Gavin sighed as he returned to his room. He was tired and drained from the emotional attacks and conflicts with Bradley. As he walked into his bedroom he noticed a package on his bed. He looked back at Jackson's room and saw he had one too. Plopping down, he started ripping it open.
"You really have to get a handle on that temper, baby." Erza said as she sat nest to him on the bed. Her scolding irritated Gavin. He tensed in the middle of opening up his package.
"Don't you think I know that, Erza?" Gavin snapped. His shoulders were set, and his jaw was clenched tight. "I'm well aware of just how close I came to killing that idiot tonight." His words were barely above a whisper while he tore open the box.
Gavin opened the brown box and inside was a slick silver-colored arm band. In the center of the armband was a large round, blank black section. That must be where the rank will be shown.
Gavin glanced over at Jackson sitting on the sofa in the living room, doing the same thing. "You're taking all this awfully calm." Indeed, his roommate hadn't freaked out, or regarded Gavin differently.
Jackson looked over at Gavin and shook his head. "You never told me you were a Shifter." His voice laced with apprehension.
"Didn't think it was that important to mention," Gavin replied as he moved to the living room and plopped down on the sofa next to Jackson and hung his head. "I shouldn't have shifted like that." He ran his hands through his hair. After an entire summer getting my ass kicked by psychotic Valkyries, you'd think I'd have control by now. But the anger… the shift… it's still right under the surface.
Jackson hesitantly said to his roommate. "You act like you aren't used to shifting." Jackson's brow furrowed as he studied Gavin. "Not to mention, you looked like a wolf."
Gavin jerked slightly as if he had been slapped. He lifted his head to glance at him. Gavin took a deep breath in while he debated how much to tell him. "Truth be told, I'm not. I didn't even know I was a Shifter until a few months ago," Gavin admitted.
"What do you know about the wolf shifters?" Gavin quietly asked, his mind now alert for any possible danger and Erza's eyes narrowed.
Jackson hesitated. "Just what anyone knows. Wolf shifters are a rare sight these days." Jackson replied.
"And, that doesn't bother you? You saw what I can do. Everyone else in that hallway was terrified, why are you so calm?" Gavin insisted.
Jackson sighed. "You don't trust easily do you?" He ran his hands through his hair. "Dog, jackal, fox. It doesn't matter to me what kind of shifter you are. What matters is what's inside. What kind of person, not shifter that you are."
The honesty in his words took Gavin by surprise and his shoulders relaxed into the back of the couch as he sat down. "Truth be told," Gavin paused. "For most of my life, I thought I was fully human. I never even suspected that I was a Shifter until the first time. That first shift… you never forget your first time." Memories of that night flooded Gavin again. His stomach churned at how easily it was to kill. Though it was necessary at the time, Gavin still had nightmares over the memories of that night.
Jackson sat back in his chair for a moment as Gavin finished his tale. It didn't take long, but man was it a lot to unpack. "Have you ever heard of Alpha Shifters?" Jackson asked him quietly as he rested his head on his hands, elbows on his knees as he leaned forward again.
Gavin glanced at Erza then back at Jackson. She stiffened behind Jackson but didn't comment. Thanks to the Gods, I know plenty about Alpha Shifters. "No, I haven't," he replied.
Jackson sighed as he nodded. "The Alpha Shifters were groups or species of Shifters that had immense power. They were all kinds of different Alpha predators. Lions, tigers, bears," he paused as he looked into Gavin's eyes, "even wolves," he said. "They were animals that were at the top of their respective food chains, apex predators." Jackson informed Gavin.
Gavin nodded as he listened. This all lined up with what Koray had told him. "The governments of the past feared the natural strength of the Alpha Shifter bloodlines. Since they could harness all six natural magical elements, they feared what would happen if the Alpha clans wanted to usurp or change the current government order," Jackson continued.
"You sure seem to know a lot about this," Gavin commented in surprise. So far, no one knows about the history of wolves, at least.
Jackson let out a soft chuckle. "My family are historians. We know a lot about things in the past, even secrets that contain secrets." Jackson got up and walked into the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of water.
"Eventually, mankind does what it always does when it fears something; it destroys. So, the governments of the past worked together in an attempt to eradicate all Alpha Shifter bloodlines," Jackson inclined his head towards Gavin.
"So, you're saying, I'm one of these lost Alpha Shifters?" Gavin asked. I already know the answer, but probably best not to let him know that.
A wise summation, Master Gavin. Until we can truly trust him, the less information he knows from our perspective the better. Veronica's response was a gentle comfort to Gavin.
You've been quiet during today's events V. I was beginning to think you ran off on me. Gavin's gentle teasing did little to relax his worries.
Nonsense. You know I am stuck to you like glue. Nice try.
Jackson nodded. "You shift into a wolf. That's a rare Shifter race. The odds of seeing an Alpha clan member in public are like one in a billion. How else would you explain it?" Jackson responded. "On top of that, you said your birth family was slaughtered?" Jackson asked for clarification.
Gavin nodded. "That is what I was told when my adopted family found me. They said it looked like a bloodbath."
"Then I'd say you are lucky to be alive, my dude," Jackson said with one of his charming grins plastered on his face. "Maybe the gods have a plan for you," he joked. Gavin coughed a little in surprise at the last comment.
Jackson had no idea just how right he was by that innocent comment.
"Either way, I'm sure this will kick up the hornet's nest with the administration. That's the third so-called fight I've had with him on the first day," Gavin said thoughtfully.
"Yeah, because you are a flipping idiot." Erza's mumbled words brought a smile to Gavin's face.
"Ever the annoyance in your life my love." He teased her back. Her response was a huff while she crossed her arms over her chest.
Jackson shrugged nonchalantly. "Maybe. Maybe not though. Each time was self-defense though, right? He started it and made the first move?" Jackson asked him.
Gavin nodded as he thought about the three encounters. Each time Bradley approached him first and started the confrontations. He deliberately antagonized Gavin into retaliating every time. "Maybe it has something to do with our animal species?" Gavin wondered out loud.
"Brad kept mentioning something about smelling bad to him or smelling off. I think maybe the dog in him was reacting to the wolf in me. That was why he was so active in picking a fight with me," Gavin mused quietly. He was only guessing at this point and couldn't be one hundred percent sure about it unless he talked to Bradley himself.
"That actually makes enough sense to me," Jackson said in agreement as he nodded his head. "Wolves and dogs are the same genus species, but different enough that territorial instincts might react in the wild when around each other. The dog would feel threatened by the wolf and purposefully attack." Jackson mused his thoughts out loud.
Suddenly, there was a series of loud knocks on their dormitory door.
One.
Two.
Three.
The sound was startling in the quiet of the dorm room while they talked. Gavin sighed deeply as he had a deep feeling about what that knock was about. "How much do you want to bet on a teacher or staff member coming to expel me?" Gavin asked ruefully as he got up from the couch and walked over to open the door.
Standing there was a large man with black dreadlocks down his back, a simple black turtleneck shirt and dark navy-blue slacks. He had a cross shaped scar that intersected over his right eye. Gavin remembered seeing this man at the ceremony. "Professor Okeeba, right?" Gavin asked hesitantly.
Professor Okeeba nodded grimly as he spoke. "Correct, Mr. Johnson. Would you mind coming with me? Principal Shepard wishes to speak with you, immediately," Professor Okeeba Okinawa asked, his deep low voice sounding like thunder in the silent dorm room.
Gavin gritted his teeth. He figured he'd be summoned sooner or later, but figured he'd have until at least tomorrow. Jackson walked up behind him and placed a hand comfortingly on Gavin's shoulders. "You'll be okay. Any way you look at it, it's all been self-defense. They can't expel you for that," Jackson said to cheer him up.
Amber hues of mana filled the hallway in a gentle swirl around them as Erza stepped forward. Her eyes already glowed a deep brown as she regarded Professor Okeeba. "Where are you taking him?" Her tone was quiet and demanded answers.
Gavin felt her quiet panic through their mated bond. It felt like a cold icicle was being stabbed into his heart. She is ready to attack this professor for me. Damn, and she says I'm the reckless one?
Gavin reached out for her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "I'll be alright Erza. I'll be back soon."
She shook her head as she stepped in front of Professor Okeeba. "I asked you a question." Her head was held high and she met Professor Okeeba's gaze level and without flinching.
Professor Okeeba's left eye twitched in amusement as he regarded the woman. "I am taking him to the administration building. Even if Principal Shepard expels him this evening, he will be allowed to return here for his belongings."
Gavin squeezed her hand one more time as he cupped her cheek. "Will you please relax. It's fine. I knew this was coming, and you say I am the reckless one." He teased her gently before he leaned in to kiss her cheek.
Erza sighed as she let her Mana drop and squeezed his hand back. "Fine, but if you aren't back in a few hours then I'm coming looking for you."
Professor Okeeba said nothing as he stepped aside and allowed Gavin to walk out of the room. "Your hands please, raise them," the professor commanded. There was no softness or gentleness in his tone. Confused, Gavin did as he was instructed and raised his arms chest high. Professor Okeeba put a set of black steel cuffs around his wrists.
Alert. Magical jamming device detected. Device is used to neutralize magical abilities. Currently blocking effectiveness to communicate with you. Do you wish me to fully neutralize the effect of the cuffs? Veronica's voice rang out in Gavin's head urgently as information was made known.
So, they wanted to prevent him from attacking or using his magic in any way? Gavin would never allow anyone to take him helpless. Not again.
Yes Veronica. Neutralize the cuffs discreetly. Gavin responded as he felt the drain on his mana from the cuffs blocking off mana flow.
Instantly the drain disappeared as Veronica worked her magic and blocked the jamming signal of the cuffs. Gavin still pretended to be weakened by the cuffs as the professor led him away and out of the building. Students made way for them to pass without any instruction from Professor Okeeba as they walked. It was as if the professor's aura was so intimidating that they knew instinctively to clear the area.
Erza followed a short distance behind them until they left the dormitory. She waited by the entrance; arms crossed over her chest and her eyes glowing faintly in the afternoon sun. Several students recognized Gavin from one of the many fights that day and whispered among each other as he passed.
They walked for a few minutes from the dorms in the west towards the administrative buildings in the east of the campus. The main building was a massive four-story building made of the same white marble stone as the others. They walked through the entry and didn't stop until they entered the elevator. Gold trim lined the black doors as they swung open and they stepped inside. The entire time Professor Okeeba remained silent as they waited for the elevator to stop at the fourth floor.
The elevator dinged and they stepped out. They walked down the hallway until they reached a door at the far end. There was a bronze plaque that read: Principal Shepard. Lead Magi. "Step inside, do not speak unless spoken to," Professor Okeeba commanded as he opened the door and stepped aside allowing Gavin to walk by.
Instantly a familiar scent filled Gavin's nose as he entered the principal's office. He couldn't place his finger on it. But it was almost comforting, which made no sense to Gavin since he never met the principal before today.
The principal was seated behind a large dark red wooden desk on the far side of the room. The room was comfortable in a way. Large enough for the walls to be covered by bookshelves floor to ceiling. A couple of love seats and a few office chairs sat neatly arranged in the room with a cherry red coffee table in the middle that had a pitcher of water and several glasses that sat next to them. The principal looked up as the door opened and Gavin walked in. "Thank you, Okeeba. You may wait outside," Principal Shepard said softly as he smiled at the professor that brought Gavin.
"Of course, sir." Okeeba responded as he reached out to shut the door with a soft click.
Gavin turned to face the principal, not saying anything as he stood there. "Come now young Gavin. Please take a seat," Principal Shepard said softly as he pointed to the couches and chairs in the middle of the room. Gavin nodded, walked over, and took a seat on one of the couches.
Principal Shepard smiled warmly as he walked over and took out a key before he removed the cuffs from Gavin's wrists. "There now, I'm sure that feels better, hmmmm?" Principal Shepard asked with a gentle smile as he took a seat across from Gavin.
Gavin rubbed at the faint red marks on his skin and forced a nod. "Yes sir, thank you," Gavin responded. Even though your magic jamming cuffs didn't actually affect me, old man.
For a long moment, neither of them spoke. The office was quiet; too quiet. No ticking clock. No humming crystal. Not even the whirring motor of a computer. Just the soft whisper of air through the vents.
Principal Shepard just watched him. His eyes never left Gavin's face.
Gavin shifted under the weight of that gaze. Something about the man's scent tugged at him again. It was familiar, almost comforting in a way that made absolutely no sense.
Then a single tear slid down Shepard's right cheek.
His features softened, the professional mask cracked. Mana stirred in the room, subtle at first, a prickle along Gavin's skin along with pressure behind his eyes. Then it swelled and filled the space like a slow rising tide.
Not malicious.
But warm, comforting.
Home.
That was the only feeling that Gavin could use to describe it.
Blood-red light bloomed around the principal. The mana thick and heavy. Gavin's breath hitched at a realization. This mana isn't mine.
His wolf went utterly still. Confusion more than anger filled Gavin for the first time in a long while.
"I was right before," Principal Shepard murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "You look just like my son. Just like my Drogo." As he spoke, his eyes began to glow-a vibrant, unmistakable red.
Alert. Another Alpha Were-Wolf detected. Be on your guard Gavin.