Chapter 17: Chapter 17

RAGE

Everlee stayed longer than she should have, which meant a lot coming from me. The movie turned into one stolen kiss, and then into an hour-long make-out session that had my wolf pissed as hell.

He fought against every rational thought I had in my head. Every moan she made, every time her nails dug into my shoulders, my wolf pushed against me.

He called me every name in the book.

Begged for a human that wasn’t so stupid.

I’d bared my teeth against her neck too many times for comfort. We both froze, not daring to make a movement and jeopardize our situation. I’d bit her skin, every inch visible to me, and smoothed the pain with my tongue.

It was a dangerous game I’d started, and even when I told her to go, she couldn’t pry herself from my bed. It wasn’t until dinner time came that she pried herself from my bed.

She sighed loudly, running her palm down her face. “God. I shouldn’t have stayed so long. I’m going to get us in trouble.”

I chuckled, knowing that I hadn’t been adamant on her leaving. “It’s not your fault any more than it is mine. I lose rational thought when you’re around.”

Ever smiled and glanced at me over her shoulder. “I’m starving. I need to head to the cafeteria before I wither away.” She stopped as she slipped into her shoes. “Are you hungry?”

I was starving for more than food. “Yeah, I am. Mind if I join you?”

She shook her head. “Will your friends mind? Or your pack? We’ve never eaten together before.”

Her innocence made me smile. I’d pick my luna over my friends or pack any day. “They can get over it if they don’t like it,” I said casually, while putting on my tennis shoes.

The only person seriously worried about my relationship with Everlee, besides my father, was Derek, and I’d already told him where he could shove that involvement.

Grabbing my keys from the nail on my wall, I opened the door for Ever. “Come on. My pack, and my friends, know better than to protest any problems about my bond.”

She fell into step with me on our way outside. Some of the alphas made it back from field day and stood in the lobby laughing about their win. They fell silent when Everlee made her way around me.

I felt her embarrassment. The heat from her skin licked at me. I hated the looks on their faces, so I laced my fingers with hers, and ignored them. I didn’t need anyone’s approval.

Ever turned to me when we made it down the front steps. “Does it bother you?”

“Does what bother you?”

“The stares. I can still feel their eyes on me,” she said, faking a shiver. “I hate the attention. I didn’t ask for this.”

“Everyone knows you didn’t, Ever. It’s just something new. They’ll get over it once you choose.”

A dark feeling washed over her. I knew her having to choose would be hard. No one expected it to be easy, but the stress it gave her made me cringe. Rubbing the pad of my fingers against her, I lifted it to my mouth.

“Don’t stress,” I said. “Stressing will only make everything worse.”

“It’s easier said than done,” she said with a soft sigh.

We neared the cafeteria and made our way into the short line to eat. Most of the students had already eaten, since the cafeteria closed soon. We made our plates and found a corner booth.

Ever’s mood brightened the longer she ate, and I noted food made her happy. I’d remember that. “So,” she said, stabbing a piece of meat. “What time are we leaving Friday? I need to make sure my parents know, because they will freak if they don’t know the logistics. Mom will at least.”

“We can leave after classes if you want, grab some dinner somewhere on the way. There is a great little burger shack on the way.”

“Sounds good,” she said.

Everlee glanced up from her plate and waved at someone across the room. Bryiar sat down at a random table with a petite girl. “Isn’t that your best friend? Do you want to invite her over?”

Ever waved, but Bryiar waved her off. “She’s trying to give us time alone.”

“Who is the girl with her?”

“I can’t remember what she said her name was, but she’s a new friend. I’m glad she found someone since my time has been occupied lately.”

The cafeteria door spilled open, and a group of guys walked inside. They were lycans. I could smell them from across the space. Recognizing a couple of them from classes, the one staring daggers at me didn’t sit well.

“Do you know him?” she asked.

“I don’t think so,” I said, taking a bite. “It seems he thinks he knows me. I don’t like that stare.”

“Yeah, me either,” she whispered.

They made their plates and took up the table closest to us. My fingers curled into fists on the table. ~Out of all of the tables…~

“Everlee,” the one with dark hair asked. He seemed to be the one most worried about us. “I’m Erick. I’m your other mate’s friend.”

Everlee looked uncomfortable. “Nice to meet you,” she mumbled.

His dark eyes shifted toward mine. “Rage,” he said, a slight smile tugging at his mouth. “I see it’s your turn, huh?”

Everlee swallowed, watching me closely. Being an alpha made me dominant. Being a man made me protective of my mate, and this guy was up to no good. “Do you need something?” I asked, slipping a fry into my mouth. “We’re having a conversation.”

He grinned. His friends glanced my way but quickly looked back at their plates. They had more common sense than Erick.

“Just introducing myself to your mate. I spoke with Harlan tonight about joining the lycan fraternity, and I think he’s interested. And since you’re just as much lycan as you are wolf, I assume you’ll be around us as well.”

Ever looked concerned, and I assumed it was because she didn’t want Harlan around this guy.

I didn’t care what Harlan did but even I was opposed to it.

“Maybe,” she whispered.

“Most of our mates come to the meetings. It’d be nice to introduce a hybrid to the pack. That’s if your friend here is okay with lycans.”

I turned completely toward him in my seat, and I felt Ever reach across the table for my hand. “What are you saying? That I don’t like lycans? That I don’t like my mate because she’s a hybrid?”

Erick slipped a piece of bread into his mouth and shrugged. “~I dunno~. You tell me. I’ve heard some crazy things about your father’s pack, and are you sure your mate will be accepted? Last I heard they didn’t like lycans.”

I slammed my fist down onto the table, rattling our plates and cups. “Don’t talk about my father,” I said, my wolf lacing my voice with menace. “And don’t put words in our mouths. Why are you so worried about my mate bond with a hybrid? Shouldn’t you worry about your lack of a mate bond?”

A sly smile curled up his mouth. “Oh, I’m sure my mate will come around when I least expect it,” he said. He looked over at Ever. “I’ll see you around. I’ve lost my appetite.”

He left his friends at the table, while walking nonchalantly out of the cafeteria. Most of the wolves in the cafeteria stared our way. Some looked down immediately, while others gawked. Like Bryiar and her friend.

Ever grabbed our plates. “You want to get out of here? I have some reading to do anyway.”

I stood up, taking our plates from her, I ushered her out of the cafeteria with my palm on her back. Once the evening air hit me, I felt my wolf relax. Everlee turned to look up at me. “What a freak. I really hope Harlan isn’t trying to make friends with him. He gives me the creeps.”

“Tell me about it,” I said, sliding my palm against her back, bringing her closer to me. “You really have to go work on homework?”

She smiled. “I do. But I’m spending the weekend with you. We’ll have plenty of alone time then. Two days.”

“You’re right,” I whispered, sliding my thumb against her bottom lip. A bite mark caught my attention on her neck. “I think I’ve left some marks on you.”

A blush crawled up her neck, and she fiddled with the hem of my shirt. “I liked it,” she breathed.

“Me too. Let me walk you to your room.”

The moonlight led us down the sidewalk until we made it to the front of the dorm. She turned to look up at me from the shadow of a magnolia tree. I captured her mouth with mine, putting all the drama behind me.

Knowing she’d meet my pack this weekend had my wolf on edge. My father was one stern man, and failure wasn’t an option.

I wouldn’t be like him once I became the alpha king. I’d rule our pack, take care of our she-wolves, and prove to Everlee Allaire that I will always be the right choice.