"I said to remain calm," I reminded them. "Soleil isn't here for any werewolves. She's friends with Tap and is taking a break from hunting a dictator."
Everyone grumbled.
"Come on," Ziamara said. "If Toby and Tap trust her, she's safe."
"Easy for you to say," Dillon snapped. "You have no soul for her to take."
"Hey!" Jet jumped from his seat, knocking it over. "Take that back, fool."
"Face it, she's a vampire." Dillon narrowed his eyes. "No soul."
Jet ran over and pulled Dillon from his chair by the collar. "If you've spent five minutes with her, you'd know better."
"She's dead, stupid."
Jet balled his fist and hit Dillon across the face. "Want to say that again?"
Dillon wiped some blood from his nose. "It's the truth."
"Learn to respect your leaders." Jet threw him across the kitchen.
I jumped up. "Enough!" I narrowed my eyes at Dillon. "You will respect Jet as the assistant alpha. And when I'm not here, you treat him as alpha. Got it?"
Dillon rubbed his back and nodded. "Yeah."
I glared at everyone around the table. "That goes for everyone. We're a peaceful pack, remember? We don't fight unless provoked."
"Thank you," Jet said.
"I meant by outsiders. Sit," I ordered.
Everyone took their seats.
"You all need to relax. I know I do, as well. You're probably on edge because I am. Do I have your word that no matter who comes to our home, you'll treat them with respect? Witch, valkyrie, anything."
"Vampire," Dillon muttered.
Jet raised a fist at him.
"Do I need to send you two to your rooms?" I asked.
They both looked at me like I was crazy.
"I'd send you outside to burn off your energy, but I'm afraid only one of you would return."
Jet shot Dillon a smug look. Dillon rolled his eyes.
"Why do I feel like I'm running a daycare rather than a pack?"
"He started it," Dillon said.
"Shut it," Brick barked. "Both of you."
Dillon and Jet glared at each other.
My patience was wearing thin, and if they kept it up, I would risk losing my cool. I'd led packs long enough to know how little time it took for a couple of young wolves to wreak havoc. "You two need to stop right now."
The two of them both looked down.
"We are a pack, and sometimes not being a natural-born family, that makes things harder."
Dillon glanced at Ziamara.
"We all treat each other with respect. You disrespect each other, you disrespect me."
A few heads snapped their attention toward me.
"That's right," I said. "Look at Brick, he doesn't get into petty scuffles. He's mature and—"
"A guard." Dillon scoffed. "I'd rather be a leader."
"Is that what this is about?" I leaned forward.
He shrugged.
I was too tired to deal with this and everything else. "Maybe sending you two out into the woods to work this out like pups is the best solution."
Jet's expression tightened. "I'm up for it."
"Me, too." Dillon cracked his knuckles.
Ziamara peered at him from around Jet. She put her hand on her husband's shoulder. "Hey Dillon, how do you feel about a vampire bite?"
"It'll hurt you a lot worse than it'll hurt me, babe."
"Watch it," Jet warned.
"I'll risk it," Ziamara said. "You think Toby would let me stay here without plenty of werewolf venom cure on hand?"
"Do you ever get tired of rainbow-colored hair?" Dillon asked her. "I sure get tired of it."
The doorbell rang.
"Thank God." I rose from my seat. "You two work this out however you need to—just leave Zia out of it. I'm going to talk with the valkyrie about Victoria."
Several eyes widened.
"I told you, she's not going to hurt anyone—as tempted as I am to have her deal with you two." I stared at Jet and Dillon.
Both of their faces paled.
The doorbell rang again. I hurried to the front door.
"I was beginning to think I had the wrong house." Soleil gave me a playful smirk.
"You know of any other Victorian home in the middle of huge acreage?"
She shrugged. "I didn't know of this place before today. Could be others."
"So, what's going on?" I asked. "I wasn't expecting you here so soon."
"I'm trying to scope out your girlfriend's life, but she's apparently working at the Jag—and they've wised up to me. I couldn't get in this time. They—"
"She's working there?" I exclaimed. "Doing what?"
"That's what I'm trying to find out. You might have to ask her, though."
I sighed, feeling more defeated by the moment.
"Probably waitressing or something. Speaking of food, I'm starving. You got some dinner?"
A slow smile crept across my face thinking of the pack meeting her. It might help them to chill. "We're having dinner now. Why don't you join us? You should meet the other wolves, anyway."
"Thanks." She stepped inside.
I led her to the kitchen, but before she entered, I glanced at my pack. "I have someone I'd like you to meet. Everyone, this is Soleil."
They all sat up in their seats, their eyes wide and faces paling.
She stepped inside and waved her fingers. "Hi, boys. I hope you're not giving Toby any trouble."
Dillon dropped his fork.
Soleil turned to him. "Ever seen a valkyrie in action?"
"N-no. I swear, I meant no harm."
Her eyes turned black. "Behave, or you'll see what I can really do."
"I-I… Yes, ma'am."
Jet chuckled.
I pulled out a vacant seat. "Soleil is going to join us for our meal. I know you'll all show her the same respect you'd show any other guest."
Mutterings of yes went around the table as she sat.
"What are you boys talking about?" Soleil piled some fried chicken and mashed potatoes onto her plate.
"Want to tell her, Dillon?" Ziamara asked, a hint of teasing in her voice.
Dillon shook his head and shoveled food into his mouth. He looked at Brick. "Tastes great. Thanks."
Zia grinned.
"You guys helping Toby with Victoria?"
"Not much we've been able to do," Jet said. "But now, I guess that's changed. Do you have any ideas?"
"Did any of you know her before she died?" Soleil asked. "We need as many people and things as possible to jog her memory. Who knows what will crack the spell?"
"It would have to be Toby," Brick said. "You should have seen how in love those two were. Never seen anything like it."
"You knew her?" Soleil asked and poured gravy over everything on her plate.
Brick nodded. "Me and Sal." He gestured to my other guard.
"You two been with Toby all this time?" Soleil bit into her chicken and closed her eyes. "Oh Valhalla, this is so good." She looked back at Brick. "You made this? You from the south?"
He nodded. "I did, and Mama grew up there."
"Props to your mama for teaching you to get this right. Anyway, you and Sal have to get in with Victoria if you can. And all three of you have to think about things that will spark memories. Like, if you used to cook this before, make it for her—and be sure to invite me."
Brick chuckled, clearly enjoying the praise. "You can take the leftovers home."
Soleil turned to me. "I like this guy."
"Me, too. That's why I keep him around."
"Where are you staying?" Brick asked.
"Here and there." She dug into the potatoes.
"What does that mean?" Brick tilted his head.
"Depends on the day. Not sure where I'm going tonight."
"You should stay here," Brick said and then he turned to me, wide-eyed. "I mean, if you think that's a good idea, sir."
"I'm more than happy to provide a place for her to stay
." I looked at Soleil. "We have several spare rooms if you'd like to claim one for a while."
She leaned close and whispered, "Does he always cook?"
"Mostly, yeah. I like to cook before the full moon, though."
Soleil stared at Brick's muscles before meeting his gaze. "You're something else."
He shrugged, but also smiled.
Ziamara caught my attention and grinned.
I turned to Soleil and Brick, who were still staring at each other. "We'll have to work together in finding Victoria."
"Definitely." Soleil sighed. "Brick and I will have to spend a lot of time together figuring out a way to break through her memory."
He grinned. If his wolf were out, he'd be wagging his tail and nuzzling up to her.
Chapter 15
Victoria
I stumbled into the statistics classroom, barely able to keep my eyes open. Even though I'd gone to bed exhausted the night before, I couldn't get my mind to settle down. There was just so much to think about, and now I couldn't focus on any of it.
"You okay?" Grace asked as I sat next to her.
"Yeah, sure." I sipped my latte, hoping the extra shot I'd ordered would help.
Grace gave me a once-over. "Did you get drunk last night or something?"
I nearly spit out my coffee. "No. Aren't you too young to know about that?"
She snorted. "I'm fifteen, not stupid."
"Sorry. I was just up late, that's all. Got a new job."
"Really?" she exclaimed.
"Why is that surprising?" I nursed my latte.
Grace shrugged. "I guess I figured since you drive a Jaguar, you must be sp—I mean, uh, well off. You know, like you wouldn't need to work."
"You think I'm spoiled?"
Her face turned red. "I didn't mean that. I swear."
"Trust me, I have as many problems as anyone else. And it looks like I'm meant to learn the value of hard work."
She breathed a sigh of apparent relief. "Where're you working?"
"A place called the Jag."
Her mouth dropped. She stared at me. "Serious?"
I nodded.
"Doing what?"
"Learning the ropes in the spa. I'm greeting people when they arrive and in the slow times, they're teaching me how to do manicures and pedicures."
Her eyes lit up. "Is it fun?"
"So far, but I'm not looking forward to touching people's smelly feet."
Grace snorted.
"What?"
"People who go there aren't gonna stink."
"Guess I'll find out."
Professor Foley came in and started setting his things up. Some of the girls crowded around his table, but he sent them back to their seats.
Relief flooded through me. I watched as he opened his laptop and organized some papers. His hair looked so soft, I could actually feel it between my fingers. I could smell the woodsy, masculine scent of his aftershave.
Grace said something in the background, but I couldn't make it out. I didn't care. I just wanted to know if Toby smelled the way I seemed to remember. If his stubble would tickle as I trailed kisses down to his lips—
"Victoria."
Annoyed, I turned to Grace. "What?" I snapped.
She frowned and turned to her laptop. "Never mind."
"Sorry."
"Whatever. Didn't mean to bother you."
Toby—Professor Foley—cleared his throat and told everyone to open their text books. Some people pulled out physical books, while others turned on their tablets. I'd forgotten both. Great.
He scanned the class as he spoke, skipping over me. He held Grace's gaze for a few moments before moving onto the next student.
I felt the sting of… what? Rejection? Disappointment?
Why did I care? I was probably just imagining that we had a past together. It was ridiculous. He was older than me—a professor, for heaven's sake! I was just a freshman who couldn't remember anything.
I was grasping for straws—embarrassingly too eager to find things that weren't there. He was hot, and I just wanted to smell and feel his hair. Which was ridiculous, especially considering what I was building with Carter. He was gorgeous, too—and I knew what he smelled and tasted like. Purely wonderful. Plus, he'd gone out of his way to bring me to the club and even get me a job.
He was who I needed to focus on. Not an out-of-reach professor who already had gobs of girls clamoring for his attention. What was I, besides some girl who couldn't even keep her credit cards up to date? That was probably why he wouldn't look at me. He might even regret having helped me with lunch. As soon as I received my first paycheck, the first thing I was going to do was to repay him. Then hopefully we could just be a normal student and instructor.
Grace poked me.
I looked up. Professor Foley and the entire class was looking at me.
My face burned.
"Answer him," Grace muttered.
"Can you repeat the question?" I cleared my throat.
He smiled, instantly relaxing me. "I asked if you have any questions about the syllabus."
Oh, good. An easy question. I shook my head. "It was perfectly clear. My favorite, actually."
A few people snickered around me.
My face warmed again.
Toby's smiled widened and the kindness in his eyes nearly melted me into a puddle. "I'm glad to hear it." He turned and asked another kid something about the syllabus.
I slumped down in the seat, my heart thundering against my chest.
"Maybe you need more coffee," Grace whispered.
Or a cold shower.
Toby moved to the white board and started writing numbers with a red pen. He turned around. "Statistics is my favorite math course, and I hope to help you all enjoy it as much as I do."
Some people groaned and others giggled.
I didn't know how I'd learn a single thing with him teaching. Looking at that gorgeous face was too much of a distraction, especially when our gazes met. Somehow I needed to find a way to break my attraction to him. It would be the only way I could survive with a decent grade.
He started speaking about the real-world uses for statistics, and it piqued my interest. I followed along, typing notes, finally able to concentrate as I stared at the screen.
It seemed like time sped by, and before I knew it, the class was over.
"Can I ride with you to the other side of campus?" Grace asked. "I promise not to annoy you. Well, I'll try not to."
"Yeah, sure." I slid my laptop into my bag.
"Sorry about earlier."
"Don't worry about it. I'm sure it was me. I gotta get more sleep."
"Yeah, don't you know coffee's bad for you?"
I held my latte close. "No, it's liquid heaven."
She laughed and then we headed for the door.
"Victoria," Toby said.
I froze and then turned to him, unable to find my voice.
He smiled sweetly. "It seems like you might be having trouble, is there anything I can help with?"
My mouth gaped and the room heated by at least ten degrees. Or was that me?
"Since we eat lunch at the same time, why don't we talk then?"
A group of girls stared at me, jealousy covering all of their faces. If looks could kill, I'd be dead on the floor.
I glanced back at Toby. "Okay. Thanks."
He grinned, seeming genuinely happy. "Perfect, I'll see you then."
A curvy brunette with too much makeup stepped forward. "Can we make it a study group, Professor Foley?" She batted her eyelashes.
"Shoot me an email, and we'll set up a meeting in my office."
Her face fell, and she left the room, muttering. The other girls followed, consoling her.
Toby didn't seem to notice. He turned back to me. "Maybe we can find somewhere to eat outside. The weather's so nice this time of year, it would be a shame not to take advantage of it."
I nodded, unable to stop looking into his beautiful eyes. I could get los
t in them if I let myself.
"Perfect. See you in an hour."
Grace tugged on my arm. "We gotta go, or we'll be late."
"See you then," I whispered to Toby and then pulled my gaze from him.
Geography proved to be a good distraction, and by the time I made it to the cafeteria—paying with cash that Carter had given me—I felt more grounded when Toby found me at the soda fountains.
"Are you ready to discuss statistics?" His eyes crinkled in the corners when he smiled at me.
"As ready as I'm ever going to be." I cringed, hoping that everything coming from my mouth over lunch wouldn't sound so stupid. "Thanks for helping me out."
"My pleasure. I saw a shaded bench outside. Hopefully it's still free."
I followed him outside, balancing my tray. He led me to a picnic bench that had a couple squirrels fighting over a nut. Toby shooed them away and brushed off the table.
We sat and ate quietly for a few minutes. After I'd finished my chicken salad, I glanced up and found him looking at me. As we stared into each other's eyes, I couldn't help noticing how at ease I felt. Like I was home.
Or crazy. He was my professor.
I pulled my gaze away and picked at some fruit.
Something inside of me urged me to ask him if we'd met before. I told it to be quiet. It said no, that I needed to talk with him.
My theory about going crazy was looking more like a possibility than ever before. Except that crazy people didn't know they were crazy, did they?
I sighed.
"Is everything all right?" he asked.
"I'm just tired. You know, trying to get used to college life."
"It's pretty different from high school, isn't it?" He tapped the table. The look on his face made me think he knew something about what I couldn't remember.
That only proved I was losing it.
"What was high school like for you?" he asked.
I shrugged. "You know."
Toby shook his head. "Tell me."
"I thought we were here to discuss statistics."
He straightened his back. "I'm just trying to get a feel for your background. Were you good at math?"
I bit my lower lip. "Maybe."
"You don't know?" His eyes were kind. Concerned.
The world seemed to spin around, out of control.
"Is something the matter?"
I studied his face. The urge to pull him close and make everything better was strong. My arms wanted to reach out for him. But it was ridiculous. I was crazy.
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