Feral Bonds: Claimed By Rogue Alpha Brothers-Chapter 532: The Famous Seven

Evaline:

If Rowan hadn't pointed it out, I would have missed him completely.

The dining hall was chaos... as it always was during breakfast hours. Students packed shoulder to shoulder, voices overlapping, cutlery clinking, the smell of freshly baked bread and hot meals filling the air. Everyone was trying to eat before rushing off to their morning classes, and the noise alone was enough to make my head throb.

I scanned the hall once. Then twice.

Nothing.

My eyes finally followed Rowan's subtle gesture toward the farthest corner at the very back of the hall.

"There," he murmured. "Found him."

And there he was.

Charles sat at the most secluded table possible, tucked so far away that it almost blended into the shadows cast by the tall stone pillars. His shoulders were slightly hunched, his head lowered, as if he hoped the world would simply forget he existed.

I knew exactly why he chose that spot.

He didn't want to be seen.

The sight tugged painfully at something deep inside my chest. Every time I looked at him, it felt like staring at a version of myself I had finally buried - a girl who used to shrink herself smaller and smaller, hoping invisibility would keep her safe.

It never did.

The rest of my friends headed toward our usual table next to the giant glass windows, where laughter and familiarity waited. Rowan stayed back with me without a word.

We walked toward Charles together.

I didn't lower my voice when I called out to him.

"Charles."

I was aware of the eyes that followed us. Curious glances. Whispered questions. People noticed when Rowan and I approached Charles.

And I didn't care.

If being seen with us helped keep his bullies at bay, then it was worth every stare.

Charles startled slightly, lifting his head in alarm before his expression softened when he recognized us. Relief flickered across his face, and then... his gaze dropped to my arms.

To the neatly folded blazer resting there.

For the first time since I had known him, a bright, genuine smile bloomed on his face. It was like watching the sun break through storm clouds.

I smiled back without even realizing it.

"Good morning," I said, stepping closer. "I told you I'd bring it."

I handed him the blazer.

His fingers brushed the fabric reverently, as if he was afraid it might disappear. He unfolded it carefully, his eyes widening as he examined the sleeve.

"It's… it's perfect," he breathed. "You even-"

"I had it dry cleaned," I said casually. "Figured it deserved a proper return."

He looked up at me, his eyes shining. "Thank you," he said again, his voice thick with emotion. "I-I don't know how to-"

"You don't have to," I interrupted gently. "Now," I added, holding out my hand, "your shirt."

He froze.

Completely.

His smile faltered as he stared at my outstretched palm like I had just asked for something outrageous.

"You… you don't need to do that," he said quickly. "You have already done so much. You

and your friends saved me yesterday... and before that too... and you even fixed my blazer. I don't want to bother you anymore."

My heart clenched.

I shook my head slowly. "Charles, listen to me. This isn't a bother. Not even a little."

He hesitated, fingers curling nervously around the edge of the table.

"I'm already grateful," he continued softly. "I don't want to take advantage of your kindness."

I crouched slightly so we were closer to eye level.

"Let me decide what's too much for me," I said gently. "Okay?"

He studied my face for a long moment, searching for something... pity, maybe, or annoyance. When he found neither, his shoulders finally relaxed.

"Oh," he murmured, embarrassed. "I-I brought it. It's in my bag."

"Good," I said with a small smile.

He rummaged through his worn bag and carefully handed me the shirt, folded as neatly as he could manage.

"I'll bring it back tomorrow morning," I promised. "Breakfast again."

His lips curved into a shy smile. "I'll be here."

As I straightened, my gaze drifted to the table.

A glass of milk.

A single piece of bread.

That was it.

No fruit. No eggs. No meat.

I felt something sharp twist inside me.

Silver Moon's dining hall offered an abundance of food, options meant to nourish growing wolves and future warriors. Yet Charles sat here with the bare minimum, eating quietly like he didn't want to draw attention even to his hunger.

I masked my reaction carefully, but Rowan noticed.

He always did.

Before we left, Rowan leaned slightly closer to Charles, his tone calm but serious.

"You might notice people approaching you more now," he said. "Some of your classmates."

Charles blinked. "Why?"

"They'll want to be friends," Rowan continued. "Or at least pretend to be."

Charles frowned, confusion knitting his brows.

"I'm not saying don't make friends," Rowan clarified quickly. "Just… be careful. Not everyone has good intentions."

Charles shifted uncomfortably. "I don't think anyone would want anything from me."

Rowan gave him a look. "You would be surprised."

When Charles still looked lost, Rowan sighed softly.

"I'm not bluffing about this," he said. "Our group is… known."

I opened my mouth to stop him, but he was already going.

"We might not have done anything legendary yet, but people pay attention to us. Especially because of Eva... and Kyros."

I felt heat creep up my neck.

Rowan continued, either oblivious or not caring. "Everyone knows Evaline. Professors. Students. Nearly every Alpha out there. She's the top academic performer of our year, the professors' favorite, best intern at Council headquarters last year, and she did all that without having a wolf."

Charles' eyes widened slowly as he looked at me.

"She's been talked about since the entrance exams," Rowan added. "Admired by some. Envied by others. But everyone knows her. And because of that, people know us."

"That's enough," I cut in sharply.

Rowan blinked. "I was just-"

"I know what you were doing," I said, grabbing his sleeve. "And you are done."

I turned back to Charles, who looked overwhelmed, his fingers gripping the edge of the table again.

"Don't listen to him," I said firmly. "You don't need to think about any of that. Just… eat your breakfast."

He nodded slowly, though I could tell Rowan's words had already sunk in.

I offered him a small smile. "We'll see you later."

As I pulled Rowan away toward our table, he leaned closer and whispered, "What? It's true."

I shot him a glare. "He doesn't need to hear it like that."

Rowan sighed but didn't argue.

As I took my seat with the rest of the group, my thoughts lingered on the boy sitting alone at the far end of the hall... quiet, careful, trying his best to survive in a place that wasn't built for people like him.

People like me.

And for reasons I couldn't yet explain, I had a feeling Charles' story was only just beginning.