The Calm Before the Storm.
Two afternoons later, Tessa was at the Navoris University library, reading while mapping out ideas for a medical paper.
For most med students, that kind of thing was a pipe dream–many didn’t even think about writing research until senior year. But she was only a freshman and already had a clear direction.
Ysabel showed up with two iced coffees in hand.
She spotted Tessa from afar, sitting quietly in the corner, reading. For a long moment, she just stood there, watching.
How could someone look so good just sitting still? Even in silence, she had a kind of glow that pulled people in. You couldn’t help but watch her–like gravity.
Unable to resist, Ysabel pulled out her phone and snapped a secret photo, sending it to Landon.
Landon was in the middle of a meeting at Thorne Corp. He hadn’t planned to check any messages, but the thought that something might have happened to Tessa made–him open it.
In the photo, his girl sat in the library corner in a white dress, chestnut hair falling over her shoulder. Her eyes were lowered as she read, calm and focused, so gentle it felt like time itself slowed down around her.
Nathaniel sat beside him. It was the first time he’d ever seen this alpha get distracted during a meeting. Curious, he leaned over to peek at the screen, but Landon quickly pulled his phone away.
“What are you looking at? Don’t tell me it’s a girl?” Nathaniel teased.
“Shut up. Get back to work,” Landon muttered, but his fingertips still absently traced the edge of his phone.
Ysabel was feeling pretty proud of herself for pleasing her uncle–until the next moment, when a transfer notification popped up on her screen: 100,000 yuan.
One photo for a hundred grand? Ysabel stared, stunned, then grinned ear to ear. Money handed to her for free–who was she to say no?
She tucked away her phone and walked quickly over to Tessa.
“What took you so long?” Tessa closed her book as she saw her sit down.
“Got stopped by some fans at the entrance. They insisted on pictures and autographs–slowed me down,” Ysabel said, sliding one of the iced coffees toward her. “Guess I’m kind of a public figure now.”
“Can you handle it? If you want, I’ll ask Landon to get you a few bodyguards.”
Ysabel hadn’t awakened her wolf yet so she didn’t have much in the way of self–defense. If thing dangerous ever happened, it wouldn’t end well.
“No need. My fans are super chill. Just wanted a few pics and autographs.” Ysabel waved her off, then leaned over, peering at Tessa’s notebook/“What are you writing? You just started school.”
“A medical paper.”
Ysabel slowly retracted her gaze. Forget it–the world of overachievers wasn’t her business.
Freshman year, already writing a research paper. Gorgeous, powerful, and this driven–how was anyone else supposed to compete?
She popped the lid off her coffee and handed it over. “It’s way too hot out. Thank god the library’s got AG, or I wouldn’t have come.“.
Tessa took a sip of the coffee. “Got plans tonight?”
“Yup! I’m going to an offline event with Avery Band!” Ysabel’s eyes lit up, her excitement bubbling over. “1 can’t believe I actually get to share a stage with them. It doesn’t feel like work at all–I wish we had events like this more often!”
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