Page 20 of Ava: Part One

“No, but it’s an emergency,” she answered.

“Make an appointment and come back when it’s your turn.”

She looked around the empty room and then back at Penelope with a frown. The woman was still working on her computer. What was it with everyone being so rude here?

“I’m the only one here,” she pointed out.

“Without an appointment. Fill out that request form, and I will process it as soon as possible. The dean is a busy man.”

Ava looked at the paperwork Penelope had indicated.

“You don’t understand. I shouldn’t be here, Ma’am. I’m human.”

That made Penelope stop what she was doing and look at her as she took a deep breath.

“Take a seat,” Penelope said.

Ava let out a breath as she did as she was told. Finally, someone had believed her. She would be back home in her bed by tomorrow if the return journey was as long as the one that had brought her to the academy.

The door opened, and the man who had spoken at the assembly walked in. He paused briefly when he saw her, and his eyes narrowed. In her hurry to be heard, she had forgotten that she had probably unwittingly pissed him off in the assembly. She looked down at her shoes.

“What’s the meaning of this? Your orientation has already started, and tardiness is against the rules.”

She swallowed when she realised he was talking to her.

“I’m sorry. I think there was a mistake made somewhere because I don’t belong here.”

“There are no mistakes,” the dean said.

“I’m human, sir. That much is quite obvious, so there is no way the invitation from the Council was meant for me,” she said urgently.

“And yet you were able to read the message, follow the instructions, and pass through our gates,” Alpha said. “The Council doesn’t make mistakes, Miss Morgan.”

She glanced up quickly in surprise. He knew her name, too? Was it because of the stunt Jared had pulled earlier? Had she already been put on the ‘troublesome’ list for something she hadn’t even done?

“Know your place, Omega,” the dean growled.

Ava quickly looked back to the floor, and her heart started pounding again. This wasn’t going to be as easy as she first thought.

“As this is your first day, I’m going to let you off for the infractions you have already committed today. Read the rules. Phoenix Academy is not like the backwater pack you came from; our rules keep us civilised. Disobeying me has consequences.”

From that statement alone, she knew she was dealing with an ignorant, snobby bastard and would not get any help here. She remained silent as she let that sink in. She was doomed.

“Get to your First Year block and join the orientation. Don’t disrespect the Council again with your accusations.”

“Yes, sir,” she whispered as she stood.

She didn’t turn back as she walked out of the office and followed the exit signs until she was out of the building. Blinking back some tears, she pulled the map out of her bag.

The psycho wolf’s words rang through her mind again.

They would smell her fear.

They would rip her apart.

Chapter 15

The First Year block seemed miles away. By the time Ava went through the wide doors, she was sweating and sure her eyes were red from holding back her tears. She hadn’t bumped into anyone, so she realised everyone else really followed the tardiness rule. She hoped they would follow the other rules—no fighting, respect for others, etc.

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