In the huge Amphitheatre, everyone was seated according to the courses they were taking. And as part of one of the most respected and important professions, the watcher students were placed on the 3rd row in front of the stage, after the rows meant for the teachers.

When together in their private time, the pack laughed and cracked jokes, but now in public they tried to maintain their composure and did not speak more than necessary. They also shared a pack link, so there was no need to speak aloud.

If you were to see them, they looked quite focused on the stage, they all seemed solemn, without any particular emotion evident on their faces in the slightest. And coupled with their black uniforms, one could not help but be silent also. In fact, in this manner the students around them actually were.

Even though they glanced towards them from time to time whispering, most likely how the students outside had also discussed, when the pack passed by them on their way, they still tried to not disturb the atmosphere that had been imposed by their presence as best they could. One could say around the pack the students were even more respectful and well-mannered than they were during their classes towards their teachers. Of course, not including the ones that taught the watcher courses, those professors were legends.

As such, not even in a million years could the students from the normal classes correctly assume what went on inside their heads, what thoughts had their full attention. They did not know that inside the minds of the watcher pack, ones of the most revered of the werewolf race, the members were actually bombarded with jokes. That's right, using the important link, Marcus was telling them yet another joke.

"What do you call a lost wolf?"

"Will you stop it with the wolf jokes? The ceremony is about to start. Look, the teachers are taking their seats." Liam, the 6th ranked of the pack, tried to stop the man who was hell-bent on getting all of them in trouble... or at least, make them lose the respect the others had for them. How would it appear if the aloof looking students would burst out laughing? Everyone would think they were crazy.

Unusually, the most stoic of all of them, Evan, replied calmly which made the joke even funnier, as he had a monotone voice.

"A where-wolf!"

Quickly understanding the pun, and to stop themselves from laughing, some put their hands on their mouth, some bit the inside of their cheeks clenching their jaws, and some pretended to tie their shoelaces, just so they could laugh without being seen.

Celia was the most composed of them, but even she had a small smile on her face.

Satisfied with their reaction, Marcus still wanted to tell them one more joke, amused by the fact they kept trying not to laugh, when luckily he was interrupted by the loud voice on the stage, which signified the beginning of the ceremony. One of the teachers had quickly greeted the crowd and invited his highness, the king of all werewolves, to give an opening speech. Even if before Marcus wanted to joke further, with this particular announcement, the goof man had become the most quiet of all of them.

The entire hall of people directed their attention towards the stage, and finally everyone quieted down. The current king was known to be a fair and competent person when ruling, the kingdom had advanced by leaps and bounds during his reign, but he was a rigid and solemn person.

There was even a rumor circulating around that no one had ever seen him smile, not to mention laugh, and that he had even murdered werewolves for trying to make him show a happy expression. Even people that laughed in his presence were not spared. And all of this happened when he was in a normal mood. What would happen if his mood was reversed? No one would want to satisfy this curiosity, as it could possibly be the last thing they did. Of course, this was only a rumor, but there is no smoke without a fire... naturally, it was better to be safe than sorry.

The king was also a person that was perfect at work, and he expected perfectness out of everyone around him and would punish people at the slightest of mistakes.

In times of war, especially with the rogues or other supernatural creatures, he was even more ruthless. There were legends of him taking part in the wars and commanding the frontlines directly. If he felt like the time was of the essence he would go off to the battlefield himself and start tearing the limbs and heads off of countless creatures, single handedly winning many battles, while instilling fear in his enemies, rendering them unable to continue fighting. Sometimes, he was even used as a reference as a boogie man for mothers trying to coax their pups to sleep.

As such, not one person said a thing during and after the moment his presence was announced.

"His highness, the king of all werewolves, Salas Christian Wolf." He was solemnly presented by a teacher.

And like on cue, every person in the room rose from their seat and bowed. They could only raise their heads and sit down again, when he allowed them to.

"Please raise your head, and take a seat." He briefly said.

Everyone did as ordered, and sat once more. Celia also did as he instructed, she took her seat, before finally raising her head to look at the strongest of all the werewolves, a glance that caused her to turn to stone, as even her breathing felt like it was about to stop involuntarily.

The king's ebony hair was combed towards the back of his head, giving him a clean elegant look. His dark hair contrasted his pale almost white face, on which there were only two specks of color, his bright blue eyes that made her feel like she could be lost in them. They were like the deep blue ocean, and even though they felt cold, it felt like they could stun her by just a glance, were he to direct his gaze towards her. Shadowing his eyes were black long eyelashes and thick straight eyebrows. His sharp nose and small lips where perfectly sculpted on his face, and his sharp jaw completed the perfect look.

Never in her life had she seen such a beautiful person, but it was not just his looks that mesmerized her, nor the alpha aura that surrounded him. It was like his whole being was capable of capturing her very soul. She had never been attracted to a man in the way like she was now, so unexpectedly she felt her heart start beating out of her chest just looking at him. Normally the aura of the king should have made everyone submit themselves, or at least it should have made them keep a quiet and fearful manner, not even daring to look directly in his eyes. But inexplicably she felt just that, the desire to meet his eyes.

What was wrong with her? She thought. Not even her mate, towards whom she felt the mate pull, made her feel like this. How could one have such feelings just by seeing another person, for the first time? This only happened when seeing your mate, and it was not like he could be hers, she already had one.

One werewolf had only one mate. The Goddess took each soul she created and split them in two separate beings, creating the mates who would eventually find each other and fall in love. Rejecting one mate meant rejecting your other half, and because they were created before being born, it was not like a new mate could be created. Each soul was only split in two.

Was it because of what the teacher informed her before? The fact that they shared the same rank, so she didn't feel compelled to submit?

Studying his face, she suddenly felt his gaze was on her for half a second, making her heart stop beating in that very moment. And although the locking of their eyes felt like it was intentional to her, she dismissed the thought quickly as his gaze did not stop. His blue eyes resumed scanning the room. Perhaps, he was checking his new watchers, and wanted to inspect them. She should really snap out of it, she thought.

Her thoughts were interrupted, when he coughed once like he had wanted to clear his voice and spoke. His voice was even more alluring and soothing, making her breathing hitch and her cheeks assume a red tinge. But as she was not one to show much of her emotions on her face, she quickly composed herself, reverting to her aloof normal self on the outside. Though inward for the most part of the speech, she did not even stay focused on what he actually said, she only concentrated on his tone and hoarse voice.

The ceremony ended roughly two hours later, and as the final teacher took the stage announcing its closing, the group of watchers made their way towards the door.

"It finally ended!" Marcus sighed relieved, before continuing, using the pack link.

"Now then, should we grab a bite to eat in the city, before scanning the mall? Or should we eat here? I am famished, I could eat a piglet whole."

"Would you stop it with the wolf jokes? You almost got us in trouble before the ceremony." Jake scolded the man, who was still up to no good.

"Let's eat in the city. I am craving some pizza." Celia intervened timely, trying to diffuse the situation.

And of course her intervention as the alpha, quieted them both as they all agreed to her suggestion.

Their plan was set, but unfortunately, before they separated to go change their clothes in normal street ones, a person stopped in their way, gaining their attention.

"Where do you guys think you're going?" The interrogatory voice of their teacher reached their ears.

"We are about to head to the city." Celia responded politely, turning her head to face the owner of the voice, as did the other watcher students.

"No, you are not. His highness wants to meet this year's watcher students, so you will be going to his office here at the Academy to meet him." Gabriel quickly dismissed their plans, a small smirk resting on the corner of his mouth. Somehow his appearance seemed satisfied at shattering their hopes. The majority of them thought, if not all of them.

"But, but teacher it is our first day off in a while." Marcus complained with a crying puppy like voice.

"Who ever told you it is your day off? Yes, classes are suspended, but only because his highness is still here, and he will meet you. You will also be dining with him. So no, you do not have time off." Gabriel explained to them, looking even more pleased at their hopeless faces.

They all looked crushed. After having hoped to roam around the city and just laze around, it was all changed because of their teacher. They should have left earlier, so Gabriel could not have found them, and he would be the one to blame.

Now they were forced to meet his highness no matter what. Could they still leave, and just deny having met him? They were ten against one, so if they all denied having seen him, who could say they lied?

"I know what you are thinking of, you rascals! Don't get any funny ideas, and try to still leave blaming it on me for not finding you. So much for camaraderie and trust between us teacher and students! I thought we were a tightly united group." Gabriel quickly scolded his students almost as if he read their minds.

"Teacher, we only trust and are a pack amongst ourselves. It has nothing to do with you." Marcus immediately denied his teacher's assumptions, still visibly upset.

At the words that not one of the other watcher students denied, though Gabriel had kept his silence for a brief moment, hoping someone would, Gabriel became baffled. Marcus did not try to even deny that this was what they were thinking of doing, and the others... well their silence meant a tacit agreement to his statement.

"You traitors. I cannot even let you find your own way towards his highness's office. Come along with me now!" He finally ordered raising his voice.

Dejected they did not have another choice but to listen to him, the watcher students seemed unwilling to follow Gabriel, so very heavily all of them stepped towards the administrative building.

As if still afraid they would run away if they got the chance, Gabriel walked behind them, and just as he expected, from time to time Marcus kept turning around checking his position, before sighing and moving his feet along the others.

Shaking his head from side to side, Gabriel made sure to not let anyone out of his sight as they walked.

He led them towards the central building, walking through the different hallways, until finally they reached a double door. He knocked once and immediately the door was opened from inside by Micah, inviting them in.