CHAPTER 67: MARKING/CLAIMING

"Snap out of it."

That was exactly what she had told herself earlier. It was safer if Taros never found out the truth. Her life was a mess, and she didn’t want to pull him into it. But was he not already part of it? He was her mate...the sweetest of them all. The one who made her feel safe.

Angela leaned back in her seat, lost in her thoughts. It couldn’t be a coincidence that the four most powerful Alphas in the Academy were her mates. Something bigger was going on. Something beyond her understanding. She needed answers. But where would she find them? The library? Or maybe ask some of the students who had been around longer?

Her thoughts were cut off by a knock and a voice.

"Can I come in?" Alex asked.

Taros had already left, just about three minutes ago, after they agreed on where to meet later that evening. Angela had completely forgotten that Alex would be returning. And now she had to deal with him and all his suspicious questions.

She quickly spoke before he sat. "Renn..."

"I didn’t see or hear anything," Alex raised both hands as he walked to his seat. The same way he always did—acting like he wasn’t curious, like he didn’t care. Angela couldn’t tell if he was afraid of the Alphas or just genuinely good at minding his business.

"Since you’re not interested, I won’t tell," she said, rolling her eyes as she pulled her books from her bag.

"It’s not like I wanted to know," Alex muttered. But then he noticed how annoyed she looked and added, "Girls... you’re just as difficult as my sister. What did I even say wrong now?"

"Everything," she replied without thinking.

Alex shook his head, bringing out his books too. "But I can guess what’s going on between you and them," he said. "Don’t worry, I won’t interfere. I get it now... I didn’t understand before, but since I know your identity, it makes more sense. They’re drawn to the fact that you’re a girl."

Angela sighed quietly. He was close. He just didn’t know the full truth—that the Alphas weren’t just drawn to her. They were her mates.

"Do you think there’s a way to stop it?" she asked, almost in a whisper.

"If one of them claims you, the others might back off," Alex said. "But it could also mean the rest would fight for you, and that becomes a real mess—an Alpha versus Alpha mate war."

Angela shifted in her seat. Her palms were sweaty, her heart beating fast. "I thought humans couldn’t be fated mates. Aren’t they considered... unimportant?"

"It’s true," Alex said, nodding. "It’s rare, almost unheard of, for an Alpha to have a human as a fated mate. But they can still love one. Like Taros or the others—they might just feel something for a human girl, and that feeling makes them act."

Angela leaned forward, listening carefully. She needed to understand.

"But they still have a true mate somewhere, right?" she asked. "Someone they’re meant to be with?"

"Yes," Alex answered. "They can mark you before they meet her, but they’ll still have to claim their fated mate eventually."

Angela’s throat went dry. "Wait... so they can mark someone else before their mate?"

"Yes. Marking can happen out of love or desire. But the claiming—true claiming—has to be done with their fated mate," Alex explained. Then he chuckled softly. "Why am I talking like this is about you? You are a werewolf."

"Oh, I see..." Angela said softly, her thoughts still deep in confusion. She was beginning to understand how the werewolf world worked, but it didn’t make things any easier. "Can they claim someone before marking their fated mate?"

"No," Alex replied without looking up. "Marking always comes first, but claiming is more important."

Angela tilted her head. "How does the marking work?"

"It could be a bite... or a scratch... or even scent marking," Alex answered, flipping through his book. He spoke slowly, like he was choosing his words carefully. It wasn’t just a random conversation anymore—it was part of what they were studying for history class. Still, it felt personal. Almost too personal.

"I see... so what about claiming? How is that done?" Angela asked, watching his face.

Alex froze for a second, then chuckled nervously and looked away. She could see the way his ears turned red. Why was he suddenly shy?

"I don’t think you really want to know," he mumbled. "If—"

"Claiming is done through sex," Stales’ voice came from the door.

Angela and Alex both looked up. Stales walked in confidently and sat down in the chair in front of them, as if he had been invited.

"Trust me, it’s the best way to claim a mate," he added with a smirk.

"Seriously?" Angela’s eyebrows pulled together in shock. She turned to Alex, hoping it was a joke, but he nodded slowly. So it was true. That explained why Alex looked so awkward earlier.

"Who made that rule?" she asked, still frowning.

"The Moon Goddess," Stales replied like it was the most normal thing in the world. "We actually love it. Claiming helps build the bond and makes it stronger. Plus, it’s how our kind keeps growing. You’ll love it too... unless, of course, you don’t like your mate. Then it’s hell."

Angela’s heart dropped. She didn’t say anything, but her fingers tightened around the edge of her desk. Her wolf stirred quietly inside her, clearly uncomfortable with the way Stales spoke.

"Can’t you just reject a mate you don’t want?" she asked.

Then she remembered what Alex had told her before... during the obstacle test. She couldn’t reject them. Not her mates.

"You can," Stales shrugged. "But not if your mates are Alphas. Whoever is fated to an Alpha is stuck with him for life."

The boys chuckled together like it was a funny story, but Angela didn’t laugh. There was nothing funny about being trapped in something she had no control over. Her chest ached, and she suddenly felt small in that big classroom.

"But you’re not fated to the Alphas, so don’t panic," Stales added quickly, scrolling on his tablet like it didn’t matter.

Angela didn’t respond.

"A girl from Luna school sent me a friend request," he said with a grin. "She even said hi first."

"You think that’s your mate?" Angela asked, looking at Stales with a slight smirk. Then her eyes moved to Alex, who had suddenly gone quiet the moment they got to the part about claiming mates.

"Have you guys found your mates?" she asked, clearly curious.

"No, not yet," Stales answered first. He turned to Alex, who looked like he wasn’t even following the conversation anymore. "Come on, man. Tell us already."

"What do you want to know?" Alex asked, blinking as if he had been dragged out of his thoughts.

"If you’ve found your mate," Angela repeated, leaning forward a little. Her tone was softer now, but she was very interested in what he had to say.

"No... I mean, I don’t really think much about it," Alex said with a shrug. "Besides, Kaito has to find his mate first before I do."

"Really?" Angela’s brows drew together. "What kind of stupid and unfair rule is that? What if Kaito never finds his mate? Does that mean you’ll never get one too?"

"He will," Alex replied confidently. "We believe it. And honestly, I like it that way. The whole mate thing scares me sometimes. What if she rejects me?"

Angela stared at him, surprised. "Then she’ll be a fool, trust me."

Alex blinked. "What?"

"I mean it," she said. "Who wouldn’t want you as a mate? You’re not just smart, you’re intelligent, caring, a little annoying, and kind. That’s rare. You’re like a full package. If she doesn’t want you, it’s her loss."

Alex smiled at her, genuinely touched. "Thanks for the compliment."

She smiled back.

"Please, you two should not start," Stales rolled his eyes and shook his head like an exhausted brother. "This is how stories start."

Angela ignored him. She was still deep in thought. "Do mates feel...," she started, but Stales cut her off.

"Why are you suddenly stressing over mates?" he teased. "Don’t tell me you’ve found yours."

Angela held his gaze. They were clearly trying to tease her. She thought for a moment, then decided to throw a little surprise at them—something that would leave them speechless.

"Yes. I did," she said calmly, leaning back in her seat as she folded her arms.

"What?" Both boys leaned in, their eyes wide with shock.

"You’re joking, right?" Stales asked.

"Who is he?" Alex added quickly, clearly curious.

Angela’s eyes sparkled with mischief as she looked right at him and said, "Alex."