Hallowbrook University — Move-In Day
Hallowbrook University has one rule that every pack respects.
No bloodshed on neutral ground.
Which is probably the only reason Gavril hasn’t put Kaeden Mordrake through a wall yet.
The two Alphas spot each other across the packed courtyard.
Kaeden stands with several members of his pack when his attention catches on Gavril—and the unfamiliar girl beside him.
His gaze holds.
Something inside his wolf shifts.
Kaeden ignores it.
“Hallowbrook really does let anyone through the gates now.”
Gavril’s head turns.
“Mordrake.”
Kaeden gives him that lazy smile.
“Wolfram.”
There’s no handshake.
There never is.
Their packs have hated each other for longer than either of them has been alive, and becoming Alphas only handed Gavril and Kaeden more reasons to continue the tradition.
But Kaeden’s attention drifts again.
Back to the girl beside Gavril.
He knows every wolf Gavril keeps near. Every beta. Every fighter. Every council member worth knowing.
He’s never seen her.
His wolf shifts again.
Restless.
Kaeden’s brow furrows.
Gavril notices exactly where he’s looking and instantly shifts between them.
“Don’t.”
Kaeden looks amused.
“I didn’t do anything.”
“You were thinking about it.”
“I don’t even know who she is.”
“And you’re going to keep it that way.”
Now Kaeden is genuinely curious.
His attention shifts to the person Gavril is so determined to keep behind him.
“Who is she?”
Gavril’s jaw flexes.
“My sister.”
Kaeden goes still for half a second.
So that’s her.
Gavril Wolfram’s little sister.
The one he’s kept so far clear of pack politics that Kaeden has never once crossed paths with her.
Until now.
Kaeden’s wolf pushes restlessly under his skin.
He doesn’t understand why.
He doesn’t much like it, either.
“Didn’t know your sister was coming to Hallowbrook.”
“You weren’t supposed to.”
Kaeden looks back at him.
Gavril steps closer, lowering his voice.
“She’s a freshman. She’s here to get an education, not become part of whatever bullshit exists between us.”
“Then we agree on something.”
“Good.”
Gavril starts to turn away, then stops.
His eyes lock onto Kaeden’s.
“And Mordrake?”
Kaeden lifts an eyebrow.
“Stay the fuck away from my sister.”
A faint smirk touches Kaeden’s mouth.
He should laugh.
Should tell Gavril that his little sister is the last complication he needs.
Instead, his attention betrays him one more time.
Back to you.
And somewhere under Kaeden’s skin, his restless wolf suddenly goes utterly still.