by Jen L. Grey
Dear lord. Why am I not surprised that Jess was encouraging him? “Is it relevant?”
“Of course it is.” Cole placed his drink on the table and lifted both hands. “It was definitely back handsprings and a back tuck.”
“Oh … were you a cheerleader in high school?” The words were out of my mouth before I thought better of it.
“No, smartass.” However, his blue eyes lit up with enthusiasm. “I’m just naturally talented and amazing.”
“So talented that when you did your cartwheel, you fell to the ground with a thud.” Rage chuckled and shook his head. “Only you.”
“Yeah, and both of you assholes laughed.” An evil smirk crossed Cole’s face. “But I’ve had the last laugh ever since.”
“Oh.” Damien threw a napkin on top of his plate. “How so?”
“You know the recliner that both you and Rage love so much?” Cole’s eyes twinkled.
Whatever came out of his mouth was going to be horrible, funny, or a combination of the two.
“Yeah …” Damien pushed his plate of food away from him.
“Well, after you dipshits laughed at me and left while I was on the ground, wallowing in pain,” he said, a smile spreading across his face, “I decided that it was only fair that I get even.”
“I’ve been wondering why you always get giddy when you find one of us in it.” Rage tensed beside me. “You know what … I don’t want to know.”
“Too bad.” Cole stood before glancing at both Rage and Damien. “After you left, I decided that it was only right for me to sit down and ease my pain in your favorite seat.”
“Oh, god no.” Damien jumped and pointed at him. “We promised to not get naked on the furniture.”
“No, no.” Cole cackled like a villain in a movie. “We promised to not have sex in the apartment, which Rage has already violated.”
“She’s my mate, moron.” Rage pulled me closer. “We said no randoms.”
Yeah, this is definitely not a conversation I wanted to be part of.
“Anyway, I limped over and found myself sitting buck naked in the recliner.” Cole waggled his eyebrows. “I even managed to fart.”
“Dude, really?” Rage huffed.
“Oh, usually vampires don’t do that.” Jess leaned forward on the table with her head in both of her hands.
“Right, it was hard to accomplish.” Cole sat down now that he had a riveted audience. “And the fart clung to me, so the only other option was to spread my cheeks wide apart.”
“No.” Damien stood, his face pale. “Did you butthole our couch?”
“Hell, yeah I did.” He stood and turned around so his ass faced us. “I had to spread them wide eagle, much like women do on their backs, and rubbed it around until the itch was gone.”
I couldn’t even fight my laughter this time. “Is that why you didn’t let me sit there the other day?”
“Yeah, you’re my girl. These two dipshits,” Cole said as he pointed at each of the guys, “had a price to pay.”
“I can’t believe you.” Damien grabbed his plate and gagged. “I thought it smelled weird but figured it was from something that got spilled.”
“Oh, no.” Rage raised both hands, holding the pointer finger toward Cole. “It was all him.”
“I’m so glad we’re staying at your place.” Rage leaned over and kissed my forehead. “Because it’s minimized the amount of trauma I’m currently feeling right now.”
“Me too. I think that chair should be thrown away.” I giggled, mainly because Damien was heading back toward us and his face was somehow even paler.
For once, the orange tint of his auburn hair stood out even more from his pale skin. “Please tell me you didn’t butthole anything else.”
“Was that a question or command?” Cole plopped in his seat and leaned back.
“You know what, I’m disinfecting the entire place.” Damien headed to the door that led outside.
“That wasn’t cool, you know?” I tried frowning at Cole, but I wasn’t sure it worked.
“It wasn’t nice of them laughing at my pain and suffering, Rave.” Cole pouted.
“Very true, but still.” I couldn’t keep the stupid grin off my face. Cole was a riot, but if his feelings got hurt, he got even.
“I’m sorry if we hurt your feelings.” Rage smirked. “We just felt like we didn’t want to help a naked guy up from the floor when the injury was self-inflicted.”
“So you guys are even now.” Jess chastised.
“On that note, I’ve got Professor Shaw’s class I’ve got to get to.” I wasn’t sure what else we could learn even though his fae lesson hadn’t included that little tidbit about Jess. However, this was a new class, so it would be interesting to see what it was about. It had surprised me when Rage told me that he’d be in the class too.
“I do too.” Jess perked up at that and grinned. “I didn’t realize you were taking his course.”
“Yeah, he said it’s about a more controversial topic.” That had intrigued me, but I figured it would be the same class moving up together with the exception of Rage. “Rage is in it too.”
“I’ve got a new recruit I’ve got to scope out.” Cole frowned and sighed. “It’s so boring. It’s some entitled brat that thinks his shit doesn’t stink. Kinda like your ex.” He pointed at me.
Rage growled. “As long as he leaves my mate alone, I’m good.”
“I can’t make any promises.” Cole rolled his eyes. “It’s another wolf shifter. I swear they are so boring.”
“Really?” I picked up a grape that was left over from my fruit tray and threw it at him. “There are two sitting right here.”
“You guys are the exception to the rule.” Cole got up and bowed. “Have fun in your stuffy classroom. I’m being let loose in the wild.” He grabbed his drink and headed right out the door.
“Well, that was dramatic.” Jess grabbed her plate and sighed. “Sometimes he thinks too highly of himself.”
“Nah, it’s all an act.” Rage took my plate and his to the bin.
“Maybe, but he’s so annoying.” Jess pouted and followed after Rage.
As we sauntered into the classroom, I found it strange to see Jordan and Madison sitting toward the back of the class. I glanced around the room, not recognizing any faces.
A tall guy next to me nodded at Rage. “Hey, man.”
However, Rage ignored him and moved to the open desks that were opposite to the door. “Here we go.” He took the desk at the end right by the wall.
I moved to sit right beside him when a shifter behind me scanned me from head to toe. “Damn. She’s fucking hot.”
“Oh, no.” Jess laughed. “You must want a death sentence.”
“What?” His brow furrowed.
“Let me make it clear for you.” Rage turned around, and he scowled. “She’s hot and mine.”
I glared at Rage. “Thanks for the compliment, I think.” My attention turned to the athletic shifter with dark black hair. “But he’s my mate so taken.”
“And not only a mate but her true mate.” Jess took the open seat on the other side of me.
“You’re one lucky man.” The shifter’s light green eyes seemed to be undressing me.
“Yeah, I am.” Rage turned around so his back was toward him.
“My name is Nate.” His eyes locked onto mine.
I wasn’t going to encourage this. “Good for you.” A shiver went up my spine. He made me feel uneasy. I sat in my seat and faced forward.
“That’s rude,” Nate growled. “Here I am complimenting you, and you turn your back on me.”
A low growl emanated from Rage’s chest.
Jess crossed her arms and laughed. “You must be suicidal.”
“Let me make this clear, Nate.” It would be one thing if he was trying to be friendly, but it felt like a challenge. We didn’t need a fight breaking out on day one of class. We should have at least waited for day two. “I’m not interested in you or a
nyone else for that matter. If you want to be friendly, then maybe try to be less creepy. Until then, leave us alone.”
“Who do you think you are?” Nate frowned and glanced around. “Do you think you can just ignore and humiliate me in front of the class?”
“Hey now.” Jess took a step in his direction.
“Shut up, fairy.” Nate wrinkled his nose, and his face turned a red hue. “I wasn’t talking to you.”
Oh, hell no. I stood and spun around. “Don’t you call her that ever again. You’re the type of person who gives wolf shifters a bad name.” Fairy was deemed a derogatory name for fae.
“You’re even hotter angry.” A crude smile filled his face, and he nodded at me. “Tell me more.”
Rage growled and jumped from his seat. “Are you that pathetic to look like a badass, or are you just a straight-up bastard?”
“I’m thinking bastard.” Jess spat the words as she quivered in anger.
“Dude, stop it.” One of the other classmates whispered at him. “That’s fucking Rage.”
“So what?” Nate chuckled. “Is he supposed to be some kind of special shifter or something?”
“Look at you.” I hated entitled bastards. Nate reminded me of Greg. “Talking all big when you’re sitting inside a classroom where the teacher can walk in any second. You got your ten seconds of fame, so be proud. Now, why don’t you leave us alone, including my amazing friend who could kick your ass by lifting just her pinky?”
“Hell yeah, I could.” Jess smiled at me and bumped her shoulder against mine.
“It’s what all freshmen try to do.” Jordan leaned forward in her seat and flipped her dark hair over her shoulder. “They all try to come in like they are the newest blessings to stroll the supernatural world.” She narrowed her eyes at Nate. “If you don’t shut it, doggy, you could be my snack later.”
Nate’s face turned the color of a tomato. “You listen here …”
“No, you won’t be teaching the class today.” Professor Shaw marched in donning his usual all-black clothing. He kept his eye on the new student as he strode to the center of the classroom. “A word to the wise, don’t get on Ms. Wright’s and Mr. Jackson’s bad side either.”
“I was just trying to be pleasant.” Nate’s voice cracked a little on the last word.
Professor Shaw tapped his index finger against his lips. “I find that hard to believe.” He made his way over so that he was standing in front of me. “But let me be clear. If you upset any students in my class, there will be severe consequences. You’re fortunate that I’ve allowed you into a higher-level class seeing as you’re just a freshman. However, that benefit could be taken away at any time.”
“I understand.” It sounded as if the words were forced out, but at least, he was put in his place.
“Now, this is a pilot class, and as such, I’ve hand-selected the students here.” He lifted both hands out and smiled. “As you can tell, it’s a smaller class as a result.”
Ever since we’d walked in, I’d been caught up with the douche head. Although now that he’d mentioned it, I realized it was half the size of the last class I took with him. There were a total of ten of us in the class this semester.
“One thing that must be promised is that you won’t discuss anything you’ve learned outside this classroom.” He paused making eye contact with each one of us before continuing. “If it does occur, there could be dire consequences.”
I wasn’t quite sure whether to be excited, alarmed, or nervous. At this point, if I had to settle on one, it’d be alarmed yet curious.
When no one commented, the professor turned and headed to his whiteboard. He wrote ‘Half-Breeds’ on the board.
My stomach sank, and my chest felt heavy. Flashbacks of the dead teenager crowded my brain.
“There have been some recent discoveries about half-breeds. One that is very concerning, but we will get into that later.” He closed his eyes and shook his head. “All that you need to know is that there are several leaders that are very concerned about this growing epidemic.”
“Epidemic?” Jess’s brow furrowed and she bit her bottom lip.
“Yes, we will get into this later. However, there are severe ramifications for an interracial relationship, especially if children occur.” Professor Shaw glanced out the doorway and paused.
When I followed his gaze, there stood Isadora. I had never seen her outside her office, so this was a change. I hoped that she wasn’t here for Rage and me.
“Good morning, Professor Shaw.” Isadora entered the classroom and scanned the area. “Is this the new class you recently requested from me?”
“Oh, yes.” Professor Shaw grinned and took a deep breath. “I informed them that they were the guinea pigs for this and that we’d have a more in-depth review of supernatural races. Although, I was just about to let them leave because I don’t have the books yet to distribute.”
“Then please don’t let me hold them up.” Isadora gave a cold smile and motioned to the door. “Everyone have a good rest of your day.”
Rage clambered out of the desk and waited for me.
I kind of didn’t want to leave. Something odd was going on, but it wasn’t like we were going to figure it out by staying. I slowly climbed out of the desk and took Rage’s hand. “You ready?”
“Hell, yeah.” Rage was tense from the Nate altercation.
“I can’t believe we get out early.” Jess grinned and headed toward the door. “Maybe we can watch a movie together.”
Jess rambled on, but I couldn’t pay attention to her. My eyes stayed on Isadora and Professor Shaw as we exited the building.
Something didn’t feel right. I wasn’t sure if Isadora and Professor Shaw were working together on this one or if Professor Shaw was teaching something she didn’t approve of. At the end of the day, it didn’t matter. I just hoped more problems didn’t fall into our laps.
Chapter Seven
As we made it outside the main building, someone yelled at us.
“Hey.” Nate’s now too familiar voice stopped us in our tracks.
“Just ignore him and keep moving.” Jess nodded her head in the direction of the girls’ dorm.
“Hell, no.” Rage turned around facing the douchebag. “I’m not going to run away from a wannabe alpha.”
“Is he a wannabe when he’s here at this school?” Jess arched an eyebrow.
She did have a valid point. Only the strongest attended Bloodshed, so it wasn’t like he was an omega or anything. “Is he worth it?”
“Worth it? No.” Rage growled out. “But it’s a necessity to kick the punk’s ass so he realizes his place as a freshman.”
“Then we do it together.” I spun around to face the asshole too.
“Dude, why are you pushing this?” His buddy from class grabbed his arm, trying to pull him away.
“No, they can’t act like they’re better than us.” Nate lifted his chin and bared his teeth. “We’re all elites here.”
Cole’s dark chuckle rang in my ears. “I’m so glad that I got back in time for this.” He appeared on the other side of me, and together the three of us stared down the asshole. “A whimpering pup is dying for attention.”
“Why don’t you stay out of this, bloodsucker?” Nate stepped in our direction. “This is between me and them.”
“See, that’s where you’re wrong.” Cole wrapped his arm over my shoulders to point back and forth between me and Rage. “These are my peeps, no matter their race.”
“You know what?” This was exactly what the jackass wanted. “He isn’t worth our time. I mean, what do we have to prove?”
A sparkle shone in Cole’s eyes. “Hell yeah. Everyone here knows we’re badasses.”
Rage was tense, but when I laid my hand on his arm, he relaxed a little.
“I didn’t realize you were willing to share her.” A cruel smirk spread across Nate’s face. “I’d like in on that deal.”
My feet moved of their own accord to
ward him.
“Someone seems eager for that deal.” He winked at me and chuckled.
As soon as I was in range, I reared back and punched him square in the jaw.
His head jerked back, and then I kneed him in the crotch. He fell to the ground in the fetal position.
I squatted next to him and growled. “Just because I have friends from different races, and I’m not the least bit interested in you, doesn’t mean you get to act like a jerk.”
Damien grinned as he appeared beside me. “Sorry I’m late, but it looks like Raven has already taken care of the problem.”
“Hell, yeah, she did.” Cole slapped Damien’s arm. “I bet he won’t be messing with us again.”
When I stood, arms wrapped around me, and I leaned back into my earthly solitude.
Rage kissed my cheek and chuckled. “Well, as fun as this may be, I think we’ve wasted enough of our time on this dickhead.”
“Ha, I bet his dick won’t be alert for a long time after the assault it just received.” Cole leaned back and extended his pointer finger with his thumbs pointing upward.
“Oh, dear.” Jess rolled her eyes and giggled. “It’s never a good sign when Cole gets punny.”
Nate was rolling on the grass, withering in pain.
“Let’s head back to the room.” The longer we stayed here, the more people gathered around. When I glanced at the crowd before turning away, I found Jordan and Madison in the front.
In those few seconds, Jordan nodded her head in approval.
Damien normally walked with me to the clearing for our training sessions, but today he’d said he would meet me there.
Of course, the last time something like this happened, Ashley had ambushed me with a surprise attack and came close to getting the best of me. At least we now knew why she was so desperate to keep her relationship with Rage, but it had ended with her demise. I killed her in self-defense months ago. Nonetheless, her death still haunted me.
I had to reassure Rage over and over that I spoke with Damien and that it wasn’t a text. He was insisting on going with me, but Damien had specifically told me to come alone. After much convincing, I trudged out of the dorm room, heading to the clearing by myself.