Claimed by the Wrong Alphas

Charis

I picked up the band and slipped it over my head, watching as he did the same with his. The matching accessories made us look like an actual team, though the reality couldn’t have been further from the truth.

Professor Martinez appeared at the front of the gathering area, carrying her ever-present clipboard and megaphone. She waited until the noise died down before she started speaking.

"Welcome to your first bonding exercise," she announced. "Both students from Ebonvale, for the first time and Ravenshore are here because our academies believe in promoting healthy relationships between students regardless of their gender or pack affiliation."

She gestured to a stack of notebooks being distributed by camp staff members.

"Each member in a partnership will receive a notebook," she continued. "Your task is to meet seven people during your time here—ask them their names, their likes and dislikes, their interests and goals. It doesn’t matter whether they’re male or female, from your academy or the other one. Follow your instincts and connect with people who seem interesting to you."

A camp counsellor handed me a small spiral notebook and a pen. The cover was decorated with the combined logos of both academies.

"However," Professor Martinzez added with a slight smile, "you’ll start with your assigned partner. Take thirty minutes to interview each other. Get to know the person you’ll be working with for the remainder of your stay. Show genuine interest in their responses—by the end of this session, I expect you to know everything about your partner and something meaningful about their character."

Around us, other partnerships began spreading out across the square, some sitting on benches like we were, others finding spots on the grass or near the decorative fountain at the centre.

I turned to face Kael and saw that his notebook and pen were already open and his pen poised to write.

He looked up at me, and I felt myself tense immediately.