Her Mate, Her Key

CLAIRE'S POV

"Room 304." 

I exhaled, staring at my room number. It was on the highest floor, and I had dragged my suitcase all the way up. I didn't know how they assigned dorms, but I ended up in Raven dorm, which was apparently the best dorm according to the handbook I read. 

They had a public hot tub, a gym room, a theater room for movies, a library, and a snack room too. 

I got my key and opened the door, stepping inside to check out the room. Everything was in order; I had my own wardrobe, bed, and essentials. 

The only thing I had to share was a bathroom with the next room. I walked to the bathroom and tried to open the door but it was locked. 

I sighed, realizing I had to ask the person next door for a key since it was locked from my end. And I needed to have my bath before my night class which was Shifting and Defense class at 9 PM.

I went over to the next room and knocked on the door, but I got no response.

I knocked again, a bit harder. 

This time, the door opened. "I'm sorry to—" I started to say but the words faded when I saw who it was. 

My mind went blank when I saw Zane standing in front of me, shirtless with his abs on full display. 

No way, I breathed, taking a step back, my breath faltering. What on earth was this?

"Is thi-this your room?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

But he stared at me with an unreadable expression, crossing his arms and leaning against the door frame. "What do you want?" 

This couldn't be happening, I thought, my mind spinning. Of all people to be next door to me, why was it Zane? Why him? And I had to share a bathroom with him? 

Just as I was trying to wrap my head around it, I heard a familiar voice. 

"Babe, who is that?" A girl soon emerged at the door and my jaw dropped. Staring back at me with vicious eyes was none other than Skylar. 

I swallowed. Did she call him babe? Was she Zane's girlfriend? My heart shattered at the thought of both of them dating and I was sure Zane could see it on my face. 

"What are you doing here?" Skylar demanded, her tone sharp.

"I'm in the next room," I replied after managing to find the right words. "I just need the key for the bathroom."

She scoffed, disbelief written all over her face. "You must be joking. There's no way you're in the next room."

Before I could respond, Zane stepped in. "Go back in and get the bathroom key, Skylar. I'll handle her."

"But babe," she started to protest, her eyes narrowing. "You're the resident coordinator for the semester. Why would she end up here?"

"I said, I'll handle her!" Zane growled, and I could feel the tension rising. Skylar shot me a glare before going back inside.

But I was busy thinking about what she said. Zane was the resident coordinator? Madam Gretchen mentioned that the resident coordinator would be in charge of room assignments and would find a place for me. 

So how did I end up next door to him out of all the vacant places?

Did he put me in the next room to his on purpose? 

Skylar returned with the key as I was still thinking and handed it to Zane. 

He threw it at me, and I caught it before it could land on the floor. 

"Don't you ever knock on this door," he said, shutting the door in my face.

********

"For those of you repeating this class, I want you to know you're not a failure. You're just close to being one." Professor Sylas, the shifting and defense professor said, pacing around the class with his hands behind him as he looked at each and every one of us.

He looked so intimidating, especially with the moon light and the fact that the clock was ticking past 9:10 PM. 

If they didn't want us out of bed by 10 PM, why schedule a class so late? 

The class was held under the night sky and it was a cold evening. Shivering, I tugged my sweater tighter, wishing it could offer more warmth.

Professor Sylas stopped in front of me. "If you can't generate enough heat as a wolf, why are you in my class?" He asked.

I felt my heart race as I looked up to see that he was looking down at me, waiting for an answer. Words danced in my head, but nothing came out. 

"Are you dumb?" he snapped. 

I stammered, trying to explain. "I—I have a dormant wolf, that's why I'm cold." My voice came out shaky, and I felt the heat of embarrassment creeping up my cheeks as other students whispered.

Professor Sylas stared at me for a moment and I just dropped my gaze. "You won't learn how to shift until you have a mate," he finally said.

"What?" I gasped, looking up again.

"For a dormant wolf, shifting or coming alive is impossible except with the mark of a mate," he continued in a very dismissive tone. "You would know that if you weren't so human."

With that, he turned away, continuing his lecture as if he hadn't just dropped a bombshell. 

My mind was spinning. I remembered how it felt with Zane, how my wolf had stirred to life with just his presence. I could still hear her voice in my head, but that was the only time I had ever felt that way.

The thought of needing a mate to shift felt like a heavy weight on my chest. It made me realize that Zane was the key to me becoming a werewolf and less of a freak show. 

But I knew he would never mark me because he had already rejected me. So, would I ever be able to shift? Or would I remain like this forever?

I sighed but my frustration only grew as I watched Skylar glare at me. What did she want now? I wondered. It was exhausting to deal with this kind of bullying, especially when I had other things to deal with.

"Let's head out," Professor Sylas announced in a loud voice. "We have a 20 minutes run before the class ends." 

I glanced at my watch, it was 9:15 PM. Just 25 minutes left of class, and all I wanted was to escape.

As we stepped out to a more open space, I tried to focus on the run, but Skylar had other plans. "Hey! Are you going to run too, hunter?" She yelled and a couple of her friends laughed. 

Ignoring her was the plan, but Skylar didn't let me be. "When I'm talking to you, you better not ignore me!" She spat, stepping closer to block my path. 

I clenched my fists, feeling my patience wearing thin. "Please just leave me alone," I said, attempting to walk away. 

But she shoved me back. "Or what? Call your daddy to kill me? Or your fellow hunters?" she taunted.

That was it, I thought angrily. I knew I was supposed to stay calm, but Skylar had crossed the line. "Why can't you just mind your own business?" I shot back. "Or do you just like the attention you get from picking on me?"

"Ooooooo," I heard the other students exclaim, egging Skylar on.

She frowned, her expression darkening as she moved to grab me. Just as things were about to escalate, Professor Sylas intervened, pushing us apart.

"You both should better be careful!" he warned, staring at both of us. "Now, everyone, start running. Once it's 9:40, head back to your dorm!"

Skylar smirked at me, her eyes glinting with malice. "You know there's a bet on you, right?" She said. "First person to draw blood from you. I'll enjoy winning," She added with a whisper before running off into the woods.