Chapter 2: Class in Session

WILLOW

The alarm rings, jolting Jenna and me from our sleep. Jenna rubs her eyes and squints at me.

“Who’s hitting the shower first?” she asks, her voice groggy.

“Go ahead. I’ll grab us some coffee and bagels,” I reply, pulling on my sweats and running shoes, and stuffing my phone and key card into my pocket.

Jenna smirks at me.

“Planning on a run first?”

“Every morning! What kind of bagel do you want?” I ask, pausing at the door.

“Blueberry, with cream cheese! I love how you Americans slather that stuff on everything.”

“I was born here too, but I get your point,” I chuckle. “I’ll be back in thirty. That should give you enough time. Oh, and call the boys. I noticed a couple of areas we need to double up on. We can meet at the small park near the campus entrance. There are a few picnic tables there.”

“Always on top of security. That’s why Boris trusts you.”

“He trusts me because I’m his sister, but he also knows Genesis is always on duty. Even when I’m asleep,” I say, smiling as I close the door behind me and head for the stairs.

Stepping outside, I notice the campus is still quiet. I glance at my watch—it’s just past six. The sun is barely peeking over the horizon.

I pull my black hair up into a scrunchie and start my jog, keeping my pace human-like. I don’t need videos of me running at super speed circulating around campus.

After an hour, I’ve worked up a decent sweat and my muscles feel good. I slow down as I approach the coffee shop.

I order two tall Americanos and four blueberry bagels with cream cheese. I pay, grab the bag and coffee holder, and head for the door, using my butt to push it open. I feel it give way behind me and stand a little taller to avoid falling on my ass.

I glance over my shoulder and my eyes meet the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen. His soft dark hair falls over his brow, his eyes are so blue they’re almost white, and dimples appear beside his mouth as he smiles. He reaches out a hand to steady me.

“Careful,” he says in a low voice. “Wouldn’t want you to spill hot coffee all over yourself.”

“Thank you,” I manage to say, my heart pounding. Genesis always masks my scent when we’re in public, but she’s always alert. I feel her stir restlessly in my head.

“What is it?” I ask her.

~”He is our mate!”~

“What!” I’m stunned. “This man is our mate?” I look at him with new eyes. He waits for me to pass him. I tighten my grip on the coffee holder and step past him, catching his scent. Mountain air. It reminds me of my father’s home in Germany. His original pack is there and we visit often.

Uncle Gunnar runs a pack much like Uncle Roman does in America. They are investigators for other packs, ensuring peace and legality.

I see the man glance at me as we pass. As the door starts to close, I hear the cashier greet him.

“Good morning, Professor Albescu. Your usual?”

I step back, watching through the window. He’s wearing nice dress slacks, a blazer over a blue button-down, and comfortable brown loafers.

In my mind, I know this is the former vampire king, but…he’s gorgeous! Why I never knew that is messing with me. What complicates things is…he’s my mate! Genesis is having very strong protective feelings right now, but I’m not sure if it’s protection or jealousy. She growls as we watch him flirt with the cashier.

I turn quickly with my loot and head back to the dorm. I need to shower, meet my team, and rethink my strategies.

Jenna is dressed and ready to go when I step in. She takes the coffee and bagel from me. I grab some skinny jeans and a top and head for the shower.

When I come out, dressed with my hair tied up in a messy knot, I strap on my knives under my t-shirt. I pull on my boots and stuff two more knives in them.

Jenna sips her coffee, munching on her bagel.

“You know what I love about you?” she asks. “You’re always ready. You never leave without some sort of weapon.”

I grin. “A girl can never be too prepared. There are a lot of jerks in this world. And not all of them are supernatural. I’ve met a few humans that would make your skin crawl! They’re hunters. Sometimes they work with supernaturals to trap and kill others, but mostly they just hunt us down.”

“Our problem now though is vampires, right?” she asks.

“For the most part. Boris says the new king wants either Andrei Albescu captured or dead. Preferably the former, because they want his secret of how he became a day walker. Our job is to keep him safe and alive. Boris is meeting with several others to find a way to curtail this new threat. The vampires are trying to start a war.”

I finish my bagel and, taking my coffee with me, Jenna and I head to the park. I need to make this short because I have a class at eight. Now that I know the professor is more than just my target, I’m anxious to be there.