Page 29 of Alpha’s Hated Mate (Shifters of Clarion)
I sit next to Yarra in Professor Robertson’s Advanced Lunar Cycles class when the academy-wide alert tone rings through the speakers. Everyone startles and exchanges confused glances.
“Your attention please,” Dean Fowler’s voice echoes across campus. “All students and faculty are to report to the main auditorium immediately. This is a mandatory assembly.”
Professor Robertson adjusts her half-moon glasses. “Well, that’s unexpected. Let’s move along, everyone.”
“What’s going on?” I whisper to Yarra as we gather our things.
She shrugs, her purple hair catching the light. “No idea. Chad didn’t mention anything about an assembly today.”
Students flood the hallways, a current of nervous energy propelling us toward the assembly hall. Rumors ripple through the crowd.
“ . . . catch another Blood Lycan . . . ”
“ . . . finally putting Scarlets in their own dorm . . . ”
“ . . . blue bloods keep pulling pranks in the library . . . ”
I roll my eyes. “Never a dull moment at Moonhelm.”
“Maybe it’ll give us more time to study for that stupid quiz,” Yarra says with a smirk.
The massive doors of the assembly hall stand open, and we’re swept inside with the crowd. The room buzzes as students fill the seats. I follow Yarra toward the middle section, scanning the room for any real clues to this mysterious gathering.
Dean Fowler perches on one of the chairs up front. My stomach drops at the sight of Aydan and Chad flanking him on either side, all of their faces etched with stern lines.
“Hey,” I nudge Yarra, pointing toward the stage. “What’s your husband doing up there with Aydan?”
Yarra’s eyes widen. “I have no idea. Chad didn’t say anything about this to me.”
“That’s weird.” A knot forms in my stomach. Since we got back from Claymore, things have been relatively quiet. No Scarlets have gone missing. No eerie visions. Did something happen yesterday while Aydan and I were meeting with the Alpha King?
Dean Fowler rises and approaches the podium. The room gradually falls silent.
“Students of Moonhelm Academy,” his thin voice carries across the hall. “Today’s assembly has been called at the request of a most distinguished visitor.” He pauses, his bird-like features more pronounced in the stage lighting. “Please welcome His Majesty, the Alpha King.”
The assembly hall erupts in gasps as the Alpha King himself strides onto the stage from the side entrance. His presence commands the large auditorium as easily as it did the day before in the small meeting room.
Every student and faculty member instantly rises, applauding before bowing their heads in the traditional sign of respect. I do the same, still not quite used to the idea that this intimidating figure is my uncle.
“Please, be seated,” the King says, his deep voice resonating through the hall.
We settle back into our chairs. Yarra glances at me with surprise as I try to control my pounding heart.
The Alpha King stands at the podium, surveying the audience with measured intensity. “Young wolves of Moonhelm,” he begins, “you are the future of Clarion and our ambassadors to the Outer Lands. What you learn within these walls will shape not just your futures, but the future of all wolf-kind.”
His gaze sweeps the room, and I swear it lingers on me for just a moment.
“Recent events have brought to light deep-seated prejudices that have plagued our society for far too long.” His voice hardens. “While I can never begin to right the injustices experienced by the targets of these prejudices, as Alpha King to all wolves in Clarion, I swear, from this day forward, to do better. To be clear: I have officially outlawed discrimination against any wolf based on their genetic make-up or lineage.”
Murmurs ripple through the crowd.
“As Alpha King to a hybrid Luna Queen, I will not tolerate ‘purist’ rhetoric of any kind.” He lets the words settle, and I feel dozens of eyes shift in my direction. “Those who cling to outdated hatreds will find themselves on the wrong side of both the law and history.”
My fingers absently find the moon pendant hanging around my neck, grounding me like an anchor as the King continues.
“But laws alone cannot change hearts. True change must come from within our communities.” He turns and gestures to Aydan. “Mr. Vaultmore and Mr. Robertson, please step forward.”
Aydan rises and approaches the podium with the confidence of a born leader. His eyes find mine in the crowd, and a small smile tugs at the corner of his mouth. My heart flutters as the regal, handsome wolf who marked me as his Luna stands before the entire school.
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Aydan begins. “Students of Moonhelm, many of you know me as Alpha to the Vaultmore pack. Today, I stand before you not just as an Alpha, but as someone who has witnessed firsthand the damage caused by prejudice and fear.”
He pauses, and I can see him gather his resolve. He gestures to Chad, standing beside him.
“With the support of Mr. Robertson as faculty mentor, I am announcing the formation of the Scarlet Wolf Protection Society.” His gaze locks with mine again. “Our mission is to foster communication and understanding among all wolves while ensuring Scarlet wolves can live without fear.”
I can’t believe that Aydan did this. Tears well in my eyes, blurring my vision. This man—this incredible, evolving man—is using his privilege and position to protect wolves like me.
“Our organization will provide education about Scarlet wolf history and abilities, create safe spaces for dialogue about minorities and hybrids, and work with the administration to establish protocols to ensure all wolves feel secure at Moonhelm and beyond.” Aydan’s voice grows stronger as he speaks. “Because a divided wolf community can never reach its full potential.”
I use my sleeve to wipe away tears as they run down my cheeks. Yarra wraps an arm around my shoulders and gives me a gentle squeeze.
The Alpha King returns to the podium, placing a hand on Aydan’s shoulder. “This is exactly the initiative we need—the first step toward a new era of wolf unity. I encourage every student here to consider joining Mr. Vaultmore and Mr. Robertson in rewriting the future of our kind.”
The assembly hall erupts in applause. Not everyone is cheering—I notice several students sitting stone-faced or whispering to each other—but the supportive voices far outnumber the disapproving ones.