"I went through a lot of trouble gathering this information, bro," Riven said, leaning back in the leather chair. "Seems your mate is... a strong one." Kael raised an eyebrow, arms crossed. "How are you sure she's my mate?" Riven smirked. "And you're making me go through all this just to find information about someone who might not even be your mate? Or... is this about the way she talked to you that day?" Kael ignored the jab. "Tell me what you gathered." "Well," Riven began, leaning forward, "I found out she's a college student. Her name is Aria Vale.Final year, precisely. She lives with her aunt, her parents are deceased. Now, here's the interesting part: she was born on the exact same day our world was attacked by the enemies, the same day you were given the suppressants." Riven's eyes glimmered with a mix of excitement and awe. "Maybe this is truly fate." Kael ran a hand through his dark hair. "What about her parents? How did they die?" Riven shrugged. "Not much info on that. Only that her mother passed away giving birth to her. She grew up with her father... until he passed. As far as I could tell, her father was just a normal man who taught at a school. No connections to the underworld." Kael leaned back, disbelief flashing across his face. "So... you're saying she's a normal human? How is that possible? How can I, an Alpha, be mated to a human being and an annoying one at that?" Riven let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. "I worry for you, brother. Are you sure three months will be enough? She seems... impossible. Hot-headed. Headstrong. She won't make this easy." Kael let out a long, frustrated sigh, spinning a pen between his fingers. "Of course she won't make it easy. Nothing ever does." "You can start by getting close to her first," Riven said, leaning back. "Best to let go of all the tension and focus on the task at hand." Kael's gaze sharpened. "So... what do you suggest I do, exactly? Just get close to... Miss Impossible?" Riven smirked, enjoying the frustration he was causing. "Well, she's in college. You can't exactly go back to school now, can you?" Kael narrowed his eyes. "C'mon, man. Stop teasing." Riven laughed. "Alright, alright. Think about it, why not become her college teacher?" Kael froze, the idea igniting a spark in his eyes. Of course. That's perfect. "Yes... that's it. That's the best way to do it. I'll find out her class, her schedule... pull the strings to get close." His mind raced with possibilities. Riven leaned back, nodding approvingly. "With your status and influence? That won't even be hard. The real challenge... will be dealing with her stubborn streak." Kael's lips curved into a thin smile, dark and determined. "Stubborn streak or not... I will make it work. She's mine, Riven. Whether she likes it or not." Riven tapped away at his tablet, the soft glow reflecting off his amused expression. After a few hours, he let out a low chuckle. "Well," he said casually, turning the screen toward Kael, "that was easier than I thought." Kael's eyes flicked to the screen, scanning the details. Visiting Lecturer , Department of Business and Economics. Everything had been arranged under a carefully crafted identity. "You already pulled the job?" Kael asked. Riven shrugged. "With your influence in the mortal realm, all it took was one call. The college board was more than happy to have a 'distinguished businessman' share his experience with their students." He smirked. "You start next week." Kael leaned back, exhaling slowly. "So it begins." Riven studied him for a moment, then spoke more seriously. "Listen, brother. I know what's at stake here-the throne, the pack, the pressure but you need to take this easy." Kael shot him a look. "Easy?" "Yes," Riven said firmly. "No alpha commands, no intimidating stares, no forcing things. She's not part of our world. Yet." Kael's jaw tightened. "I don't plan to scare her." "Good," Riven replied. "Because the moment she feels cornered, she'll bolt. And from everything I've learned about her... she's not the type to be controlled." Kael went silent, remembering the fire in her eyes the night of the party. The way she had scolded him without hesitation. The way she had walked away as if he were the insignificant one. "She didn't bow," he murmured. "Not even for a second." Riven smiled knowingly. "Exactly. So let her come to you. Observe her. Learn her habits. Get close but don't push." Kael's fingers curled slowly into a fist. "And if the bond reacts?" Riven's expression softened. "Then you endure it. Suppressed or not, the mate bond is powerful. But if you rush it, you could trigger something neither of you are ready for." Kael looked away, staring into the distance. "I don't even know if she can feel it." "Maybe she can't," Riven said. "Or maybe she's been taught not to believe in it. Either way, your job is simple, blend in. Be human." Kael let out a dry laugh. "An alpha pretending to teach humans. Funny how fate works." Riven stood, placing a hand on Kael's shoulder. "Just remember, you're not there as an Alpha. You're there as a man searching for answers. Let things unfold naturally." Kael nodded slowly. "Three months," he said under his breath. "That's all I have." Riven smirked. "Plenty of time to fall into trouble." Kael's lips curved into a faint, dangerous smile. "Trouble already found me. I just didn't know her name yet." And somewhere in the mortal realm, Aria lived her life unaware that the man destined to change everything had already stepped into her world-quietly, deliberately, and bound by a pull neither of them could escape.

"I can't wait to be f*ck*ng done with this school," Aria said loudly as she strode down the student hall, her bag slung carelessly over one shoulder. A few heads turned, but she didn't care. "Same," Lili replied with a tired groan, adjusting her glasses. "Final year is a mess. Projects, presentations, deadlines, I barely have time for myself anymore." Aria scoffed. "Time for yourself? I barely have time to breathe. Every lecturer suddenly thinks their course is the most important thing in the world." They weaved through clusters of students, the hallway buzzing with chatter and footsteps. The walls were plastered with final-year notices, internship opportunities, and graduation countdown posters, constant reminders that the end was near. Lili glanced sideways at her. "So... what happened when you returned the dress?" Aria rolled her eyes dramatically. "Ah. Madam Penelope." Lili winced. "Oh no." "You know how she is," Aria continued. "I managed to calm her down eventually, but instead of the fifty percent discount she promised, she gave me just thirty." "That's still something," Lili said. "True," Aria admitted. "Especially since the drink practically murdered the dress. But I swear, I'm not exaggerating, she almost screamed the building down when she saw the stain. I thought she was going to faint." Lili laughed. "That woman treats her clothes like they're her children." "I paid extra just to escape alive," Aria muttered. "So yeah, thirty percent was a miracle." They laughed and kept walking. Then Lili's smile turned mischievous. "So," she said slowly, "tell me about him." Aria frowned. "Him who?" Lili stopped abruptly and stepped right in front of her, blocking her path. She folded her arms and started nodding, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Don't play dumb. The guy at the party." Aria groaned. "Lili, seriously..." "Nope." Lili shook her head. "You were staring at him like you'd just seen a ghost. Or a god. One of the two." "That's not true," Aria protested. "Really?" Lili raised a brow. "Because from where I stood, you forgot how to blink." Aria scoffed and tried to step around her. "He was just some guy who bumped into me and ruined my dress. That's it." "And?" Lili pressed. "And I had to pay extra for the damage," Aria snapped. "If I ever see him again, he's refunding my money. End of story." Lili smirked. "From his appearance, he looked rich." "He better be," Aria replied flatly. "Because I didn't suffer Madam Penelope's wrath for nothing." Lili laughed and finally moved aside. "Alright, alright. I'll let it go. For now." They continued walking until they reached their lecture hall. Students were already filing in, the room buzzing with low conversations and the scraping of chairs. They took their usual seats, settling near the middle. "After this lecture, we're grabbing lunch," Lili said, pulling out her notebook. "I'm starving." Aria nodded absentmindedly, already pulling out her phone. "As long as it's not the cafeteria food again." Before Lili could reply, the low hum in the room suddenly died down. The door opened. A middle-aged man, one of the department staff walked in and cleared his throat. "Good morning," he said, his voice carrying easily across the room. "Before we begin today's lecture, I'd like to introduce someone." The room stirred with curiosity. "This semester, you'll be having a visiting lecturer taking you for this course," the man continued. "He comes highly recommended, with years of experience in both academics and the business world." Aria barely listened. Visiting lecturers were common in final year. Then the man stepped aside. "And without further ado," he said, "please welcome Mr. Kael Ravyn" The moment he walked in, the room fell into complete silence. Aria froze. Her breath caught painfully in her throat. No. No way. He was dressed differently this time, sharp, composed, every inch the image of authority. A tailored dark shirt, sleeves rolled up just enough to show strong forearms. His presence alone seemed to shift the air in the room. But there was no mistaking those eyes. Ocean-deep. Intense. Familiar. Her heart slammed violently against her ribs. It's him. Beside her, Lili s*ck*d in a sharp breath. Slowly, she turned to Aria. Aria turned too. Their eyes met. Wide. Disbelieving. This was the man from the party. The same man who had stared at her like the world had narrowed to just the two of them. The same man who had collided with a waitress and soaked her borrowed dress. The same man she had scolded without hesitation. Now he stood at the front of the class. As her lecturer. Kael's gaze swept across the room calmly, professionally, until it stopped. On her. For just a fraction of a second, something flickered in his eyes. Recognition. Surprise. Something darker. Aria's stomach dropped. He recovered almost immediately, schooling his expression into one of cool indifference. But it was too late. She had seen it. Lili leaned closer and whispered urgently, "Aria... tell me I'm hallucinating." Aria swallowed hard. "If you are, then we both are." Kael turned to the staff member, exchanging a few quiet words before stepping fully forward. "Good morning," he said, his voice deep, smooth, dangerously calm. "I'll be taking you for this course for the remainder of the semester." Aria felt heat crawl up her spine. You've got to be kidding me. Kael picked up a marker and wrote his name neatly on the board. MR. KAEL RAVYN. The letters looked far too permanent. He turned back to face the class. "I expect professionalism," he continued. "Attendance, participation, and discipline will not be optional." His eyes flicked, just briefly back to Aria. "And distractions," he added calmly, "will not be tolerated." Aria's jaw clenched. Lili covered her mouth, barely holding in her laughter. "Well," she whispered, "looks like you found the guy who owes you money." Aria didn't laugh. Her instincts were screaming. Because beneath the shock, beneath the annoyance, beneath the ridiculousness of the situation... Something was stirring. Unfamiliar. Unsettling. And for reasons she couldn't explain, being in the same room as Kael Ravyn suddenly felt like standing at the edge of something dangerous, something that was only just beginning.

Aria stood stiffly in front of Kael's desk, her arms folded tightly across her chest. The brief lecture introduction had barely ended when he had signaled for her to remain behind. The reaction from the class had been immediate, whispers, nudges, curious glances thrown her way. "How does she already know him?" Aria ignored them all. She leaned toward Lili briefly. "Wait for me," she murmured before following Kael out of the lecture hall. Now she was here. Alone with him. Kael leaned back in his chair, one leg crossed over the other, arms folded as he studied her openly. The moment she stepped into the room, the pull slammed into him harder than before, sharp, undeniable, almost suffocating. He hid his reaction well. Almost. Aria, on the other hand, looked unimpressed. If anything, she seemed irritated to be wasting her time here. Kael let out a low chuckle, more amused by her expression than he should have been. "Relax," he said calmly. "You're not in trouble." She didn't relax. "The last time we met," he continued, "you were... rude. But I'll ignore that." Aria scoffed. "I recognized you in class," Kael went on. "I thought it would be better to clear the air. Maybe we could start over. Be... friends." The word sounded ridiculous even to him. Friends? His subconscious laughed bitterly. Since when do teachers and students become friends? Aria blinked in surprise, then her expression hardened. "Let me guess," she said coldly. "You followed me all the way from that party. Pretended to be my lecturer because you want to sleep with me, right?" Kael stiffened. "What?" She didn't give him time to respond. "Well, let me make something very clear," Aria continued sharply. "You are not my type. Not even close. And you never will be. So stop following me." She turned to leave, then paused as if remembering something important. "Oh, and my dress," she added, turning back. "The one your clumsiness ruined? I had to pay extra for it." She stretched out her hand expectantly. "So give me back my money." Kael stared at her for a moment-caught somewhere between disbelief and something dangerously close to amusement. Then, without thinking, he stepped closer. The pull surged violently. "Wait," he said, reaching out instinctively, not to grab, but to stop her from leaving. Aria froze when she felt his presence too close, her heart stuttering for reasons she refused to understand. She tried to step back, but the air between them felt charged, heavy. Kael met her gaze, his eyes darkening. For a brief moment, he forgot where he was... who he was supposed to be. "Don't you feel it?" he asked quietly, his voice low. "This connection. Whatever this is between us, it's not normal. We're fated"...... That was when she snapped out of it. Aria shoved him away with both hands, her eyes blazing. "Fated to be together?" she scoffed. "What, do you think this is some kind of werewolf supernatural fantasy?" She pointed at him angrily. "Listen carefully. Leave me alone, or I will report you to the school authorities. I'm not interested in your delusions." Without waiting for a response, she stormed out of the office, the door slamming shut behind her. Kael stood there in silence. He dragged a hand down his face and exhaled slowly. "First day," he muttered, "and I already messed it up." Yet despite himself, a slow smile curved his lips. Annoying. Hot-headed. Sharp-tongued. ...Cute. Lunch Break The canteen buzzed with noise, laughter, clattering trays, overlapping conversations but Aria barely noticed any of it. She stabbed her fork into her food with unnecessary force. "Such a delusional man," she snapped. "I still can't believe he said he wanted us to be friends." Lili, seated across from her, raised a brow as she sipped her drink. "Well," she said slowly, "maybe he likes you." Aria scoffed. "Likes me? Please. Men like him don't like people. They chase." Lili leaned forward, lowering her voice conspiratorially. "I mean... think about it. He went through all that effort to call you into his office. That's not normal." "Or it's creepy," Aria shot back, chewing angrily. "Either way, not my problem." Lili hesitated, then added, "I tried searching him online. Nothing. No social media, no articles, no background. It's like he doesn't exist." Aria paused for half a second, then shrugged. "Rich mogul or not, I don't care. Maybe he just found his way into elite circles and thinks he's special." She took another bite. "All I want is for him to stay far away from me." "Still," Lili muttered, "it's weird. A man like that teaching?" Before Aria could respond, a shadow fell across their table. "Well, well," a sharp voice drawled. "If it isn't the campus favorite." Aria didn't look up. She already knew who it was. Annabelle. Her classmate. Her long-time tormentor. Aria slowly lifted her gaze, unimpressed. "Hey," Annabelle continued with a mocking smile, arms crossed. "Couldn't believe my eyes when I heard you spent so much time alone with the new lecturer." Lili stiffened. "Watch your mouth." Annabelle ignored her. "Tell me, Aria, was it worth it? Or did you already sleep with him?" The words hit like a slap, drawing a few curious glances from nearby tables. Aria set her fork down carefully. "Nothing gets past you, does it?" Annabelle smirked. Aria stood up slowly, meeting her eye-to-eye. Her voice was calm-but deadly. "Listen very carefully," she said. "I have no interest in you this afternoon. Get out of my way and don't spoil my meal." Annabelle's smile twitched. "Touched a nerve?" Aria stepped closer. "You've been obsessed with my life since forever. Jason chose to be my friend, not my lover and even after he left the country, you're still bitter." Annabelle's face darkened. "Pathetic," Aria finished. "Find a hobby." For a moment, it looked like Annabelle might say more but instead, she scoffed loudly. "This isn't over," she muttered as she turned away. "One day, you'll be caught." She walked off, her heels clicking sharply against the floor. Aria sat back down, her appetite suddenly gone. Lili exhaled. "She really needs help." Aria stared at her untouched food, her jaw tight. "She can say whatever she wants. I don't care." But deep down, something uneasy stirred. Because this time... Annabelle's words felt like a warning. And somewhere else on campus, Kael Ravyn felt the mate bond pulse violently, reacting to Aria's anger, her distress, her defiance. Whether she believed in his world or not... She had already stepped into it.