Chapter 5 - Astraia

Astraia

The morning sun cast long shadows across Stellar University's Main Quad as I clutched my orientation packet, trying to decipher the campus map. My stormy grey eyes scanned the imposing buildings, each one looking frustratingly similar to the last. Despite my Beta training in territory mapping, the university layout seemed determined to confuse me.

The ashy rose-brown strands of my hair caught the early light, the distinctive Briarthorn silver shift more pronounced in my nervousness. I'd spent extra time this morning trying to look perfectly put together – a habit from my Beta-in-waiting days that was hard to break.

First day. You can do this, I reminded myself, adjusting my bag. The weight of my new textbooks felt reassuring – something concrete to focus on besides the lingering echo of bond pain.

My phone buzzed with several messages:

Lila: You've got this, little cousin! Text me if you need anything. Remember - Building C has the best coffee 

Mom: Packed your lunch with moon-blessed herbs. Deep breaths, sweetheart 

Dad: First days are always challenging. Your wolf knows the way. Proud of you 

Freya: Killed it in my morning class! Meet for lunch? Good luck with orientation!

I smiled at the messages, each one a small reminder that I wasn't as alone as I sometimes felt. As I turned to locate this supposedly superior coffee source in Building C, fate had other plans.

The collision happened in an instant. I walked straight into someone rounding the corner at full speed. Books scattered across the marble floor, papers flying everywhere, and my enhanced reflexes barely kept me upright. The scent hit me first – royal bloodline, unmistakable in its power.

"Oh goddess, I'm so—" The other girl started, then froze, her violet eyes widening with recognition. Those eyes were legendary – the mark of the Royal Pack, the highest ranking wolves in our world. "Wait, you're from Rivermoon!"

I tensed, my heart rate spiking. My wolf curled defensively, waiting for the inevitable whispers about the rejected mate. Being recognized was exactly what I'd been dreading.

But the platinum blonde's face broke into a genuine smile, bright and warm as summer moonlight. "No, this is perfect! We need more she-wolves here!" She began gathering her scattered books, her movements carrying a natural grace that spoke of royal breeding. "I'm Odette, by the way. Odette Moonvale."

Moonvale. The Royal Pack. I immediately dropped my gaze and tilted my head slightly – an instinctive show of respect drilled into me through years of Beta training.

"Oh, none of that here," Odette waved off the formality with a laugh. "This is neutral territory, remember? We're just students here. Well, students who happen to turn furry once a month."

Her casual humor startled a laugh out of me, easing some of the tension in my shoulders. As we gathered the scattered papers, I noticed her course materials – Advanced Pack Politics, Territory Relations, and... Environmental Science?

"You're in Professor Kane's class?" I asked, spotting the familiar textbook.

"Unfortunately," Odette grimaced. "They say he's brilliant but brutal. Please tell me you're in that class too? I could use an ally who understands both wolf and environmental dynamics."

Before I could respond, her phone chimed with several rapid notifications. She glanced at it and rolled her eyes.

Royal Pain (Brother): Odette, you're late for orientation. Again. 

Odette: Met the Rivermoon she-wolf! Destiny, brother dear ✨

Royal Pain (Brother): The rejected mate?

Odette: She's perfect for Carson 

Royal Pain (Brother): Don't meddle

Odette: Too late 😘

"Sorry about that," Odette said, tucking her phone away with another eye roll. "Big brothers, you know? Especially royal ones"

I found myself relaxing further at her casual dismissal of royal protocol. This wasn't anything like the formal pack interactions I'd been trained for.

"I'm Astraia," I offered, finally remembering my manners. "Astraia Briarthorn."

"Oh, the Briarthorn line!" Her violet eyes lit up with genuine interest. "Your family's diplomatic strategies are legendary. We actually studied your grandmother's territory negotiations in Advanced Pack Politics last semester."

The pride in my family legacy helped ease the sting of my lost Beta position. Before I could respond, another voice joined our conversation.

"Already making royal friends?"

I turned to see Freya approaching, her honey-blonde hair catching the morning light. She carried two coffee cups, and I could smell the rich aroma of her supposedly life-changing brew.

"You must be the roommate," Odette grinned. "I'm Odette. And yes, before you ask, the eyes are a family thing."

"They're gorgeous," Freya said, handing me one of the coffees. "I'm an art major – you have no idea how much I want to paint that color."

The three of us fell into easy conversation as we made our way toward Building C. Odette, I quickly learned, had a gift for making everyone feel comfortable, regardless of pack status or species.

My phone buzzed again:

Lila: See you found the royal hurricane 🌪️ Don't let her enthusiasm scare you - she's good people ❤️

Me: She's... not what I expected 

Lila: Royal Pack's different these days. Thank the Moon Goddess 

"So," Odette linked her arm through mine as we walked, "Environmental Science with Kane at 11, right? We should grab breakfast first. The café here makes these amazing moon-blessed muffins that are to die for. Plus, I can fill you in on all the important stuff they don't put in the orientation packet."

"Important stuff?" I questioned, raising an eyebrow.

"Oh, you know," she waved her free hand dramatically, "which professors actually understand moon cycles, which study spots have the best pack-neutral vibes, which Alphas to avoid during full moons..."

Her voice trailed off meaningfully on that last point, and I caught Freya hiding a smile behind her coffee cup.

The café was bustling when we arrived, a mix of wolves and humans creating a lively atmosphere. Odette led us to what was clearly her regular table, positioned perfectly – good view of both exits, close to natural light, but away from the main traffic flow. My Beta training approved of the strategic placement.

"Trust me on the moon-blessed muffins," Odette insisted, already signaling a barista who seemed to know her order. "They use actual moonflower honey. Plus, the owner's a wolf – she understands our metabolism."

As if on cue, a platter of muffins appeared, along with fresh coffee. The scent made my wolf stir appreciatively – the first real interest she'd shown in food since the rejection.

"Okay, unofficial orientation time," Odette declared, leaning forward conspiratorially. "First, forget everything you know about formal pack protocols here. Well, most of it anyway. Stellar's different."

She began ticking points off on her fingers, her violet eyes sparkling with mischief.

"One: The library's neutral territory. Doesn't matter if you're Royal Pack or lone wolf – same rules apply. Two: The coffee shop on Oak Street does amazing full moon specials, but avoid it during midterms. The tension between stressed wolves and caffeinated humans is..." she shuddered dramatically.

"Three," she continued, "most professors are cool with moon-related absences, but Kane's a hardass about it. Plan your shifts accordingly. Four: The east side of campus has better running trails for wolves, but watch out for—"

Her phone chimed again, interrupting her tutorial:

Royal Pain (Brother): Where are you? Council meeting in 10 

Odette: Doing my royal duty - welcoming new wolves 

Royal Pain (Brother): Od, the Council... 

Odette: Relax, I can see Carson from here. He looks extra broody today 

Royal Pain (Brother): Leave. Him. Alone. 

Odette: Hmm...let me think..

She glanced up, scanning the café, and I followed her gaze. That's when I felt it – an overwhelming presence of Alpha power that made my wolf snap to attention. Through the window, I caught a glimpse of a tall figure with dark hair and intense golden eyes striding past, power rolling off him in waves.

"That," Odette said with a satisfied smirk, "was Carson Thorne. Alpha of High Crest Pack and my brother's best friend. Also, perpetually single since his mate rejection three years ago."

My heart skipped at both the casual mention of rejection and the intensity of the Alpha's presence. Even that brief glimpse had affected my wolf more than anything had since Grant's rejection.

"Odette," Freya warned, noting my discomfort.

"Right, sorry!" Odette looked genuinely contrite. "Back to orientation! Where was I? Oh yes, running trails..."

I tried to focus on Odette's continuing orientation, but my wolf remained unsettled. That brief glimpse of Carson Thorne had stirred something I wasn't ready to examine.

"Five," Odette continued, either not noticing my distraction or kindly ignoring it, "the wolfsbane garden by the science building is actually a great study spot. The diluted strain just makes us a bit drowsy – perfect for meditation or when pack senses get overwhelming."

Freya, who had been quietly observing with obvious amusement, chimed in. "Should I be taking notes? This feels like vital roommate information."

"Oh! Speaking of roommates," Odette brightened even further, if that was possible. "We're having a girls' night this Friday. You both have to come. No arguments!"

My phone buzzed again:

Lila: Also, Odette loves girl's night and she has one soon, she will probably invite you if not youre my plus one - Odette's girls' nights are legendary 

Me: Should I be worried? 

Lila: Let's just say the last one ended with howling at the moon from her penthouse balcony

Me: ...in human form? 

Lila: Would it make you feel better if I said yes? 

"Don't worry," Odette said, catching my expression as I read the texts. "We've instituted a strict 'no shifting indoors' policy after the Great Fur Incident of last semester."

"Do I want to know?" I asked, finding myself genuinely curious despite my usual reserve.

"Probably not," Freya laughed. "But I have pictures, from when it was circulating."

The easy banter was interrupted by another powerful presence approaching the cafe. This time, a young man with platinum blonde hair and violet eyes identical to Odette's stepped through the door. The Crown Prince himself, Alexei Moonvale.

"Od," he said, his tone exasperated but fond. "Council meeting?"

"Alex!" Odette beamed innocently. "I was just helping Astraia get oriented. You remember the Briarthorn line, right? Their diplomatic strategies are still required reading in Advanced Pack Politics."

Alexei's royal violet eyes studied me briefly, and I felt my Beta training kick in automatically – spine straightening, chin lifting slightly, projecting calm capability despite my inner nervousness.

"Of course," he nodded, his formal tone softening slightly. "The Briarthorns have always been valuable allies. Welcome to Stellar, Astraia."

And thank you for not mentioning the rejection, my wolf thought gratefully.

"Now, little sister," he turned back to Odette, "Council?"

"Yes, yes," Odette stood, gathering her things. "But first – Astraia, Freya, you'll come Friday? Please? Your cousin Lila is joining! Save me from another night of Alex's broody best friend and political discussions?"

Her pleading expression was so comically exaggerated that I found myself nodding before I could think better of it.

"Perfect!" She hugged me quickly, then Freya. "I'll text you details! Alex, stop looking so grumpy. It's bad for your royal image."

As they left, I caught their continued banter:

Odette: See? Making friends, being diplomatic 

Alex: Why do I feel like you're plotting something? 

Odette: Because you're paranoid..maybe

✧ ✦ ✧

Author's Note:

Hi Moonlings! 🌙✨

I hope you enjoyed this chapter and our introduction to some key players, especially our royal hurricane Odette, would'nt you love a friend like her! What did you think about that brief glimpse of our broody Alpha? 👀 And how about those text messages between the royal siblings?

Some fun facts:

* The moon-blessed muffins mentioned are inspired by an actual wolf pack tradition of blessing food under the full moon

* Odette's strategic café table placement is a subtle nod to both royal training and wolf instincts

* Did anyone catch the significance of the wolfsbane garden mention? 😉

I'd love to hear your theories:

* What do you think Odette is planning?

* Any guesses about the "Great Fur Incident"? Would you like a bonus chapter on it?

* What might happen at this girls' night? 🐺✨

Don't forget to vote and comment! Your reactions and theories absolutely make my day, and I love reading every single one!

Moon's blessings,

Odessa 🌙✨

P.S. Next chapter... Professor Kane's class! Wonder who else might show up? 😏 Also would you prefer if i named the chapters or number them and put the pov in the title? Let me know!