Oakridge High had always been loud.
Chaotic.
Unpredictable.
But today… it was silent in a way that made Aarvin's stomach twist.
Whispers followed him down every hallway.
"That kid dropped Liam…"
"Is he hiding strength?"
"No way — he's Riyan Hale's brother. Maybe it runs in the blood."
Each sentence felt like a stone on his chest.
He didn't want this attention.
He didn't want this reputation.
He didn't want the fight.
But Oakridge High never asked what you wanted.
The Wolves Stir
When Aarvin entered class, Liam wasn't there.
Of course he wasn't.
But the rest of The Iron Wolves were.
Six boys sitting like a throne, eyes sharp, unreadable.
At the center — Zane Lockhart — elbows on his desk, gaze on Aarvin the second he stepped in.
Not hostile.
Not angry.
Just… evaluating.
The class pretended to work, but everyone was waiting.
Aarvin quietly lowered his head and walked toward his seat.
Then—
"Aarvin."
Zane's voice cut the noise like a razor.
Aarvin froze mid-step.
Slowly, he turned.
Zane didn't blink.
Didn't soften.
Didn't smile.
He simply said:
"You hit Liam yesterday."
Aarvin's mouth went dry.
"I—I didn't mean—"
Zane raised a hand.
"I didn't ask why."
Aarvin swallowed hard.
Zane continued, voice level and calm:
"My people pick their fights carefully… but if someone outside our group lands a blow, fake or real—"
He leaned forward slightly.
"—I need to know what they're capable of."
Aarvin felt his pulse race.
"I'm not capable of anything," he whispered.
Zane tilted his head.
"That's what you think."
Before Aarvin could reply, the classroom door swung open.
Someone walked in.
Someone who never attended this class.
The Storm Arrives
Riyan Hale.
Oakridge High's most feared name.
The moment he entered, half the class flinched.
He didn't look at anyone.
His eyes were locked only on his younger brother.
"Aarvin," he said quietly.
Aarvin froze again.
This couldn't be happening.
Not in front of the Iron Wolves.
Not in front of the entire class.
Riyan walked up to him.
"What happened yesterday?"
Aarvin's heart stopped.
Someone told him.
Someone actually told him.
"I… nothing happened," Aarvin whispered.
Riyan exhaled through his nose — slow, controlled, dangerous.
He turned toward the Iron Wolves.
"Who touched him?"
The room went dead silent.
Zane stood up.
"No one touched your brother," he said calmly.
"He defended himself."
Riyan's jaw tightened.
"That so?"
"Liam provoked him," Zane continued smoothly.
"And your brother reacted. More instinct than intention."
Riyan stared at Zane for a long, chilling moment.
Then he stepped closer.
"Tell Liam I'll talk to him."
Zane didn't move.
"He isn't here," he replied.
"He'll come back when his jaw stops hurting."
A few students gasped.
Riyan finally looked at Aarvin again.
"Come with me."
Aarvin's legs felt like concrete as he followed his brother out of the room.
A Truth Unwanted
They reached the empty staircase corridor.
Riyan turned, expression unreadable.
"Why didn't you tell me?" he asked.
Aarvin swallowed hard.
"Because… I didn't want trouble."
"You are my brother," Riyan said, eyes narrowing.
"Trouble comes for you first."
Aarvin looked down.
"I didn't win because I'm strong. I just… panicked."
Riyan stepped closer, grabbing Aarvin's collar — not angrily, but firmly.
"Listen to me," he said, voice sharp.
"You carry the Hale name. Even if you're weak, even if you're scared, people will come for you."
Aarvin's eyes stung.
"I don't want that name…" he whispered.
"I never did."
Riyan froze.
For the first time, his expression cracked — not anger, but something like hurt.
"You're my brother," he said quietly.
"You don't get to throw away blood."
Aarvin felt his throat tighten.
Riyan released him and exhaled.
"Stay close to me. Don't go anywhere alone. And if anyone tries anything—"
His eyes hardened.
"I'll end them."
Aarvin didn't know whether that was a promise…
or a warning.
Maybe both.
But as he walked back toward class, one thought hammered in his mind:
He wasn't just Aarvin anymore.
He was Riyan Hale's brother.
And Oakridge High would never let him forget it.