Year One

8

Mom took a deep breath and relaxed her shoulders. “I’m sorry honey.” She stepped in closer and grabbed my hand. “I’m just having a hard time with you growing up.” With her free hand, she reached and tapped the quarter-moon crescent of my necklace. “The necklace looks perfect on you.”

I gave a small smile and paused, making the words I nearly slipped out sit hard in my stomach. I wanted to reassure her, but I didn’t want to outright lie to her. If Cole was serious, then he could show at any moment and take me away to the school. For some reason, I didn’t think he was kidding either. “It’s strange.” That was the best I could muster due to the situation.

“Raven, it’s time to go.” Dad’s voice called from the foyer. “We’re going to be late.”

“Oh, no.” Mom dropped her hands back to her sides and sniffed. As she wiped underneath her eye, she chuckled. “Now, look what I’ve done. Upset us, and if we don’t hurry, we’ll be late.”

At that point, I wasn’t sure what to say or do. It felt as though we both were keeping secrets from one another. So I said the only words that were completely safe and true to say. “I love you.”

“Baby girl, I love you too.” She wrapped her arms around me, giving me one last quick hug before tugging me out the door. “I will say that’s the ugliest outfit I’ve ever seen you in.”

To say otherwise would have been a straight out lie. I hated the long red, graduation gowns and hats they made us wear. “Don’t get me started.”

As we made our way down the stairs, Dad smiled. “Look at our daughter all grown up.”

“Hey now, don’t start on her.” Mom reached over and lovingly squeezed my arm. “I’ve already cried once. We need to go.”

“Fine.” Dad walked over and hugged me once. “Let’s get going.”

Parking was horrendous at the school. The graduation was scheduled to begin in ten minutes, so I was later than what the teachers had required. The parking lot was full, which meant a lot of family and friends were attending the ceremony.

Dad made his own parking spot at the end of the lot, wedging himself between two cars.

I was going to complain, but that wouldn’t have done any good.

As I slid out from the backseat, my eyes landed on a shiny, red Audi that had the words Bloodshed Academy written in gothic letters on it. I reread the sticker over and over again, hoping I was only seeing things. Still, with each blink, the words didn’t change no matter how hard I wished.

“Rave, are you okay?” Dad moved beside me and followed my gaze. His face paled, and he took a step back. “Liz …”

“What are you two gaping at?” Mom turned her head and took a sharp intake of breath.

What was I going to do? Maybe it was someone other than Cole that was coming to meet Greg. I mean, he is the strongest alpha next to his father in our pack. Maybe it was all a mix-up or a cruel joke. That definitely had to be it.

“I guess they’re here to meet Greg.” Mom took a deep breath and shook her head. “We better get going before they don’t have any seats left.”

“Are you …” Dad cringed.

“Yes ... Yes, I am.” Mom cut him off, and her stance was rigid once more. “Now let’s go. Raven can’t miss her only graduation.”

The rest of the way into the gym was in awkward silence. Each step of the way, I kept saying over and over in my head that they were here for Greg, not me. That was the only thing that made sense. By the time I reached the double doors that entered the gym, I’d lied to myself that they couldn’t be here for me. That was until I took my first step into the gym.

He was right there, leaning against the wall only a few feet away.

A smirk spread across his devilishly handsome face as he raised his hand in the air and wiggled his fingers at me.

That’s what he did to me the other night at the baseball game. The image had been burned into my mind.

His blond hair was styled in spikes in the front, and his black shirt hugged his athletic frame. He was hot and knew it, just like every vampire did.

A large, muscular guy beside him turned and faced me. His chocolate eyes seemed to burn into me, and he took a step toward me before stopping. He clenched his hands, and his shaggy brown hair fell into his face a little.

Damn, Cole brought a wolf shifter here. Why would he do that?

“You better hurry and take your seat.” Mom glanced over at the two guys that had captured my attention. “Let’s go sit on the other side, honey.”

“Sounds perfect.” Dad placed his hand at the base of my back and guided me to the center of the gym. “Knock ‘em dead, honey.” He leaned down and kissed the top of my head.

“You do realize I’m only walking across the stage?” I tried to make a light joke, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that both of the Bloodshed recruiters were staring straight at me.

Dad ignored my comment, and both he and Mom headed in the opposite direction, looking for a place to sit.

“What’s wrong, Raven?” Greg appeared in front of me and smiled brightly.

“Nothing.” I couldn’t help but steal a glance over my shoulder. Of course, both Cole and his friend were still standing there.

“Oh, okay. Good.” He reached up and placed his thumb under my chin, turning my head back in his direction. “Guess what Dad and I saw when we were walking in?”

A growl wanted to emanate from my chest, but I held it in. I hated when Greg treated me like a doll instead of a person. However, there was a growl from behind me.

The muscular boy who was with Cole appeared at my side, staring down Greg. “You should respect her more than that.”

“Whoa.” Greg lifted his chin and showed his teeth. “Why don’t you mind your own business?” Who the hell is this guy, Raven?

I’ve never met him before. To be fair, I had no clue why this guy was acting this way.

“Hey, now.” Cole appeared in between the guy and Greg. “It’s getting late. Why don’t you two go find your place?”