Chapter 5

Marx woke up and released a pained groan, while checking his phone. It was 16:30. He'd missed all of his classes. He ran his fingers through his hair, scrolling through his messages, to see a text from an unknown number.

Clicking on it, he saw that it was Qi Lin. It read that she'd gotten his contact from Davin since she hadn't seen him at school. She was free to give him a tour this evening because she'd be busy the next few days.

Straight forward. His trembling fingers typed a response to her, stating he'd be free after today's training. She reacted to his message with a thumbs up. Sighing he left his bed. Opting on a bath, instead of a shower because it felt like the slightest amount of pressure on his skin was assault.

The bath would have left Mayo envious. Mayo. He'd forgotten about him. Besides the twenty eight missed calls his parents left him. Calls which he felt no urgency to attend to. They'd ask him about Mayo and he didn't know what was wrong with him, he couldn't risk his father demanding Mayo's return and in turn his.

He had no intention of running home. Not after such a disgraceful defeat. One he couldn't even remember. His father had a preference toward Mayo, one he'd never understood. Caring for him as if he were a precious daughter. Maybe he was.

Marx dressed up and ate. Swiping his key card at the door locking it, he headed down the hallway to the elevators. A large figure stood facing one of the elevator doors. He casually greeted him.

A deep voice sounded in his ear. "Good to see you bathed and refreshed."

Marx gave a silent glance up at the wolf standing next to him. He looked different, but he couldn't pinpoint what made him so. Something about him, casual and relaxed made Marx's exhausted wolf stand in attention.

Taller than Mayo and himself. He had short hair, bright blue eyes, a horseshoe mustache and a faint stubble coating his chin and jaw. Broad shouldered, he stood like he owned the room. He wore loose pants and a t-shirt. A long gruesome scar ran from beneath his t shirt and curled around his left arm.

He wore a bracelet that bore the insignia of the Eastern Lycan nation. Yet, he didn't look like a wolf originating from the eastern tribes. They weren't that big. At 7'7 he was big enough to be considered tall in Thatnmoor.

Noting Marx's traveling gaze, he smirked and said. "Cranos."

"Marx." Marx turned toward the alpha. 'We've met?"

"Last night. When you stunk up the elevator with the scent of the undead."

Marx looked down scratching his chin. Tightly shutting his eyes as he tried to contain the grimace that wanted to escape his lips. Seeing this Cranos chuckled.

"Judging by your bruises and that reaction." Cranos' eyes scanned his figure. "I'd assume they roughed you up, real good."

Mark gave a slow nod, hand still on his chin.

"That's fine as long as you didn't disgrace our..."

The elevator doors opened, to reveal a frustrated tall long haired girl, about Mayo's size. She glared at Cranos, who gave her a grimaced smile in return. Marx took that as his signal to leave, hastily rushing into the elevator as its doors closed.

Upon reaching the bus stop. He realized that he'd never seen the Blencogo bus before. Why were the Nurthe and Blencogo busses identical? He released a relieved sigh when a familiar voice called out his name. It was the witch girl, who he later found out was named Brianna, calling out from the window of the Blencogo bus.

Marx boarded the bus and was greeted by familiar faces. It was Vanessa, the two humans, a witch and the wizard with a bandage around his face. Joining them, he greeted and carefully sat down, his muscles screaming.

The bus stopped at Blencogo where they met up with the vampires. The vampires he'd faught looked fine, like last night was a figment of his imagination. Trot the orange haired vampire carelessly chatted with his twin. Why did they look fine after they crashed into a tree?

The only other one hurt was the witch girl, an ugly bruise sat on her neck. Even then, it looked like it was healing quickly. Marx released an internal sigh, what can't magic do? Among the team Boise was nowhere to be found. Sensing his confusion a vampire clarified.

Nurthe are not allowed in Abingdon territory.

"The big bad wolf," the vampire who had no right to address him after his humiliating screech, addressed him, while his eyes swept over Marx's aching body. "I'm guessing the Nurthe didn't hit you hard enough last night."

Marx glared back at him, a look of pure judgement evident on his face.

Ah, last night. To think like it took my distortion potion being sprayed more than twice on different people. Before you could go down. Brianna stated, studying Marx like an anomaly.

Marx gave her a questioning look.

"For the record," she defended, shamelessly throwing Vanessa under the bus, "Vanessa told us to do it."

Vanessa kept her head craned forward in response, as if she could already see Coombe hall on the empty road ahead.

"We didn't think we'd have to use strong potions or spells but you kept taking us out." Glancing around at her teammates for support, she added. "And we know how Alavanz gets when she's humiliated."

"So while you were busy taking us out, we helped Brianna draw up a sleep rune."

Brianna proudly nodded.

"All for naught, the thing didn't work." A vampire girl volunteered. "But we had to get it on you one way or the other."

"Hey, respect the magic," Brianna warned and defended. "The sense distortion potion worked didn't it."

"Respect? Do you know how many guys we lost, just to get the damn thing on him." Trot commented, with a look of frustration, roughly nudging a pained Marx with his shoulder, he continued. "But you eventually went down right." Smirking while Marx glared down at him, he added. "Not without trying to eat Damon though."

"Guys, what guys after you went rogue?..."

Marx's brows rose, jaw tightening. The vampire girls voice faded before it reached his ears. A look of shame and defeat came onto his face. All the vampires burst out in a fit of laughter. Damon the wizard with a bandaged face, slowly shook his head at them.

"No, no, no you have to get it." The screecher defended.

Marx almost sneered in disgust at him. In Thatnmoor, a wolf who had no strength to back a claim, never made it.

"Werewolves think that they're all that. Glorifying magic users and whatever...," the screecher paused, "until they get hungry."

Marx did not remember trying to eat anyone. Maybe his wolf had awakened after he'd passed out. Then he'd have to access its memories in order to find out what happened.

A human girl spoke. "Guess you're all the same, after all.

The vampires scowled at her, cringing in disgust. "Don't compare us to mutt."

'"Honestly, if wolves are mutt. What are Nurthe?" The human girl asked.

"Scum." Trot and the shrieker responded at the same time.

"You only say that because Boise isn't here to hear you." A dry chuckle came from Brianna.

"No, they are Marx hear us out, a Nurthe class is on trial for not acknowledging their werewolf teacher. When-

The human girl gave a small laugh interrupting Trot. "No like this shouldn't be funny but, I'm so sorry it is." She leaned on the witch girl next to her who was Brianna's friend, still laughing she continued as Coombe hall came into view.

"They say that she came into class and started teaching. Everyone just looked at her." She laughed louder, pausing mid step. "Worse its been happening, since the beginning of this term."

"You guys the issue is I can imagine Mrs Coveil's reaction since she's taught me before. Her panic." The human girl breathed holding her chest. "No but imagine it, coming to class and everyone looks at you. No writing, no speaking, no moving."

They approached Coombe halls entrance while the human girl's voice got higher, her pitch rising. "Basically no engagement. I heard that one day all they did during the lesson was look at her feet.

Entering the hall the sound of Alavanz's voice rang out, "I'm sure your all well rested from last night."

All the non-vampires shook their heads and she waved them off.

"Your team work and cooperation could've been better." She pointed at Marx and said. You northern wolves are a relentless. Is your friend like this?"

"He has a friend? Trot uttered "Why isn't he here then?"

"Such a shame." Alavanz looked depressed, a slight pout on her lips. "He rejected my offer."

Marx stilled, the other team members gasped.

"We can reject our masters!?"

"All we got were congratulation letters."

Boise strolled through the entrance then.

"I told you." A human male whispered to the girl who'd recited the story.

"Is there a problem with that? Alavanz asked, eyes locked onto their faces. They grew silent. "Marx bring your friend around. He's welcome anytime."

Marx felt a strange ick and a strong reluctance at her offer.

Turning to address Boise, she spoke. "You're late. Whatever you do tonight its twice everyone elses."

Boise gave her an incredulous look, his icy voice slipping out. "I'm not late."

"Boise, late for you is everyone inside while you're outside." Just as Boise was about to open his mouth she added. "I don't care." Addressing the team she questioned. "Now, who's going to be his partner, misery needs company?"

Marx confidently stepped forward, ignoring the protest his body made against that single step. He needed all the training he could get in order to become stronger. Mayo couldn't wake up and catch him slipping.

"Good. After last nights stunt, you need to suffer." Alavanz smiled. "Speaking of last night and suffering. The whole of Throt's team gets the same treatment."

"What!? Why me?" The witch complained. "I didn't decide I was better of alone."

"You did." Alavanz responded, crossing her arms. "If you were there they might have fared better against the wolf."

"And you," the twins shared a look, as she spat out. "Disgusting, there's nothing wrong about direct disregard for authority... Not without, power, a plan and results."

"Who else." Alavanz's unimpressed gaze landed on the screecher. "Coward, join the group."

"I didn't run I was just searching for help." The screeching vampire defended.

"Right. Witch, you're with Trot's twin."

"It's pronounced—"

Alavanz gave Trot a glare Marx didn't want to be on the other end of.

Trot punched the side of the screaming vampires arm, warning. "You better not do me dirty."

"Listen up." Alavanz clapped

her hands. "For the rest of the semester team building is MANDATORY."

The team sighed, already resigned to the torture she'd call 'intensive training'.