Sage did in fact do a full cavity search. She inspected my entire body for any brands of the Rebellion. She also made sure to make me feel like I didn't belong. It's safe to say that she's quite hesitant over my being here.

After her inspection, there was slight disappointment in her that she didn't find anything. She let me settle into the guest house, just down the street from the Alpha's castle. I wasn't allowed to leave but they at least brought me dinner so there wasn't much to complain about. Especially because of the bed. It had been days since I had slept on something with pillows.

At the crack of dawn, there was a knock on my door that startled me awake. I didn't even have time to say anything before Sage rolled in with a pair of clean clothes. "Here you are Rogue," She tosses them onto the bed. "Let's go. Alpha is waiting for you."

I don't even have time to be nervous anymore. There's no energy in my system as I'm pulled along by Sage back into Alpha Matthew's castle. We're back in his dark academia aesthetic of an office. I believe if he were to add gargoyles it really would look more like Beauty and the Beast.

Alpha Matthew is leaning forward on his desk, reviewing some paperwork underneath him. He looks up at us and I nearly swoon at the sight of him wearing a pair of thick black glasses. He looks like Clark Kent, if Clark Kent had tattoos and smelled like amberwood and coffee.

Sage instantly goes for the brown leather couch in the corner of the room, laying back on it comfortably as I stay tense in the middle of the office. I let my eyes drift from Alpha Matthew to the shelves of countless books. They all look so old and worn. I can only imagine what kind of knowledge is in this room. In the very back corner, I see a specific shelf that has a glass covering and lock around it. The idea of forbidden knowledge makes my hands itch for those books.

God I'm such a nerd. I think to myself. My wolf huffs in agreement with me but it's at least nice to know she loves me for who I am.

"Give me one moment," Alpha Matthew breaks the silence. He's scribbling something in a notepad.

I point towards the shelves, "May I?"

He peers at me through the rim of his glasses. My mouth nearly waters. He's giving me sexy scholar and professor vibes. I could swoon right now if I wasn't trembling with fear.

He nods his head and I take it as a cue to glance through the shelves. I let my hands trace some of the spines of books, seeing which one just calls to me. I know that Sage is watching me closely, her eyes are basically burning holes in the back of my head. But I don't care. I stop in the middle of the room, pulling out a thick book and softly touching the cover.

I open the book hesitantly, reading a few pages and completely losing myself. It's about power and magic. How they go hand-in-hand in our world. In Sparta, we weren't allowed to learn about magic. Most packs don't want their wolves to know about magic which is why I'm surprised I managed to find this here.

"Mia." Alpha Matthew breaks me out of the trance. I close the book, keeping it in my hands as I walk towards the Alpha. "Take a seat."

I gulp, letting my legs take me to the chair across from him. He pulls out the paperwork that I handed him yesterday out of the drawer of his table. Placing it between us and taking his glasses off.

Goddamn, I think to myself. I really liked those glasses.

My wolf nudges me in agreement but I quickly switch her off. This conversation is much too important to get distracted.

"Sage," Alpha Matthew glances at his Beta. "I need you to step out for a moment. I want to speak to Mia alone."

"Are you sure?" She stands up regardless, her arms crossing to glare at me.

Matthew nods, "I'll call you in a few moments."

I feel my mouth going dry. What could he possibly have to ask or tell me without her here? I don't know if I feel better or worse as Sage exists the office.

Alpha Matthew taps his wolf ring on the table, his eyes narrowing at me and head tilting to the side. "I need you to be completely, and one-hundred percent honest with me in this conversation."

I nod hesitantly, unsure how he expects me to react. He sighs, leaning back in his chair, "I read over your documents. You were top of your class in Sparta. So why did your mate reject you?"

My eyes shift down, I would rather not re-live it. I decide to simplify the story, "I was supposed to have my initiation to be branded by my pack. In Sparta, we battle. It's always physical. But I lost and Bren—Alpha Bren, he..."

I don't want Alpha Matthew to know. I would rather avoid the pre-destined implication that I'm weak. I'd rather he just find that out for himself instead of me already telling him. What if he decides not to let me join the pack because I'm weak? But he told me to be honest. I wouldn't want to find out what Alpha Matthew would do if I lied.

"He said I'm weak." I hold my chin up, deciding to stare him straight in the eyes. I will not come off as weak. I know deep down that I'm a strong person. Even if Bren didn't want to take the time to figure it out himself.

"Do you feel weak?" He asks curiously.

"No." My voice harsher than I meant it to be.

Matthew's eyes are intense. It's hard to look at them without wanting to look away. There is a wisdom behind his gaze that quickly makes me realize Bren didn't have. This is a man sitting across from me and Bren was always a child.

"Why haven't you gone to the Alpha King?" Matthew asks.

I don't mean to, but I roll my eyes, causing him to hum deep in his throat as he holds a growl down for my disrespectful act. "Sorry," I tell him quickly. "It just seems a bit ridiculous, don't you think?"

"Not at all." He says, "The Alpha King is a strong believer of mates. Especially those belonging to an Alpha."

"Oh really?" I practically scoff, "Then why haven't you asked him to do something about your mate?"

Matthew goes silent. His eyes instantly sharpening like a knife. I can tell he doesn't like it when you get sassy with him which probably wasn't the smartest move on my part. For what feels like a few minutes, he doesn't say anything. I wonder if he's also trying to be 100% honest with me.

"He would have forced her to stay with me." He finally answers.

"Right," I nod gently. A wave of sadness washing over me. "And what's the point of being with someone who doesn't want you."

Matthew stares at me for what feels like forever. I think my statement resonated with him personally because I can see the same tinge of sadness cross his face ever so briefly. As much as he wants to act like a strong, level-headed Alpha, I know his pain. I can only imagine how difficult it must be for him to run a pack without his Luna.

"Your asylum." He changes the topic quickly, clearing his throat. I sit up eagerly; I just want him to tell me whether I can live here. From the little bit that I've seen of his pack, the prospect of being here makes me excited. It's nothing like the boot camp at Sparta.

There's a glimmer of hope in my eyes that he quickly catches onto. It actually makes the corner of his lip raise slightly into a smile. "You clearly love academia." He says slowly.

"Yes." I answer curtly.

"I do not consider your situation as something that falls under the umbrella of asylum." Matthew flips through a few papers. His words making my heartbeat faster in my chest. He pulls out a sheet and sets it down in front of me. "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."

I stare down and realize it's a contract. A job offer that showcases my living salary, where I would be living, and the description of my job. My mouth hangs open.

"You mean..." I cannot create words. "You want to hire me, and I get to live here and teach?"

Alpha Matthew nods, he unscrews the cap of a fountain pen, setting it down beside me. "Read over the contract for a few minutes. Let me know if you have any questions."

I try not to get too distracted as Alpha Matthew stares at me intently while I read over the document. Simply put, I would get to live on campus in one of the professor dormitories. I would get to teach some college students over the skills I've learned in Sparta. I'm allowed to audit any course I would like to and still make a decent living salary for additional expenses.

"This is..." My voice gets caught in my throat. For the first time in a long time, I feel so blissful and happy. I can't believe it. Water rims my eyes and Alpha Matthew reaches over handing me a handkerchief from his desk. A massive amount of pressure alleviates instantly from my shoulders.

"Can I just add one clause?" I say in a small voice. He raises his eyebrows, a small smirk playing at his lips as if asking me what could possibly be wrong with this offer. "Can you please not tell Alpha Bren I'm here? I don't want him to know."

Alpha Matthews eyebrows furrow, "Why is that?"

Even my wolf seems surprised by my request. She would love it if our mate came back crawling to us. Begging us to take him back. But a life in Sparta can't possibly be as good as this offer. Bren rejected me, threw me aside like I meant nothing. I have opportunities here. Opportunities I would never get back home.

I have no proper answer for Alpha Matthew. Thankfully, he doesn't pry. He simply nods, adding a quick note to the contract. As soon as he hands it back to me, I quickly sign it without any hesitation.

Alpha Matthew hands me a copy of my signed contract, then a small folder with all the information I need to get settled in. He walks around his desk towards me. "Welcome to the pack, Mia."

As soon as I'm standing, I practically jump in his arms and give him a tight hug. He seems taken aback at first and maybe this isn't the proper way to treat your Alpha, but I don't care. "Thank you." I say pulling away from Matthew.

He's much taller than I expected and has to look down at me. I feel the back of his finger gently push a strand of hair away from my face behind my ear. "You're welcome." He says gently.

I instantly look down, trying to not let the blush be noticed by him. Taking all the documents I start to exit his study. When I'm at the door, I realize I'm still holding the book from his shelf. Turning to him I hold it up and ask, "Can I borrow this?"

He glances at it quickly, "If you'd like. Just make sure to bring it back."

I grin happily, "I will."

As soon as I walk out, I come into view of Sage. Her head is tilted to the side and her eyebrow raises hesitantly. There's a bit more kindness behind her voice this time compared to the recent interactions we've had.

"Well," She says with a roll of the eyes. "I guess I better show you to the professor's dormitories."

Oh my Goddess, I'm a professor. My wolf howls with me in delight. It finally feels like things are turning around.