Brother or Menace?
1566 Words
The girls were finally back in their hostel room, kicking off their shoes, tossing bags onto the floor, and letting the chaos of the day melt into a distant memory. Almost, because none of them could stop talking about him.
Marissa dropped her jacket on the nearest chair and headed straight to the mini-kitchen space, where the scent of marinated steak had already started to fill the air.
“I still don’t understand how he managed to get inside our school like that,” Marissa said, tossing herself onto the edge of the bed. "Like—boom! One second, we were hoping to meet the regular old science guy and the next thing we saw was Mr. Alpha King was already waiting in the class like he was on a damn runway.”
Louve pulled her hair out of its ponytail, rubbing the back of her neck. “He didn’t even introduce himself properly. Just said, ‘Call me Mr. Bardulf’ like he wasn’t the walking threat he is.”
Amelia snorted from the corner where she was unpacking snacks. “What was that even? A royal takeover of the education system?”
Marissa, now hovering over the stove, rolled her eyes. “Ugh. Please. Don’t remind me. I’m still recovering from the second-hand embarrassment. That man is allergic to being normal.”
“He’s your brother,” Amelia pointed out, raising an eyebrow.
“Trust me, I’m aware,” Marissa muttered, flipping the steak with more force than necessary. “Every time he opens his mouth, my DNA files a complaint.”
Louve chuckled lightly but tried to mask it. The truth was, Bardulf had haunted her thoughts more than she cared to admit.
“Okay, the food’s nearly done,” Marissa announced. “Let the steak fry a little more and we’ll start. I’m not doing this every night, by the way.”
“We could’ve just ordered food,” Amelia mumbled as she flopped onto her bed.
“Yeah, and eat lukewarm noodles out of a paper box? No thanks,” Marissa said, pointing a spatula in Amelia’s direction. “At least I will try to keep us human.”
Amelia shrugged. “Steak is steak. I’m just trying to survive the trauma of today.”
“I still can’t get over how he walked in like he owned the place,” Louve muttered.
“Because he does,” Marissa replied dryly. “You forget, he’s the Alpha King. He walks into any room like it’s his.”
“I thought it was illegal for wolves to pretend to be professors,” Amelia teased.
“Illegal?” Marissa scoffed. “Bardulf makes his own rules, and then breaks them.”
Louve ran a hand down her face. “He looked right at me when I walked in. Like he’d been expecting me.”
Amelia’s head popped up. “He stared at you?”
“Like... deep stare…it scares me”
Marissa turned down the cooker's flame and gave Louve a pointed look. “That’s because he probably did. He always knows more than he lets on. Bastard reads people like books.”
Louve’s stomach twisted.
********
Earlier that afternoon...
The hallways of Alaska City University buzzed with typical mid-day chatter. Students drifted in and out of classrooms, the scent of coffee and ink lingering in the air. But when Bardulf, Felix, and Alex turned the corner, everything shifted.
They didn’t wear uniforms. Instead, they matched in dark, fitted jeans, sleek jackets, and the kind of walk that made space for itself. Bardulf’s coat flared slightly with each step, the soft click of his boots echoing down the corridor. The trio looked like a nightmare designed by a fashion god and sculpted by war, flawless, unreadable, and dangerous.
The girls in the hallway stopped mid-conversation. Some stared openly, jaws slack. Others giggled behind their hands, unable to look away.
“Holy hell,” someone whispered. “Are they new transfer students?”
“They look like models.”
“More like gods,” another said.
But it wasn’t just their looks, it was the energy that poured off them. Wolves could sense it. Humans felt it in the tightening of their chests. Alpha presence. Predatory grace. Power.
“Do we go to the pack house or the office first?” Felix asked, glancing sideways.
Alex, less expressive but no less attentive, adjusted his collar. “We’re overdressed for admin.”
Bardulf didn’t slow. His smirk was devilish, carved deep into the sharp angles of his face. “Actually, I need to visit my sweet sister. She has just finished her science class.”
Felix raised a brow. “That's why you removed her science teacher this morning?”
Alex chuckled. “And replace him with yourself?”
Bardulf’s eyes gleamed with amusement, but he said nothing.
“You’re unbelievable,” Felix muttered.
“Royal privilege,” Bardulf replied smoothly. “I use it well.”
The three turned toward the girls’ dormitory.
********
Back at the hostel...
Then, knock! Knock!! Knock!!!
Three sharp knocks echoed through the small room, slicing the light conversation in half.
The girls froze.
“Who the hell...?” Marissa whispered.
Marissa narrowed her eyes. “We’re not expecting anyone, are we?”
“Nope,” Amelia said, standing cautiously. “It’s probably that creepy RA again asking if we’re being ‘too lively.’”
She crossed the room, each step a little more hesitant, and opened the door.
And immediately stopped breathing.
Three men stood there.
Handsome, intimidating and power-wrapped in expensive jackets and effortless stillness. And front and center was Bardulf. He stood tall, hands casually in his pockets, as if this dorm was his personal castle. His sharp gaze swept Amelia in a slow burn. Her hand gripped the doorframe.
Behind him stood Alex and Felix. Silent. Alert. Watching everything.
And then... Felix’s eyes landed on her.
Amelia’s stomach dropped. Her throat dried. The same man she had slept with just days ago was now in front of her again, and he was with Bardulf.
She didn’t move. Neither did he.
But Bardulf’s nose twitched slightly. A low, almost imperceptible flare of his nostrils.
Recognition.
Bardulf turned his head just slightly toward Felix. One brow lifted in silent amusement. Then he turned his gaze straight back to Louve and, this time, it stayed there.
Inside the room, Marissa called out, “Who is it?”
Amelia’s voice cracked. “Uh... guests.”
Marissa stomped over in her socks, clearly ready to yell.
She skidded to a stop. “Oh goddess.”
Bardulf gave a charming grin. “Hey sis, miss me?”
“What the hell are you doing here?” Marissa hissed.
“Can’t a king drop by to see his favorite sister?”
“You’re not my favorite thing.”
“I knocked,” he said innocently, brushing past Amelia into the room like it was his palace.
Marissa stormed after him. “You don’t just walk into our hostel room, Bardulf.”
“Apparently, I do.”
The siblings' mind-link activated.
‘What the hell are you doing here?’
‘Following a craving. Smells like steak and secrets.’
‘Bardulf...’
‘Don’t worry. I’m on my best behavior.’
‘Liar.’
“Charming,” Bardulf said aloud, taking in the small space. “Bit tight for royalty, but cozy.”
Alex and Felix entered silently, their presence almost heavier than Bardulf’s. Amelia backed up instinctively, putting the couch between her and Felix.
Felix’s eyes never left her.
Louve, meanwhile, hadn’t spoken. Her arms were folded across her chest, but her face betrayed everything, confusion, tension, heat rising to her cheeks.
Bardulf’s eyes hadn’t left her.
His gaze was locked, intense. As if he was trying to read her entire soul.
Marissa noticed.
She groaned. “Oh no. No no no.”
“What?” Amelia whispered.
“Don’t tell me he’s doing that thing…..”
“What thing?”
“That creepy silent thing!” Marissa snapped. “He does this whenever he smells something weird.”
Bardulf raised his brow. “Weird? That’s harsh.”
“You’re harsh,” Marissa growled.
He grinned. “I get that a lot.”
Felix’s eyes flicked to Bardulf, then back to Amelia. The energy between the three of them was unbearable.
Bardulf finally pulled out a chair and sat with the grace of a royal heir on the throne.
“Smells amazing. Hope there’s enough for six.”
“You’re not eating here,” Marissa snapped.
“Too late.”
He leaned forward slightly, his elbows rested on the table, he said nothing. He just stared at Louve like she was the center of gravity.
Amelia sat down cautiously, casting glances between Felix and Bardulf.
Louve took a shaky breath. “Hi.”
Bardulf’s voice was a soft growl. “Hi.”
Marissa threw her hands up. “Great. Anyone else want to make this weirder?”
Alex finally spoke. “Is this... normal?”
“Moon-goddess, no,” Marissa said. “This is hell, this is my life.”
“Don’t forget training on Saturday,” Bardulf muttered through the link.
Marissa rolled her eyes and thought, blocking Bardulf out. ‘I’d rather eat silver than deal with this mess.’
And yet, somehow, the table was being set. Bardulf wasn’t leaving and Louve... couldn’t look away.
- Writer
