Sebastian hesitantly shook Jimmy’s hand. “You’re welcome?”
Jimmy looked pleased with the situation and had only one question. “Why didn’t you tell me that night?”
“Uhhh… umm…” I blew out an exasperated breath.
The bell rung as Jimmy smacked my shoulder. “Oh, my God! You like this kid!”
“Uhhh…”
Once again, Jimmy was filling in the blanks wonderfully on his own. “And you didn’t want to say anything because of Trevor being there and all that had just gone down with you two—’cause that would’ve been awkward as hell.”
A slight moment of shock ticked by.
I awkwardly shrugged. “You know me so well.”
Jimmy excitedly threw his arms around my shoulders and started walking with me. “Now that we’re late anyways, let’s walk your new boy toy to class.”
I stuttered, “B-boy toy?”
Jimmy told Sebastian, who was now walking with us, “One-twenty-two? Mrs. Harold’s a bitch. Sorry ’bout your luck, dude. Hey, so if you’re in her class, you’re a senior? Another to add to our pack. Rock on, soldier.”
Sebastian stated, “Oh, I’m not a soldier, and I don’t understand how to rock on.”
Jimmy mumbled in my ear, “When did Mrs. Harold start teaching Special Ed?”
I elbowed Jimmy in the ribs. “Sebastian, if you’re a senior, you have the same lunch period as we do. Will you eat lunch with us?”
“Yes, I love food.” Sebastian winked at me. I didn’t even know he knew how to wink, and was shocked when I found it sexy as hell. “Where would I find the cafeteria?”
I felt as if I was sending my baby into a war zone. Let’s face it, school cafeterias are. “It’s actually next period, so I will take you. Can you meet me at my locker?”
“Yes.”
“Here’s your classroom.” I pointed. “I can help you get settled—”
With his arm still around my shoulders, Jimmy said, “And we’re out. See ya, Boy Toy.” He practically dragged me away from my wolf, mumbling, “Let a man be a man, Mar-cakes.”
Under my breath, I muttered, “Talk about your full-circle moments.”
“What?”
“Nothing.”
In my class, I couldn’t focus on a word my teacher was saying. All I could do was think of Sebastian and wonder how and why he was now a student at my high school. I guess I knew and understood why, but not the how. Then it hit me: his surprise. For a moment, I was angry with him. He was taking such a chance by exposing himself, but then I felt sorry for him. This was probably a dream come true. Most kids want out of school; Sebastian desperately wanted in.
Watching the clock on the wall made it feel as if time had practically stopped altogether. “Come on!” I whispered loudly and impatiently to the minute hand that crept along. Everyone stared at me but I didn’t care. When that bell rang, I was out the door in a blur.
I opened my locker, shoved my crap in, and took off to find my poor wolf. I was supposed to wait there, but I was sure Sebastian was most likely shaking with fear. Or at least that’s what I’d envisioned happening. What really was taking place was a girl on each side of Sebastian, clinging to his strong arms that had only touched me up to this point. I had to admit I didn’t like it. At all.
And the fact that these two girls were part of the Battered and Tattered club was not helping. I knew what they were willing to offer and could still feel the sting of T happily accepting. They were not getting my wolf, too. Sebastian was innocently smiling, listening to the girls, unaware of the male-hungry females they truly were.
I went from worried to jealous so fast that my mind spun with confusion. Feeling insecure over Sebastian had never happened to me before. Then I went to feeling shame because I should be happy for Sebastian making new friends. But the way the two tramps—I mean, nice young ladies—were hanging onto him, clearly not looking for friendship, had me back to being jealous, and mumbling some inappropriate name calling.
Complete. Emotional. Whiplash.
Images of girls kissing Sebastian violently twisted my stomach, distracting me from noticing Sebastian’s body language. Once I focused, I realized Sebastian’s smile now looked strained, his eyes were wincing, and he was no longer enjoying the girls’ company in the slightest. The girls were oblivious to the signs that were perfectly readable to me.
Before I could worry about why he was irritated—or allow my body to torture me with more jealous tummy aches—his eyes closed. When they opened, they were glassed over, and I knew exactly which Sebastian was appearing. His jaw tightened, and the girls were shed and abandoned.
This version of Sebastian walked toward me like the predatory animal that lurked somewhere in his human form. Before I could react, I was in an aggressive embrace. “Something’s wrong,” said Sebastian, with a deep voice I had not heard before.
It was almost… seductive.
I felt a sudden unexpected shiver in parts of my body that had yet to react to the male gender. Sebastian let out a moan. He whispered, “What did you just do? It’s making it worse.”
His whisper in my ear caused me another shiver.
Sebastian’s body pressed to mine. “Oh, God. You did it again.”
My mind struggled to comprehend what was happening to us.
“Your scent… it’s…” Sebastian let out a rumble during the word, “changing.”
I was becoming breathy as my body became more and more stimulated.
“Oh, shit.” I wasn’t sure if I said that because of how his rumble affected me, causing another shiver, or because we, indeed, were slipping into deep shit—metaphorically, of course.
New Sebastian continued to speak as his body slowly forced mine backward. “I thought the surprise of me being here would be great, but something is happening inside me, and I think I’m losing control in a very good way.”
I was so engrossed in what he had to say and how his body was helping him say it that I didn’t realize Sebastian was trapping me in a corner between a wall and the end of a row of lockers. He nuzzled along my neck. His shoulders hunched over me, giving us privacy.
There was no controlling the next shiver, and I began not to want to. And I was never so thankful that teenagers rush to the cafeteria at lunchtime, emptying the halls in a hurry.
The wonder and awe in Sebastian’s voice that usually had me pondering in deep thought were gone. Now, he sounded and felt dominating and had me contemplating something else altogether.
“Marley.” He began to move his body against mine. “You know how I don’t like Jimmy’s scent on you?”
I nodded, but I wasn’t really comprehending his words at this point. My eyes shut of their own accord, simply reacting to the effects his domineering rubbing was having on my body. Something raged inside Sebastian, a call of sorts, and my body was willingly answering.
“When he put his arm around you, I-I almost bit him.”
I suddenly froze, listening to that part of my brain that was screaming for me to get a grip and hear the possible severity of the situation. Sebastian, on the other hand, was slipping deeper into his trance, brushing his face on my neck.
“And now, smelling him on you is making me very, very angry.” He tightened his hold on me. “I’m feeling extra strong. And whatever is happening inside you is stirring my insides into action.”
“Oh, Sebastian… I think we’re in trouble.”
“No trouble. I could take on the world right now, but I must touch you first.” His body pushed into mine. Another ripple of shivers rushed through me, and another moan came from Sebastian.
This was escalating at a rapid rate. “Sebastian, I need you to try to focus.”
He slowly licked my neck. “I am focused.”
Shivers. �
�Uh, silky tongue is not helping me. Listen,” I tried to whisper, “I think your harmless rubbing me at home just kicked into not-so-harmless hormones, and I think Romy is staking his claim—for real this time. And—I’m not exactly fighting this—new you—which is making for a catastrophic—”
Another lick.
Another shiver.
Another moan.
My head leaned back against the wall to give him more access. “Oh, that feels so good—no. Damn! I gotta get you out of here and us both into a very cold shower.”
His teeth grazed my neck when I tried to push him away. He quietly growled. “I can’t stop. I hate his smell on you and will replace it. Now.” A shadow of Romy flashed.
My wolf was about to have a territorial breakdown in my school hallway. “Sebastian, you must listen to me. I’m going to hold your hand and lead you out the front door—ow!”
He bit me!
My shoulder didn’t hurt, but the sudden nibble he delivered shocked the hell out of Sebastian. His words sounded refocused. “Don’t move, Marley. I’m so sorry. M-my need to dominate you is making me hostile inside.” The tremble that vibrated through his body told me how hard he was struggling for control over himself.
Now I was scared, not for my safety, but for any male who dared approach me. Somehow, I had to convince Romy he was in control of me so Sebastian could calm down. So I did something I had never done before. I licked Sebastian’s neck the way he had licked mine. As soon as my tongue touched his skin, his eyes rolled back into his head, and he released a guttural growl.
Since I clearly had his attention, I whispered, “No one will touch me, Romy… only you, and I won’t leave your side.” Then, remembering the TV program on wolves, I tried to show my submission by exposing the side of my neck and lowering my eyes.
His grip loosened.
Putting my arms around his neck and looking over his shoulder, I noticed we were alone and took a deep breath as my body began to relax a little. The need to rush Sebastian home wasn’t as immediate.
With his lips to my exposed neck, Sebastian’s voice returned. “Marley, w-what’s happening to me?”
I hated hearing his desperation. My arms tightened around him. “Shhh. You’re okay. I’m here. I love you. I’m here.” After I said the words, I began to wonder where the word love really stood with us now. Sebastian and I had spoken about love being at different levels. I’d thought, as friends, we had been at the deepest. And now? Well, I didn’t know where we stood. “Sebastian, do you think you consider me part of your… pack, or something?”
His eyes finally came out of hiding and looked into mine. “You are my pack, Marley.”
My heart bled for him. “Oh, Sebastian.” For the first time I wondered if I had made a mistake. I whispered, “Should I have left you in the cave all those years ago? Have I ruined you?”
His hands grasped my face, forcing my arms to drop. “I followed you, remember? I always will, Marley. I’m here, aren’t I?”
My lips kissed his palm. “How are you here?”
He watched his thumb caress my bottom lip as he spoke. “I researched and made phony transcripts. I figured I would be gone before they figured it out.”
I gently kissed his thumb, until I realized what he had said. My chest tightened. “Gone?”
“School’s over in May, but after what just happened, I think I’ll leave and not come back.”
“Are you leaving me, Sebastian?” I clung to him.
When his expression changed to a gentle one, I knew he understood me. “No, my Marley. I want to live with you. I will only go if you ask me to. Are you asking me to?”
I wanted the opposite. I wanted his lips on mine with promises of never leaving. “No.”
He kept staring at my mouth. “I told you: forever, Marley. I will never lie to you.”
His words rocked my soul. With everything we had been through and experienced together, I couldn’t believe I was realizing I wanted to take a monumental step with my wolf. As recognition of my feelings came barreling forward, I learned I was in love with my best friend.
“Let’s take a long walk home and talk, okay?” I quietly said to Sebastian.
When he started growling, I was confused until I heard “There you are!” Jimmy was teasingly judging me. “Mar-cakes, what are you and Boy Toy up to?”
Our escape from school had just gotten delayed and complicated.
“Shh!” I whispered to Romy, whose tensing body told me he was partially losing control again. Then I not-so-easily switched spots with Sebastian and put my back to his front in an attempt to hold him there. Sebastian’s hands immediately went to my hips, pulling me to him. Chills broke out all over my body. His moaning response vibrated on my back.
“Ready to eat?” Jimmy asked.
“Uh…”
“Not a trick question, girl.”
“Uh…”
A low voice answered from behind me. “Lunch sounds good.”
Jimmy walked away, laughing. “Then you clearly haven’t heard Marlena bitch about our food here. I’ll save a spot in line for the lovebirds.”
I couldn’t move. I didn’t know what to do. Sebastian whispered in my ear. “I’m so sorry, Marley. I was too excited to be in school with you to think this all through.”
I pulled one of his hands from my hip and kissed it. “Never apologize for your beautiful heart’s actions.” I turned to him. “Sebastian, you must stay in control. If anyone gets a glimpse or suspects—”
“I know. I’ll become a science project for the government or the highest bidder.” He tried to smile, but the thought of him being like that poor alien—a lab rat—made my knees try to falter. I rushed my arms around his waist. “That would kill me.”
A kiss landed on the top of my head. “Can I hold your hand in there? I think it will help.”
Denying Sebastian or Romy anything was like denying my soul life.
Entering the cafeteria promised the rumor mill would go into overdrive again, but what choice did I have? Skipping school with the new student would surely get back to my parents, which would start more trouble than what could transpire here—hopefully.
When Sebastian and I joined Jimmy in line, he chuckled. “T’s gonna flip.”
Trevor was already sitting with his harem.
“Why do you say that?” I asked.
“New guy was not part of his Get Marlena Jealous plan.”
My jaw dropped. “What?”
Sebastian was right. Trevor was trying to control me with his actions. My heart raced with what this meant. I thought Trevor had moved on, but now I knew my holding Sebastian’s hand was going to trigger a reaction. And with Romy lurking, I was becoming alarmed at the possibility of conflict between the two alphas.
Pulling cash from my back pocket, I whispered to Sebastian, “Just follow my lead.” I discreetly stuck the money in his front pocket. “This is to pay for your lunch.”
We reached the servers, and I grabbed two lunch trays, slid one to Sebastian, and proceeded to pick out what I thought Romy would like best. Sebastian hadn’t said a word. He watched and grabbed what I did and followed me to the register. My lunches were free because my parents were poor and needed assistance. Sebastian paid cash, and we headed for the table. Jimmy led us, with a shit-eating grin on his face.
Trevor looked up and high-fived his buddy. “Hound, my man, ya found her?”
“And company,” Jimmy mumbled to me as he sat across from Trevor.
Trevor looked behind me and froze.
This wasn’t a good sign.
Acting casual, I said, “Trevor, this is Sebastian. He’s new.” I set down my tray and sat next to Jimmy.
Sebastian sat at my other side. “Nice to meet you.”
I
t had to be weird to say that to someone he had known since my first day of school.
Trevor said nothing, ate nothing, just stared at Sebastian and me. Our other acquaintances, including the girls hanging on Trevor, watched him watching us. Sebastian’s tremors told me Romy understood that Trevor still wanted me. Under the table, I rested my hand on Sebastian’s thigh to try and soothe his animalistic needs. He looked at me with worried eyes that brutally yanked on my heartstrings. I couldn’t say it out loud, so my eyes whispered back, Shhh, you’re okay. I love you.
I jumped as a tray roughly slid into mine. Trevor walked away.
Under his breath, Jimmy said, “I’ll go talk to him,” and left our table.
I just tried to breathe and get much-needed oxygen to my nervous lungs.
Releasing Sebastian’s hand and leaving him at his next class made me extremely anxious. My body and heart didn’t want to leave him. I rubbed my chest, trying to calm down my worry for him. What if something triggers Romy? What if security is called in, and Sebastian is hauled away without me knowing it? He will be alone!
I shouldn’t have been, but I was shocked to see Trevor waiting by my locker. I stopped walking and stood in the hallway, searching Trevor’s face, as students passed me, talking about things that seemed so trivial. His expression showed confusion and hurt. I wondered if I owed him an apology. Even with what Trevor did after our break-up and how quickly he did it, I felt disloyal to him. As every moment passed that day, I realized more and more that I had loved Sebastian the way a girl loves a boy ever since Sebastian became one. I chose him over Trevor, and that was while Sebastian was still only Romy. Now that Romy was also Sebastian, I saw that Trevor never had a chance.
Trevor waited patiently for me to approach him, even as the bell rang, announcing we were now late to class. The only word he said was, “When?”
I opened my locker without looking at him. “When what, Trevor?”
His voice sounded raspy. “When did you start with him?”
My Wolf and me Page 9