Chapter 3 Bathroom war
Malia’s POV
The next morning starts even worse than the last, which is honestly impressive because yesterday felt like hitting rock bottom. I jolt awake, realizing I forgot to set my alarm properly, and I’m already running behind. My schedule says my first class starts in twenty-five minutes — enough time if I move quickly.
I reach for my towel, scramble toward the shared bathroom, and then stop dead, because of course the door is locked. Again. Aiden Moonfall has claimed the bathroom like it’s his personal kingdom, and I’m just an intruder begging for mercy.
I knock twice, hoping maybe he’s magically in a good mood today. “Aiden? Please, I really need to get in. I’m going to be late.”
Silence… thick, dismissive silence.
Then I hear the shower running, loud and intentionally obnoxious, like he turned it on harder just so I’d know he’s ignoring me.
I press my forehead against the door. My wolf curls in my chest, weak and trembling. She hates confrontation, hates dominance, hates the weight of powerful Alpha blood behind the person she’s trying to reason with.
And Aiden is pure Alpha. Highborn. Intimidating. Probably enjoys watching hybrids panic. I knock again, softer, because I don’t have the right to be angry. Not in this school. Not as what I am.
“Just five minutes,” I whisper, and I hate how sad it sounds. The shower continues. Aiden hums. Actually hums. Like he’s having the time of his life listening to me stress.
By the time he finally unlocks the door, I’m a mess of worry and frustration. The moment the door swings open, steam pours out like a fog machine.
Aiden steps out with a towel slung low on his hips, water dripping down his chest, completely unbothered by my existence or the fact that he has made me late for my second day. He walks past me without a glance, without a word, without even the courtesy of pretending I’m human — or wolf — or anything. Just… air. My wolf shrinks back even more.
The bathroom is a disaster. Steam clouds every corner, the mirror is so fogged I can’t even see my outline, and clothes — his clothes — are scattered everywhere. Expensive shirts on the floor like cheap rags, designer pants hanging from the shower rod.
I step around everything carefully, clutching my towel to my chest. Just as I pick up my toothbrush, the door pushes open again and Cole — or is it Cian? No, definitely Cole — brushes past me, also half-naked, also dripping, also radiating that arrogant Moonfall energy that makes the air feel too thick to breathe.
He doesn't look at me, but he mutters, “Hybrids are so slow.” Not even to me. To himself. As if he forgot I had ears.
My cheeks burn. My wolf whimpers. My heart sinks because I want so badly to belong here, to fit in, to matter. But every interaction is a reminder that I am not like them. And they can smell it.
By the time I leave for class, my hair is only half-dry, my eyeliner uneven, and my confidence nonexistent. The hallways of Mooncrest College seem even more intimidating today — tall stone walls, banners embroidered with silver moons, and rich students walking like they own the whole world. Maybe they do.
I keep my head down as I hurry toward my locker, trying to blend into the background. But the universe has a strange sense of humor, because just as I turn the corner, someone walks straight into me. My books go flying, papers floating in the air like sad confetti. I brace myself, expecting disgust, maybe even a snarl. But instead… I hear a soft voice.
“Sorry. That was my fault.”
I look up.
Rowan Moonfall.
The middle triplet.
The gentle one.
He’s crouched on the floor already, collecting my fallen books with careful hands like they’re made of glass. His eyes lift to mine — warm, soft, nothing like Aiden’s ice. And he doesn’t even flinch at my scent. His nose twitches, but not in disgust. More like curiosity.
“Are you okay?” he asks quietly.
I nod even though I’m not. Something about him makes my wolf lift her head a little, like she recognizes safety.
He hands me my notebook and offers a shy, lopsided smile. “My brothers can be… intense. Don’t take it personally,” Rowan murmurs. He sounds sincere, like he actually sees me instead of looking through me.
I swallow hard. “It’s fine. I’m used to being looked down on.”
He pauses. His brows pull together. “You shouldn’t be.”
The words hit deeper than they should. No one at this school has said anything remotely kind to me except him, and it almost makes me emotional.
Rowan stands, brushes off his jeans, and tucks a stray strand of hair behind his ear. “If they give you trouble… you can find me.” His voice drops, softer. “I don’t mind helping.”
My cheeks get warm. I manage a small smile, the first real one since arriving at Mooncrest. Before I can thank him again, someone calls his name down the hallway. Rowan offers me one last gentle look, then jogs off, blending into the crowd of powerful wolves like he belongs there — because he does.
I don’t.
Not yet.
But maybe… maybe having one Moonfall who doesn’t hate me will make this place a little less unbearable.
The rest of the day is a blur of fast-paced classes, intimidating professors, and sharp-smelling students who wrinkle their noses when I sit too close. I try not to let it bother me, but every scent check, every stare, every whisper chips away at my resolve. By the time the sun sets, I’m exhausted — physically, mentally, emotionally.
—----------
When I return to the room that night, the atmosphere immediately feels off. Heavy. Tense. Aiden stands near the desk, stiff shoulders, jaw clenched. I don’t know what happened or who made him angry, but the air crackles around him like storm clouds gathering.
He slams the door behind him hard enough to rattle the walls.
I flinch — visibly, embarrassingly.
My wolf shivers and curls in tight, whispering hide, hide, hide.
And all I can think is…I wish I could disappear.
And just like that, my fate is sealed: I’m stuck living with the most infuriating guy on campus.