As I walk out of my class, my mood is still buzzed with Matthew's presence. I feel like I'm on cloud nine. It's like being a dream world. I've never been kissed before, much less the way Matthew kissed me. Goddess, what a sexy man. It's so hard to believe his words yet they ring through me.

I'm basically drifting through campus, unable to waver off the smile on my face. My body is on autopilot while my wolf tries to convince me to see Matthew as soon as possible.

We're seeing him tonight, I remind her.

I'd rather go see him now. She retorts.

I roll my eyes, You're such a horn-dog.

Excuse me, She scoffs with a smirk. You just made out with the Alpha. Who's the real horn-dog?

I come out of my daze when I realize I've walked over to the training fields. Briefly confused, trying to figure out why I'm here. As soon as I see Tyler doing some warm-ups, I remember that it's Thursday and we train every Thursday.

I walk up to him just as he's finished doing a few jumping jacks and stretches. "Hey," I greet him nicely.

He looks up at me, smiling, about to open his mouth to welcome me. Suddenly his eyes go wide, and he puts his hands on my arms, leaning forward while inhaling me deeply. I brush his arms off, "What the fuck Tyler?"

"Holy shit, Holms!" He exclaims with a large grin. "You smell like Alpha."

"What?"

"It's subtle," He points his finger at me. His eyebrows raise in a playful manner, grin devious. "But it's totally there."

A blush creeps on my cheeks, Tyler starts laughing at me as soon as he notices it. "So?" I try to muster.

"That's awesome," He grins excitedly. "We've been waiting years for Alpha to meet someone."

I open my mouth to say something, but don't know how to react. Everyone keeps saying that. They're all eager to see Matthew have a romantic spark with someone else. I decide to change the subject, "Well I just wanted to walk over to say I can't train today."

Tyler chuckles, "Still not part of the mind link, huh?"

I shake my head in frustration. It's not like the mind link is essential. I get around pretty well without having to mind link. But it would be useful to have. Especially in situations like this. I can't help it and I stare down at Tyler's wrist, where is brand is so evidently marked along the inside of his forearm.

He catches me staring and extends his arm to let me get a better look. It's a Celtic Tree of Life that looks like it's been engraved in the skin. I start to wonder why the Valley's symbol comes from Celtic mythology. In Sparta, our brand was a bold Greek Lamda letter, like the ones that ancient Spartans used to have on their shields. No wonder everyone makes fun of my old pack.

"I got it when I was born," Tyler says pulling me out of my train of thought. "If you're born in the pack, we get it. But there are plenty of pack members who received it later on. Particularly mates who move here to be with their loved one."

I nod in understanding, wondering what the initiation looks like here. I wonder if I'll have to fight a warrior to get it. At this point, I would be willing to do anything to get my brand. To officially become one with the pack.

"So," Tyler grabs his duffle-bag that he's set on the ground. We start walking out of the training field, "If you're not going to train tonight, what are you doing?"

My cheeks heat up again, "Um..."

"Oooh," Tyler coos. He starts singing his words, "I've got a feeling someone is going to be smelling like Alpha tomorrow."

I can't help it and punch him in the arm causing him to laugh. "Shut up," I roll my eyes and shake my head. I decide not to humor him, "What about you? Any dates with that cute girl from training?"

"Who, Zoe?" Tyler shrugs, "Nah. I'll probably just go on a long run, do some laps in the lake, and train through the night. My initiation test for being a pack warrior is coming up. I've got to be in tip-top shape."

"I can put in a good word with Sage." I tell him with a smile. Now that Sage and I have gotten a bit closer, I'm sure I can tell her to keep her eye out on Tyler.

"Fuck that would be amazing." He tells me sincerely. "I've been training a lot with the recruiters. They're saying I'm the fastest wolf in the pack. Tell her that, maybe she'll be willing to spar me."

I raise my eyebrow, "You want to spar the Beta? Do you think you'd beat her?"

Tyler scoffs, "Goddess no. But Einstein said, 'Failure is success in progress.' You can't learn if you don't fail."

We're about to veer paths in the middle of campus. Tyler lives near the student dorms, he basically has a house of him and his friends. Once I walked by it and it smelled like full on testosterone. No way I'd ever go in there.

"So, what are you wearing tonight?" Tyler smirks, crossing his arms to look at me. "You have to wear something nice to sweep our Alpha off his firmly planted feet."

The question catches me off guard. I hadn't thought of it too much. It's not like I have a lot of clothes to begin with. I look down at my dark jeans and subtle V-neck top that I wear to teach class. I suddenly feel self-conscious, "I thought this was fine..."

Tyler raises an eyebrow. He stares at me for a second, looking over my outfit. His mouth opening and closing. I can tell he's trying to be careful with his words. In a deadpan, completely strained voice he goes, "...okay."

I throw another punch at his arm, the both of us laughing. He grabs my wrist, pulling me towards his side of campus towards the dorms. "Come on," He laughs. "I've got an idea."

On the walk over to Goddess-Knows-Where, I notice that Tyler will occasionally go silent while he mind-links someone. Thankfully, he doesn't take me to his house. Instead, we end up walking up the stairs to a different house—vanilla candles, oven-baked cookies, and soap all hitting my nose.

Ah yes, I think to myself. Girls live here.

Tyler doesn't hesitate to open the door and lets me walk in first. "Yo," He calls into the house. "We're here."

Two girls from my training class pop up at the top of the stairs. And just in front of me is Ashley and Cassidy—two of my students. "Hey Miss Holms," Ashley practically jumps up in excitement. "Tyler told us you need some help with what to wear."

The two girls at the top of the stairs grab boxes—I mean literal moving boxes—of clothes and bring it downstairs. They walk past me with smiles as they take it to the living room. Tyler chuckles when he see's my terrified face. I've never had this many people...care about me. They're all so genuinely excited.

Ashley and Cassidy each grab one of my hands, dragging me into the living room where—lo and behold—Evan and Jeremy are on the sofa. "Dude," Evan opens his arms up as soon as he see's Tyler. "What the hell, you promised beer?"

Ashley rolls her eyes so far into her head I fear for her. "Relax. Tyler didn't have time to grab beer you can have some of mine."

"Sweet," Evan sings while walking past me. Oddly enough, he bows his head, "What up Prof?"

I turn to Tyler, my eyebrow raised. "You convened everyone?"

Tyler smiles, "Of course. We all want you to impress the Alpha. You've got both female and male perspective."

Just as he says that my two classmates throw all the clothes onto the coffee table. Everyone starts picking at it like vultures trying to find something that would look nice on me. Tossing anyways articles of clothing they think would be too big or small. My eyes trail to the signs I see on the couch, a little flip sign that has a thumbs up on one side and thumbs down on the other.

"You guys are going to rate me?" I almost laugh, this is the craziest thing I've seen. And the worst part is, it's clearly not the first time they've done it. I feel like I've entered a wedding dress store, and this is my entourage.

"I've got the popcorn," Cassidy calls out coming in with several bowls of popcorn. Evan right behind her as he hands everyone a cold brewski.

It doesn't take long for me to put two-and-two together. This is Tyler's group of friends. I quickly realize that everyone in this room was born here in the Valley. They must have all grown up together, gone to school, and now they're in university. I catch quick glimpses of pictures on the wall of group outings and even a picture of just wolves.

Everyone settles down in the living room, rummaging through the insanely large pile of clothes. "It'll be fun Holms," Tyler smiles at me kindly as I take a seat in a selected chair.

"We do this all the time," Ashley grins. "Once you're initiated and we can mind link you, one of your duties is going to be taking part of this panel of judges."

Without even missing a beat, Evan, who's crazy focused on finding dresses, snaps his fingers in the air. "Can I get an Amen?"

"Amen." Everyone in the room snaps their fingers along with it.

Wow, I realize. They really do this often.

"Trust us," Ashley smiles so gently that I can't help it. I cave in. I have nothing to lose. A part of me wants to look absolutely stellar for Matthew. And I've never had friends do anything like this for me. Clara is the only person who would ever do anything for me at all. Seeing a group of people—accept me—instantly makes my heart warm up. Even though I teach some of them, I can't help but feel like I'm more than just a professor. I am practically their age, so we always laugh a lot before and after class. Tyler and I spar together on Thursdays. Matthew did say that community is important and maybe my role here isn't just to teach.

"Alright," I sit back and watch as everyone pulls out three of their favorite articles of clothing. It takes roughly ten minutes before outfits are thrown at me like I'm in a dressing room. Cassidy shows me where the bathroom is and now it's my job to put on the outfits, walk out, and have them judge me.

I start with a black turtleneck dress that has long sleeves but a short skirt. Ashley paired them with some black booties. I walk out, letting my confidence inflate itself ever so slightly as I strut down the living room like Cassidy told me too. Everyone claps or cheers me with their beer.

"Cute," I hear the girls coo as they all place their signs with thumbs up.

"Boo." The politest booing I've ever heard from the men's side as they all place a thumbs down.

"What up with the turtleneck?" Evan shakes his head. "You have to show some skin."

"I agree," Jeremy shakes his head like he's suddenly become a stylist. If only he paid attention to my class as hard as he's paying attention to this dress. "It's great for the winter but not now. Way too conservative."

"What are you talking about?" Ashley argues, "Her butt looks amazing."

"It's not just about the ass, Ash." Tyler rolls his eyes, "We've told you this a thousand times. It's about—"

In unison all the guys say it together, "Cute. Class. Sex."

Ashley crosses her arms over her chest, leaning back in the sofa with a huff. "So, what? My dress is cute and class?"

"It's missing the sex." Tyler makes a triangle with his fingers, "We've taught you this. Don't you remember your training?"

I let out a little giggle while everyone tries to lecture me about the trifecta of what to wear on a date. Apparently, the guys believe that a proper date outfit needs to be the perfect combination of cute, classy, and sexy. Which for us girls, is obviously like mission impossible.

"Alright," I cut in as I turn on my heels heading for the bathroom. "Time for outfit number two."

I already hate it as soon as I put it on. It makes me feel so uncomfortable and quite ridiculous. It's a red silky dress with very lose spaghetti straps. Somehow, it pushes my breasts up and I stare at myself in the mirror.

Goddamn girl, My wolf howls. Where the fuck have you been hiding all of that? Wear this on the date.

She's not wrong. I look hot. Like if Barbie went vixen. But the dress is so short and it's so tight I feel full on display. I would need to be standing the entire time or the dress will ride so far up my butt shows. I also look at it and have to question whether Matthew would even humor it. It doesn't seem to go with his aesthetic at all—or mine. I take a deep breath, ready for the comments. Sure enough, as I round the corner, I get a few whistles and the guy's eyes basically bulge out of their sockets.

"Whoa!" Evan exclaims, "Prof, I didn't know you had tits!"

Coming to my defense, everyone swoops in and starts slapping Evan with their scoreboards. I can't help but laugh, not at all offended or self-conscious somehow of his words. I, myself, didn't even know I have boobs.

"What the hell is the matter with you?" Ashley gets in the last hit.

"It's way too much," I get everyone's attention back to me as I pull the skirt down.

"You guys better be careful." Cassidy giggles at the boys as they gawk. "If Alpha finds out you've been staring at her like that, he's going to kill you all."

"Don't remind me," Tyler groans painfully. "I thought I was a dead wolf at the restaurant."

"Ash," Evan's gaze goes to her. "Is this dress yours?"

"Yeah," She crosses her arms, "I got it to go clubbing but guys are assholes."

Evan keeps his eyes trained on Ashley and I seem to be the only one to notice him mumble the words, "It's hot."

"Alright, so too much sex? Not enough class and cute?" I ask while holding my thumbs down. Everyone agrees with me, putting their own thumbs down. "Then it's not the one."

As I turn the corner towards the bathroom I hear Ashley cry out, "If you ever need to borrow it just let me know."

I actually might hold her up to that offer. It's definitely out of my comfort zone but I kind of like that. I bet if Clara saw me in it, she'd freak out. I miss having her here with me. I think she would love taking part of this little panel of judges.

I walk out in the third outfit, everyone instantly throwing up a thumbs up. They all nod approvingly, and I can't help but smile. "Really?"

It's much more subtle. I picked it out because it not only feels like my taste but like something Matthew would find cute. A ribbed off-the-shoulder black top with long sleeves now that the night air is getting colder. Followed by a pair of skinny jeans that somehow make my ass look like it's been pushed up.

"It's super cute," Cassidy nods in approval.

"It's decently classy," Jeremy nods.

"And sexy." Tyler argues, he points at my neck. "Plenty of neck and shoulder for hickey access."

"Easy second base access." Evan adds on.

Ashely twirls her finger asking me to turn for her. When I look back there's a look of approval, "And your ass looks great."

"More importantly," Cassidy smiles. "You look comfortable."

"Looks like we found it team." Tyler claps his hands excitedly, "Plan get Alpha a love-life is underway."

I roll my eyes at them as they all look at me with so much delight. I bite my lips tentatively. There's something childish about how I spent the last hour with them. Something that I've never had to chance to experience. It makes me feel so warm and accepted that I push back the many emotions surfacing.

"Thanks, you guys." I tell them all honestly, my voice small as I look down so they can't see my emotion.

They sense it anyways and before I know it, I feel them all pile me into a group hug. There's an unspoken appreciation they seem to understand that's coming from me. I've never felt at home anywhere and getting a chance to not only be invited into this group of friends but to also take part in one of their favorite traditions has my heart strings playing like a violin. No one is competitive here the way they were in Sparta. Everyone looks after one another because here, the good of the pack is the good of everyone.

"We've got your back Prof." Evan smiles politely.

"Let me grab you some make up to take home with you," Ashley reassures me by squeezing my shoulder. "Then you've got to go home and shower."

I let out a laugh, "Do I smell that bad?"

"No," Tyler chuckles. "But Jeremy, Evan, and I are dead if Alpha smells us on you."

In a quiet and hesitant voice, I hear Jeremy ask, "Does this mean we can get an extension on our paper?"

I let out a laugh, unable to hold myself together. I let the bittersweet and negative emotion rush out of me. Deciding to focus on the happiness I feel being here. Being in the Valley. 

***

A/N: Hope you think the outfit is cute! It gave me Matthew vibes so I went with it. This was a bit of a filler chapter, just showing how well Mia is settling into her new life. Hope it was cutesy. 

Fair warning, I've already written the next chapter and things are going to get a bit spicy so be prepared ;) I'll add a warning of course