Extra Classes.

One evening, the late Alpha Noman called both Aiden and Lucian in his office.

The room was dimly lit, the scent of burning wood lingering in the air as Alpha Noman sat behind his desk.

His gaze was steady, calculating, as he studied the two boys standing before him.

"Lucian," Noman said, his voice steady and firm. "I want him to learn discipline, to build strength, to understand what it means to be part of this pack."

Lucian didn't react, didn't so much as blink.

Noman's lips pressed together. "I know he is young for your group, but you can give him side classes to catch up. I believe he will be able to cope up because even you- at his age, you were already doing a lot. You were stronger, faster, and more capable than most. That is how I want Aiden to be."

Aiden barely held back the smirk threatening to break through. Perfect. More reason to be around him. More reason to annoy him to the core.

I don't get why he behaves like this to people- like he is some kind of ice , but he is going to talk to me, wether he likes it or not.

Lucian said nothing. Not even a glance in Aiden's direction.

Not that Aiden expected him to.

_

The next morning, Aiden was already at the training ground before Lucian arrived.

He wasn't supposed to be here yet, but he had a habit of showing up early just to scope things out.

Lucian trained the older wolves, the sixteen-year-olds and up, the ones already expected to contribute to the pack.

Aiden didn't quite belong, but he never let things like that stop him.

The moment the training session started, Aiden found his way into the middle of the group.

After a few minutes, the morning sun burned through the thin layer of mist as the boys moved in unison, sweat glistening on their skin.

The training ground echoed with the rhythmic sounds of fists meeting flesh, boots scraping against dirt, and sharp, measured breaths.

Aiden was there, slipping into formation as if he truly belonged among them.

But the truth was-- he wasn't as clueless as he made it look like...

For the past few days when he had started following Lucian, he had been watching. Observing. Learning.

Lucian might not have acknowledged him, but Aiden had been paying attention to every little thing, every order, every correction, every shift in stance.

He had memorized movements, understood patterns, picked up on details the others were still struggling with.

And yet, as he stood among the trainees, he deliberately did the opposite.

He made "mistakes."

His footing was just a little off. His punches looked slightly too slow. His form was wrong in ways that didn't make sense for a normal person..

He knew Lucian would never give him classes that the late Alpha Noman had asked him to, and the only way he thought would make Lucian do it, is by be really off.

Not taking corrections no matter how many times they are given out.

He didn't actually do it to entertain others, but a few of the boys instinctively pressed their lips together to keep from laughing.

Someone let out a muffled snort.

Aiden kept his face neutral, but inside, he smirked. Because he knew, if others were laughing, then that meant he was off. And he needed to be off to get personal classes.

But in the process, he was giving them something to be amused by, something to focus on that wasn't just their exhaustion and the ever-present weight of Lucian's watchful gaze.

Lucian was there, standing a short distance away, his arms crossed as he surveyed the training with an expression that revealed nothing.

Aiden knew he was being watched.

And for some reasons he knew that, Lucian won't just go to correct him, but he could for sure throw him out.

But wether he liked it or not, Aiden was determined to make him train him personally.

The late Alpha had said Lucian would be responsible for training him personally before he joined others.

But so far, Aiden knew the guy would not acknowledge him.

Aiden intended to change that.

"Break."

Lucian's voice was sharp, cutting through the tension like a blade.

The moment the word left his mouth, the boys exhaled in relief, muscles relaxing as they scattered.

Some grabbed water, others stretched, rolling out the stiffness in their limbs.

Aiden moved toward a small group.

"That was brutal," one of the boys muttered, rubbing his aching arm.

Aiden hummed. "Brutal? That was just the warm-up."

The boy shot his eyes up, looking up at him. He couldn't suppress a laugh. "Warm up? You don't know a damn thing and you call that warm up."

Aiden stretched dramatically. "Actually, I know a lot, just don't want to brag."

A few of them choked on their drinks, shoulders shaking as they tried to contain their laughter.

"Oh yeah?" One of them asked.

"Yes, wanna try me out?" He asked.

"No fighting if not in practice or war-- moon light pack's rule number three. But anyway, I wouldn't want to hurt the baby." Laughter couldn't stop in the group.

Aiden didn't get mad about that, still he found ways to blend in the group. Talking about one thing after the other.

Making laughter rise.

"You know, I can actually offer my time to train you, you're interesting." One of them said.

"Thanks but no." Aiden had refused. "You know, I..."

Lucian was still nearby, standing with that same imposing presence.

"Do we have a peacock among us that I haven't been informed of? Shut up!"

The laughter died instantly.

Lucian's voice wasn't loud, but the weight behind it was enough to suck the air from the conversation.

The other boys immediately busied themselves, avoiding eye contact, pretending they hadn't been part of whatever had just irritated Lucian.

But Aiden?

Aiden simply stood.

Not hurriedly. Though nervously.

Just… stood.

And then, as if he had no concept of self-preservation, he walked straight toward Lucian.

He stepped closer, regardless of the storm in his chest. Closer, just enough that his words wouldn't be overheard.

"It's outside, crowned prince, during a break," he said, voice steady. "Why shouldn't we talk to each?"

Lucian's jaw clenched.

Aiden saw it- the irritation, the way his fingers twitched like he was resisting the urge to react further.

This kid really has no respect for him, does he?!

He didn't need to say it aloud, but Aiden knew exactly what was running through his mind.

Lucian hated this.

Hated the way Aiden refused to fall in line like the others. Hated the way he never seemed afraid of him, even though he was but just refused to show.

Hated the way, no matter how much he tried to act indifferent, Aiden still managed to get under his skin.

Lucian finally turned his head, his gaze sharp.

"That is all for the day. You can leave. And if you know you are the one who needs extra classes, stay behind."

The command was short, clipped, leaving no room for hesitation.

The others didn't question it. They moved quickly, disapearing, even those who might have needed extra classes.

Aiden?

He remained exactly where he was.