Chapter 9 Vanya The moment I stepped into the classroom, it was like someone had hit pause on the entire room—then slow-motion play. Dozens of eyes snapped to me at once. A beat of silence. And then— Laughter. A roaring, unfiltered wave of snickers, cackles, and jeers echoed off the walls. “Look what we have here!” Wilde's voice rang out over the chaos like a trumpet of doom. “Well, well, what a surprise! Little Alpha has arrived, guys!” The laughter surged. I stiffened, jaw tightening as he swaggered toward me, arms open like I was a long-lost friend he was about to punch in the gut. “Let’s give him another warm welcome,” he said, dropping his voice to a mock whisper as he crouched down to eye level with me. My fists curled at my sides. Tap. Tap. Tap. His fingers hit the to