Page 4 of Alpha's Hated Mate

He just scoffs. “I’m sure you can deal with it for a few minutes. Come on.”

We walk over to the desk. The attendant, a woman with a plastic smile and lips the color of a fire engine, looks at us both with vacant blue eyes. “Welcome to Moonhelm. How may I help you?”

“Room number for a new student,” Mr. Robertson says in a wooden tone.

“Name or ID?”

“Aydan Vaultmore,” I say.

The woman motions to the clipboard on her desk. “Welcome to Moonhelm. Please check in here.”

I walk over and sign my name, and that scent wells up again. I turn toward the stairs where I think it’s coming from, and that’s when I see her.

Long blood-red hair hanging bone straight over her shoulders. She’s not in the standard black on black uniform that everyone else is in. Instead, she’s wearing a white t-shirt with a black bra underneath and blue jeans that hug her rounded hips and thighs. As she walks down the stairs, she glances up, and I catch a glimpse of her sapphire eyes.

My heart stops for a moment, captivated by her beauty. She is the most stunning woman I’ve ever seen.

And then it hits me. She’s a Scarlet. There’s no mistaking it. Hair the color of blood and eyes like a jeweled sky. I’m instantly filled with disgust as I look away from her.

“Thank you,” Mr. Robertson says to the attendant. He hands me my keycard, but I barely look at him. I barely look up at all. I can’tbelievethere’s a fucking Scarlet just walking around on campus.

“Is everything all right?” he asks me.

“Yeah. Fine. I guess.” I manage another look as she passes us by, her eyes trained on the door and ignoring everyone in the room. “I just thought Moonhelm was more discriminating as to who they let in.”

His eyes follow mine, and his hard glare comes back to me. “You’re talking about the redhead.”

“TheScarlet. Yes. I have to question Moonhelm’s security if such dangerous creatures are allowed here.”

Mr. Robertson’s face splits into a smile, and somehow, it’s much more threatening than his glare. “Moonhelm accepts any wolf that wants an education,” he says kindly. “Scarlet Wolves, hybrids, and even spoiled brat Baby Alphas. What we don’t accept is intolerance. If you’ve got a problem with Scarlets, maybe you should go home now before you start unpacking your things.”

He doesn’t yell or growl these words. He doesn’t even sound angry, but the meaning is pretty fucking clear. He’s not playing around with me. He looks at me with his stone glare, waiting for me to challenge him.

“So,” he goes on, “do we have a problem here, Vaultmore?”

If we were back in Claymore, my next course of action would be clear. He’s bigger than I am. About four inches taller and at least fifty pounds bigger, but I’m an Alpha. And size be damned, I wouldneverallow another Alpha to disrespect me like this in my house without recourse.

But we’re not in my house. We’re in his. And I’m the one who’s disrespecting him. I would be disgracing myself by challenging him here.

“No,” I say. “No problem.”

“Good. You’re on the third floor in room twenty, and your first class is at eight a.m.” He pauses, his eyes giving me the once over. “Welcome to Moonhelm.”

With that, he walks off. I watch him go, twisting my keycard between my fingers. One of these days, maybe I’ll take him up on a challenge. Honor be damned. And then we can see who the tougher wolf really is.

“Hey, big brother!” Nadia rushes me and wraps her arms around my neck. I hug her and inhale her familiar scent—fresh jasmine—and something in me settles. My little sister reminds me immediately of home. My shoulders relax, and I am suddenly aware of how on edge I’ve been. It’s so good to see her.

She pulls back and looks me over. Her blonde hair has gotten long, down to the middle of her back. She’s got big, bouncing curls, and her tan skin is glowing. Moonhelm life agrees with her.

“Look at you,” I say. “You’re really blooming here, huh?”

“Of course I am,” she says. She steps back and turns around so I can get a full view. “Look out, Clarion’s Science Society!”

We’re standing in the door to my dorm room. It’s dreadfully small and simple. White walls, a wooden bunk in the corner, and a dresser and desk on the opposite wall. At least I’ve got my own bathroom. I step back, inviting her all the way into the room.

“The faculty mentioned that you were at the top of your classes,” I tell her. “You really like it here so far?”

“I do,” she says. “Academically and socially, it’s the perfect place to learn about Lycan society. You’re going to love it here.”

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