Hailie learned nothing from Isak’s words. Albert took the shortcut, but it's effective. It got them alone, and now he got to ask Hana on a date.
I had a lot of questions when he implied his back story was why he lacks faith in humanity and apparently everything. I’d have to ask them another time. This didn’t seem like the time or place for that. To avoid asking those questions and the subject of his friends, I brought us back to why we were alone in his classroom. I knew this was coming. I should’ve told him no the moment he asked. I already feel like some cheap pack tramp, having been intimate on dates with Aidan and Isak. That’s not the kind of girl I am. I don’t even have the mate bond or their powers to explain why these men make me forget my senses. It doesn’t make sense. I lose control when I get alone with one of them. Then Albert said the sentence that blew my mind. He had tickets to see Immortal Eclipse? VIP tickets!? Um, yes, please! I’ll be embarrassed about my squeal at the prospect of seeing them live later. Right now, I needed to know if he was fucking with me. “I take it you’re a fan.” Albert chuckled. “A
Despite Paxton intruding, I secured a date with Hana. I didn’t know or care what the fuck the Order wanted. Sending Paxton was a terrible idea, and I would ensure they knew it. I didn’t particularly appreciate how he looked at her or attempted to use his demon charms on her. He’s lucky Hana only shook her charm bracelet in warning to stay back. Even in class, I wouldn’t put it past her to be armed. I had to hurry to get to the historic brownstone in the city that played home to the American chapter of the Order of the Jade Seal. After my eye was scanned and allowed in, I was directed to Leader Azer’s office. That was never a good sign. What did this old fucker want with us? I took the stairs two at a time, wanting to finish this. I took a deep breath and knocked. “Enter, Weeber.” A childlike voice called. I grimaced. Azer always creeped me out. He’s the oldest living vampire. The thing is, whoever sired him broke all vampire laws and ethics by turning a pre-teen boy. Sitting behi
It was strange that I’d not seen Aidan or Isak all week. I only saw Albert the two nights I had his class. And despite that he’d ask me out on Tuesday when I saw Albert Thursday, he was different. It was like I was in any of my other classes. He didn’t look at me, at least not unless I joined the conversation. It was strangely professional for him. It wasn’t like he avoided me. He was treating me the way he did any other student, but it still hurt. Why were they avoiding me? Was it because they did care about what happened on my dates with Aidan and Isak? Have they realized their bet is a bust, and they’ll only get blue balls? Was this part of their game? Am I playing right into it by letting myself overthink it? Or was this about that summons? Who summoned them? Was it about me or unrelated, and were they avoiding me due to being focused on whatever it was about? I felt ridiculous getting dressed in my strapless red plaid skater dress, black heel boots, and black leather jacket. I
I wanted tonight to go differently than this. Since leaving the Order Tuesday, we’ve all felt it. Someone was watching us whenever we leave our house. It’s like our house is the only safe place. It was driving us all crazy. We needed to figure out how to ditch whoever was spying on us. Until we did, being around Hana was a no-go. We didn’t want Hana on the Order’s radar more than she already was. Sure, we could bank on her family connection to deter some, but that’s if they were smart enough to realize the connection. She goes by Yashida in school, and that surname doesn’t mean shit to anyone who can’t look it up in the guild to know her mother. Even if they did figure out who she’s connected to, it might not be enough. Lower-level members in the Order would, of course, stay clear, not wanting to piss off the Bloodmoon Alpha. But people like Azer, Eliezer, and worse, Scorcha, it’s a gamble I couldn’t take. Why did I show up for the date if it’s such a gamble? Because I’m a dumbass
“Hannah Ya-sh-id-a?” The woman at the register desk butchered my first name and tried hard to pronounce my mom’s surname. I pinched the bridge of my nose and stepped forward. I wasn’t in Bloodmoon anymore. There was no level of built respect because I’m the pack princess. I also opted to use mom’s surname instead of dad’s. Anonymity. That was the whole point. I chose a university across the country from Bloodmoon to get space from life among the supernatural. I’m a human, and I need to accept it is not my fate to belong in that world beyond the adoption paperwork. I needed to find out who I am as a human. Somewhere, I wouldn’t need to compete and train against beings with powers I’ll never have. That, however, didn’t mean picking just any university. I’m still an accomplished student who graduated top of my class with a 4.0 GPA and had many extracurriculars to pad my applications. Thus, I ended up in New Haven, Connecticut, at Yale, where the closest werewolf pack is either The N
“Are you ready for the fresh blood, Weeber?” Professor Meyer teased as he slumped into a chair in the English department’s lounge. “I certainly don’t envy you teaching first-year courses.” I arched my brow, lowering my tablet to look at him. I knew he meant the saying in the aspect of the crop of freshmen that started classes today. He has no clue what I am, so he doesn’t realize how literal his words are to me. As far as Meyer is concerned, I’m the young professor. It’s almost amusing that the man thinks he’s my senior. Based on looks, I still look the same twenty-five I was when I was turned, while Meyer looks about what you’d expect of a sixty-five-year-old human male. In the six years I’ve worked here, this time around, Meyer decided he should take me under his wing. Aidan loves to tease me about it, while Isak finds it adorable. I’m indifferent to his attempts to act as my senior. “That is where we differ, Meyer.” I shrugged, starting to gather my things. “You prefer the juni
I knew moving so far away would make me homesick. That’s only natural, though. While thousands of students surround me and have Pam as a roommate, it’s not the same. As unique a character as Pam is with her love of rugby, or more so an intense appreciation for the rugby player physique, her love of the occult wasn’t the same. Nothing could replace living in the pack house with Daddy, Aurelia, Rosie, and CJ, with various pack members dropping in during the day. I missed the familiarity of home but also how unpredictable it was. Even with Silvercloud having moved out to start his mated life with Persephone, our house was the hub of activity and outrageous events. And when I wanted peace from the pack, I could always drive over to the ranch to ride on Ashes and enjoy a quiet meal with Grandma and Grandpa Christian. That homesickness is the primary reason I opted to wear my boots like a security blanket today. I didn’t care that I’d been getting weird looks all day. I know cowboy boot
SLAM!The loud sound of the heavy antique red oak double doors being slammed echoed through our shared historic Queen Anne Victorian home. Someone was in a foul mood. It wasn’t me because I was in the study looking through my class rosters to rank potential feeding prospects for the semester. It couldn’t be Isak. I distinctly remember seeing him earlier when I came home. That meant the only person who could be storming in was Albert.I glanced at the grandfather clock and frowned when I saw the time. Nine o’clock? He shouldn’t be home this early. His class should’ve only ended an hour and a half ago. Driving here from campus takes about twenty minutes, so Albert drove straight home. We have plenty of blood bags, but Albert has always preferred straight from the tap. I sighed as I rose and poked my head into the foyer. I wasn’t alone in my curiosity about Albert’s sudden and violent return. I noticed Isak leaning over the railing of the stairs. The street lights from outside coming th