Hidden Mate

9

I stepped into the classroom, and his scent filled my nose. I felt as if a magnet was pulling me toward him. I spotted Donovan sitting at the very back just like his friend. I was the last person in the class. Stupid slow humans.

The seat in front of Donovan was the only one available out of twenty. Dammit, that would be my luck. After this morning, I wasn’t sure whether to expect another round of confrontation or if I should prepare to be ignored.

It didn’t matter. I’d face this head-on. I straightened my shoulders and slid between two people to get to my seat. I dropped my bag on the floor and sat in my chair.

My heart raced, but I didn’t smell any supernaturals, so no one would be alerted to my discomfort.

“Hey.” The guy beside me saluted, causing his black shirt to wrinkle around his shoulder. “Are you new here?” His green eyes twinkled as he leaned toward me.

His buddies beside him chuckled. One of them leaned over and whispered to another guy, “He wants to bang the most girls this semester. Look at him jump on her.”

“She’s hot.” The other one glanced my way. “I don’t blame him one bit.”

Great, this dude wanted to make me another notch on his bedpost. Classy. I needed to shut this down now. “Not interested.”

“I’m a sophomore this year.” He grinned at me and ran his fingers through his short beard. “And I figured psychology class would be a good investment. That way, I can be the best husband possible, emotionally, for my future wife.”

This guy smelled like rotten eggs, revealing his lie. “Once again, not interested.”

“I’m not so sure that’s a true statement about being emotionally available for your wife,” Donovan said lowly behind me. “You seem more like the douche-player kind. A class like this won’t knock the trash out of you.”

A snort escaped me before I even registered that it was leaving.

“Besides …” I felt Donovan’s gaze land on me without turning around. “… this one is taken.”

“Sorry, man.” The guy lifted his hands. “I didn’t realize she was your girl.”

“She’s not.” He shook his head hard, and his nose wrinkled in disgust. “I don’t like being saddled down.”

I turned around in my seat and narrowed my eyes at him. “What is your problem?”

“Damn,” one of the douche’s friends muttered. “She’s scary.”

Donovan leaned back in his chair and placed his arms behind his head. “It’s nothing personal. I don’t date anyone even if they’re hot.” A hint of arousal billowed off him.

I wasn’t sure if he was complimenting me. And I wondered if I was mistaken about his scent. He acted like I grossed him out, and the fact that he was getting under my skin pissed me off. “I’m thinking it’s due to your self-loathing. You like to project it on everyone else.”

“You think I hate myself?” He grinned smugly and looked unimpressed. “That’s the most unoriginal line I’ve ever heard.”

He brought out the worst in me, and I didn’t know why. But I’d be damned if I would sit here and let him talk down to me. “It’s a good thing I’m not worried about impressing you, then.” My wolf surged forward, and I fisted my hands, allowing my nails to cut into my palms. I had to end this before I lost control.

It was for mere survival that I faced the front again. Everything inside me told me to have it out with him, and then naughty thoughts entered my head—like the way he would look without those clothes. I had to stop my thoughts from going any further.

I thought the class would never end. As it progressed, Donovan’s scent grew stronger, and I felt his breath hit the back of my neck. The bastard must have been leaning over his desk.

As soon as the professor began talking about the next class, I packed up my stuff and sat on the edge of my seat. I was ready to get out of here and now.

Within seconds of the professor’s dismissal, I stood and forced myself not to shove by all of the other students. I needed distance from Donovan and fast. My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I pulled it out as I hit the hallway.

Meet us at the Student Center, Hussy.

I’d told Roxy not to call me that name a hundred times, but it only made her call me that more. If I didn’t love her to death, I’d hate the b***h.

With the vague “us,” I was assuming she didn’t mean Brock. I glanced at the time and saw that it was eleven fifty, so we should be safe. His classes began at noon. Maybe I’d actually get a reprieve for most of the day.

He was also on the football team, so that was a win for me as well. He’d have late afternoon practices and games on the weekends.

In the Student Center, I found Roxy, Katherine, and Lillith sitting together at a booth. The seat beside Roxy was vacant, so I headed over and put my stuff down.

Both vampires had coffee cups, but a strong metallic smell came from them. They were hiding their blood.

“I’m going to grab a burger and fries,” I said and dug out my wallet from my bag. A steak would’ve been ideal, but beggars couldn’t be choosers here.

“Oh … will you get me one too?” Roxy rubbed her stomach. “I’m hungry and rushed here to get a table.”

“Sure.” It was only fair. She’d bought me breakfast this morning.

I hurried into the cafeteria and found Axel and Donovan there together.

No matter where I went, those two assholes showed up. Out of everyone in the entire school, two out of three classes, so far, had one of them in it. Hadn’t I endured enough?

They were standing across the room, so all should be well. I headed into the cafeteria on the other side and made a beeline straight to the burger line. I looked for them.

My heart calmed slightly when I didn’t notice them in the cafeteria. Maybe I’d get by this time without an awkward confrontation.

I pulled my phone out and scrolled through friends’ updates. Most of the pack members didn’t leave for college like I did, so there were just a lot of pictures of them hiking and whatnot. Nothing that would appear too strange for human eyes.

When I was almost at the front of the line, the all too appealing smell hit my nose. Dammit, they were heading this way.