Year One

21

“It’s partly because I’m fae.” She stared at the table and scowled. “Most of my kind stay in our world, but I wanted something different. I felt different than them, those back home.” She closed her eyes and shook her head. “And because my parents aren’t as rich as theirs and not very powerful.”

“Why does that have anything to do with it?” Her parents weren’t a reflection of her power.

“Most of the kids here were raised by powerful parents.” She stabbed the blackberry cobbler and took a bite. “Their parents came here too, so they’re kind of born into it.”

“So, we’re the outliers then.” It kind of made sense that we didn’t fit in; we weren’t one of them.

“Exactly.” She gave a sad smile and stared at the table. “So, it’s kind of nice having you here. Maybe I finally have an ally.”

I didn’t like trusting people because I was trying to keep my wolf secrets. I did always feel like my relationship with my animal was different than others. It always felt like she was trying to overtake me while others just seemed to blend. It was odd always feeling like an outlier. That somehow you were so different that you didn’t belong in any section of the bell-shaped curve. However, here, they already knew my secret, and it was a little unnerving. “You know, that sounds nice.”

She glanced up and met my eyes. “Really?”

“Girl, if I was trying to keep my distance from you … I’ve been doing a s**t job, right?” If I was being truthful with myself, I’d already known that she and I were destined to be friends. I reached across the table with my right hand. “Friends?”

Her eyes sparked, and she grabbed my hand. “Friends.”

“Okay, now that we got that out of the way, I’m going to finish up here and go to bed.” My arms were getting heavy, and I swore my legs felt like they weighed a ton.

“Alright, I’ll leave you to it.” She stood and stretched her back. “I’m going to go take a hot shower.”

That did sound amazing. “Go on, I’m almost done here anyway.”

She grabbed her dish and cup, placing them in the sink before heading to her room.

The blackberry cobbler was to die for. I wasn’t sure if the steak or cobbler was the best. I finished shoveling my food into my mouth and stood. It seemed that the food gave me a little more energy, and the full moon tugged on me.

I thought maybe a walk by myself would calm me so I could sleep better afterward. I grabbed my keys and locked the door behind me. Within minutes, I was outside underneath the full moon. My wolf whimpered inside of me. She wanted to run. Although, I honestly didn’t think I had the strength to change.

I headed in the direction that Damien and I had trained earlier. I bet that would be a good relaxing place to stare at the moon. I took my time strolling through the woods, unlike earlier. Lightning bugs were out and flying around everywhere, their flashes lighting up the woods all around them.

It didn’t take long to find the path to the clearing, but I hadn’t been prepared to not be alone. There, in the middle of the field, sat someone. An earthy scent filled my nose. My stomach dropped when I realized who it was.

Before Rage could sense me, I turned to make my way back toward the dorms. Still, as soon as I took my first step in retreat, his dark, raspy voice called out. “What are you doing here?”

Shit. He had to be talking to me because there wasn’t another person around. I tried to be sneaky and take another step away from him. Instead, he turned around with his eyes locking on me.

Okay, so retreat wasn’t an option. Butterflies seemed to take flight in my belly, and my heart rate kicked up. We’d never been alone together before and now we were both out in the woods. I just hoped something bad wasn’t going to happen.

I

f I hadn’t thought he was gorgeous before, there would be no way I could deny it now. In the moonlight, his chocolate eyes appeared to become black, and he wore a thin t-shirt that somehow defined his muscles even more than before. At the bottom of his sleeve, the edge of a tattoo peeked out.

I wanted to go over there and lift his sleeve higher so I could see the entire pattern. Honestly, pressing my body against him didn’t sound so bad either.

“Are you just going to stare at me, or do you plan on answering any time soon?” He scanned his eyes up and down my body.

Damn, I was in over my head. I’d never been this attracted to someone back home. Greg was cute, but no Rage. “I didn’t expect anyone to be here.”

“Damien brought you here to train earlier.” I wasn’t sure whether that was a question or statement from him.

“Yes, he did.” I had no clue what to say to this guy. He had someone he … No, I refused to let my mind go there. Just the thought made me want to heave.

“Your scent is f*****g everywhere.” His voice sounded almost pained. “Why aren’t you at the dorm or out running?”

“I needed to get away and didn’t trust myself to shift.” The words were out before I could take them back. Honesty probably wasn’t the best policy when it came to him.

He huffed and stood. “Of course you are.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” He may treat everyone like this, but it wouldn’t work on me.

“Not in tune with your wolf.” Even though his hair was short, he ran his fingers through it. “It’s driving me crazy.”

“It’s driving you crazy?” There was no way he could be serious. “I’m so sorry that I’m inconveniencing you.” I couldn’t help the sarcasm dripping from each word.

“Ugh, that’s not what I meant.” He blew out a harsh breath.

It was strange because every time I saw Rage, I wasn’t sure whether I wanted to jump him or slap him. “Why aren’t you out running?”

“I don’t trust myself yet.” He drew nearer to me, and his eyes landed on my lips.

My tongue darted out, licking them, and I wondered what he would taste like.

“Well, well.” Cole’s boisterous voice cut through the tension. “What do we have here?”