Coffee in hand, I grab a soft gray sweater to shove in my bag in case the classrooms are chilly. I leave at seven-thirty to make sure I can find a parking space not too far from my first class.

I grab an outside seat around the middle of the bowl-shaped room. Seats fill quickly, and I’m thankful I met Sniffer and Michael Saturday on the beach because almost half of the class are shifters.

None approach me though. I feel every one of them eye me with curiosity. Moments later, the professor, who is also a shifter, comes in. I’m on edge through the whole class. Professor Daniels talks about his love of literature. I think I can hear the female students swooning. With his light brown hair and the thick black frames of his glasses, he’s nerd chic. You can tell by the way he moves that the blazer he wears hides a great body. After he assigns our work, he excuses us fifteen minutes early.

Keeping my head down, I take my time putting my notes and supplies away so most of the room is empty before I stand to leave. When I turn to the door, I find the professor talking to a young girl with long blonde hair. As I pass, he looks up and asks, “A moment of your time, Miss Brair?”

The blonde doesn’t seem happy to have been interrupted.

I stand and wait while he finishes telling the girl that the TA will be handling arrangements for a study group. She seems disappointed when he turns to me, dismissing her. I, on the other hand, would love to be leaving.

When he finally speaks, the room is empty. He comes closer to me and says, “I haven’t seen you at any meetings. Have you been in town long?” He doesn’t seem angry, just curious.

I know he’s referring to pack meetings so I answer him honestly “I wasn’t aware I needed to petition the Alpha before moving here, sir. Sn-Casper is helping me take care of that soon.”

Smiling and shaking his head, he chuckles. “Oh, I’m sure he’s being very helpful. I’m Tate Daniels, Professor Daniels here.” He gestures to the room. “No need to call me sir though. It’s only my second year teaching, and it’s strange being on this side of things.” Opening the door for me, he says, “I won’t keep you. I just thought I’d introduce myself. I’ll see you Wednesday then.” I give him a small smile and thank him before heading to my next class.

I walk over to the science building. I’m early enough that the class before is just letting out. I stand near the wall and wait for the group to pass. I’m one of the first to enter. There are about ten large tables with two chairs at each. I find a seat and bring out my phone to keep busy.

The seat at my table gets pulled back, and I know it’s a shifter. When I look, he’s smiling at me with his hand out. “I’m Sam, and you must be Sophia.”