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Nyra is laughing so hard she has tears in her eyes. Even Selena looks dangerously close to smiling. Rhyven watches them. "They're loud."

"They're happy." I correct him.

"They're exhausting."

"Probably."

A comfortable silence settles. Different from the one in our circle. Less defensive. More curious.

"You know." He says eventually.

"What?" I ask.

"I was wrong."

I blink. "About?"

"I thought you'd spend your entire first year trying to prove you belonged."

I look at him. "I don't?"

"You are." His gaze meets mine. "But not the way I expected."

"How did you expect?"

He hesitates for a few seconds. "You'd try to impress people."

His gaze never leaves my face. "And instead?" I ask without breaking eye contact either.

"You ask questions." He answers. I hadn't realized that. "You notice things." He continues. "You watch before deciding."

I almost laugh. "I decided plenty about you." I admit.

"You did." His tone is softer.

"I was wrong."

"Partially."

"Right. Still an asshole."

He nods solemnly. "I've worked hard for that reputation."

"There it is." I laugh.

His mouth twitches. "What?"

"The sarcasm." I start. "I was beginning to worry."

A tiny smile appears on his face. Big enough to notice a dimple on each cheek. Rhyven Corvell has dimples. Professor Vayne claps once. The conversations end. Students gradually return to the center of the room. This time, the atmosphere is different. No one looks frustrated anymore. Thoughtful. Even Rowan. Which may be the most miraculous thing we've witnessed all week. Professor Vayne waits until everyone is settled. "What did you discover?"

Hands rise. A wolf answers first. "I assumed confidence meant competence."

Professor Vayne nods. "And now?"

"It might just mean confidence."

Another student speaks. "I thought avoiding conflict meant weakness."