{Connor}
Navigating the campus was a bit of a challenge. My eyes were glued to the map on my phone, trying to make sense of the various buildings and pathways as well as figure out where I was supposed to be.
In my distracted state, I didn't notice the girl walking in my path until it was too late.
Our collision was inevitable, and I stumbled backward, almost dropping my phone. She stumbled back a few steps too, her books scattering on the ground.
"I'm so sorry," I blurted out, my face reddening with embarrassment as I hastily dropped to my knees to help her pick up her things.
The girl gave me a friendly smile, her orange hair falling over her shoulders as she bent down to assist me. "No worries, accidents happen."
It took me a moment to recognize her. She was the same student director I had met during the orientation, Emily. It seemed she recognized me too as her friendly smile had turned into an amused grin.
"I see you're still trying to figure out the maze that is our campus," she remarked, her hazel eyes twinkling with amusement.
I couldn't help but chuckle at my own clumsiness. "Yeah, it's a bit overwhelming."
Emily stood up and extended a hand toward me. "Well, lucky for you, I've got some time before my lecture. Need some help finding your lecture hall?"
"That would be amazing. I'd probably get lost without your help." I sighed, relieved.
She flashed me a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, I'll make sure you get there in one piece."
I followed Emily through the Campus and after a short walk, we arrived at my lecture hall. Emily pointed at the room's entrance with a smile. "Here you go, Connor. You should be all set now."
I returned her smile, "Thank you so much, Emily. You're a lifesaver."
She waved it off. "No problem at all. Enjoy your class, and if you need anything else," She took my phone from my hand and put her number in it, "Don't hesitate to ask." With a nod, she turned and headed back probably to her own class.
I entered the lecture hall and took my seat, I tried to get comfortable, taking out my notebook and laptop in preparation for the lecture. The hall gradually filled with other students, and a small buzz filled the air.
Just as I was getting settled, two boys burst into the classroom. They looked annoyingly obnoxiousness, shouting loudly as they walked in. They both had on ripped jeans, leather jackets, sneakers that seemed more suited for a skaterpark than a college lecture hall and a number of piercings. Their long unruly hair and loud expressions only added to the overall rebellious look.
I rolled my eyes and shrugged off their presence, assuming they were just students with a thing for edgy fashion. I decided not to pay too much attention to them and instead focused on the front of the hall, waiting for the lecturer to arrive.
However, I caught a distinct scent in the air. It was an unusual smell, something I couldn't quite place.
My instincts instantly went on high alert, and I scanned the room.
To my surprise, the two obnoxious boys had shifted their gaze towards me, their expressions had gone from one of nonchalance to hostility. They began walking up the row of seats towards me, a sense of unease washed over me and I could hear a subtle growl inside of me.
i tried to remain calm, remembering I had promised Jack to keep my emotions in check. The boys slowly grew nearer to me and I could feel my blood begin to boil inside of me.
"Oh no." I thought.
Just as they were about to reach my row, the lecturer finally entered the hall, silencing the room with his voice, "Sorry I'm a little late everyone, please settle down."
The two boys stopped dead in their tracks, their gaze trained directly on me with what I could only describe as murderous intent. They reluctantly sat down a few seats below me and I could feel the tension in the air relax.
All through the lecture, my mind was in deep thought as I tried to make out why those two boys had singled me out. Then there was that smell that I also couldn't figure out.
When the lecture had ended, I hurriedly checked my schedule for the next lecture and hastily grabbed my things and shoved them into my backpack. I knew there were two exits from the lecture hall, one at the front and one at the back. Determined to put some distance between me and those boys, I made my way toward the back exit.
As I struggled to pass through the dense crowd of students walking out the door, that peculiar smell hit me again, sending a shiver down my spine. Before I could react, a strong grip seized my shirt, and I was forcibly yanked out of the lecture hall.
Panic surged through me, and my initial instinct was to resist, but I found myself sandwiched between the two aggressive boys, who were now pretending to be friendly and teasing me, as if we were old acquaintances. It was clear they were trying to make it seem like nothing was wrong while leading me away from the lecture hall.
I couldn't speak up or resist effectively in the crowded corridor. My heart raced, and I knew I had to be cautious, so I played along, I had no idea they were bullies in college as well. Is that what this was?
They continued to guide me through the college campus until we arrived at the football field. It was an open space and without warning, they shoved me to the ground, and I fell with a thud, sprawling on the grass.
The impact jarred me, knocking the wind out of me. I hurriedly scrambled to my feet, my emotions all over the place. I was sent sprawling on the grass again by a shoe to my chest making me wheeze in pain.
My heart raced as I sat up, trying to come up with a plan. Whatever was happening, I needed to stay alert, cautious, and most importantly, calm.
Pain suddenly shot through me as the same shoe hit me square in the face making me fall on the ground, clutching my eye in pain. The two boys continued kicking me while I lay on the grass, I couldn't help but wince with each blow.
"Who the hell are you, and why are you in our territory?" one of them demanded, his face filled with anger.
"I swear I don't know what you're talking about, you've got the wrong person! I'm just a student here," I said, my voice shaking, trying to protect myself from their blows.
The other boy growled, clearly unconvinced. "He's lying, Kyle. I can smell it. He's a spy from another pack."
His words sent a shiver down my spine. I knew I had to stay calm, to keep the anger at bay. I couldn't afford to transform into that beast again, not here, not now.
My hair was suddenly yanked, and I winced in pain as I was forced to my knees. My heart raced, and I felt my blood boiling as I struggled to control myself, "I'm going to ask you one last time. Who are you?"
"I already told you, I'm just a student, I came in yesterday." I pleaded.
The boy snarled and I could feel his murderous intent growing, the hairs on my body began to stand and I knew what was about to happen. I could only hope I didn't end up killing him when I turned into that beast.
As I knelt there waiting for the boy to strike me, a commanding voice cut through the tension, causing everyone to turn in its direction. "Let him go!"
It was actually Ethan, walking towards us with some sort of thuggish stride and a cold look in his eyes.
"He's one of yours, then," the boy holding me said to Ethan, his grip on my hair loosening slightly.
Ethan didn't give a direct response to the question. Instead, he firmly said to the two boys, his tone hard. "Put him down and walk away."
The boys exchanged reluctant glances, still brimming with hostility, "You understand no spies are allowed in our territory. He better just be a rogue or we'll be coming after you next."
Finally, the one holding me released his grip, letting me fall back onto the grass, "Let's get out of here Rowan."
The two boys left me alone and bumped into Ethan's shoulder as they walked away, disappearing into the distance.
I watched them leave, my heart still racing from the confrontation. Ethan stood there for a moment, his eyes staring at the two boys till they disappeared from sight, before turning his attention back to me.
His piercing amber eyes met mine briefly before he nodded and said, "Let's get you back to the dorm."
I could only nod in response, still shaken from the encounter. I wasn't sure what exactly was going on but it seemed I had been unexpectedly been put in the middle.
"Great Conner, first day of college and you already have a target on your back." I muttered as Ethan helped me back to our dorm room.