“Do you always have that effect on humans?” he asked, a smile hooking the edge of his lips.
“Usually, yes. All Guardians do. You’re a freak for not being terrified of me.” I leaned against the table, trying to keep my voice even. “Where were you this morning?”
“Worried about me?” His smile broadened. “Your very own freak?”
“Oh, please,” I lied.
“I cut.” He twirled a pencil between his fingers. “I didn’t feel like getting out of bed this morning.”
“I think your attitude about cutting class is a bit cavalier,” I said, annoyed that I’d been working up an ulcer while he slept in.
He lowered his voice, leaning toward me. “Well, according to you, my uncle is some kind of super-powered warlock, and according to Logan, he’s a Regent of this school. What are they gonna do, kick me out?”
“That may be the case, but I’d appreciate a little consideration,” I said. “For all I knew, the Keepers had given you to a wraith for breakfast.”
He frowned. “What’s a wraith?”
A chill ran down my spine. “Never mind. Just call next time, okay?”
“Are you giving me your phone number?” He flashed a teasing grin.
I couldn’t stop my own smile. “I guess I am.”
He pulled out his phone, punching in my number as I rattled it off.
“Want mine?” He raised his eyebrows and watched me, his face hopeful.
“Sure.” I drew out my own phone and entered the number he recited for me.
“Your sweetheart isn’t too happy about this,” Shay said, still smiling.
I looked toward the back of the room. Ren watched us as he leaned casually against the table, holding a pair of scissors. I’d never seen a classroom tool look so dangerous.
“Enjoy your lab,” I murmured, and headed for my usual seat, wanting to kick myself for being so openly friendly with Shay.
By the time I reached our table, Ren had busied himself setting up for the day’s experiment.
“Hey Ren.” I could barely hear myself over my racing pulse. When I looked at him, all I saw was my bed. All I felt was the heat of his body next to mine. All I heard was my shallow breath while his hands moved beneath my dress.
When I tried to fight those memories off, images of Shay took their place. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I’d betrayed Ren in some unforgivable way. But that very thought provoked my temper, conjuring up images of all the girls who’d happily accepted Ren’s kisses and more. Both impulses converged violently inside me, making it impossible for me to look at him.
But Ren didn’t seem inclined to look at me either.
“Calla.” He greeted me coldly. For the first time I could remember, I missed my much-hated nickname.
Is this what he means by no pressure? Or is he mad I was talking to Shay? God, I’m messing up everything.
I muted the sigh that welled in my chest and began digging for my lab workbook.
“So I see you’ve taken Logan’s orders to heart.” Ren’s growl sounded much closer than I’d expected. When I turned to face him, I almost jumped. He hovered over me, his body only inches from mine.
I shrugged. “Orders are orders.”
“Well, that should make him happy.” He placed one hand on the lab station, shifting his weight uneasily, standing so close my body could have nestled in the curve of his own if I only took another step forward.
I tried to focus on the conversation. “Logan? Yes, I’d imagine he’ll be pleased.”
“I meant Shay.” Ren glared at the front of the room.
My head was suddenly filled with lovely sacred virgins thrown into open graves, screaming as dirt was shoveled onto their still-living bodies.
I have to fix this.
I placed my hand on his wrist. His gaze flitted back to me, softer now and curious.
“About the other night—”
I am an alpha female. He is my mate. Why is this so hard?
He straightened, stepping away. My stomach knotted as I watched his retreat.
“Ms. Foris said this lab will take up the entire period,” he said. “We need to get started.”
“Ren—” I began, but his obsidian glare stopped me in my tracks.
“Just drop it.”
I strode forward, grasped his elbow, and turned him to face me.
“Listen to me, Ren. Everything is a mess right now and it’s been hard on all of us. Like you’ve said.”
He tried to turn away, but I growled, holding him still. A thin smile broke his stony expression.
“You need to know . . .” My courage faltered for a moment, but I drew a quick breath and plunged on, “That I don’t want you to leave me alone.”
The alpha tensed, eyes wary, as if he was waiting for my next qualifying statement. When none came, he carefully extricated his arm from my fingers. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
We carried out our assigned lab work in uncomfortable silence. By the end of the class I was miserable. Ren left the room without so much as a wave.
When I entered the cafeteria, I found the Haldis pack gathered around our two tables yet again, chattering contentedly. Dax, Fey, and Cosette sat in a group. The large senior gesticulated wildly while the two girls beamed at him. Bryn and Ansel sat close together in quiet conversation, but I was relieved to see that they had managed to curb their love-struck gazes at least a little.
I tripped over my own feet when I caught site of Sabine—smiling. She had taken a seat next to Mason and Neville. Mason was demonstrating some questionable uses for a banana, and all three of them burst into fits of laughter.
“Hey Cal,” Ansel said when I sat beside him. “Wanna trade an apple for an orange? You took the last one before I packed my lunch.”
“Sure.”
He immediately began digging in my lunch bag.
“You feeling better, Cal?” Bryn asked. “You seemed really out of it in first period.”
“Uh-huh.” I snatched my oatmeal cookie back from Ansel. “I just didn’t sleep well. I’m fine.”
When Ren approached our tables, I angrily pulled my sandwich from the paper bag, trying to remember what my appetite was. I’d taken a single bite of roast beef when I heard a familiar voice.
“Hey guys.” It sounded like Shay was right behind me. “I wondered if I might join you.”
The bite of sandwich caught in my throat. My eyes watered as I coughed. Ansel slammed me on the back until I could breathe again.
I cleared my throat, turning to face him.
Don’t, Shay. Don’t do this. You don’t understand what it means.
“Are you okay?” His tone was serious, but his eyes were laughing.
“You want to sit with us?” As each word of the question left my mouth, my disbelief rose. I had no idea what he was playing at.
“Yes. If that’s all right.”
Conversation at the table had ceased. All the young wolves stared silently at the human boy who was either brave or crazy enough to step into their social space. I glanced toward the Keepers’ tables across the cafeteria. Sure enough, Logan had pushed his sunglasses up on his forehead to watch the exchange. A lazy but somewhat interested expression hovered in his eyes.
“Of course.”
I blinked at the speed with which Ren had covered the space between himself and Shay.
“We’ve all been wanting to get to know you better, Shay. Please join us.”
We have?
Ren slid into the chair on the other side of me, pulling my lunch bag in front of him. One corner of his mouth curved into a smile.
“Calla, would you mind giving up your seat so Shay can sit here?”
Shay frowned. “I’m sure I can find a chair to bring over.”
“That’s not necessary.” Ren’s voice was icy; he kept his eyes on me.
I wasn’t sure what was happening, but I didn’t want to push him any further when it came to Shay. If I had to stand through lunch, so be it. I shoved my chair in Shay’s direction.
Fingers circled my wrist. My head whipped around to see Ren’s eyes dancing with dark mirth while he drew me toward him like he was reeling in a prize catch.
“So what’s for lunch?” He pulled me onto his lap.
“I really could get another chair.” I could hear the fury in Shay’s words.
Ren’s charcoal irises glowed with a challenge, and I was determined to meet it.
“No.” I fought to keep my voice steady. “This will be fine.”
“It really doesn’t look very . . . comfortable.”
I turned and saw Shay’s jaw twitch as he watched the alpha’s arms slide around my waist.
“Oh, I’m finding it very comfortable,” Ren purred. My cheeks ignited when his lips brushed my neck. “Aren’t you, Lily?”
Shay cringed at the sound of Ren’s nickname for me. It took all of my will not to crack the alpha across the jaw. He was simply being cruel.
“It’s fine.”
I glared at Bryn, who was fluttering her eyelashes at me. Ansel had a foolish grin plastered on his face.
“Awww, look at that. It’s just the most adorable thing I’ve ever seen.” Mason dropped his chin into his hands. “What have you two been up to when the rest of us aren’t around? Naughty, naughty.”
Dax eyed us, a growl of pleasure rumbling in his chest. Fey winked at him and licked her lips. Nev looked up from the notebook he was scribbling in, raised an eyebrow, then went back to writing.
Bryn and Ansel were both making faces at me. Even Sabine giggled. Cosette glanced at her but fidgeted in her seat and couldn’t manage a smile. Defeated, I leaned back against Ren, whose arms tightened around me, making me think about how low his hands were on my waist, the way his touch lit fires in places that, until recently, I’d hardly been aware of. Then I caught sight of the pain etched on Shay’s face.
“Shut up, Mason.”
I snatched the orange from my lunch and whipped it at him. He laughed as he caught it in midair.
“Don’t mind us, Shay.” Mason flashed him a smile. “We’re just a bunch of wild animals.”
“No joke.” Dax flexed his arms.
A nervous titter rolled through the pack, but Shay smiled at Mason. “I’ve noticed, but some of you are more well mannered than others.”
He glared at Ren, who returned the look with equal malice. Dax stopped smiling and Fey’s lips curled back. I shot her a warning glare when I saw her sharp canines. She gave me hard, steel gray eyes but flattened her lips to hide her teeth.
“Well, this will be interesting.” Mason pulled something silver from his pocket and tossed it to Shay. When Shay opened his palm, a Hershey’s Kiss rested in his hand.
Mason winked at him. “Welcome to the table, man. I hope you survive.”
“I think I’ll manage.” He turned the silver-wrapped chocolate in his fingers. “Thanks for this. There’s nothing quite like a really good kiss.”
His mouth crinkled in a smile and he cast me a sidelong glance, making my toes curl.
“You’ve got that right.” Mason laughed, leaning back in his chair. “Now, then, for introductions . . .”
He grabbed Nev’s hand, stopping him from writing. “Do it.”
“Do what?” Nev asked, looking irritated at the interruption.
“The limerick.” Mason grinned.
“No way.” Nev scooted his chair back.
“Come on,” Mason said. “It’s great.”
“There’s a limerick?” Shay looked at Nev.
“It’s not any good.” Nev jerked his hand free.
“Nev’s a poet.” Mason pulled the notebook out of Nev’s hands. He kept it out of Nev’s reach while the other boy grabbed for it. “This is his collection. Shall we read it?”
Nev pointed his pen at Mason as if it were a knife. “If you show that to anyone, I will kill you.”
“Once you do the limerick, I’ll give it back.” Mason sat on Nev’s notebook. “I know you have it memorized.”
“I have no idea why I’m nice to you,” Nev muttered.
“My relentless charm,” Mason said.
“Your relentless something,” Nev replied.
“I’d like to hear it too,” Ren said. He began to stroke my thigh. His scent was warm and soothing, but his touch made me tremble.
Please, please don’t look over here, Shay.
Nev tossed his pen down. “Fine. Here goes:
Ren and Cal’s lives may be torrid
for the young ones in Vail are quite horrid
Bine and Cos aren’t too frail
Dax and Fey never pale
while Ansel and Bryn might get sordid
Bryn spit Diet Coke all over the table. Mason and Ansel clapped. I was too dumbfounded to react.
This is what quiet Nev does in his spare time?
“‘Bine’?” Sabine frowned while Cosette mopped up the soda that flowed to their end of the table. “Since when am I ‘Bine’? And we never call Cosette ‘Cos.’”
“It’s about cadence,” Nev said. “Sorry. I said it wasn’t very good.”
“Why aren’t you and Mason in it?” Ansel asked.
“Oh, he has another one about us.” Mason wiggled his eyebrows.
Nev pushed him out of his chair, and Mason hit the floor laughing.
“It was great,” Shay said with a grin. “Can you say it again and I’ll practice matching names to faces? It would help if you’d raise your hand when Nev says your name.”
Nev looked at Ren, who nodded.
With a little less reluctance, Nev recited the limerick a second time. Each of my packmates raised a hand when his or her name was sounded, except Sabine, who just sniffed, and Fey and Dax, who gave Shay the finger when their turns came.
“Thanks.” Shay inched his chair toward Bryn’s, now knowing where his likely allies were sitting. Bryn smiled at him. Ansel shoved a handful of Fritos in front of our lunch guest.
Shay returned Bryn’s smile, popping a corn chip in his mouth.
“Calla’s told me a lot about you,” he said between crunches.
“Has she?” Bryn cast an alarmed gaze at me. I gave a brief shake of my head, and she relaxed.
“It’s ’cause we’re so awesome.” Ansel gave him a thumbs-up.
“Nice, baby brother,” I muttered. “Very cool.”
He blushed and Bryn kissed his cheek. “Ignore her. We are awesome. What’s your story, Shay?”