Year One

10

His hand was warm and smooth. I’d expected it to be cold, but hell, what did I know. The last time he touched me, I had coke spilled over my hands. I’d only ever been around others like me.

“Hey, is everything okay over here?” The principal walked over and glanced at each one of us.

“I’m sorry. We must’ve been making a scene.” Cole stepped in front of me and placed a hand on his chest. “It’s just we’re so super excited that our girl has finally graduated. We were just on our way out anyway.”

Our girl? Why did that have a nice ring to it?

Why didn’t you tell us about this? Mom’s words were curt.

I’m sorry. I really didn’t think this would happen. The wolf half of me had been excited and anticipating while my human side had been in complete denial.

“Yes, please do.” The principal pulled at the neckline of his button-down shirt. “You’re making others that are trying to leave out this door feel uncomfortable. They are walking around the whole gym, exiting the other side.”

“Let’s go outside.” Jerry motioned to the door, and Greg grumbled, following along behind him.

As we stepped outside, the parking lot was at a gridlock. Everyone was leaving at the same time, probably meeting family for lunch to celebrate further. Our group marched outside and disappeared into the small wooded area by the school.

I can’t believe you didn’t tell me. Greg’s grasp was firm and rigid. You knew I wanted to go there.

It’s not my fault. His attitude was pissing me off. It wasn’t like I asked to be the one going there instead of him.

“Now, let’s get to the point.” Jerry turned around to face Cole and his friend. “She can go on one condition.”

“Is that so?” Cole chuckled and leaned back a little while crossing his arms.

“Yes.” Jerry pointed at his son. “She can go if you take him as well.”

“Did you hear that, Rage?” Cole turned and looked at his friend. “It’s a buy one, get one free deal.”

Rage’s eyes were glued on my and Greg’s interlocked hands. “The free one isn’t appealing at all.”

“That’s kinda funny.” Cole grinned and tapped his fingers on his lip. “You see, he and I never agree, but I guess today changes that.”

“What’s wrong with my son?” Jerry grew rigid, and his face turned the color of a tomato.

“He’s mostly bark and no bite.” Rage’s voice was raspy and dead sexy.

“And what, she isn’t?” Greg dropped my hand and took a step toward them.

I wanted this to all be over, but who knew what was going to happen next.

“It doesn’t matter. We were told to come get her,” Cole said as he pointed at me. “So that’s what we’re going to do.”

Mom and Dad walked over and gave me a group hug. Dad’s comforting voice filled my head. If you need us, we’re only a phone call away.

I hadn’t even thought of that. I wouldn’t be able to mind link with them from that far away. I love you.

Listen to me. Mom’s voice turned urgent. Don’t trust anyone. Make them earn it. There was an edge to her tone that I’d never heard before.

Dragging this out wasn’t going to prevent the inevitable. I took a deep breath and pulled back. I’ll be careful.

“Well, uh …” Greg refused to look at me and focused on the ground. “See ya later.” He turned and stalked off, not even bothering to give me a hug goodbye.

You should be ashamed. Ian shook his head and took a few steps back. I knew you were opportunistic.

The last thing I wanted to do was deal with Ian, so I ignored him. He soon huffed and turned around to follow Greg.

“I’m sorry about my son.” Jerry’s lips spread into a tight smile. “It’s just he had his hopes set on it.”

“Yeah, but it’s not like I asked for this.” Even though the thought was becoming more and more appealing, I never dreamed this would happen.

“We need to get going.” Cole glanced at his watch and sighed. “If we aren’t back to the Academy by ten, it’ll get chaotic.”

If this wasn’t what he considered chaotic, I was afraid to see his definition. I glanced at my parents one last time before turning to follow Rage and Cole.

As we approached the Audi, Rage stepped over and opened the front passenger door.

Now the question was which guy did I want to sit behind? I paused for a moment.

Rage motioned to the door. “I’m not holding this open for my health.”

That was not something I had expected. “Oh, I thought you were sitting there.”

“The correct response is to sit and tell him ‘thank you.’” Cole arched an eyebrow with a smug smile on his face.

My heart hammered against my chest as I headed to the open door and slid past him to sit. Rage was intense, strong, and freaking hot. “Thank you.” I took a deep breath, and his earthy scent filled my nose. He smelled like home.

He shut the door, cutting me off from my strange emotion. As he slid behind me, the sense of comfort came back. “Okay, I need to go grab my clothes.” I had refused to pack, assuming Cole was messing with me.

“No, you won’t need them.” Cole started the car and glanced back at his friend. “Can you at least hunker down so I can see backing up?”

“Use the f*****g back up camera, moron.” Rage crossed his arms and straightened his back so he could sit even higher.

“Backup cameras are for losers who can’t drive.” Cole leaned over the center console, trying to glance out the back window.

“Well, at least you know why I suggested it to you.” Rage quirked an eyebrow and looked down his nose.

A giggle escaped before I could hold it back.

“You are one lucky wolf.” Cole reversed quickly. He quickly placed an arm in front of me, holding me against the seat, and slammed on the brakes.

Two large hands gripped my seat. “Did you really think that would work? We have fast reflexes just like your kind.”

“It was only a warning.” Cole chuckled then opened his mouth. Two long incisors protruded, and the ends looked wickedly sharp.

Any sense of comfort I’d had vanished just like that. It had never fully registered that he was a vampire, at least not until now.