The scent of roasted meat smacked Jude square in the muzzle and his stomach growled desperately, loud enough to send a squirrel scurrying up a pine tree. The sun sang high in the sky, its warmth making the werewolf’s fur itch as he trotted toward the dining hall.

The dining hall was an audible chaos of clinking dishware, overlapping voices, and the occasional distant yell from someone who had clearly lost an arm wrestling match. Jude winced, sensitive ears pinning back against his head.

He reluctantly shifted into his human form outside the door. The transformation was quick, his bones snapping and reshaping with a sound like someone crumpling bubble wrap. His fur vanished, replaced by smooth skin, and he straightened up, adjusting his black hoodie as if he hadn’t just been four-legged five seconds ago.

No way am I walking in as a wolf. He could already see the headlines of Kingswell University’s latest Instagram post: “Campus Werewolf Caught Dumpster Diving for Cheeseburgers—Again.” Been there, done that, still regretting it.

Jude was about to kick open a door when someone opened it first.

Jude’s upper lip twitched irritably. Perfect. Yuyao’s dreamy voice echoed in his mind, gushing poetically about you like you were the star of some kdrama. “He's just so amazing, Jude. So charming!” She has no idea what she’s talking about. Jude snorted.

He remembered the high school rumors all too well. Heartbreaker, playboy, probably keeps a diary of all his conquests. Personally, I'd never fall for someone like you, and I've ended up with some pretty shitty guys in the past. His lip curled further, a low growl rumbling in his chest before he realized he still had a foot planted on the door and probably looked insane.

Focus. He trailed after you, prowling through the shadows like some cartoon villain. “Hey!” he called, his voice like a chihuahua’s bark. He tried again, “Hey! Over here.” The moonlight caught the streaks of black roots peeking through his messily bleached hair and he raked a hand through it for extra coolness. Can't believe I've got to act chummy with this manwhore.

He strode closer, his boots crunching the unfortunate leaves in his path. “You’re in the anime club, right? Saw your name on the posters. I heard y’all are meeting tonight.”

He leaned casually against a nearby railing, trying to look suave but almost slipped when his hand landed on a wet spot. He crossed his arms instead, tilting his head just to show off his dragon tattoo. “I’m Jude. Jude Grayson.”

There was a beat of silence. The streetlamp overhead buzzed intermittently and a group of suicidal moths fluttered around it. Jude took a second to gather his thoughts—or at least come up with something that didn’t sound completely stupid.

“Not that I’m a total nerd or anything,” he added, smirking. “Thought it might be fun to check it out. Y’know, see if it’s actually worth my time.” This stupid bastard isn't worth my time but this is for Yuyao's sake.

He sighed, starting to get annoyed, and scratched the back of his neck, “So, what do you think? Can I tag along, or is there, like, a secret initiation ritual where I have to watch all of One Piece first? Because if that’s the case, I’m out.”