire replies with anticipation.
Zak, Paul, and Flint are watching intently.
I decide to give it a chance. 'I didn't have time to answer your question before,' I admit, my gaze never leaving Claire's eyes. 'I would love to be your date for the party.'
The cafeteria falls silent as everyone stops what they're doing to stare at Claire and me in shock. Disappointment and heartbreak ripple across the faces of the female spectators.
'Seriously. You will be my date?' Claire asks, seeking confirmation.
I nod, and a radiant smile lights up Claire's face. She jumps up and wraps her arms around me, squealing with delight. Gently, I place her back down.
With that decision made, Zak, Flint, Paul, and I finish our lunch and then head out to the oval, running laps together, trying to put the complicated emotions of the cafeteria confrontation behind us.
The bell finally rings, signalling the end of the cafeteria chaos and the beginning of my science class. As I navigate the bustling corridors to the classroom, I am confronted by a visibly furious May.
'Magnus! Why am I hearing you are going to Claire's dumb party as her date?' May's voice trembles with anger and hurt.
'Because I accepted her offer,' I reply curtly, stepping around May, determined to continue to the science room.
May darts ahead of me in a swift and desperate move, her hand landing firmly on my chest, halting me in my tracks. I cast a scowl in her direction as I peer down at her small hand resting against me.
'Magnus, you can't do this to me, to us,' May implores, her voice quivering with raw emotion. 'We should be together. I've always had feelings for you, and I know it's because we will be mates. If you go on this date with Claire, you would be practically cheating,' she sobs, her eyes welling up with tears.
'It's not cheating if we aren't dating, May,' I retort firmly. 'The probability of us being mates is very unlikely.'
Tears stream down May's cheeks as she continues to plead her case. 'You don't know that we won't be mates,' she cries.
I sigh. 'Well, you don't know we will be mates, either. Only the Moon Goddess knows.'
A hurt look crosses May's face, but she presses on, desperate to change my mind. 'Please, Magnus, you can't ditch me for Claire. My reputation will be destroyed,' she pleads.
My frustration mounts. 'Is that all you care about, May? Your reputation? How people view you? You should spend that time with people who care about you and want to be around you. It should never matter what anyone else thinks of you.'
With those words, I storm off, leaving May behind, her tearful pleas echoing in my ears, and enter the science room.
Because of May, I’m late. I peer around the room to see the only vacant seat that happens to be right next to Nina. Grizzling under my breath at my luck, I walk further into the room towards the empty chair.
Mr. Thomson, the science teacher, pauses his lecture and fixes a stern gaze on me. 'Magnus, nice of you to join the class. Just because you are the future Alpha does not mean you get special privileges. Now take your seat before you get yourself detention,' he admonishes with disapproval.
I can't help but growl under my breath, my frustration mounting. 'Yes, Mr. Thomson,' I mutter as I drop my books onto the table and take my place beside Nina.
Nina, taken by surprise by my choice of seat, stiffens slightly but quickly recovers. She attempts to contain a smile. On the other hand, I do my best to ignore her presence and focus on Mr. Thomson's lecture.
The teacher delves into the topic of soil, discussing the differences between nutrient-rich and nutrient-poor varieties. Nina's pen dances gracefully across her notebook as she takes in the lesson. Her hands, delicate and small, seem to be freshly manicured, with nails painted in a subtle shade of pink. Her long, brown hair cascades down her arms, framing her face. I watch in silence as she tucks a strand of hair behind her ear, revealing a delicate gold earring and exposing her neck's smooth, bare skin.
My attention narrows, fixated on the curve of her nape, and I feel a sudden surge of heat. My heart pounds erratically in my chest, and a peculiar sensation envelops me as if I'm suspended in space. The proximity of Nina's nape inexplicably draws me in, and I unconsciously lick my canines, which have extended slightly.
'Magnus… Magnus!' Mr Thomson's voice pierces through my reverie, startling me so much that I topple off my chair. Laughter erupts from my classmates, and I shoot them a withering glare, swiftly silencing their amusement.
'For the second time, Magnus. Pay attention,' Mr. Thomson warns, his tone stern.
Nina, her expression one of concern, looks at me. Still, I quickly right my chair and take my seat, resuming my efforts to block out her presence and concentrate on the lesson while battling the strange and unsettling emotions that seem to resurface in my heart.