My new home is much nicer than I thought it would be. The professor's quarters are basically a building on campus where students live on the bottom floors and professors get to live at the top. I've never had a chance to experience college, which only made this transition a bit more exciting.

The college itself is stunning. It must be one of the oldest universities in North America that no one seems to know about. Before classes started, I would roam around the grounds, smiling like a buffoon and watching students mingle with their new or old classmates. It's strange to see so many smiles and so many werewolves from different packs. It seems that Sparta really wanted to seclude us to physical training and our lifestyles. Here, everything is much more open than closed off.

I'm incredibly excited for my first class. I leave early from my apartment—which is beautiful by the way. I have no decorations so it's quite plain. But it's made out of large gray stones like the rest of the building. It's like a modern studio layout in an old medieval-styled castle. I even have a small kitchenette and coffee machine. A desk in the corner to work at or grade papers.

As I head straight to my first class, I continue to admire the campus. The way trees play in the wind and the different new smells around me. Once I find my classroom, I begin to set up my backpack and name on the chalkboard. Before long, a few students start to seep into the class. They give me reassuring smiles. Some look utterly confused because I'm either their age, a little bit older, or a little bit younger. One thing that I've noticed is that this university does not shy away from accepting older werewolves. I've had the pleasure of seeing older adults here with their kids as they head to class.

"Hello everyone," I say with a soft smile as I turn towards them. "My name is Mia Holm, but you're all welcomed to call me Mia. Welcome to Leadership, Tactics, and Training."

The class goes by smoothly as we do a round of introductions. I make sure there are icebreakers for all of us. What their names are, what pack they're from, why they're interested in my course. The whole nine yards. By the end of class, I've assigned their first readings. Some book that the previous professor had used. For those who are particularly interested, I suggest a few of my favorite novels that they're welcomed to take up on their spare time.

Once class is dismissed, I can hear the praises and purring of my wolf. She's letting me know how proud she is of me and how excited she is to watch us teach these other wolves. There's an electric buzz that's just radiating through me and I can't help it. I don't think I've ever been this happy.

As I walk across the quad on my way home, a familiar scent gets picked up and I feel a powerful aura begin to settle in the air. Over my shoulder, I watch as Alpha Matthew strides towards the main lecture hall. He's dressed much more professional today. A black button down, dress pants, and a blazer. He has a briefcase by his side, and I decide that curiosity gets the best of me, so I follow after him.

He disappears into the lecture hall alongside a few students who move away from him. As soon as I enter, I see this is one of the biggest lecture rooms on campus. It's massive. Two staircases leading downwards to the main stage. The room is absolutely full, and everyone is buzzing with energy and noise.

I decide to take a seat in the back, watching as Alpha Matthew sets his briefcase on the desk at the bottom. He places his hands on either side of the table, eyes scanning the lecture hall at all the students. Energy starts radiating off him. Respect being demanded by his intense gaze. Without even having to say a word, everyone falls silent, attention instantly directed to him.

"Welcome class." He doesn't speak incredibly loud but even from the very back I can hear his words clear as day. "It's a pleasure for me to be teaching you one of my courses. The History of Lycanthrope's, Our Origins, and Future."

My jaw practically drops. Alpha Matthew also teaches here? I honestly can't believe it. I can't believe he's so involved with the school. After all, he has all of his Alpha duties to attend to, yet he additionally takes up the idea of teaching a class.

He places his hands behind his back as he begins to slowly pace back and forth. I glance down at all the students, everyone is incredibly intrigued. Slowly speaking he begins, "I strongly believe that every student who walks through this university should know the history of how we came to be. So, before you wave this off as a petty core course, I highly suggest you all ask yourselves one question."

He stops pacing, turning his attention back to us, "What are we? Not just as werewolves, but as a society. Who are we, and why are we this way? I hope that by the end of this semester, you all learn to appreciate our species. No matter where we come from."

His eyes begin to scan the lecture hall. I lean forward onto my desk, completely intrigued by his course as he begins detailing what he's going to be teaching. I never had any werewolf history in Sparta. It wasn't something we were taught at all. Other than historical war tactics, history itself wasn't considered useful.

Alpha Matthew's eyes somehow find my own and I stare directly at him. My heart beating faster and mouth becoming dry. His hair is swung back haphazardly, and he chooses to maintain eye contact with me for a few seconds. I practically melt in my chair, my breath catching in my throat. I would be lying to myself if I didn't admit how unbelievably attractive I find him. Not only physically, but the way he carries himself and how he indulges himself with knowledge.

I'm too far up for him to notice, but I do cross my legs as I keep my eyes on him. He gives a small smirk, before turning back and proceeding with his lecture. 

*****

A/N: I know this book might seem like a slow burn but I think that the books I read that have a slower burn tend to have the best payout. So I really really hope you all are liking it so far. I also just want to add that I personally think that Alpha Matthew is *hawwwwt* but maybe that's just me. Hope you're enjoying my story!!! And that it's not too slow... <3<3<3<3