Thora's POV: When leaving campus, I didn't take the usual main road out. Instead, I followed Luke along a shaded path. There weren't many people here, perfect for a tech nerd who liked his peace and quiet. I walked behind him for most of the way before he finally noticed me. He turned around, wary. "What do you want?" I met his guarded gaze and gave a slight smile. "How about a long-term partnership?" I needed a hacker like Luke to help me get information about this world and lay the groundwork for building my own power. So Luke was definitely the first ally I wanted on my side.He frowned but didn't say anything. I didn't rush him and took another step closer. "Want to make a bet?" Luke still didn't respond. "I'll code an encryption system. If you can't break it, you have to team up with me long-term. If you crack it, I won't force you." Luke's hacking skills could help me with a lot, but if I wanted a genius like him to work for me willingly, I had to earn his respect. Still silent, he turned to go. I raised my eyebrows. "What's wrong? Afraid you'll lose?" "Ha." Luke let out a cold laugh, finally turning back to look at me. "Deal." His answer was crisp, but his expression said he didn't believe for a second that someone like me could write a system he couldn't crack.With that, he walked away. I left campus too. By now, the campus was mostly empty, and the parking lot out front was deserted. "Hey, need a ride?" Suddenly, Felix pulled up in his convertible. He must have been waiting for me for a while. "If you want a ride home, get in," Felix said stiffly. I was about to say I'd run home, but seeing the way he kept glancing at me, I changed my mind. "Okay." We didn't talk at all in the car. I was thinking about how to build a system even Luke couldn't crack. If the Astralis Empire's Hacker Alliance had made an exception to recruit him, his skills must be top-notch.Even while thinking, I caught Felix watching me out of the corner of his eye. "If you don't slow down, you'll hit that light pole 650 feet ahead in about 10 seconds." Screech! He slammed on the brakes. We both jerked forward from the sudden stop. I grabbed the handle and frowned. "Don't space out when you're driving." "Okay." His ears turned red as he answered, embarrassed. When we pulled up to Green Villa, I was just about to get out when Felix called after me, "Hey—" I looked at him, confused. "Give me your phone."I didn't get it, but I unlocked my phone and handed it over. He fiddled with it for a minute, then handed it back. "That's a werewolf battlefield simulation game. I installed it for you. Play with me sometime." Felix said coolly, then got out of the car. I stared at the new app on my screen and couldn't help but laugh. This kid ... He's so bad at saying how he feels. If he wants to be close to me, why not just say so? I put my phone away and went inside. Dinner was just starting when I walked into the villa. Laurel and Hazel had been chatting at the table, but the second Felix and I walked in, their faces changed ...