CHAPTER 2—The Beta Who Didn't Flinch
The bell rang, and the lecture hall emptied in a rush of chatter and footsteps. Miguel stayed seated, eyes fixed on the door Caius had just walked through. His jaw ticked once before he finally stood.
Dax leaned against a desk, grinning. "Man, that guy's got a death wish."
Miguel picked up his bag without replying. His silence was heavy enough to make Dax back off a little, but it didn't stop the whispers that followed them out through the hallways.
The hallway was buzzing again. Students parted instinctively when Miguel's group walked through, their voices dropping low. No one mentioned Caius aloud, but everyone had heard what happened. Word spread fast in Juvenile University.
By the time they reached the courtyard, Dax was still talking. "You should've seen his face, though—acting all calm like he didn't care who he was talking to, bet he's shaking now."
Miguel stopped walking. "Then why are you the one still talking about it?" He was annoyed already.
Dax froze for a moment before letting out a short laugh. "Just saying, man. Don't let some random Beta disrespect you in front of everyone."
Miguel didn't answer. He turned toward the cafeteria where the crowd was fuller. His expression didn't shift, but his steps carried weight.
Across the courtyard, Caius sat alone at a corner table, unbothered. His tray was half finished, his focus entirely on the notes open in front of him. Around him, people stared and whispered, but he didn't look up once.
When Miguel entered, the air changed. Conversations quieted, and a few students shifted nervously. His group followed behind like a shadow, confident and loud.
Dax smirked as he spotted Caius. "There's your new friend." He pointed over the table with a smirk.
Miguel ignored him, but his eyes slid briefly toward the corner table. Caius didn't flinch nor react, didn't even acknowledge the sudden tension that spread across the cafeteria like a warning.
Dax slammed his tray down at the next table over. "You know, most Betas around here learn how to greet an Alpha properly."
No answer. Caius turned a page in his notebook.
Dax's grin faltered. "Hey, I'm talking to you."
Still nothing.
A few students gasped when Dax reached out and shoved the edge of Caius's tray aside. The fork clattered to the floor, echoing in the sudden silence.
Caius finally looked up. His eyes met Dax's, steady, blank. "Are you done?"
Dax blinked. "What?"
"I asked if you're done," Caius said again, voice even, his wolf was biting back a growl, but Cauis has always been one to control himself.
Miguel's group tensed automatically, waiting for a reaction that didn't come. The Beta just stared, waiting like he had all the time in the world.
Dax stepped back with a scoff that didn't sound convincing. "Tch, whatever but don't you think, you can talk with us and go Scott free." He moved over to Miguel who was still watching.
As they left the cafeteria, Dax muttered, "Man, what's wrong with that guy?"
Miguel didn't answer. His tone when he finally spoke was low, almost bored. "Nothing, he just doesn't know the order yet. I guess we have to teach him some lessons."
His jaw tightened.
Later that day, in the open training field behind the main building, a few Alphas were practicing with their wolfs. Miguel's friends watched from the fence, joking around.
Caius walked past, holding a small box of documents, probably for the faculty office, he hadn't finished his clearance since he was a new student.
One of the Alphas, Ash, one of Miguel's clique who was known for his bad temper grinned and blocked his way. "You're that transfer Beta, right? Heard from Dax, you've got a mouth. I didn't even arrive school early today and a new Beta is insulting my friends, what do you think you are?"
Caius stopped, paying no attention to Ash. "I have somewhere to be."
Ash smirked. "Then you'd better ask permission to pass."
Caius didn't. He simply stepped sideways and kept walking, brushing past without a word.
Ash grabbed his arm harshly, that earned him a glare from Caius, he was obviously getting angry but the boy was too good as holding back his emotions. "Hey!"
Miguel's voice cut across the field. "Enough."
Ash froze, everyone turned towards Miguel. He hadn't even raised his tone, but the command was there.
Caius glanced at him once, then turned away, continuing his walk like the interruption never happened.
Dax exhaled a low whistle again. "He didn't even thank you."
Miguel looked toward the far end of the field, where Caius disappeared into the hallway. "He didn't need to because I'll make him do." His voice was quiet, but his fingers flexed once against his side.