Chapter 4 Class collision
Malia’s POV
I barely sleep that night. Between Aiden’s angry door-slamming and the constant tension that spreads through the room like a storm cloud, my body stays tight and alert. My hybrid wolf curls into a shaky ball inside me, too weak to soothe me, too intimidated by the dominating scent filling the room. When morning comes, I drag myself out of bed feeling like I’m running on fumes.
Classes start early at Mooncrest College, earlier than any normal academy, because highborn wolves love discipline. Or maybe they just love watching people like me struggle. Either way, I hurry across the courtyard, head low, hood up, trying not to draw attention. It doesn’t matter — they notice me anyway.
Wolves always notice.
As soon as I pass a cluster of students, they sniff the air subtly, instincts sharpening like blades. Some wrinkle their noses. Some step away. One girl actually covers her cup like she thinks my hybrid scent might contaminate her latte.
I keep walking.
Invisible. Forgettable. Not enough wolf to count, not human enough to blend in either.
By the time I slip into my first lecture hall, my heart is already thudding too hard. The room is massive — arched ceilings, tall windows, rows of polished desks arranged in a half-circle. I choose the furthest seat in the corner, hoping no one will bother looking at me. The seat smells faintly of dust and old books. Safe.
Students filter in slowly, laughing, chatting, taking up space confidently. Their bloodlines glow in their scents — pure wolf, strong alpha, rich Luna energy. I try not to breathe too deeply. I try not to exist too loudly.
Then the air shifts.
Not in a normal way. In a Moonfall way.
The hairs on my arms stand up before I even see him. A ripple goes through the class, a change in posture, attention snapping like magnets toward the door.
Aiden Moonfall walks in.
My stomach drops.
Great. Fantastic. Amazing. Because what I really needed today was another dose of humiliation courtesy of the werewolf who already hates sharing a room with me.
He strides across the hall like he owns not just the room, but the entire building, the entire college, maybe the entire realm. His scent hits the space like a tidal wave — powerful alpha, cold night air, something sharp and intimidating beneath it.
He doesn’t look around. Wolves look at him. He just chooses a seat near the front, leans back casually, and the room rearranges itself around his presence. Girls whisper. Guys nod in respect.
I sink down lower.
How unlucky can one hybrid get?
Before I can think too much about it, the professor walks in — an older wolf with silver hair and the kind of posture that screams ancient dominance. The room quiets immediately. He starts calling attendance, voice booming with authority. When he says “Miss Reed,” he barely glances up. I raise my hand weakly.
Then comes the sentence I never saw coming.
“We will be assigning permanent seating for the remainder of the semester.”
A rustle of excitement moves through the students — they love structure, hierarchy, routine.
The professor scans the list, then looks directly at me.
“Miss Reed, next to Mr. Moonfall.”
The room goes silent.
Deathly, thickly silent.
Every stare in the hall swings toward me like knives. Whispers erupt — some shocked, some disgusted, some amused. I catch a girl mouthing, Why her? Another guy frowns like the professor has committed a personal offense.
My face burns.
I force myself to stand, even though my body wants to fold into the seat and disappear forever. My legs shake as I descend the steps row by row, praying I trip and fall so I can pretend I broke something and leave.
Aiden doesn’t look up at me. He doesn’t move his backpack off the chair beside him. He doesn’t acknowledge my existence. He just leans back in his seat, long legs spread, absolutely unfazed — or maybe enjoying the torture.
I pause beside the desk, awkward. He finally turns his head, eyes landing on me with the faintest smirk tugging at his mouth.
Like this is funny.
Like I am funny.
I swallow hard and slide into the seat, trying to make myself as small as possible. His scent closes in immediately — strong, dominant, full-blooded wolf. Sitting next to him feels like being trapped under a heavy blanket of alpha energy. My own scent feels pathetic, weak, like it can’t breathe in the same air.
Students keep staring.
My hands tremble as I pull my notebook out.
The professor begins the lecture, but my mind can’t focus. Not with Aiden beside me. Not with every inhale reminding me of the difference between us — pure power versus diluted blood.
I sneak a glance at him.
He’s not even looking at the board. He’s staring straight ahead, relaxed, confident, jaw sharp enough to cut stone. He looks like the kind of wolf who excels at everything without trying.
And apparently, that’s true.
Halfway through the lecture, the professor addresses him.
“Mr. Moonfall, your essay on territorial dynamics was exceptional. Best in the class — as always.”
A ripple goes through the students. Pride. Admiration. Envy.
Aiden doesn’t smile. Doesn’t even nod. He just sits there, unreadable, like greatness is so normal he can’t be bothered reacting.
Then the stares swing to me.
Why is she sitting next to him?
She’s not even worthy of the same oxygen.
Maybe the professor made a mistake.
Maybe this is a joke.
I stare down at my desk, wishing the wood might swallow me whole. My wolf trembles in my chest, tiny, embarrassed, wanting to shrink away from the dominance pressing against us.
The professor continues the lecture, but I barely hear a word. My pulse is too loud. My thoughts too chaotic. Sitting next to Aiden feels like standing in the shadow of a mountain — tall, cold, reminding me of everything I lack.
By the time class ends, I’m stiff with humiliation. My face feels frozen in a tight expression I hope looks neutral, not shattered.
Because right now?
Right now I feel like I’m drowning in a world not meant for me.
But I knew one thing for sure:
To make it through this semester, to make it through
Mooncrest College without shattering my sanity… I needed to find a way to handle Aiden Moonfall first.