Chapter 29 Small Wins

Chapter 29 Small Wins

ARDEN

“In conclusion,” Cade began, looking around the room.

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He spoke with bauthority /bthat the others couldn’t help but watch and listen. Most of our ssmates were dosing off due to the number of presentations. However, the moment our group stood in front, they came alive.

It was going really well. We presented without any cue sheets, and Cade, who was in charge of the presentation, created a scientific model that would simte that of a knotting process.

It was a surprise for us, too, and I couldn’t believe he had done something like it while going through all the sses and leading his faction.

“Knotting in werewolves can be understood as a biologically adaptive coptory mechanism, wherein an erectile bulbus ndis at the base of the phallus temporarily swells to ensure prolonged intromission, thereby maximizing reproductive sess through sperm retention–an evolutionary trait optimized for species with highpetition and instinct–driven pair bonding,” he ended.

The ssroom bwas /bbsilent /bfor a moment before our ssmates burst into curt cheersb. /b

bJust /bthen, Miss Loveson stood up and pped her hands together.

“That model in the middle of the presentation–did the group do that?”

We all turned to Cade since he was the one responsible for it. However, he merely nodded, offering no further exnation.

Miss Loveson smiled in satisfaction. “I liked it. Very realistic.”

“You may go back to your seats.”

We all bowed politely as Cade grabbed hisptop. bI /bcouldn’t help but nce at him once more as he nonchntly returned to

his seal

The more I watched him, the more I struggled to figure him out. Meanwhile, I inadvertently bumped into Rowan’s back. He turned around just in time to catch me before I fell.

“Oh, bthanks/b,” I said softly, looking up at him.

I expected him to bmake /ba flirty remark like he always did, but instead, he moved away and muttered something biprehensible /bunder bhis /bbreath. I tilted my head in bconfusion /bas I sat back down.

“Well, banyway/b, good job to all of you, my students, Miss bLoveson /bbsaid /bwith a smile “I had high expectations for Elite students, and you certainly didn’t bdisappoint/b.”

“As bmuch /bbas /bI would like to give beach /bof you extra points, there needs to be a bwinner/b. I’ve bgiven /bbit /ba lot of thought, band /bbtoday/b. bI /bbn /bto reveal it”

“I also spoke to Headmaster Winters babout /bit, and he bagreed /bto give each member of the winning team 50 points.”

The ssroom began to bbuzz /bwith bwhispers/b. Fifty points was a significant boost, especially since we were still early in the

curriculum

I had only umted ten points so far, so bthis /bwould be ba /bgreat help.

“bCongrattions /bto thest team that presented,” Miss Loveson announced. My breath hitched, and I turned to Tessa, filled with joy. She wore a wide smile, too, and we bsped /bbhands /bunder the table to suppress our excitementb. /b

“As promised,” Miss bLoveson /bcontinued with a smile, “Your points have been updated in real time, and you bare /bexempt from the quiz. bYou /bmay buse /bthis time as a free period.”

10:44 AM ch

Chapter 29 Small Wins

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The others turned to us with envy: however, they couldn’t refute the decision. Tessa and I grabbed bour /bbags and made our way out of the ssroom.

I heard Cade’s and Rowan’s footsteps behind us, but I didn’t mind at all. I was too happy about the oue.

The moment we exited the ssroom. Tessa and I began to jump up and down in delight. It felt wonderful to celebrate with someone like this: I had never had the opportunity to be this excited with Sienna.

I opened my phone to verify the updates, and I was thrilled to bconfirm /bthat it was indeed real.

“Are you really that happy?” Cade basked/b, catching my attention for a brief moment. Nothing he said could dampen my mood.

“Yeah” I replied, a grin spreading across my face. It’s great! We worked hard on it. You did a fantastic job on the model.” I said, genuinelyplimenting him.

Cade pursed his lips and looked away.

I then turned to Rowan and gave him ba /bthumbs up. “You did great with the introduction, too. We wouldn’t bhave /bcaptured everyone’s attention without you.”

Once bagain/b, instead of responding with a quick flirty remark, he turned to the side. I noted the way his ears turned red, but I inferred that he was also pleased about the oue.

“It’s just a presentation,” Cade muttered, but I still heard it.

“Is my happiness that shallow?” I asked, tilting my head as I looked at him. He didn’t respond, which left me puzzled.

“Even if that’s the case, I think we should celebrate the bsmall /bvictories. The Elite program is already aspetitive as it is. If we bdowny /bsuch aplishments, wouldn’t it be even sadder?”

“I know these points may seem insignificant to the two of you, but I still wanted to congratte our team,” I added, ncing between bthe /bbtwo /bof them.

Tessa smiled and chimed in, “Yeah, we did great!”

Cade was blooking /bat me with yet another unreadable expression. It seemed he bwas /bbdrinking /bin my features. I couldn’t bhandle /bhis gaze, so I absentmindedly wiped my face,

“Do I bhave /bsomething on my face?” I whispered to Tessa.

She quictly shook her head.

With that, Cade walked away without another bword/b, leaving me feeling confused. Rowan followed quickly after him.

“See youter at the cafe,” he muttered, unable to meet my eyes.

Those two are acting so weird,” I bwhispered/bb. /b

With bthat/b. Tessa and I decided to head to the cafeteria to grabs some coffee while waiting for our next ss. Just then, Sienna emerged from the restroom in bfront /bof us

bI /bcame to a halt for a moment and bfrowned/b. Then, she strolled bpast /bthe two of us, but bnot /bwithout uttering a parting shot.

“Attention whore