Chapter 12
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“I do not consider your situation as something that falls under the umbrella of asylum.”
Alpha Matthew’s words hit me like a boulder, tightening the invisible band around my chest. I watch as he flips through a stack of papers with deliberate precision. When he finally pulls one out and places it in front of me, I brace myself for rejection.
Instead, his next words make my heart stop.
“However, our university classes are commencing this week. There is currently an opening for a professor position. You can teach the following course description alongside some physical
training exercises. What I propose is not refuge, but employment.”
My gaze falls to the sheet on the desk. It’s not just a piece of paper–it’s a contract. A job offer. My eyes skim over the words, taking in the details: a living salary, accommodations, and a breakdown of my responsibilities. It even includes the list of skills I’ll be teaching.
“You mean…” I choke on my words, barely able to finish my sentence. “You want to hire me,
and I get to live here and teach?”
Alpha Matthew nods calmly, unscrewing the cap of a sleek fountain pen. He sets it down
beside the contract before leaning back in his chair, his gaze steady on me.
“Read it over for a few minutes. Let me know if you have any questions.”
My hands tremble slightly as I pick up the document. Despite the heavy weight of Matthew’s watchful eyes, I force myself to focus. The terms are straightforward: I would live on campus in a professor’s dormitory and teach college students combat and survival techniques–skills
honed in Sparta.
Even more surprisingly, I’d have the freedom to audit courses of my choosing while earning a
salary generous enough to cover expenses.
“This is…” My voice falters, and the emotions swirling inside me threaten to spill over.
For the first time in what feels like forever, a sense of hope breaks through my despair. My vision blurs as tears gather in my eyes. Before one can escape, Matthew reaches across his desk, offering a crisp handkerchief. His gesture is surprisingly tender.
A wave of relief crashes over me. The weight of uncertainty, rejection, and fear that has been crushing my soul lifts.
“Can I just add one clause?” My voice is small, almost hesitant.
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Chapter 12
Matthew tilts his head, his brow arching with mild curiosity. His smirk suggests he’s already wondering what I could possibly find fault with in such a generous offer.
“Can you please not tell Alpha Bren that I’m here? I don’t want him to know.”
The smirk vanishes, replaced by a furrowed brow. “Why is that?”
Even my wolf seems caught off guard by my request. She’s conflicted–part of her still wants
Bren to see us thriving, to regret the moment he rejected us. But another part knows this life-
a life away from Sparta, from him–could be better.
Bren threw me aside, discarded me like I was nothing. Why should he have any say in this new
chapter of my life?
I swallow hard, unable to articulate my reasons clearly. Fortunately, Matthew doesn’t press me
further. With a quiet nod, he grabs the pen and jots a quick note in the contract’s margins.
“Done,” he says, sliding the document back toward me.
I don’t hesitate for a second. Grabbing the pen, I sign my name with a newfound sense of
purpose.
“Welcome to the pack, Mia.” Matthew’s voice holds a warmth I haven’t heard before, and it only
solidifies my decision.
Standing, I impulsively wrap my arms around him in a tight hug. For a second, he stiffens,
clearly caught off guard, but then he relaxes. I feel a slight pat on my back.
“Thank you,” I whisper, stepping away quickly before I can second–guess my actions.
As I look up at him, the height difference becomes glaringly obvious. He’s taller than I
expected. My cheeks flush as he gently brushes a stray strand of hair behind my ear with the
back of his hand.
“You’re welcome,” he says softly.
Flustered, I avert my gaze, clutching the folder and documents tightly. I step toward the door, but just as I’m about to leave, I remember the book still clutched in my hand.
I lift it slightly. “Can I borrow this?”
His eyes flick to the book and back to me. “If you’d like. Just make sure to bring it back.”
I grin, holding the book against my chest. “I will.”
The door clicks shut behind me, and Sage immediately comes into view. Her head tilts, a single brow arched with suspicion. Her demeanor feels slightly softer than before, but her
sarcasm remains intact.
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“Well,” she says, rolling her eyes dramatically, “I guess I better show you to the professor’s dormitories.”
Oh my goddess, I’m a professor.
The realization hits me fully as my wolf lets out a triumphant howl. For the first time in what feels like forever, things are finally turning around.
