39: Pack Dynamics & Dating
Nene dragged herself into the next classroom, already mentally exhausted.
Because now, on top of instinct training and dealing with Ji Cheng, she had to sit through a lecture about pack dynamics and dating.
Which—honestly?
She had a feeling this was going to be awful.
She flopped into her seat, pulling out her phone.
If anyone would have an opinion on this disaster, it was Jiho.
[Text to Jiho:]
Nene: "My instructor assigned me an 'Alpha helper' for instinct control. This is already stupid."
[Text from Jiho:]
Jiho: "Just tell your husband."
[Text to Jiho:]
Nene: "And have him commit murder? No thanks."
[Text from Jiho:]
Jiho: "Fine. Name. Give me the name so I can check his ranking."
Nene sighed.
Yeah, that was fair.
If Ji Cheng was top security for the camp, that meant he wasn't just some random Alpha.
She quickly typed back.
[Text to Jiho:]
Nene: "Ji Cheng. Apparently, my mom already approved it."
A long pause.
Then—
[Text from Jiho:]
Jiho: "…Oh."
Nene frowned.
[Text to Jiho:]
Nene: "What do you mean 'oh'?"
[Text from Jiho:]
Jiho: "I mean, he might survive Alexander."
Nene stared at the screen.
Then groaned loudly, dropping her head onto the desk.
Because of course Jiho had to say it like that.
The instructor clapped their hands, calling for attention.
"Alright," they said. "Today's class is about pack relationships—dating, mate bonds, and the political structures involved."
Nene exhaled slowly, forcing herself to sit up.
Fine.
If she was stuck here, she might as well listen.
Because even if she hated pack politics, she had to admit—she didn't know much about dating in werewolf society.
And since she was already married, maybe this would actually help her deal with Alexander.
The instructor tapped the screen, bringing up a chart.
"Pack relationships are structured around instinct, but that doesn't mean they're simple," they began. "They are deeply political, and every rank has different expectations."
Nene narrowed her eyes, focusing.
The chart listed out relationship rules based on pack hierarchy.
Alpha Relationships:
Highly political. Most high-ranking Alphas marry for power, not love.
Extreme territorial instincts. They guard their mate's status as much as their land.
Possessiveness levels vary, but dominant Alphas tend to be the most controlling.
Fated mates override arranged matches but are rarely acknowledged due to the loss of control.
Beta Relationships:
The most stable. Betas can marry up or down without significant issues.
Most common rank for inter-pack marriages.
Instincts are balanced, meaning fewer extreme reactions in relationships.
Omega Relationships:
Heavily pack-influenced. Omega bonds strengthen pack unity, making them politically valuable. Mates are usually chosen carefully, with high emphasis on compatibility.
Tend to have the strongest emotional instincts, making breakups harder.
Nene frowned.
So Alphas were the worst when it came to relationships.
Not shocking.
The instructor continued, flipping to the next section.
"Now, let's talk about dating norms," they said. "Mating bonds, casual relationships, and the legal aspects of werewolf partnerships."
Nene leaned forward slightly.
Because this part?
She might actually need to know.
"Unlike human relationships," they explained, "werewolf partnerships have legal classifications beyond marriage."
A new chart appeared on the screen.
Werewolf Relationship Categories & Legal Status
Casual Dating → No legal ties, socially acceptable at all ranks.
Pack-Monitored Partnerships → Recognized by a pack but not legally binding.
Mated Pairs (Non-Fated) → Legally married, bond formed through mutual agreement.
Fated Mates → Legally and biologically bound. Cannot be undone.
Claimed Mates → A public territorial claim but not legally binding.
The instructor continued.
"Casual dating is more common among Betas and Omegas," they said. "Alphas, however, tend to follow political match-making."
Nene exhaled slowly.
Her marriage to Alexander was literally a business move.
But that fourth category—Fated Mates?
She didn't like how bolded and final that sounded.
She crossed her arms.
"So what happens if someone tries to reject a Fated Mate bond?" she asked.
The instructor paused.
Then—carefully—
"They don't," they said. "Not successfully, anyway."
Nene stiffened.
Oh.
The instructor continued, voice measured.
"Once a Fated Mate bond is confirmed, the connection is irreversible," they said. "Attempts to break it often result in severe emotional and instinctual backlash. Some Alphas experience complete psychological instability if their mate is removed from their life."
Nene's stomach twisted.
Because—damn.
That sounded intense.
And also exactly the kind of thing werewolf society would try to hide from humans.
Before she could dwell on it too much, the instructor flipped to the next section.
"Now, let's talk about mate bonds and territorial behavior."
Nene wasn't sure how she felt about the whole Fated Mates = No Escape thing, but she didn't have time to dwell on it.
The instructor tapped their tablet again, shifting topics.
"Territorial behavior is one of the biggest differences between Alphas, Betas, and Omegas in relationships," they said. "It affects everything—dating, mating, and even day-to-day interactions."
A new chart appeared on the screen.
Territorial Instincts by Rank
Alphas:
Extreme possessiveness. Highly protective of mates and pack members.
Public displays of dominance. Includes body language, scent-marking, and verbal claims.
Most likely to react aggressively if they perceive a threat.
Betas:
Moderate protectiveness. Strongest when bonded but generally balanced.
Can adapt to different partners without instinctual issues.
Less likely to react aggressively to challenges.
Omegas:
Highly sensitive to territorial shifts. Prefer stability in relationships. T
end to avoid confrontation but will defend their pack bonds if necessary.
Stronger pack-bonding instincts than Alphas and Betas.
Nene exhaled slowly, crossing her arms.
So basically—Alphas were a nightmare.
Not shocking.
The instructor continued.
"Alpha possessiveness is strongest in mated pairs," they said, "but it's especially heightened when an Alpha is bonded to a Fated Mate."
Nene's jaw tightened slightly.
Alexander was already territorial as hell—and they weren't even properly bonded.
She didn't even want to imagine what he'd be like if—
Nope. Not thinking about it.
She shook the thought off and focused back on the lecture.
The instructor flipped to the next section.
"Now, let's look at how these instincts affect conflict resolution in relationships."
Nene sighed.
Because, honestly?
She already knew exactly how Alphas handled conflict.
Badly.
The instructor continued.
"Alphas tend to escalate conflicts rather than defuse them," they explained. "They prefer immediate resolution, which is why they often push for direct confrontation."
Nene sighed sharply.
Great.
So Alexander wasn't just being his usual unbearable self.
He was literally wired to argue until he won.
Fantastic.
The instructor tapped their tablet again.
"This is why many high-ranking Alphas struggle in personal relationships," they added. "Without proper regulation, their territorial instincts turn even small disputes into power struggles."
Nene rolled her eyes.
Yeah. No kidding.
She thought back to every single argument she'd had with Alexander.
The way he always had to have the last word.
The way he never backed down—ever.
The way he didn't just want her agreement—he wanted her submission.
Nene huffed, rubbing her temple.
"Now," the instructor said, "let's talk about de-escalation strategies."
Nene perked up slightly.
Okay.
This part?
This she needed to hear.
Nene sat up slightly, eyes narrowing as the instructor moved to the next section.
Because if there was one thing she desperately needed, it was a way to handle Alphas who acted like the world revolved around them.
(Which, in her case, meant her husband.)
The instructor tapped their tablet, pulling up a new chart.
De-escalation Strategies for Alpha Conflict
1. Do Not Meet Aggression with Aggression
Matching an Alpha's aggression can escalate things fast. Instead, respond calmly but firmly. If they feel challenged, they'll dig in harder.
2. Establish Boundaries Without Inviting a Fight
Avoid using direct refusals like "You can't do that." Instead, reframe: "That's not happening, but here's an alternative." Alphas respond better to negotiation over outright denial.
3. Control the Tone of the Argument
Alphas are sensitive to tone shifts. If you remain neutral, they will instinctively adjust their approach. Emotional escalation makes them double down.
4. Walk Away If Necessary
If an Alpha is too worked up, removing yourself forces a cooldown period. Leaving does not equal weakness—it forces them to reassess.
Nene read through the list, mind racing.
Okay.
So basically—every single way she had been handling Alexander was wrong.
Because she always pushed back.
Always challenged him directly.
Always met his dominance with her own.
Which—according to this—was just feeding into the problem.
Nene scowled, crossing her arms.
Great.
So he wasn't the only one being stubborn.
The instructor smirked slightly, looking at the class.
"Now," they said smoothly, "let's see how well you can apply these strategies."
Nene blinked. Not liking where this was going.
Because the instructor had that look.
That "I'm about to ruin your day" expression.
And sure enough—
"Ji Cheng," the instructor called smoothly, "why don't you assist Lin Nara in demonstrating de-escalation techniques?"
Nene froze.
Her head snapped toward the instructor.
Excuse me?
Ji Cheng—who had been casually leaning against the wall, completely unbothered—let out a soft chuckle.
"Of course," he said easily, stepping forward.
Nene scowled.
Oh.
Oh, hell no.
She had just barely tolerated dealing with him earlier, and now she had to roleplay conflict resolution with him?
Absolutely not.
She crossed her arms, glaring.
"Pick someone else," she muttered.
The instructor raised an eyebrow.
"Why?" they asked innocently. "Ji Cheng is a high-ranking Alpha. It's perfect for this exercise."
Nene gritted her teeth.
Yeah.
That was the problem.
Ji Cheng smirked slightly.
"What's wrong, Lin Nara?" he mused. "Afraid you can't de-escalate me?"
Nene rolled her eyes.
Oh, for fuck's sake.
She turned to the instructor, exhaling sharply.
"Fine," she muttered. "Let's just get this over with."
The instructor smiled, tapping their tablet.
"Alright," they said. "Ji Cheng will act as the dominant Alpha in an argument. Your job is to de-escalate him without triggering an escalation response."
Nene narrowed her eyes.
"Got it," she said flatly.
Ji Cheng tilted his head slightly, watching her.
Then—smooth, controlled, with just the slightest edge of dominance—
He took a step closer.
"Alright, wife," he murmured. "Let's see how you handle me."
Nene's entire body tensed.
Because oh, no.
Absolutely not.
The moment Ji Cheng stepped closer, Nene's instincts bristled.
Because who the hell did this guy think he was?
She was already barely tolerating this stupid exercise.
And now he was calling her "wife?"
Oh, he was going to die.
Nene's hands twitched, but she forced herself to stay still.
Because this was a test.
She couldn't just punch him in the throat, no matter how satisfying it would be.
She had to de-escalate.
Ji Cheng, still watching her closely, smirked slightly.
"Come on, Lin Nara," he murmured. "What's your move?"
Nene exhaled slowly, rolling her shoulders.
Fine.
She could play this game.
Step 1: Do Not Meet Aggression with Aggression She didn't step back. (That would show weakness.) She didn't step forward. (That would escalate things.) She just held her ground—calm, unbothered.
Her voice came out cool, steady.
"First of all," she said, "call me 'wife' again, and I'll make you regret it."
Ji Cheng chuckled, completely unfazed.
"Oh?" he mused. "Is that a threat?"
Nene tilted her head slightly.
"No," she said smoothly. "It's a boundary."
Step 2: Establish Boundaries Without Inviting a Fight She didn't outright challenge him. She just made it clear that she wasn't playing along.
Ji Cheng's eyes flickered slightly.
Like he was mildly impressed.
The instructor nodded approvingly.
"Good," they said. "Now, redirect the conversation to neutral ground."
Nene exhaled slowly.
Fine.
Time for Step 3.
She crossed her arms, shifting the subject completely.
"So," she said casually. "Do they pay you extra for annoying students, or is that just a personal hobby?"
Ji Cheng blinked.
Then—
He laughed.
A real laugh.
The instructor smirked slightly.
"Well done," they said. "That's a proper de-escalation technique—redirecting aggression into humor or neutral topics."
Nene huffed, relieved.
Because thank god, this was over.
She turned back to Ji Cheng, still scowling.
"Happy now?" she muttered.
Ji Cheng grinned.
"Very."
Nene rolled her eyes.
This was the worst class ever.