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TableofContents
ChapterOne
ChapterTwo
ChapterThree
ChapterFour
ChapterFive
ChapterSix
ChapterSeven
ChapterEight
ChapterNine
ChapterTen
ChapterEleven
ChapterTwelve
ChapterThirteen
ChapterFourteen
ChapterFifteen
ChapterSixteen
ChapterSeventeen
ChapterEighteen
ChapterNineteen
ChapterTwenty
ChapterTwenty-One
ChapterTwenty-Two
ChapterTwenty-Three
AnExcerptfromRenegade
AboutMazzyJ March
ConnectwithMazzy!
IcametotheUrbanRehabilitationAcademyforrefugefromtheLightKingdom.TherewasonlyonethingIhadtodo hidemy wolves.That’sright.Wolves.Plural.Asintwo,whichisapparentlyabadthing.
Notevenawholesemester,andI’vemessedup.
OneoftheThreeKingssawmeshift Neitherofmywolvesiswhatothershifterswouldcallnormal,buthesawmynightwolf theonewhoislargerthanothersandwhosefurshimmerswithsilverthreads.Notexactlyyourtypicalwolf.
Nowheknows,andhewilltelltheothers.Notonlywilltheymaybeoustmeformywolf,butsomeonecouldalerttheLight Kingdomtomylocation.
Plus,Ithoughttheylikedme allthreeofthem.
Oneruninthewoodsmight’veruinedeverythingforme Nowfordamagecontrol ifthat’sevenpossible
Urban Academy Rejects: Sedition is the second story in the Urban Academy Rejects series by bestselling author Mazzy J. March It is a spinoff of the Urban Academy series featuring shifters and other paranormal beings who for various reasons do not fit in with “mainstream” paranormals Some have dark pasts, others darkness within them, but all have stories waiting to be told and lives that could easily end far too soon. But love is key, and as always Mazzy promises an HEA eventually
FirstHowling
SecondGrowl
ThirdSnarl
JadedLove
ShiftersofConsequence
Survivor Legacy
Triumph Dominion
Torn
Tether
Tremble
Tinsel
AcademyofFireandAsh
BetrayedbyDragons
CovetedbyDragons
MatedtoDragons
SciathainAcademy
VeiledWings
SulliedWings
DawningWings
AcrosstheVeil
MatedinSilence RejectedbyFate RejectedbyBlood RejectedbyBirth
Reaper’sClawWolfPack
AbandonedatBirth ForsakenLife EndangeredHeart
HeirAlight
RidgewoodRogueWolvesSaga Mangled
Marred Wounded
Restored Absolute
ShiftersoftheGoldenFlame
DragonSacrifice
Dragon’sDivulgence
Dragon’sVindication
StarsAlignedSeries
Procyon
Nebula
Zenith
AcademyoftheRavens
DarkenedWings
AConspiracy
UrbanAcademy SemesterOne SemesterTwo SemesterThree SemesterFour SemesterFive SemesterSix SemesterSeven SemesterEight SemesterEightFive SemesterNine
UrbanAcademyRejects Renegade
Mail-OrderMatings DeliveredtoMyMates DeliveredtoMyPandas DeliveredtoMyAlphas DeliveredtoMyKoalas DeliveredtoMyProtectors DeliveredtoMyPolarBears DeliveredtoMyOrcs DeliveredtoMyTigers
ByMazzyJ.MarchandJennaM.Jett
TheConjurerAcademy Enigma Psionic
By MazzyJ.March
ChapterOne Karelis “Karelis,isthatyou?”heasked.“Ididn’t…isthisyourwolf?”
Adan.Iwouldknowthevoiceanywhere.Mydarkwolfwaggedhertailandturned,unfazedbythefactthatwe’dbeen caught Iremindedherwithoutwords,throughoursupernaturalbond,thatthismeantdanger Shewasn’tliketheotherwolves Therewerethosewhothoughtshewasdangerous feral.Theywouldtakeherfromus. Run!
Nomatterhowmuchshewantedtopreeninfrontofthemale,self-preservationkickedin.Shetookoffintothedarknessof theforest,hersharpsensesstoppingusfromrammingintoatreeortumblingintothethickmudthatcakedourpawsandclung toourfur.Thecrispwinterairburnedtheinsideofournoseandwhooshedinourears.
Wehadn’tmadeitfarwhenIrealizedthiswouldbelessofarunthanachase.
Adanhadshiftedandwasonourheelsinseconds Damn Hewasfast Ihadn’tanticipatedthat TheraretimesI’dbeen allowedtoletNightout,shewasbiggerandfasterthaneveryone,so,whenhismuzzlecameintoview,Iskiddedtoahalt, intendingtoswitchdirectionandlosehim
Hewasonmeinseconds,almostpredictingmynextmovebeforeIdecidedtomakeit Iwasabitinawe
AndsurprisedashellthatNighthadn’tturnedherteethonhim.Shewasfierceinherprotectionofmeandhadbittenone oftheguardsintheLightKingdomoncewhenhetoldustoshiftback Hehadtouchedher Shelostit,andhenearlylosthis manhood.Instead,shetookachunkoutofhisthighandIdidn’tgettoleavemyroomforamonth.
Wemadeourwaythroughtheforestuntilwewerestoppednotbyalackofenergybutbyatallfence.Adan’swolfletouta lowgrowlofwarning LightsontheothersideofthefencegaveNight,gave us,agoodlookathiswolfforthefirsttime He hadfursoblackthatitwasalmostblueishinthelight.Hisgreeneyeswerehalfgolden.Theyglowed.
Adanmust’verealizedhe’dbecometheobjectofmyattentionbecausehiswolfmovedcloserbuthedidsoslowly as thoughIwerethepredatorinthissituation.Nightdidn’tmove.Shedidn’tstiffenortrytobackaway.Sheinvitedand welcomedthedesireofthismale Hiswantpermeatedtheair,overwhelmingtheotherscentsoftheforest Goddess,no.Iwasn’tsupposedtohaveamate.ItwasafactthathadbeendrilledintomesinceIwasachild.Shifters withdualwolvesdidn’tgetmates.
AsAdanmovedcloser,henuzzledmysidewithhisnose Nightreciprocated,runninghernosealonghisneck Something insidemycheststirred awakened.
AndthenNightdidsomethingcompletelyoutofcharacter Shebowedherheadtohim,andhedidthesame Theyputtheir headsdownandbaredtheirneckstoeachother.TherewasnothingIcouldhearbutthesoundsofourheartsbeating.Theycame tosomekindofunderstandingthere,underthemoonandstars
Wesprintedthroughthewoodsuntilbothofuswereoutofbreath.Adanshifted.HesomehowalreadyknewthatIwas NightandNightwasme,buthewouldhavequestions.
Iwasn’tsureIcouldgivehimanswers
Hepulledonhispants,withoutbotheringwiththeboxersthatIsawonthegroundalongwithhisT-shirt,andgotonhis knees Nightpacedovertohim Sheallowedhimtothreadhisfingersthroughourfur Goddess,thesensationofhistouch broughtmeasenseofeuphoriathatI’dneverexperienced. Imeltedinside.
“Goddessyouaregorgeous,female.Lookatyou.I’veneverseenawolfwithsilverstrands.Andtheyareadifferent texturethanyourotherfur.It’salmostlikethegodsinfusedthemwithrealsilver.Andyoureyes…”
Nighttippedhermuzzlethiswayandthat,givinghimagoodlookather Shecravedhisnextwords Hisnexttouch She wouldlapupeverydripofpraiseheoffered.
“Puresilver Oneofakind,justlikeyourotherhalf Whenyou’reready,canIseeKarelis?Iwouldliketotalktoher” AwhinecamefromNight.Alwaysprotectingme.
“Oh,Isee,”hemurmuredandgotup.Hewalkedafewpacesandturnedhisback.“Goon.Iwon’tpeek.Ipromise.” IshiftedandthrewontheshortsandtankIhadtakenoffbefore.OnceIwassureallmybitswerecovered,Iclearedmy throat.“Youcanturnaroundnow,Adan.”
Whenhedid,tinglesspreaddownmybody Despitethechillaroundus,Iwaswarm sodamnedwarm “Thereyouare Karelis,yourwolfisbeautiful.”
“Thankyou,”Iwhispered Forsomereason,Ifeltcompelledtotellhimmyentirelifestory Allthesecrets Allthehidden partsofmyself.
“Youtriedtooutrunme,”hesaid.“She’sfastandstrong.”
Inodded Pleaselethimnottrytopryanythingelsefromme NomatterhowmuchIwantedtoopenup,Iknewthatthings
couldgowrong.Hecouldtellsomeone.Theheadmistress.Shecouldtellothers theshiftercouncil.Itwouldthenonlybea matteroftimebeforetheLightKingdomgotwindofthenewfemaleatUrbanRehabilitationAcademywhohadagiantblack wolfwithsilverstrands Theywouldcomeforme Forher.
ChapterTwo Adan Ablackwolfwithsilverthreadsthroughherfur.Andsilvereyes.I’dbeenalittlesurprisedwhenshewantedprivacyto shiftbecausemostwolvesIknewhadnoconcernsaboutnudity.Itmademewonderevenmoreaboutherpastandwhatgother here Afterall,wewerehardlyattheschoolforpeoplewhoseliveshadbeenthesmoothest I’dneverseenanythinglikeherbefore,butIknewthemomentIdidthatitwasKarelis.Somethingaboutherspirit translatedtothewolf,buttherewasalsosomethingverydifferentfromanyotherbeastI’dmetbefore AndIwantedtoknow “Karelis,youarefascinatingtome.”Ireachedforherhandandstartedfortheschoolbuildings.“Yourwolf.”
“Yousaidshe’sbeautiful,”sheasserted “AndIthankedyou”
Ouch.Apparentlyshedidn’twanttotellmeanymore,butitwashardtodothesmartthingandbackoff.“Yousuredid. Doessheresembleotherwolvesinyourpack?”
Herstepsfaltered,justforasecond,butshewasbackinrhythmbeforeIsloweddown “Oh,Idon’tknow Therewerea lotofdifferent-coloredwolves.Blackandgraywerecommon,Iguess.”
Gray Shewasanythingbutgray,thelightcatchingonthosesilverstrandsasshedartedintopoolsofsunshinebetween trees.“Isee.Wehaveavarietyofcolorsinoursaswell,butnotasbrightasyourfur.Bigpack?”
“Average,Iguess Yours?”
“Iguess.Dependsonwhatyouthinkofasaverage.”
“Andyou’reherebecauseofcomputerhacking.”
HadItoldherthat?IwassureIhadn’t,andneitherhadmyroommates Itwasn’tcommonknowledgeoutsidemyfriends’ circle…“Isthatwhatyou’veheard?”Wewereclosetothetreelinenowandwouldbebackinsidetheschoolshortly.
“Idid”
“Whosaidthat?”
“Uh,Idon’tremember.Areyousayingit’snottrue?”
“IpleadtheFifth.”
Sheswungourlinkedhandsandgavealittlehop.“Isee.Andsincethisisacivilratherthancriminalinterrogation,Ican usethatstatementtoassumeit’strue”
“That’skindofconvolutedlogic,andIcansaythatwithoutevenknowingwhyyouhaveknowledgeofthehumancourts.”
Shegiggled “Idon’t,really,butIwatchalotofTVComeon,Adan,tellmewhyyou’rehere”
“I’llgofirst.Ididindeedhackintoahumancomputersysteminordertogotouniversity.Mypackhomeschooling educationdidnotqualifymeforadmittance,eventhoughmypersonalstudiesfarexceededtheirrequirements.”Ithurtevento sayit.I’dhadsuchhopeswhenIdidthat.NeverfeelinglikeitwasanythingwrongbecauseIknewhowhardI’dworked,how I’dstayeduplateatnightstudyingthingsI’dneverneedasawolfshifterjusttogetaccesstotheeducationthatuniversitycould giveme
“Youwantedtolearn.”Shestoppedwalking,makingmehaltaswell.“Adan,youhavearighttoyourdreams,andnopack shoulddenyyouthat”
“Thankyou,butyouarepartofaverysmallminoritywhofeelsthatway.”
“Hmmph.Didyouactuallystartclassesafteryouhackedyourwayin?”
Ishrugged,afraidofshowingtoomuchoftheemotionalconflictthatstillsurgedwithinme ButwhileIdidn’tmeether gaze,Icouldfeelitburningintome.“Yes,Istartedclasses.”
“Andhowdidthatgo?”Herleveltoneofferednosuggestionofhowshemightreacttomyanswer
“Perfectly.IgotstraightAsandlearnedawholelotofthingsIwantedtoknowhowtodo.Computerscandosomuchfor thepack,especiallyiftheyinsistonhomeschooling Becausethekindofeducationtheyaregettingisn’tgreat Justsomany waysmoderntechnologycanhelpthem.”
“Sowhathappened?Wasn’tyourpackgladtobegettingallthishelpfulinformationandtrainingforyou?”
“It’salongstorybuttheshortversionisno I’lltellyouthewholestorysomeothertime”
“Allright.”
Westartedtowalkagainandwerenearingthebuildings,andIhadn’tmanagedtogetanyinformationfromheratall She’d cleverlyturnedthetablesonme,gettingmetotalkaboutmyself.“We’rejustaboutoutoftime,butIstillwanttoknowmore aboutyou”
Sheofferedashysmile.“Iammuchmoreinterestedinyou.Nothinginterestingaboutme.”Hereyesgleamed,notsilver butanothercolorthatcameandwentsofastIcouldn’tgetagoodlookatthemeventodescribe.Almostasiftherewasanother wolfinsideher “Nowlet’sgetinside,okay?Beforewe’remissed”
“Karelis,please?”
“I’dlovetotellyoumore,butIcan’t Ifthingschange,you’llbethefirstoneItalkto,okay?”
“Allright.”Itwasn’t,butIcouldn’tkeeppushingherlikethis.Wehadtime.
ChapterThree Karelis WhileIwasenjoyingthelearningenvironmentoftheUrbanRejectsAcademy whattheotherscalledit Ididn’tlikethe socialenvironment.Thesneersdirectedatmewereunwarrantedandunnecessary.Ihadbeenherelessthanamonth,and alreadytheyhaddecidedIwasanoutcast
They’dfuckinghaveaconniptioniftheyfoundoutthatIwasarealpariahintheworldofshifters.Twowolvesinsideme? Hell,theymightburnmeatthestakeiftheyfoundthatout
Upahead,agroupofpeoplecurledaroundsomeone,butitwasn’tuntilIsawthecuteMaryJaneshoesthatIknewwho wasthebuttoftheirjeering June.
“Hey!”Iyelledanddroppedmybag.Bargingintothegroup,IreachedforJuneandpushedherbehindme.Thefearinher eyeswassomethingIneverwantedtoseeagain Iknewhowitfelttobebulliedandmistreated,andthelastthingIwantedwas tohaveitinflictedonsomeonewhohadbeennothingbutkindtome.
Honestly,Ididn’twanttoseeharminflictedonanyone
“Leaveheralone.Don’tyouhaveanythingelsetodo?”Iasked.MychestheavedwithangrybreathswhileNightsnarled undermyskin,soclosetothesurface Shewantedtoripthesegirls’headsoff,andtherewouldn’tbeadamnedthingtheycould doaboutit.
“Nowwehavesomeoneelsetoplaywith.”Agirlwithaseverebunsteppeduptomeandbumpedherchestwithmine. Boob-on-boobviolence Notcool
“Youdon’twanttomesswithme,”Nightpushedthrough,andIfeltthephasingofmyeyesfromminetohers.Shesaw colorsmorebrilliantlythanIdid Shit Ihadtocalmdown Ididn’twantNighttocomeout,andthesebulliesdidn’t,either,if theyvaluedtheirnextbreath.Shehadzerotoleranceforassholes.Awarningsnarltrilledthroughmychestandwhiletheireyes widened,theystoodtheirground.
“Orwhat?”theoneinfrontofmegroundout.Hervoicewasrough.Somewherealongthewayshehadswallowedglass. Maybethat’swhatshewassomadabout.
Fuck ThelastthingIwantedwasafight
Untilafistlandedonmychin.Iactedwithoutthinking.Herfisthadn’tretractedfullywhenIthrewajabrightintoher throat Apunchlikethatwould’veputahumandown
Thegirl Istilldidn’tknowhername grabbedatherthroatandgaspedforair.Shestumbledbackward,andherfriends movedtohelpher.ItooktheopportunitytodragJuneoutofthere.
Weweredonewithhighschoolandyet,somehadn’tmovedon.
Oncewewereagooddistanceaway,Ipulledmyfriendintoastairwell.“Areyouokay?”Iasked,surveyingher.
“It’sjustafatlip NothingIhaven’tgottenbefore”
Thatwasn’ttrue.Icouldseeablackeyeblooming,alongwithsomeswellingonhercheek.“Where’sthenurse?”Iasked. “Isthereanurseoradoctorhere?Ahealer?”
Junemovedherjawaround,testingit.Shemust’vegottenpoppedthereaswell.TheywereluckyIdidn’tletNightloose. Itwould’vebeenthelastbreaththeytook.“Anurse.Healersworkinthepacks.”
Inodded “Leadtheway”
Juneshookherhead.“It’sokay.Idon’thavetogo.”
“Bullshit,”Igrowledback “We’regoing Ifnothingelse,soyoudon’thavetogotoclassuntilyoucanshiftandgetsome ofthishealed.”
Sheblewoutabreath “Fine Yeah Okay”
Wewaiteduntilthehallswereclear.Imightgetintroubleforskippingclass,butthiswasforagoodreason. Right?
EverythingIknewaboutschoolandtherightsandwrongswereconstantlyopposedwhenitcametotherulesaroundhere IfIgotintrouble,thenatleastitwasworthit.
Wemadeitacrosscampuswithonlyafewstudentsgivinguslooks,butIassuredJunetheywereprobablymoreputoffby methanher.Shelaugheditoff,butthesmilingmadehergroan.
“Karelis?”Mynamespokenbythemostchill-worthyvelvetvoicefrombehindme Ilookedovermyshoulder,butmy prioritywasJuneandgettingheroutofsightandtothenurse.
“It’sCasimir,”JunewhisperedasthoughIshould’vegottenonmykneesinhispresence.
“Hey,Cas,”Isaid,butmystepsneverfaltered
“Whereareyougoing?”WhenIdidn’timmediatelyanswer,hefellintoasprintandcaughtupwithus.Whenhesaw June’sface,hegrowledabit “Tothenurse?I’llcomewithyou”
ThenursetookJunerightinandsaidIcouldwaitoutside.ShenoddedtoCas.Ofcourseeveryoneknewhim.Imean,he lookedtobechiseledfromthegods,soofcourse,sheknewhim.
HesatnexttomeandbeforeIcouldsayaword,tookmyjawinhishandandturnedmyheadthiswayandthat Hestopped whenIfacedtheleftandwhileIfeltmyjawthrobwiththepainofthepunch,itwasnothingIhadn’tfeltbefore.Theguardsat theLightKingdomweren’talwayskind “Whodidthistoyou?”HiswordscameoutinasnarlbutIknewtheangerwasn’t pointedatme.
“Bullies Theanswerisalwaysbullies Theysayhighschoolisonlyfouryearsbutclearlythatisn’tenoughforsome people.”
Hehuffedoutalaughbuthissmilewasabsent.Whatashame.Ineededhissmileinthatmoment.Myheartflutteredashis handstayedonmyjawbutinsteadofremovingit,heletthewidthofitslidedownmyneckandlandrightabovemybreasts “Youcantakecareofyourself,butIdon’tliketoseethis.”
“Doesn’tfeelgreat,either”Somestudentspassedandgiggled,probablybecauseCaswasclosetofondlingmeinpublic “DoIneedtotakecareofit,Karelis?Idon’twanttoseeyouhurt.”
“No Butthankyou Itakecareofmyself”
Anothersnarl.“Youdon’thavetoanymore.”
ChapterFour Casimir WhenIreturnedtothesuite,IfoundAdanandBlazeloungingwithsandwichesandcansofenergydrinks.“Imissedyou bothatdinner.Consideringwehadthatstomach-challengingchili-maccasserolethingthathasbeenappearinglately,youmade therightchoice”
Adanwavedanot-peanut-buttersandwichoverhisever-presentlaptop.“Ibribedacookforroastbeefandcheddarwith horseradishmayo”
“Don’ttease.IonlyateacoupleofbitesandsomecannedcornbeforedecidingIpreferredhunger.”Ingeneral,thefood herewasdecent butwhenitwasbad,itwasawful “Soeataway,friends,anddon’tfeelbadaboutleavingmeout” Blazelookedupfromhistabletandgrinned.“Good.ThenIguesswecaneatthesandwichwegotyouwithmustard insteadofhorseradish,asyouprefer.”
Mymouthwatered “Aretherepickles?”
Adanpickedupabrownbagbesidehimandsaid,“Catch.”
Icaught Ofcourse,whenIunrolledthetop,itheldnotonlythesandwichonsourdoughbreadbutapicklespearanda smallcontainerofpotatosalad.Ihummedinpleasure,cuttingitoffwhenmyfriendslaughed.“Sorry.I’mjusthungryandwith ourstashlow,Iwasn’tsureifI’dgetmuchofanythingtonight”
“Well,don’tletuskeepyoufromeating.”Blazetookanotherbiteofhisandspokearoundit.“Didyouatleastgettosit withanyonespecial?”
Thehappinessfromthesandwichfadedforthemoment,andIsetitdownbesideme “Nobecausethepersonyoureferto isinthenurse’soffice.AtleastIthinksheandJunearestillthere.”
Adanshovedhislaptopasideandleapttohisfeet “Thenwhyareyouhereinsteadofthere?Whydidn’tyoucomeandget us?”
Blazeaskedtheimportantquestion.“Aretheyokay?”
“Theyarealittleshakenupandbruised.Someofthegirlsinthisschoolseemtohavegottengoodatbullying,andKarelis rescuedher.Shetookahitortwointheprocess.”
“Iwanttheirnames”Adan’seyesgleamed “Thiscannotcontinue”
“Whatareyougoingtodo?Goandbeatthemupyourselfandgetkickedoutorworse?”IwouldhavedoneitmyselfifI thoughtitwouldhelp “They’reokayforthemoment,andtheydidn’ttellmewhodidit IwaitedwithKareliswhileJunegot patchedup,andshedidn’tsay.Shethinkstheycanhandleit.”
I’dleftshortlythereafterwhenthenursecameoutandsaidonlyonevisitorcouldcomesitwithJune.ButI’dhave preferredtostayandwatchoverthem.
“It’slatenow,andjustabouteveryoneisgoingtobeintheirrooms,andIdon’twanttoupsetthegirlsmorethanthey alreadyare,buttomorrow,wewillfindout”Blazefinishedthelastbitofhissandwichandcrumpledthebag “Anythingelse interestinggoingon?Orhorrifying?”
“Actually,yes,”Adanspokeup “IwentforarunwithKarelistheothernight” “Youwhat?”Blazeyelped.“And…telluseverythingthathappened.”
Isettledonthesofa,readytohearmoreaboutthefascinatingpersonwhohadmanagedtocaptivateallthreeofus.AndI wasn’tevensuresheknewthat “Comeon,Adan You’vegotourfullattention”
“Sheisextraordinary.Coalblackstreakedwithsilverstrands.UnlikeanythingI’veeverseenbefore,andhereyes…asif theyweremadeofquicksilver Thesameasherfurbutnot,ifthatmakesanysense,andI’mguessingitcouldn’t” Blazesighed.“Itdoes.ButIwanttoseeitformyself.Soyouhadaruntogether.”
“Anditwassomuchmorethanjustanordinaryrunintheforest She’sgracefulandelegantandfast Butitwasasifshe didn’tfeelcomfortable,hadmeturnaroundwhensheshifted.NotthatIplannedtoogleheroranything.Butitallseemstobea partofhermystery.”
“Mystery?”Ichewedmylipamoment “Didyouhaveachancetotalktogether?”
“Itried,butwhenIaskedabouther,sheturneditonmeandIneverfoundoutathingabouther.Ithinkit’simportantthat weprotecther,buthowcanweifwedon’tevenknowwhatmightbeathreattoher?”
“Doessheunderstandhowthethreeofusfeel?”Iasked.“Didyougetasenseofthat?”
“IgotasenseofsomeonewhowassuperfuntorunwithandisgorgeousandsmartandfarmorecleverthanIam Shedid notwanttotellmeaboutherpast.Why?”
“Shedoesn’ttrustus?”Blazesaiditsoftly,butitmadeusallstop.
Afteralongmoment,Adannodded “Notcompletely,butmaybeifwedocomerightoutandtellherofourfeelings Honestlyandopenly.”
“Doessheevenwanttohearit?”Blazefloppedbackinhisseat “Isn’tthissupposedtobeeasier?Everyonesayswhen
youmeetyourmate,it’sjustbamandthat’sit.Couldtheybewrong?”
“Itisn’twrongforme.Iwanttobringherrightinandbeginourlifetogether,butwedon’tknowathingaboutherpast. Maybeshecomesfromapackwheretheydothingsdifferently?I’veheardofsomewhodon’tbelieveinfateds” “Andmaybeweneedtokeepaclosereyeonbothourgirlandherfriend,”Isaid.
ChapterFive Karelis Turnedout,Ididn’tgetintroubleforbringingJunetothenurse.Infact,theygavemeapassthatexcusedmefromthenext class.ThenursesaidshewasgladIwastheretohelpherandthatdeservedabreakfromclasses.IwalkedwithJunetothe forestwheresheshiftedandemergedgoodasnew Shedidn’tevenquestionwhyIdidn’tshiftwithher Thenextmorning,shehadtofacetheothersagain,butthistime,Iwasn’tgivingthemanyopportunitytoganguponmy friend WheneverIcould,Imadesureshewasfineinbetweenclasses,andshewasdoingherbesttostayaway Peoplesuckedass.
“IthinkCasimirwasfollowingmetoday,”shesaidaswechangedfromourschooluniformsandintomorecasualclothes togotodinner.
“Huh?”Iasked.Mywolvesroseupinsideme,notlikingCas’sattentiononanyotherfemale.Iquicklyquelledthemwith theknowledgethatJunewasmyfriend Shewasn’ttakinganyonefromme Especiallyanyonewhodidn’tbelongtome “Calmdown.Ithinkhewaslookingoutformelikeyouwere.Nomatingvibes.Justfriendly.”
Isnorted “Didn’trealizeIwascalmedup”
“Youletoutalittlegrowl.”
“Sorry Didn’tmeanto It’skindofcutethathewaslookingoutforyou”
Shegrabbedhershoesandputthemon.“Ihonestlythoughtmaybeyouaskedhimto.”
“Ididn’t.WhatwouldmakeyouthinkCasimirwoulddoanythingIsuggested?”
Shenailedmewithastare “Seriously?TheThreeKingshavetheireyesonyou,nomatterwhereweare Youmusthave noticed.”
Ihad NomatterwhereIwentoncampus,therewasaKingthere Walkingtowardme awayfromme Ontheotherside ofthecommonareaorthedininghall.Butstill,Ifelttheireyesonme.Myentirebodywarmedjustthinkingaboutit.“Let’sgo eat.Nomoreboytalk.Weneedtofuelup.”
Wehadplannedtogoonanunsanctionedadventurearoundcampusthatnight.Ithadbeenawhilesincewehadventured beyondthedormsatnight,anditwashightimeforsomethingthatgavemealittleadrenaline.Becausemylifeandrunningfrom havingmywolftornfrommewasn’tenough,apparently Ithadbeenabitsinceanythingweirdhappenedthatweneededtobe afraidof.Whateveritwas,itseemedtobeover.Maybe…
Weatequickly,andonourwayout,Icouldn’thelpbutpauseatthetablewheretheThreeKingssat IbentdowntoCas’s earlevelandwhispered,“ThanksforwatchingoutforJune.”
Casshuddered.“Itwasforyou.”Heleanedintome.“Youlookedsoconcerned.Iknowyoucantakecareofyourself,but youwereworried.”
Howdidheknow?Aquestionforanothertime.
Iwantedtotouchhimandhavehimtouchmeagain,butitwasacrowdeddininghall,andIshouldn’thavebeenleading himon.Hedidn’tknowwhatIwasorthesecretsburieddeepwithinme.“Goodnight.”
HerepeatedmygoodbyeandIwavedtotheothers JuneandIwereabouttoputourselvesindangeranditmightbethe lasttimeIsawthosethree.
Wouldn’tthatbeadamnedshame.
“Areyousureaboutthis?”Iaskedinawhisper-shoutaswebeelinedforthedormrooms Ourunsavoryplansforthenight includedunsanctionedtraipsingaroundcampusanddartingfromshadowtoshadow,seeingwhattalestheyhadtotell,butwe alsohadstudyingtocomplete Ifweweregoingtogetintotrouble,whichwewereamagnetfor,thenatleastweshouldhave goodgradestotugonlikealifesaver.
“Areyouchickeningout?”sheaskedwithashit-eatinggrinonherface “Ifwecansurvivethosebullies,thenwecanget throughanightoftrouble.Besides,wekindofoweittoourselves.I,forone,needsomefreshair.It’sliketheypumpdejection andmiserythroughtheairflow.”
Huh IthoughtIwastheonlyonewhosmelledthat
Wespenttheeveningalternatingbetweenstudyingandglancingattheclock.Abouttenminutesbeforenine,weslammed ourbooksshutandputonourshoes Runningshoes Becausetherewouldcertainlybesomesortofsprintforourlives Icould feelitinmychest.
Acrashingwaveofreliefhitmeasthenightairsankintomylungs Istuffedmyhandsintothefrontpocketofmyhoodie afterpullingupthehoodtoshieldmyearsfromthebitingwind.Therewasnothingexcitingorgrandioseaboutourstroll throughcampus,otherthantheadrenalinepumpingthroughmyveinsatthethoughtofgettingcaught,butitwasabreakfromthe norm Fromfeelingconfinedinthedormandclassrooms
Oncewe’dexploredaroundthebetweensanddarkrecessesoftheschoolonlytofindmoreairandsilence,plusthe randomcoupledoinganythingbutstudyinginthenight,wedecidedtomakeourwaybacktoourdormroom Itwassortof
disappointingbutneeded.
We’dcutacrossthecommonareawhenIheardfootstepsbehindus.Myheartstammeredunderneathmysternumatthe thoughtwe’dbeencaught Juneblewoutalongbreathandwhippedaround.“Okay.Youcaughtus.”
WhenIrepeatedheractions,wantingtoknowwhohadbeensmartenoughtofindus,itwastofind nothingandnoone Myshifterearspickeduphushedbreathing,andNightletoutalowrumbleinmychest,warningmeofdanger.
“Let’sgo,”Isaid,tuggingonJune’swrist “There’snoone.Ithought…IsworeIheard…” “Iknow.Comeon.Now.”
Wespeed-walkedthroughthearchedwalkwaysthatconnectedthedininghalltothedormsandclassroombuildings,but thefootstepsbehindusclosedin thebreathingmoreragged.Nightsensedwhateverwasbehinduswashungry.Hungryfor what?Mystomachtangledinknots I’dbeenfound TheLightKingdomlovedtoplaywiththeirvictimsandthosetheycalled “friends.”Controlwastheirgame.Manipulationandfearweretheirtactics.Theystalkedslowlyandmethodically,likea demonknockingonatableforafamilywhojustmovedintoahauntedhouseanddaredaseance Smallticksthatturnedinto bigpusheswhileyouweren’tpayingattention.
I’dlivedthroughalmosttwodecadesoffear constantchest-clingingfear,andIrefusedtolivethatthatanylonger.Ina surgeofbravery,Iturnedagainanddemanded,“Whoareyou?”
Thestepsstopped,butsomethingflaredinthedistance.
Lights Lavenderandvioletcomingfromtheskyorthegroundoroutofnowhere AtinglinginmychestremindedmeI’d seenthesebefore.ThefirstnightBlazeandImaderealcontact.Thenightoneofthestudentswasmurdered.Idugmyfingers intoJune’swrist.“Wehavetogettothedorm.Now.Runlikeyourlifedependsonit.”
“Thelights,”Junewhispered.Hereyeswerewideandvacant hermouthalargeO.
“Yeah.Lights.Moveyourass,June,”Iyelledinherearandfinallygrippedherattentionfully.
Weranasfastaswecould Thestepsfollowed Theygrewharderandlouderwitheachstomp Sodidthebreathing It grewmoreharsh,moreraggedthemoreweran.WhoeverwasbehinduswasclosinginasIsawourdormroomdownthe hallway
“Goin.Goin!”
Webothbarreledthroughthedoorandslammeditbehindus.Welockedthepunyknobandthrewthedeadbolt.JuneandI movedinsync,pushingherdresserinfrontofthedoorwhilethegruntsandgroansreverberatedfromtheothersideand underneaththedoor.
Itwasrightoutside whateveritwas
Apulseofbraverymademeleanintothedoorandpressmyearagainstit.Heavybreathingandamoancamefromthe personorthinghuffingontheotherside,butitmadenomovetopushthedoorortrytobreakitdown SomehowIknewthatit hadthatcapability.Thatitcould’vecrushedusifitwantedto.
Itwasplayingwithus.Playingagame.
Istumbledbackatthescratchingofclawsonthedoor
“Whatthehellisitdoing?”Junewhispered.Sheshivered,herchinwobbling.Hercheekswerereddenedfromtherunand thewind,andherfistswereballedathersides
“Idon’tknow.Maybeitwill…”Andthen,earthquakingstepsmoveddownthehallwayandclompeddownthestairs, leavingsilence
“It’sgone,”webothmumbledatthesametime. Westoodthereforalongtimebeforedecidingthecoastwasclear.Wewenttobedthatnight,clingingtoourthin comforters
Wedidn’tmovethedresser. Notaninch
“Howdidnobodyelsehearthis?”Junemuttered.“Noteventheguys?”
“Idon’tknow”Butsomehowthatmadeitwaycreepier Fornow,nomoregoingoutandexploring.
ChapterSix Blaze “Hey,Brother.”Ihadtogoquiteawaysfromthebuildingsomycallwouldnotbepickedupbysecurity.Iwasn’tsure howtheymanagedit,butI’dseenafewofmyclassmatesgetcaughtwithcellphones,andIdidn’tneedanymoretroublethanI foundwithouttrying Textingseemedtoworkout,butcallswithinthebuildingwererisky Andthisearly,withthesunnotquite readytorise,wasthebesttime.
ForsomereasonI’dneverbeenabletofigureout,Iwasatargethere Therewerestudentsconvictedofcrimessitting oppositemeinshifterhistoryandsomewhosewolveswereknowntobitewhocouldonlyshiftunderveryconfined circumstances AndthenofcoursethebullieswhohadbeenpickingonJuneandKarelis Yet,forallthetimesIsatintheadmin waitingarea,anticipatingwhatImightbeaccusedofthistime,Irarelysawthoseapersonmightreasonablyexpecttofind there.Theclasstroublemakersseemedtoavoidanykindofpenaltyforwhattheydid.
Ormaybeitwasjustmytimingandjusticedidprevailoccasionally Itwaspossible “Blaze?DidIloseyou?”Asherasked.
Oops!Gotcaughtwoolgathering “No,I’mhere Howareyouandyourmates?”
“Ravenisdoublinguponclasses,tryingtogetfinishedattheacademyassoonaspossible.Onyxisassistantmanagering attheMidnight,andthetwoofthemarekeepingmeonmytoes”
“Ihavenodoubt.Meetingthemattheholidayshadmeveryjealousofyou,Ihavetoadmit.IhopeImadeagood impressiononthem.”
“Youlookjustlikeme Howcouldtheythinkanythingelsebutthatyou’rescreaminghot?” “I’dargue,butIcan’tthinkofawaytodoitwithoutmakingmyselflookbad,too.”
“Thepainoftwinning”Helaughed “ButsinceIknowwhatapainitistocallme,what’sup?You’renotjustphoningto tellmeI’mluckytohavemymates.”
“AreyouimplyingthatIdon’tkeepintouch?”Itwassoeasytofallintothebanterwealwayshad,nomatterhowlongwe wereapart.Butitwasalsohardnottolettheresentmentforthatseparationbleedthrough.Iclearedmythroat.“Anyway,it’s goodtohearyourvoice.”
“You,too,Blaze Iwishthey’dhurryupandrealizeyoubelongherewiththerestofus Ihatetothinkofyoualoneinthat place.”
SuchdisparagementoftheeducationalfacilityIcurrentlyoccupied ShameIfeltthesame orworse Heonlyknewwhat heheardfrommeandafewothersinoursocialcirclewhohadspenttimeatUrbanRejects.ButIhadareasonforcalling. “I’mnotalone.”
“Ohright.Ididn’tmeanyourroommatesweren’tgoodfriends.”
“NotthemI’mtalkingabout.”Iswallowedhard.Wasthistoosoon?Ihadn’teventoldKarelisinsomanywordswhatI wasabouttoexpresstomybrother Buthewasasmuchapartofmeasmywolf Andwhensomethingveryimportant happened,Ineededhimtoknow.Ifwewereclosertogether,sometimesheseemedtounderstandasifviaosmosis.Wedidn’t quitereadoneanother’smindorhaveaccesstothemassomematesdid Itwasdifferent buthardtoexplain “Iknow,Blaze,”hesaid.“Tellmeabouther.Orthem?”
“Her.Butsheisalsomyfriends’mate.”Iglancedbacktowardtheschool,wonderinghowmuchtimeIhadbefore someonemissedmeorsecuritynoticedme “AndI’mnotsureshefeelsthesame”
“That’stough.Butifshe’sreallyyourmate thepluralyour thenshewillfigureitouteventually.”
“Sheis Butyourrelationshipissosmooth RavenandOnyxadoreyouandeachother”Heandhismateswerealittle differentfromthereverseharemsituationwewerefacing.
HechokedandIheardafemalevoice,RavenIthought,askinghimifhewasallrightbeforehecamebackontheline “Smooth?Youhavemetmymates.Theyfoughttheveryideaofcomingtogetherwithmeforquiteawhile.Kindofhurtmy feelings,actually.”
“Givemethephone,”Iheard,thistimefromOnyx “Hello,brother-in-law Ifyouhavemetyourmate,don’tletherget away.Iknowforshiftersit’ssupposedtobeano-brainermeet-and-mate,butRavendidn’tfeelthatway.”AndOnyxwasthe descendantoftheGoddessCirce,notashifterbutmagicalnonetheless “AndIhadmyreservations IagreewithAsherthatshe willcomearound,butmaybeifyouandtheothersareopenandhonest,youcansavetime.Iregreteveryminutewemissed beforeweallacceptedoneanotherinthisfamily”
Wetalkedforabitlonger,buttherewasstartingtobeactivityinthebuilding,windowslightingupasstudentsgotupand readyfortheday,andIhadtosaygoodbyebeforeIhadnoshadowstohidein.Talkingtomytwinalwaysgavemealift,and thistimewasnodifferent IfeltencouragedanddecidedtostopbyKarelis’roomonthewaytoours Seeifshe’dliketohave breakfasttogether.Slippingintothebuildingbyasidedoorthatrarelygotused andthatI’dproppedajarwithahandyrock Iheadedthroughthehallwaystotheonewherebothourroomandourmate’swerelocated
mateexactlywhatwasgoingonwithherandwithus.Ifshewasourmate,she’dhavetorecognizethetruth,right?
MyhandwasraisedtoknockwhenIsawthestreakofbloodonthewoodofherdoor. What the?
Takingastepbackfromthedoor,IstrovetosteadymybreathingbeforeIpunchedrightthroughthebloodstainonour mate’sdoor.Itwasmorethanastain,ratherarowofstreaksthatwerenotonlythereddishbrownofdryingbloodbutalso appearedtohavebeenscratchedintothefinish Thehandleappearedundisturbed,buthowcouldsomethinglikethishave happenedwithoutushearing?Somethingwithclawshadtriedtogetintotheirroom.Haditbeensilent?
IopenedthedoortooursuiteonlytofindBlazestandinginfrontofourmate’s,acrossthehallway.Hisbodyvibratedwith tension,andhedidnotturnawayfromwhateverhewasstaringat.“Blaze?Issomethingwrong?”
Iwokeuptofindhisbedroomdooropenandnosignofhiminthesuite,whichprobablymeanthe’dsnuckouttocallhis brother,ashedidfromtimetotime.BeinganidenticaltwinwasabondthatI’dneverbeluckyorunluckyenoughto understand IknewitwaspainfulforhimtobeseparatedfromAsher,andnomatterhowmuchCasandIvaluedourfriendship, wewouldneverbehistwin.
Butnow,Iwonderedhowlonghe’dbeenstandingthereinfrontofKarelis’doorwithhishandintheair Andhewasn’t answeringme.
“What’sup?”Casaskedfrombehindme.“Areweallgoingtovisitourmate?”
“Idon’tknow”Movingforward,ItookBlaze’sarm “You’rescaringme,bro” Heshudderedandsteppedback.“I’mprettyscaredmyself.Look.” “Ohhell”Ileanedinandreachedouttotracethelines “Arethegirlsallright?” “Thedoorisstillclosed,”Blazesaid,shruggingmeoff.“ButIhaven’tknockedyet.” “Wellwhynot?”Casbrisklyrapped “Karelis!”
Afteraheart-rendingfewseconds,theknobturnedandJuneappearedintheopening,bedheadnotherfriend.“Whatisall thecaterwaulingabout?Wewereupverylatebecauseofthe…oh,you’veseenit.” “WhereisKarelis?”Blazedemanded “I’mrighthere.”Sheappearedbehindherfriend.“AndI itreallyhappened,didn’tit?”
“Yes”Junesteppedback “Youwerehoping,huh?” “Somuch.”
Glancingfromonetotheother,Ididn’tliketheglassylookintheireyes.Whateverhappened,ithadthemreallyshakenup. “Listen,insteadofstandinghereinthedoorway,whydon’twegogetsomebreakfastandyoutwocanfillusin?”
“Allright ”Karelisbegan.
“Ihaveanearlyclass,”Juneinterrupted,“andatest,whichIhavenotstudiedfor So,I’llleaveittomyroomietogive youallthedetails.”
WeagreedtomeetKarelisoutsidetheroominahalfhour,afterwe’dallhadachancetocleanupandgetdressed,and soonwewereseatedatatableinthediningroom.Itwasearlyenoughthatwe’dbeenabletofindacornerwherenobodywas tooclose.“Allright,”Isaid,takingoneofherhandsacrossthetable.“Spillit,anddon’tleaveoutasingledetail.”
“I’lltry.Wedecidedtogetoutsideandexplorealittle,justtobeoutofthebuildings.Sowewaiteduntilitwasquietand everyonewasintheirroomsthenwesnuckoutside.”
Everypartofmewantedtotellherwhatamistakethatwas,howmuchdangersheandherfriendputthemselvesin,how we’dneverbeabletolivewithouther.ButIcontainedmyselfandlethercontinueuntilshegotallthewaytotheend.Asshe describedtheirmovements,chillsranupanddownmyspine
“Don’tyouknowhowdangerousitwastobeouttherelikethat?Whatdidyouhopetoaccomplish?”Blazeasked.
“I…wejustwantedtogetoutofthisplaceforawhileandmaybeevengetaclueastowhatwasgoingon.Butwealso thoughtthatitwasallover,whateveritwas”
“It’snot.Yousawthelights,andlasttimewesawthem,someonedied.”Itwasabaldstatement,butCaswasright.“Do youknowwhatwouldhappentousifwelostyou?”
Sheshrugged.“No,notreally,butnothingdid.Wemadeitback,andIpromiseI’llbemorecarefulinthefuture.Whatdo youthinkitwasthatmadethosemarksonthedoor?”
“Otherthanclaws?AndclawsmuchbiggerthanonanywolfI’veeverseen?Notaclue,”Blazetoldher. Wetalkedonforawhile,butIcouldseewewerelosingher.Shedidn’teatanyofherbreakfastandsoonsaidshehadto getreadyforclassandleft,takinghercoffeewithher Iwatchedherexitthediningroom.“Wecan’tleavethemalone.”
“Afterwhathappened,youstillthinktheywillputthemselvesindanger?Thoseclawscouldhave Idon’twanttothink ofit.”Caswascuttinguppancakesasifhehatedthem.
“We’regoingtohavetoshadowthem”ThemomentBlazefinished,Iwasonmyfeet
“Goodidea.I’llstartnow.”Halfwayoutthedoor,IheardCascall,“Andaskherout,whileyou’reatit.” Agroupofgirlshadjustcomeinandwereheadedtowardme,butIcutaroundthemanddartedoutintothehallway, lookingleftandright Kareliswasjustdisappearingintothedistance,andIcaughtuptoheroutsideaclassroomdoor “Doyouhaveaminutebeforeyougoin?”Itookherarmanddrewherawaybeforeshehadachancetoreply.“Ineedto askyousomething”
“IalreadysaidI’dbecareful.Now,Ineedtogetintoclass.Ifthisprofessorclosesthedoor,nobodycangoinandI’llget anabsence.”
“Wouldyouliketogooutsometime?”ThewordsspilledoutbeforeIevenplannedthem ShewasgoingtothinkIwas crazy.
“Gowhere?Wecan’tleavecampus,andnoteventhebuildingsrightnow Asyouallpointedout” “Justsayyes,anditwillworkitselfout.”
“Ireallyhavetogo”Shetuggedatherarm “Please?”
“Fine.”Shepulledagain,andIletherfree.“ButIhavetogo.”Shemadeitinjustbeforethedoorclosed.Butshesaidyes!
ChapterEight Karelis Ilurchedforwardinmyseat,nearlyface-plantingintomysoup.Someonehadkickedmeintheback.Istoodandwhirled aroundontheassailant,buttherewasagroupofthem giggling.“Whowasit?”IaskedJunewithoutfacingher.Somehowmy bestfriendknewIwastalkingtoher
“Ididn’tseewhichonedidit.Theyareallfuckingcowards.”
Growlsandsnarlsresoundedaroundthepackeddininghall,andIlookedforthethreeboysthathauntedmyfantasies,fora lifeline.
Ineverlookedtoanyoneforhelp ever
AteacherI’dneverseenbeforecamethroughthedoorsandspokeasthoughthiswholeordealandmaybehislifewasone bigannoyance.“Ladies,finishyourmealsandthenreturntostudying.Ifyouneedsomethingextratodo,Icanassignmore work”Hewavedhishandbetweenus Theothergirlsscattered,butthiswasnowherenearfinishedbetweenus
“Youknowwhywe’regettingpickedon,right?”Junesaid.
Ihadaninkling,butIdidn’tdarespeakthewords “Tellmewhatyouthink”
“I’lltellyouwhenit’sjustus.”JuneandIateforawhileinsilence,whiletheothersreturnedtotheirconversations.We hadstartedinonourapplecrumblewhenBlaze,Casimir,andAdancameintogether Foronce,noneofthemhadbeen watchingoverus.Goddess,thosemenknewhowtomakeanentrancewithoutabeadofsweatortryingatall.
“That’swhyyou’reintrouble.”Junegiggled.
“What?”
“Youknowwhat,orwhom.They’vebeeninthisroomatotalofsevenseconds,andsixofthosetheyhavebeenlookingat you Everygirlinthisplacewantsthem”
“Shouldn’ttheybewaitingfortheirmates?”Thosefemalesdidn’trealizehowluckytheywere.Theyhadamateormates outthere,yearningforthem.Ididn’thavethat.Shifterslikemedidn’thavemates.
“Aren’tyou?”sheasked.“Maybetheyareyour…”
“Pleasedon’tfinishthatsentence.Idon’tgetmates.”Thewordstumbledfrommymouth,thoughIwantedthemtostay thoughtsinmyhead “Nevermind”
“Youknowyoucantrustme,right?”IheardJune’swordsbutmygazewastrainedontheirmovements themenin question Blazeandtheotherssatdown,butitwashimwhopausedtomeetmystare HewinkedatmeandIsworemythighs wentupinflames.
Iletherwordssettlein.NeitherNightnorSolfeltanydishonestyinthem.Shewasright.Icouldtrusther.
Thetruthwas,Ineededsomeonetobaremysoulto.Mysecretswerebittycreatureschompingawayatthegoodpartsof me alwaysstarvingformore.“Canwegotalkinourroom?”Iasked.
“Yeah Letmegrabtwocoffees Ifeellikeit’sgoingtobealongnight”
MyinsidesshookasIwaitedforhercomebackfromhercoffeerun.Iwaitedrightoutsidethedininghall.Adanrosefrom hisseat,takinginthesceneand,aswewalkedbacktothedorms,Iknewhewasfollowing Theywerealwaysaround makingsurewewereokay,withtheexceptionofournighttimeexcursions.
Oncewegottoourroom,mycoretwisted.IwantedtoruntoAdan.Myskinachedwiththeneedforsometouch.Shifters cravedthetouchofothers,butIhadbeendeniedthatgracesooftenthatitwasraretheneedarose Still,whenthosethree maleswerearound,Iwantedtobeheldmorethanever.
“Ican’thaveamate,”Iblurted,needingthesharpnessofitoutofmybrain Itwasalwayscuttingme,reopeningthe wound.
“You what?Whotoldyouthat?Allshiftershaveafatedmate,don’twe?”Junehandedmeoneofthecoffeesandsat downonherbed.
“There’sareason.”Ishookwithfear.TellingherwhoandwhatIwasputherindanger.Onlyifshetoldsomeone,butmy instinctknewshewouldn’t “I–I’mnotlikeothershifters I Shit Thisishard”
Junemovedtositnexttome.Shegavemeasidehug.Goddess,Ibetshedidn’tknowhowlongithadbeensincesomeone gavemeaffection “Youcantellmeanything Iwon’tjudgeyou Iknowyou,Karelis Whateveritis,I’llstillbehere”
Inearlycriedasthesincerityofherwordsfunneledintome.“Ihavetwowolves.”
Hereyeswidened “Two?That’ssocool I’veneverheardofthat Wait,no,Ihave Adual-shifter Ithinkit’sinoneofthe books.Ablessingfromthemoongoddess.”
“Mineisn’tablessing.Iwasn’tbornwithoneofthem.”
Theshockonherfacewasexpected,butthesmilewasnot “Pause Rewind Tellmeeverything”
“Wait,”Isaid,holdingmyhandup.“Whyaren’tyourunning,screaming,anddemandinganewroommate?”
“Becausebeingnormalisoverrated LikeIsaid,tellmeeverything”
Myheart’sburdenslightenedbyhalfthatnight.ItoldhereverythingfromwhereIcamefromtothenightIdidn’t remember,thehorridnightmarethatleftmewithnoparentsandasecondwolfnamedNight.
“Areyouevergoingtoletmeseethem?Yourwolves?”Juneaskedaswewounddownthenightclosetomidnight We weretuckedintoourbedsbutstillwideawake.Asliveroffearremainedthatshewouldwakeupthenextmorningandwonder ifsheshouldstillbefriendswithme,butIwasgladtohavetakenthechance
Friendshipsmeantyoutookthechanceoftrustinganother.Atleast,that’swhatIthought.Ihadn’treallyhadtrovesof friendsatmydisposalovermylifetime
“Let’ssleeponit,”Ireplied,yawning.
She is pack She is friend I will not kill her “Hey,Karelis,”shesaid,herwordsslurringtogether Wereallydidneedtogettosleep “What?”Iaskedwithalaugh.
“Youdeserveamate Thosepeoplearefullofbullshit Everyshifterhasamate evenfreakslikeus Orinyourcase, mates.”
ChapterNine Karelis Heneededtoactuallystudy?Somehowthatsurprisedme,thoughwehadjustbeeninthelibrary,notstudying.Casimir spokeconfidentlyandnevermincedwords.Iwouldhavebetmyfurhewasthetypewhowenttoclassbutneverhadtodo extrastudying Hesimplysoakeduptheknowledgeandthenwentinandacedthetest
“Youhaven’thadanymoretrouble?”heaskedaswewalkedtogether.Hehadnaturallytakenthelongwaybacktothe dorms NotthatIminded Iwashonestlyhopingthathewouldpullmeintooneofthedarkcornersandkissmeagain We’d onlysharedtheonekiss,butmylipsmissedhisallthesame.
“No Probablybecauseyouthreehavebeenondutyallthetime ThoughI’mnotsureifyou’relookingoutformeorfor June.”
Helacedhisfingerswithmine.Isuckedinabreathastendrilsofenergyflowedbetweenus.Alotliketheelectricitythat pulsedbetweenBlazeandme,butthiswaslessfrantic,calmerandsteadier “Both Butmostlyyou WelookafterJunebecause she’simportanttoyou.”
Well,damn
“Thankyou.It’syourfault,youknow.”Iwasteasing,really,butCasstoppedandtuggedonmyhand.
“Whatdoyoumean?Thebullyingisourfault?”Hisplatinumeyebrowsweredrawntogetherabovehisperfectnose He steppedforwardandpressedmeagainstthehardnessoftheconcretebricksbehindme.
“Iwaskidding,Cas.Wait,isitokayifIcallyouthat?”Iwatchedasmybreathscameoutaspuffsoffog,mywarmth againstthecoldnightair
Casimir’spiercingblueeyesmetmineandthendippedtomylips.“Youcancallmewhateveryouwant,sweetheart. Whateveryouwant Now,answermyquestion Youthinkyougettinghassledisourfault?”
Irolledmyeyes,tryingtomakelightofthesituation.“JunesaiditwasbecausetheThreeKingshaveneverpaidattention toafemaleattheacademy.TheysayyouthreepaynoattentiontofemalesandthatI’mthefirstone.Therestofthefemale populationarenotpleased that’sputtingitlightly.”
“Theystillcallusthat?Sostupid.Idon’tevenknowhowthatstarted.But…they’rerightabouttherest.”
Myheartbeatsohard,adruminmychest,thatIwassurehecouldhearit,andIwasabouttowakeuptherestofthe studentswiththesound.“Why?”Iasked.
“Noonesparkedourinterest Ihaveneverlookedatawomantwiceuntilyou You,Karelis,Ican’tstopmyselffrom lookingatyou.Youdrawmein.Pullmecloserlikeamagnet.You’vegotatetheronmeandIdon’twanttobreakit.”
Herockedhishipsagainstmine,showingmethathewasmostdefinitelyinterested.
“Youbarelyknowme,”Iwhispered.
“Iknow.ButIwantto.Iwanttoknowallofyou.”Goddess,hehadatonethatmadeitseemlikehewasn’tonlytalking aboutmypersonality,andhishardnessagainstmythighconfirmedit
“Iwantthat,too,”Iresponded,evenwiththewarningfromtheLightKingdomechoinginthebackofmymind. “Good But,fortonight,let’sgetyoubacktoyourdorm”
Wecontinuedtowalkhandinhand,butsoonafter,thehairsonthebackofmyneckroseandgoosebumpsfilledmyskin. Therewassomeonefollowingusagain.Scratchthat.Followingmeagain.
Casdidn’tshowanysignthatheheardorfeltanythingsoforthemostpart,Iignoredthefeeling,thoughitwasn’twithout effort.
Oncewegottothestairsthatledtomyfloor,hesloweddown “I’mnotready IsaidIwantedtogetyoubacktothedorms butthat’snottrueatall.Youmakemelosemyclearthinking,Karelis.You’reamenace.”
Ilaughedandturned “Whattimeisit?”
Helookedathisphone.“Wehavetwelveminutesuntilcurfew.”Hecockedhisheadsideways.“Youdon’thaveaphone?” Ishookmyhead.“No.Um,whereIcamefrom weweren’tallowedphones.”Notalie,justaseriousgeneralizationof thetruth
“Wouldyoubeopposedtohavingone?”heasked.
“No ButIdon’thavethemoneyrightnow Ican’tgetajoboranything” Hemadeahumphsound.“Ifwegotyouone,wouldyouacceptit?” Giftsweren’treallysomethingIwasusedto “I’mnotsure”
Hecaressedmyarmwithhishand,gentlykneadingtheskin.“Ifyoudid,wecouldtext.Icouldgettoknowyoudespite thesestupidcurfews.”
“Maybeonaloan?”Isuggested “Lessofagift moreofaborrow” Hechuckled.“That’sagoodcompromise.I’lltakecareofit.Beforewego…canIkissyouagain?Lasttime,wewere interrupted”
“Yes,”Ibreathed.
HiswarmlipsmetmineashegrippedmywaistanddrewmecloseruntilmychestbrushedagainsthisbutonlybecauseI wasastepupfromhim Iwoundmyarmsaroundhisneck,pullinghimcloserandheletoutamoan MaybeIwasdoingthisright.
HepushedatmylipswithhistongueandIopenedforhim Myfingersfoundthesofthairsatthenapeofhisneck WhenI whimpered,hepulledbackandbrokethekiss,leavingmeheavingformynextbreath.“I’mbeingirresponsible.Let’sgetyou backtoyourroom”
“Areyousure?”Iteased.“Wecantaketherisk.”
Hechuckled.“Youtemptme,female.YoutrulydobutI’mtryingtobegoodhere.Comeon.Let’sgo.”
Myroomwasonlyafewfeetaway,andhekeptmeunderthesafetyofhisarmthewholeway
ThenIrememberedAdan.Imightbeacurseintheeyesofsome,butIwasnobetrayer.“Ineedtotellyousomething,”I broached
“Youcantellmeanything.”
“Adanaskedmeonadate,andIaccepted”
Caspoutedbutthenchuckled.“Hmm,andyouthoughtIwouldbeupset.”
“No.Yes.Iwantedtobehonestwithyou.That’sall.”
Henoddedandkissedmyforehead “Thankyouforbeinghonest Here’smytruth Idon’tmindsharing Adanisoneofmy bestfriends,andsoisBlaze.Now,getonin.I’mlookingforwardtoourdate.”
Iturnedaround,openingthedoorbutpaused “Wait, our date?”IaskedbutrealizedthatCasimirwasalreadygone
ChapterTen Karelis “There’snopointinyougraduatingfromtheUrbanRehabilitationAcademyunlessyouhavebecomeabettercitizeninthe shiftercommunity.Youweresenthereinthefirstplacebecauseyoudidn’tadheretotheresponsibilitiesofacontributing memberofourrace”
Thosetwosentencesshutthemouthsofeverystudentwhohadignoredthesuit-wearingprofessoratthefrontofthe gymnasium Ourclassesfortheafternoonhadbeencanceledforaschool-wideseminar Theyusedthewordseminar.
Iimmediatelygotsquirmy BoredomseepedinbeforeIgotthere JuneandIsatnearthetopofthebleachers.Shehadbeenwaitingformeatthedoorwhilepeoplenudgedherwiththeir elbowsliketheydidn’tseeawhole-asspersonstandingthere.Peopletreatedeachotherlikespeedbumpssometimes,andit sucked
Casimir,Adan,andBlazesatbehindus,andJunehitmylegwithhers.“Notoneword,”Igrowled,andallfourofthem laughed
Thefirstbulletpointwashowwehadtofollowtherulesofthepackbeforetherulesofthehumancommunity.How differentthisplacewasfromtheLightKingdom Theydidn’thaveanycareordesiretofollowtherulesofhumans Thenagain, theybelievedthemselvesmoreblessedthananyothercreature,humanandshifteralike,sothatwasnosurprise.
“IforgothowmuchIhatethisfuckinglecture,”Blazesnarled.
“Goodthingthisisourlastone,”Adansaid Talkaboutrealityslappingmeintheface.
Thereweresomanythingsagainstmepursuingthesemen,butIfoundmyselfunabletoresistthem Mywolveswereboth crazyaboutallthreeofthem.I’dreadabouttheminthebooksthathadbeensnuckintomyroombymykeepers,thosewhose allegiancelaywithmyparents.ButIcouldn’tshakethewordsoftheleadership,alwaystellingmethatIwasafluke that Nightwasacurse thatashifterlikemedidn’thavemates.
Addtothatthefactthattheywereallgraduatingtheacademythisyear.Whiletheysaidthattheywouldmakeawaytosee me,apartofmebelievedthosewereprettypromises Funtoentertainbutneverkept
Theprofessorwentonandonabouthowweshouldmakesuretokeepagoodbalancebetweenbeingshifterswhilealso keepingupgoodappearancesamongthehumans Ifwechosetoliveinaplacewherehumansabounded,thenwehadtofollow theirrules,bothspokenandunspoken.
WhiletherewastheUrbanRehabilitationAcademyforusrebelsandrejectswhilewewereyoung,oncewewereolder, thereweremoresevereconsequencestobedeterminedbytheShifterCouncil.Thethoughtalonemadeashiverripthroughme. TheShifterCouncil,whatIknewofthem,wereunderstandingbutonlytoapoint.
“Theythinkthatjustbecausewemadeamistakeortwowhilewewereyoung,wearedestinedtobeverminfortherestof ourlives.Thisway,bygivingusthelectureeveryyear,theycanatleastgotosleepatnightknowingthey tried.”Adan’s mockeryoftheprofessor’stonemadeJuneandIgiggleabit Hisimpersonationwasspot-on
Italsoearnedusasternglarefromtheheadmistresssittingatthesideoftheprofessor,pacingleftandrightwhilehemade hisjudgmentsandranhisthumbsunderneathhissuspenders.
Pompousass
“Bendingtherulestomywillisfunthough,”Blazesaidclosetomyear.“Makingthemsubmit.”
Athrillpassedthroughmeathiswords Idaredtoglanceovermyshouldertoseehisgorgeousface Hehadtheaudacity towinkatme,makingmycorepulsewithwant.
TheThreeKingswerebrimmingwithaudacity
“Whatkindofthoughtsarerunningaroundinthatheadofyours,Karelis?Wewereonlytalkingabouttherules,afterall,” Adansaid,hisvoicelowandsultry.
JuneslappedherhandoverhermouthwhileItriednottofalldownthebleachers Myspineseemedtohavelostallits structure.
“Youthreearemenaces,”Isaidalittletooloudly,causingahushovertheentireroom,includingthepompousassrightin themiddleofhissermondisguisedasalecture.
“Somethingtosay,Ms Sol?”heasked Everyoneturnedaroundandstaredatme,somegiggling,somealreadywhispering aboutme.
“No.Justagreeingwitheverything,”Istammered.
“Good Let’scontinuewithsilence”Themancontinuedon,extollinghisrulesandstructure,andthestudentsfaced forwardagain.Theguyswentquiet,butoneofthemtoyedwiththeendsofmyhair.Whichone,Ididn’tknow.Mymindblurred outthelectureaftersometimeandI,instead,focusedonthestudentsaroundme Despiteourdifferences,wewereallbrothers
andsistersofthesamesupernaturalrace.Theyweren’tunlikeanyotherpeopleofourage.Afterall,theonlywaytogetahead inlifewastomakemistakes,tumblewithtrouble,runfar,farthefuckawayfromthosewhothreatenedtoripawayatmysoul. Thedifferencewas,theothersdidn’tgetcaught Theyhidtheirsecretsbetter Underliesandgaslightingorhidingbehind theirownshadows.
Atleastthosearoundmewereowningtheirdownfalls,theirso-calledshortcomings Bytheendofthelecture,Iwasatdeath’sdoor.Boredomwassouldraining,andtheprofessor’sattemptatfearmongering wasutterlythemostblandanddulllessonI’denduredyet orprobablyeverwould untilnextyear “Karelis,here.”Adanputsomethinginmyhands.“Putthatinyourbag.Quickly,whileyourbackisturned.” Ipulledmybagaroundtothefrontandslippedthephoneintoit,zippingitshutafterward.Theyhadpulleditoff. “It’saloan,”Ireaffirmed,juttingmychinoutforeffect “Ofcourse,”Adansaid.“Therewillbeplentyoftimeforgifts.”
“It’snotenoughjusttotakehertotherooforanywhereelseoncampus.”Ourmatedeservedmoreonourfirstdate together.
“Shedoes,butsecurityhasreallysteppedup,andIamnotsurewecanevenfindawayoutofhereanymore”Casimir’s frustrationcamethroughinhistone,afrustrationIshared.
“Whatdoyouthinkshe’denjoydoing?Dinner?Amovie?Hiking?”Iopenedmylaptopandbroughtupablankdocument “Idon’tknow.”
“Let’smakealist”Itwasjustthetwoofusinthesuiteatthemoment “ThenwhenBlazegetsback,maybehe’llhave someideastoadd.”Blazewasoffsomewheregettingyelledatasusual.
“Ifhe’seveninthemoodtodiscussitafterwhateverthey’reputtinghimthroughthistime.”Theyreallydidmakea scapegoatofhim,andour“antics”attheseminarhadresultedinhisbeingcalledintotheoffice Iwasamazedtheydidn’tjust givehimhisownroomtherewheretheycouldsummonhimforeasierchastising.
Iwentovertooursnackcabinetandpulledoutabottleofwater Itwasn’tcold,butwithoutarefrigerator,we’dhavetogo totheotherendofcampusforice.Twistingthecap,Iconsideredtheoptionsinthearea.“IfwewereinthecitylikeBlaze’s brother,wecoulddosomanythings”
“Wecouldgoforarun?”hesuggested.“Letourwolvesoutsomewhere?”
“Maybe.I’lladdittothelist,butIthoughtitwouldbenicetodosomethingwherewecouldtalkthewholetimeandthat wouldn’tmessuphermakeupandhair”
Hechuckled.“Youareaconsideratemate.Ihadn’teventhoughtofthat.”
“Iknowdatingshiftersisn’talwaysaboutfussing,butshe’sprettyandmaybeshe’dliketobeabletouseallthosegirly things.Afriendoncesaidtheyarelikearmorforgirls,andwithatripledatewiththethreeofus,sheprobablyneedsallthe armorshecanget.”
“I’mnotsurethat’sstrictlytrue,”Casmused,“butifshedoesgotoalotoftroubleforourdate,shemightappreciateitnot gettingallmessedup.Idon’tgettheimpressionshe’sgoingtojustagreewearehermatesandtakeushometobed,either.”
“Shemusthavespentalotoftimewithhumans Blazesayswehavetowooher Isthatevenathingwithhumans anymore?”
“Noidea Butourmatedeservesthebestofeverythingwecangiveher Andouroptionsarereallylimitedhere,sowe havetodowhatwecantoshowherhowmuchwevalueher.”
IstudiedthelistIhadstartedofpossibledates.“Assumingwecanmanagetogetoffcampusatall,mostofthetraditional datingthingsaremilesaway.Thenearesttheater,forexampleis…whereisatheater?”
“GuessingneartheUrbanAcademy?”
Ibackedoutthemovieasanidea “Andthere’snotafancyrestaurantanywherenearby,either”
“No.That’strue.”
Webrainstormedforanotherhalfhourorso,butourlocationwasnotexactlydatingcentral Whentheybuiltthisfortress, theywerethinkingmoreprisonthanschool,andhaddeliberatelychosenanareathatwhilenottoofarfromcivilization,asthe crowflies,wasdifficulttogettoandinvolvedalotofwindingroadsforanyonewithoutwings.
“Areyousureshe’llwanttogetallgussiedupforthedate?Wecouldrunsomewhereandtakeclothesinabaginour mouths.”Casblewoutabreath.“Maybe?”
“Whatdoyouthink?She’sgoingonadatewithusforthefirsttime Haveyoumetafemalebefore?Wecan’ttakethe chancethatshewillshowuplookingevenmoreamazingandhaveussay‘okay,let’sstripandhere’sabagforyourdresstobe allcrumpledupin’”
“Anditwouldtakelongerthanweprobablyhave.”
“TheonlyplaceIcancomeupwiththatwecan‘gosomewhere’toisthatdineroffthehighway.Andit’shardlynice enough Shedeservesthebest”
Ididasearchforotherrestaurantsorvenueswecouldpulloffinafewhoursbut…nothing.“Dineritis,then,buthowdo wegetthere?”
IranintoKarelisandJuneinthehallwayoutsideourrooms.Theyhadtheirheadstogetherandwerewhisperingabout something,butwhenIliftedahandtowave,theyjerkedapartandgiggled.
“Goodevening,ladies Wanttosharethejoke?Ihopeit’snotaboutme”Ibattedmyeyelashes “I’mthesensitivetype” “Ofcoursenot,”Karelisblurted.“Weweretalkingabout…about…”Shechewedherlip,gazedartingtoherfriend. “Historyclass,”Juneasserted “Therewasafunnyjokesomeonewaspassingaround” “And?”Iarchedabrow,knowingwhenIwasbeinghad.
“Isuddenlycan’trememberthepunchline,”Junesaid “Well,Ihavehomework Youtwohavefun”Sheopenedtheirdoor andslippedinside,closingitfirmlybehindher.
“Ihavehomework,too,”Karelismurmured.“I’llseeyoulater,then?”Herhandwasonthedoorknob,butIcovereditwith mineanddrewheraway
“Beforeyougo,Iwantedtomakesureyouunderstoodsomethingaboutourdate.”
“Ourdate ”
“Youdoknowitwasaninvitationtogoonadatewithallthreeofus?”
“Wow Okay”Shehoveredbythedooranotherminutethenroseontiptoeandkissedmeonthecheek “Ithinkthatwillbe okay.WherearewegoingsoIknowwhattowear?”
Anoutfit.Shewasgoingtowanttoknowwhattowear,sowe’dbetterhaveitbeworthhertrouble.Iwasn’tsurewhatthe guyshadcomeupwith,butIhadatleastoneelementofoureveningnaileddown Lookingatourmate’scloseddoor,Ishook myhead.Thatcouldhavegonewayworse.
IfoundtheotherguyshunchedoverAdan’slaptop,frowning.HelookedupwhenIcamein.“We’vefiguredoutwherewe cantakeKarelis,butwehavenowaytogetthere”
Andthiswasmypieceofthepuzzle.
“IjustranintoKarelis,andItoldherthedatewaswithallthreeofus”
“Shedidn’tknow?”Adanlookedaghast.“IthoughtI ”
“AndImentioneditwhenwewere…Shereallydidn’tknow?”Casasked. “Ihadafeeling,soIbroughtitupandshesaidokay I’vebeenfeelinglikeIneededtotalktoheraboutbeingmates,butit seemedimportanttostartwithmentioningwearealltakingherout.So,wherearewegoing?”
“Nowhereifwecan’tfindtransportation”Cassankbackontothesofa “Youknowthatdineroffthehighway?” “Yeah.”
Adannodded “Basically,it’stheonlyplacewecouldcomeupwiththatwestoodachanceofgettingtoandgettingback withinafewhours.Butthat’sonlyifwecangettransportation.Weconsideredarun ”
“ButAdanwasafraidshe’dbeallfixedupandresenthavingtocarryherclothesinabag.” “Abag?”Itriednottolaugh “Whatfemalecouldresistthatidea Also,she’salreadyplanningheroutfit”
“Aha!See?”Adan’striumphlastedjustamomentbeforehesankbackdown.“Butwithnowaytogetthere,we’rebackto squareone Isupposewecoulddoapicnicontheroof”
“Idon’tthinkthat’sareallygreatwayforustoshowourmatehowwewanttotreather,”Casprotested. “Well,it’snotlikethedinerisgoingtobethemostexcitingthingshe’severdone,”Adansaid.“Arewethatbadasdates? Wecan’teventakeheranywhereoffcampuswithoutmakinghercarryherclothesinhermouthinabag?Aftershe’sgonetoall thetroubletopicksomethingout?Andshe’swillingtogooutwithuseventhoughshedoesn’tseemtohaveaclueweareher mates Shedeservessomethingwonderful”
Iploppedintothearmchairandwatchedthemgobackandforth.Theyhadawayofarguingwithnomalice,andI’dnever yetseenthemnotcometoaresolutioninthepast Buttheyhadn’treallygivenmeachancetotellthemmynews,andIhadthe keytheyneeded.Finally,Istoodupandstruckadramaticpose.“Ifyou’redone?”Iwaitedforthemtostopandlookatme.
“Yeah?”Adanasked.“Sincewe’regettingnowhere,Iguessweare.Wecan’taskourmatetoshiftandruncrosscountryto thediner,sowe’lleitherhavetodothepicnicontheroofornothing.”
“Or…maybeIhaveawaytomakeitallwork.”Okay,Iprobablysoundedsmug.Butthatwasn’ttheendoftheworld.
“Andwhatisthat?”Cascrossedhisarmsoverhischest
“Oneofthenightjanitorsowesmeafavor,andIaskedhimifIcouldusehiscarforanevening.”
“Whatdidyoudoforhim?”Adanasked “IsthatwhatyougotfromwhatIwassaying?”
“It’snotwhatIgot.Wehavetransportation.Andwecantakeourmateoutforaneveninganywherebutthisplace.Great job,Blaze”Cashoppedtohisfeet “NowI’vegottofigureoutwhattowear”
Afterwegotdonerazzinghimforthat,wesettleddowntomakingplansforreal.Itwasonethingtopickwheretotakeher andtohaveacar,butitwasnomeanfeattogetoutoftheacademyforawholeeveningwithoutbeingnoticedandexpelled.
