Rays of sunlight crept through the curtains as Ariana hurried to dress for her first day of classes. Her classes included literature, mathematics, and history classes with Professor Vulkar.

Valerie knocked on her door and when Ariana opened she found Valerie beaming smiles.

"Ready for your first day?" Valerie asked, beaming with smiles.

"As ready as I'll ever be," Ariana replied, gathering her books into her tote bag.

They joined the students heading toward the main building where classes were held.

"There is Blake," Valerie pointed to her brother, who was talking with a group of students.

Blake spotted them and left the group he was talking to so he could greet them. "Good morning to you ladies.’’ Blake looked excited to see them. How's our newest student feeling today?"

"Well, I’m feeling nervous," Ariana replied.

"Don't be," he assured her. "The first day is always the easiest. Professors here just talk on and on about their expectations."

"Speaking of professors," Valerie turned to Ariana, "you have Vulkar’s today, don't you?"

Ariana nodded in affirmation. She tried to ignore the strange sensation in her chest at the mention of his name.

"Hmmm. Goodluck with that," Blake said with a grin. "The man is brilliant but scary."

“Don’t worry, our newbie here is brave enough. It's not beyond what she can handle. Right Ariana?’’ Valerie asked with her hand patting Ariana’s back.

“Sure.’’ Ariana faked a smile. She was not comfortable with attending Professor’s Vulkar’s class really.

The warning bell rang, signaling five minutes until classes began.

"We need to hurry," Valerie said. "We have a long way to walk to Literature."

The morning was really long. Ariana sat through endless minutes of introductions and syllabus writing.

Before Ariana knew it, it was time for her history class. She found herself both afraid but looking forward to the class.

The history classroom was located in the oldest part of the university. Ariana arrived early, choosing a seat at the back. Other students walked in, their whispers filling the room within minutes.

"I heard he makes you work for every grade," one student warned another.

"I heard he hasn't awarded any student a perfect score in fifteen years," another student added.

The whispers ended immediately when Professor Vulkar entered the classroom. He moved with elegance, setting his teaching materials on the desk without saying a word. When he finally looked up, his blue eyes went to and fro the classroom, and rested briefly on Ariana.

That strange sensation in her chest came back. It was like a pull, like an invisible thread connected them both. Ariana looked down, immediately she noticed his eyes were on her.

"You are all welcome to Historical Studies of Ancient Civilizations," Professor Vulkar finally began. His deep voice and hoarse voice sounded like deep bass instruments catching everyone’s attention.

Dead silence filled the classroom as he spoke. Everyone’s gaze was on him.

"I don't tolerate lateness, laziness, or excuses. If you are not comfortable with that, there’s the door."

No one moved.

"Good," he continued. "Now open your texts to page seven."

The lecture was interesting. It was about ancient cultures that worshipped moon deities. Professor Vulkar spoke with deep knowledge that Ariana found herself completely absorbed in his lecture, forgetting her anxiety.

"These cultures believed in transformation," he explained, speaking slowly. "The ability to exceed human limitations under the moon's power."

"Like werewolves, sir?" a student asked.

“Werewolves don’t exist.’’Another student blurted out, and the whole class burst into chuckles.

“Silence!’’ Professor Vulkar commanded. “Everyone can air their opinion in my class,’’ His gaze was fixed on the student’s face who apologized immediately. Professor Vulkar didn’t acknowledge the student’s apology, he simply continued.

"Precisely like werewolves, Mr. Smith. Now the concept appears across many cultures even though they might have been too distant to have influenced each other. Why is that?" Professor Vulkar asked.

Silence.

"Perhaps," Vulkar continued, "some myths have elements of truth. Your first assignment is to explore a cultural myth and find its potential basis in reality. The assignment is due next week." He added.

As students wrote the assignment down, Ariana was busy drawing the wolf form she saw on the sign at the tavern in her notebook. She quickly covered it when Professor Vulkar came to her row.

"Miss Rae," he said, stopping beside her desk. "I hope you're finding Oaks Haven interesting ?"

"Yes, Professor," she said knowing that other students were staring at her curiously.

"Good. See me after class." He added.

Whispers filled the classroom as he walked away from her table.

Ariana felt stomach tighten. What had she done wrong?

When the bell rang, the students rushed out, looking at Ariana with sympathy as she waited behind to see Professor Vulkar.

When the students had left the class, she moved closer to his desk.

"You wanted to see me, sir?" she asked.

He studied her for a brief moment. "Your aunt wrote to the faculty about your arrival. She was concerned about your welfare."

Ariana smiled softly.

"That sounds like my aunt Sophia," Ariana said.

"She mentioned you were homeschooled. I wanted to ensure you have all the resources you need for this course."

"Oh." Ariana relaxed a bit. "Thank you sir, but I can cope.’’

"Indeed." His expression was blank "Tell me, Miss Rae, what brought you to Oaks Haven? There are many universities very close to your home."

The question seemed personal but she answered him still. "I wanted a change, I suppose."

“Alright then.’’ He said. "But I must warn you Oaks Haven has its share of adventure, but not all is safe. Be careful where you go, especially at night." The professor added.

"Are you talking about the forests?" she asked, remembering Valerie's warning.

He avoided the question.

"How are you settling in?"

The sudden change of subject caught her off guard.

"I am doing fine, thank you sir"

"Good. That will be all, Miss Rae."

Ariana nodded and turned to leave, but she paused at the door. "Professor? How did you know who I was at the tavern last night?"

He raised his head to look at her

"It’s a small town, Miss Rae. News travels fast." He replied.

Ariana wasn’t satisfied with his answer, but she nodded and left.

Outside the classroom, Valerie was waiting for her. "What was that about? You're not in trouble, are you?"

"No, he was just checking if I needed extra help since I was homeschooled."

"That's surprising." Valerie said, shocked. "Professor enjoys watching students struggle."

"Maybe he is just being nice. There's something strange about him though," Ariana said.

"You mean besides the fact that he's handsome and terrifying?" Valerie laughed.

"No, it's…." Ariana couldn’t find the right words. "Never mind. It's silly."

"What is silly is how he singled you out in class. I’m very sure Blake will be jealous. He has been trying to get Vulkar's attention for a whole semester." Valerie said.

As they entered their next classroom, Ariana looked at the history building. For a brief moment, she thought she saw Professor Vulkar watching her from the window of his office. But by the time she looked again, he was gone.

That evening, as Ariana studied in her room, she saw a folded note slide under her door. She opened and found a beautiful handwriting.

“The library has an excellent section on lunar mythology. Check the North wing, third shelf from the window. I believe you'll find it helpful for your assignment.’’

The letter was anonymous butAriana had a gut feeling that It was Professor Vulkar that sent it.

What she didn’t understand was why he had taken such keen interest in her studies, or how he knew which room in the dorm was hers.