96 Chapter 95: Friends and family

*Knock Knock*

Zack knocked on the closed door to the office. He had come here straight after entering the academy premises to report his joining. It had become a routine ever since he became a part of the Disciplinary Committee. It's members always had to report to the administration before going home and on coming back. That was a strict unwritten rule of the place. Power inherently came with responsibilities- in this case, towards the administration of the academy.

"Come in!" A voice came from inside the room.

Zack quickly turned the knob of the door and peeped inside the office. It was quite smaller than his own study back home, but nonetheless looked quite luxurious. The headmaster was a proud man. He never had, even in the past wasted an opportunity to show off more than what he actually possessed. Not that he was poor by any means, but when compared to what his grandfather owned, this was nothing. Alpha Li had always favored his daughter over his only son, and the man always made sure to let poor uncle Fu Shen see that. Most probably that was why his mother was all the more subtle when it came to pride when compared to the loud character of his uncle, Zack thought. 

"Praise the Goddess, uncle." He said the standard academy greeting, respectfully bowing before the graying man behind the desk. 

"I see that you've reached early." Fu Shen said, taking off his reading glasses. "Praise the Goddess Zachariah." 

Unlike his other relative on his mother's side, uncle Fu Shen had never tried to suck up to him. The man had never liked his mother much and hence even their relationship was quite formal- only extending to one between a headmaster and a student. 

"How was the vacation? Did you keep in touch with the rest of the Committee?" The older wolf asked, getting up from his chair.

"Not really. You know how phones don't work on the Island." Zack replied with a shrug.

The headmaster started preparing tea, like he usually did whenever they met. He was always polite like that. 

"Ahh. I forgot." Fu Shen remarked. "Tea?" He asked, pouring a cup for himself.

"No thank you." Zack refused politely.

As Fu Shen's every action had an uncanny resemblance to that of Alpha Li, the man sipping his tea was an intimidating sight at times to Zack. They had one hell of a complicated family- a son who begged for attention but never getting it, a daughter who got widowed at a young age, a father who was cut down everything and everyone that stood in his way to power and grandchildren who were caught up in the politics of succession. Zack eased himself on to the wooden chair next to the study table. He knew that his uncle was going to start briefing him about the committee duties any minute now.

"I heard that you got engaged to one of the fox families?" Fu Shen suddenly asked, showcasing a concern that had never been there before. 

"Uhh.. Not really" Zack replied awkwardly. "Meifeng has a mate already."       

"I see." The older wolf remarked, sipping his tea. "Anyway, since you're back I guess you're ready to assume duties once again?"

"Yes sir. I'll do my best."

"Hmm good, because you're going to have a lot to manage this time. A special guest has graced us with her presence. Her safety is of utmost importance to the academy."

A gentle knock on the door interrupted their conversation, before Zack could ask what the man meant by that.  

"Headmaster Fu Shen, may I come in?" A small voice came from the direction of the door.

"Who's it?" Fu Shen asked, turning around.

"It's Eun Ae." Came the reply, along with the sight of a tall girl peeking inside with a huge smile on her face.

"Haha." The headmaster suddenly broke into a lighthearted laugh. "I was expecting you any moment. Come in, come in Eun Ae."

Zack turned around with a smile at the familiar sight of the girl. Eun Ae had been a good friend to him from his childhood. All four of them were a team- Nina, Jin and Eun Ae ever since he could remember. He had first met her in a party organized by his grandfather for his birthday. Alpha Li had called almost every elite family from back home. It was Lang Jin who had insisted that Eun Ae play with them, although Nina seemed to hate her back then saying that she was half a fox. From that time till now, all of them have been together, more or less becoming like his family. 

"Hey Zack. Long time." Eun Ae said excitedly.

"Hello Eun Ae. I see that you've grown up quite a lot this summer." Zack replied with a huge grin.

The girl had indeed grown up. She looked more like a lady now, than the childish appearance of the Eun Ae just three months ago. Unlike wolves foxes had sudden growth spurts, depending on the manifestation of their powers. Eun Ae was half fox and half wolf. Although the girl had always been discriminated against because of being a hybrid, she had successfully managed to become quite popular as soon as she started her schooling in the academy. She had depended less on Zack and Lang Jin for her protection and had become quite strong by working hard. It was one of the reasons that Zack respected her. 

"Thank you! I've been practicing a lot!" Eun Ae replied shyly.

"Our Eun Ae is a hardworking girl." Fu Shen remarked with an approving nod.

It was rare to see his uncle smile like that. Only Eun Ae was successful in bringing that reaction out from the man so far, Zack thought.

"Thank you headmaster Fu Shen." Eun replied. 

The girl's face was flushed, making her look quite like the smaller version of her that Zack was used to. 

"Well Zack, I'll leave it to you then. Jin will fill you in on the details." Fu Shen said, turning to him.

"Yes headmaster." Zack replied curtly.

He quickly got out of the room along with his friend. They both sighed in relief at the same time, happy that nothing went wrong in the headmaster's room. Usually the man tended to be on the cranky side. But this time, he was quite neutral- weirdly so.

"What happened to him? Don't tell me that Principal Mirembe put a calming spell on his again." Zack asked, walking away from the place. 

Eun Ae laughed, the action attracting several adoring stares in the corridor. "Not as far as I know." She replied. She suddenly turned to Zack with wide eyes, almost on a second thought.

"By the way, where is Nina? Did you guys have a fight again?" She asked, looking concerned.

"Nope. Nina just went straight to the training ground. We'll meet her there." Zack replied, with a smirk. "How are things between you and my cousin?"

"You know that JIn and I are not in that kind of a relationship." The girl said with a childish pout.

"Haha." Zack laughed at her reaction. He said, "Sometimes I think that you're kind of blind. You're the only one who doesn't see the way he looks at you."

Eun Ae made a disgusted face at the statement. Waving of the thought, she asked, "Anyway, how are things between you and Nina? And why does your scent seem different?"

Zack was startled for a moment. The girl had even noticed that small a thing about him? Usually no one outside his pack could understand such minute things. But she had quickly picked it up. It must be because of their long history of friendship, Zack thought.

"We parted some time ago." He said casually, ignoring the second part of the question.

"Oh." Eun Ae said, suddenly blushing. She was silent for some time as they turned the corner to another corridor. "Can I ask why?" She asked abruptly.

Zack paused for a moment before answering the question. There was no way that he could answer without exposing Elize's identity as his mate. It could eventually make things difficult for Elize and hence he didn't want anyone to know of their relationship yet, except maybe the Kelpie, Zack thought, jealousy creeping into him at the very thought of the gray haired creature. But maybe, Eun Ae would keep it to herself. After all, they were friends, he hoped. Determined to finally get it out with, he started. 

"That's because-"

"Zack! Brother! You're here!" He heard his cousin call, from the end of the corridor.

Lang Jin was quickly walking towards the two of them excitedly, with a huge smile pasted on his face. As soon as he reached him, Jin quickly pulled him into a brotherly hug. 

"Haha. Hey cousin! How have you been?" Zack asked patting his back.

Lang Jin broke away from him and stared at him curiously.

"I heard that you broke up with Nina!" He exclaimed.

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