Ch. 301..310
Chapter 0301 "No! Being with your mate is special, it just seems to really be a sticking point for you. You don't really talk with guys who aren't warriors and you don't flirt with anyone at all, like you're afraid of even the perception of being interested in someone other than your mate." "Maybe, she's already met her mate. Have you ever thought of that?' Nickolas comes out with bottles of water for us both. "Somewhere in her subconscious, she knows her mate and is stopping her from disrespecting that bond." "Oh, damn! I didn't think of that! You're right, that has to be it! We have to get you ike a ring to wear, like you have a boyfriend. Plenty of college girls do the long distance thing with a high school sweetheart. I mean that isn't going to stop any of them from trying to flirt and get with you, you're hot, like really hot, but it will be an excuse at least." Why is Mina so excited about this all of a sudden? Not five minutes ago she was giving me a hard time about not flirting enough with the boys we meet, now I must know my mate and it's okay to not want to engage the guys we come across here. This whole situation has always made my head hurt. Now that we are around guys whose main goal in life is to pass classes and get laid regularly, and not necessarily in that order, it's in my face everywhere.
We haven't been to any parties yet, but our first big one is a New Years' party that Beth invited us to tomorrow and Mina has ensured that someone will try to kiss me when midnight hits so I had better be ready for that. "Let's just get back to practicing, I still need to get better at my ground work." I look at both of them and Mina scoffs. "Your ground work is flawless, what the hell are you talking about? Ever since the attack you have gone non-stop with training in your free time, you need to slow down." "NO!" I shout and it startles them both. "It's not flawless and I won't let anything like that happen to me or anyone I care about again. I realize at some point in the very near future, some douchebag is
going to grab me and we are going to let him, all for the sake of finding information, but I will not be tortured for no reason. If I can get more than just myself out I will along with finding the whereabouts of this f*cking camp. This organization has had the chance to go on long enough. Everyone says it, but no one has really done much to move forward. I have an opportunity to help stop this," I point to my sports bra clad back, "Or worse from happening to anyone else. Now are we training or do I need to go beat on the bag by myself?" "It's all good, Midge. Take a breath. I can work with you for a little while, give Mina a break." Nickolas steps towards me, hands raised in a surrendering gesture. He's like Oliver and Sam in so many ways. He knows when I just need to
vent physically and talking about it only makes things worse. He gets that I just need to work through my thoughts with physical motion. Hey. You know we won't let anything happen to you, right? He talks over the mindlink, melding his voice with his wolfs. They are both trying to calm us down. You can't guarantee that and you know it. The point is to get taken, to get inside their compound or camp or whatever it is. We are both still throwing punches and he is swiping at my legs trying to knock me down. It doesn't make the sentiment any less. Just like you have a feeling about your mate, I have a feeling about you and Mina. I can't let anything happen to you. We keep grappling neither of us getting and good move in, but not for lack of trying. I lost track oftime, but there is no snow left on the ground surrounding us when Nickolas finally calls us to a stop. "We will get these guys and you both will be a huge part in that, I can feel it. Let's go get some food and you can finish your high school homework before you get started on helping Mina organize her college classes.
Chapter 0302 The first real party I have ever been too is the most overwhelming, overstimulating, over s*xualized thing I have ever seen. Clearly the goal is to be the most underdressed in the middle of winter while looking like a porn star ready to mate with the first jock that comes your way. I know it's more than either of us anticipated when Mina slows her walk up the long winding sidewalk in front of this stark white mansion that's size could rival my packhouse_ "Holy sh*t there are a lot of people here." She gasps as she starts walking forward again. The loud music drew us in. "How are we supposed to find Beth and all the girls in this chaos?" "No idea, but I assume everyone is glued to their phones. From what I understand this is more about being seen and having photos posted of you on social media, than anything else. Being here is a privilege, being able to prove it is harder." She winks at me over her shoulder. It's been a while since she has talked in a strategic tone. I was afraid I was loslng my friend to the glamors of the outside world. Turns out she was doing her part in her own way. I was never going to get close to these people. I'm too young for
them in general and I really could care less to socialize outside of my friend group unless someone approaches me. I guess I could put more effort into this part. We need to know who these rogues are and they clearly know how to hide in plain sight. Speaking of coming up to me, a guy I recognize as one of Beth's friends, maybe someone's brother, approaching us. "Hey! You made it! I wasn't sure if you two would show. It's been a while, what have you two been up to?" He boops my nose and smiles a lazy smile, clearly feeling his drinks already. "Well. We finally moved! So we are closer to campus. I can't wait to start school in a couple weeks."
Mina giggles at him. 'Yeah, the storm made everything take way longer than we thought it would. Does that happen a lot around here? Random snow storms at the wrong time of the year?" I ask, surprising Mina and myself at my initiative to start a conversation. He wraps an arm around each of us and starts to lead us through the entryway of the massive house. "Sometimes, not super often though. We usually get snow during your standard winter months. Being by the ocean helps that, but we are not here to talk about the weather. We are here to celebrate the new year. Are you ladies ready for your first IJMaine party?"
"Yes!" We both laugh and shout together. I still don't know this kid's name, but he has introduced us to so many people. I don't think learning names is a part of the game. Be seen, Mina said, people need to know we were here. That's what I am currently trying to do. I have been nursing a drink since we got here. Every twenty minutes or so I put it down as we pass by tables or any flat surface really. I have to pretend to keep drinking, but I need my brain to function too, Mina told me over the mindlink after her first full drink. that's what she is doing too. "Oh, my gosh! Hi!!" Mina jumps at some random guy taking a selfie with a few other, let's be honest, hot guys and wraps her arms around his neck like I would if it was Xander. He doesn't even blink, just pulls her close and, in tandem, I follow along for the picture. We took a few from different angles and each guy took his turn wrapping us up in their arms. We have been in more selfies and group shots than I ever would have expected. But we fit whatever demographic these guys find attractive so it's working in our favor. Hopefully we will be on enough socials to get noticed by these rogues. I'm glad none of the guys have pushed further than gentle groping though, so it's been bearable. don't know how many of these parties I can do. I'm more exhausted talking to all of these people than I would be doing 12 hours of training straight.
"It's almost time! The clock is starting to count down." Someone shouts from further in the house. Mina grabs my hand and pulls me into the living room that seems to be housing everyone in front of the movie theater sized TV. We push up towards the front, because being short makes that a necessity for me.
I can feel the heat of all of the bodies around me. Wafts of perfume and deodorant in various phases of wearing out assault my nose, Combine that with the stale alcohol and the left over smoke from and I was having a hard time focusing on the ball dropping in front of me let alone what was happening around me.
"5..4..3..2..1 !" A cacophony of noise erupts and loud music starts blaring. People around us are making out like crazy. Mina is wrapped up in a guy next to me and before I can even comprehend what is happening, lips are smashed against mine. My eyes close tight of their own accord and my assailant either has no idea what he is doing or is so drunk, he has no idea what he is doing, but feel like he is trying to eat my face. I crush my ips closed as his tongue licks my face like a dog. I don't even know if he realizes I'm not reciprocating the slobber assault. I have no idea how long it lasts, but eventually he pulls away just far enough to look into my eyes with a lazy and satisfied look. I try to smile back, hoping I can pull off faking enjoyment for him. I think even without the brand suppressing my hormones and romantic emotions, I could not have enjoyed that less. He looks very pleased with himself so I must have convinced him a little bit. It took me a little bit to untangle myself from him. He even tried to follow me into the bathroom, apparently whatever I said was code for 'quickie' and finally had to reach out to Mina over the mindlink to come and rescue me. I thought I was actually going to have to fight him off. Even when I pretended to be more into Mina than him, he thought we should just have a threesome. We finally
just turned around and walked away too fast for him to grab my arm and hold me back again. I don't know if any other story will ever top that one. I had to pretend to be a normal human girl with normal human strength and I found it both funny and annoying. I can't imagine not being able to defend myself when a guy was really trying to harm me. At least this guy seemed nice, just a little over eager and I didn't want to hurt him. That was a new technique I decided I needed to train. How to put enough force into extracting myself from situations like that, but not do so much damage that anyone would be3 suspicious of my non-human strength.
Chapter 0303 We didn't get any traction from our new years party stunt, but we were noticed on campus. I was able to get a job at the coffee shop on campus so I had an excuse for being around so often since I was supposed to still be in high school. Mina still hates school, but she is at least exempt from doing double classwork while she is undercover at college. The only thing is I am helping her do most of her work while still completing my own. A point I being up to Nickolas again this morning.
"If she is exempt, surely there is a way to do the same for me. Doing both sets of homework is cutting into my training and research time. Gentry gave me several books to look through so I can help try to find out how the rogues are doing the mass scent masking." I roll my eyes after working through some of Mina's math homework. It's not that she's dumb at all or can't do the work, but math and science she struggles with and we can't afford for her to fail classes. All of her other core classes she is flying through. She has also been helping with the masking research.
Doc Sylvia sent over all the books she could find about different herbs, salves. plants of any kind that might have been used in history to accomplish the masking that we have found. Unfortunately it seems like there is some kind of combination of things being used, but every time we present something that theoretically makes sense, Gentry punches holes straight through it. Spells that take days or months to produce or that would require too much energy from the caster to maintain, plants and herbs that would need to be grown and brewed or burned regularly doesn't seem feasible.
There is something we are missing, but we are close, I can feel it. There are more male wolves on campus now and many smell like rogues. Not all rogues are bad, but most rogues are rogues because they have been cast out of their pack for doing something really bad or they are kids of
rogues and haven't been accepted into or tried to become a pack member. Some just prefer to be alone. Which seems so strange to me. Wolves are pack animals and almost need to be together to survive, but I can't judge anyone. I was a loner inside my pack for most of my life. The problem I have WIth the situation is that they actually have a scent. I'm not sure if we are being played or if these might not be the guys we are looking for.
We continue to go to parties and any big social event on campus. I really enjoy basketball and hockey games. I can at least appreciate the athletes dedication to their sports. This also makes it easier to socialize at their parties, the guys seem to love a girl who is interested in talking about them and their sports. It makes it way too easy for Mina and to stroke egos and get information. I have also found, the more that I talk the less I have to actually drink. can just pretend to take sips and then talk a ton with my hands effectively sloshing liquid on the floor like the rest of the girls traipsing through.
From talking to people at the coffee shop on campus, I got a job so I had a reason to hang around so much, it sounds like many of the new guys came in for the agriculture and forestry program, which has all of us suspicious. They are rogues here to do something and they are way too close to the Alpha King and his territory for it to be coincidence. Mina and I have been trying to find and spend more time with these people, but they are not the standard college party kind of guys so we are having to improvise. "l said No. How many other ways do need to say •no' before you understand that no actually means no?"
Nickolas is fuming around the kitchen. It's his turn to cook tonight and Mina is trying and failing to convince him to let me enroll in the early college program. I can start in late February and it would be a great cover to get me into the forestry program and right in with the new rogues.
"Nickolas, please. This is the only way to start to put the pieces together. I can be right in with them. We are all wolves and will more than likely end up on projects together. It's the perfect reason to hang out since they are not doing the normal college thing." I try to be soft and logical.
"Don't look at me like that, Skylar. Your cute little pouty face is not going to win this argument." He shuts his eyes and takes in a deep breath. "You never call me 'Skylar.' Are you mad that I want to do this?" My face falls naturally at the thought that he thinks I might not be able to pull this off. Then I remember he said he has a bad feeling and his wolf has hlm convinced Mina and I are important, so I pout a little more to lay it on thick. I am going to win this argument and he knows it, that's why he pulled out my first name, it's his last ditch effort to make me see how dangerous this could be.
"It's not that, you are more than capable of handling yourself." He takes a deep breath again and huffs it out. I cant see or protect you inside the classroom. At least at the coffee shop I can be around and there are only two blind spots that are always covered when you're on shift. And I can't pose as a student with you since I am already set up as your uncle." He grunts into his hands, scrubbing them up and down his face. He abandoned cooking a while ago.
"l hate everything about this plan, which probably means that you're both right."
Mina and I both sit in anticipation, hoping he is coming around. It is torture waiting for him to make a decision, which makes me think he is mindlinking someone to get an okay, which I both appreciate that he is now open to the idea and it irritates me that I have to get permission from him and headquarters and probably Alpha Reggie himself before he finally nods.
"Fine, you're in. But, we have to go over some ground rules and we need to do a perimeter check so we know all ways in and out of the buildings you will be in.
Chapter 0304 We spent the next two weeks, when I wasn't working, walking around during the day, like a normal person touring the campus, interviewing students and talking to professors. At night we scoured each and every alleyway, doorway, hallway and any other 'way' that struck Nickolas' fancy.
He was serious about knowing everything about the buildings that I would be in each day. He also had William tap into all of the security cameras and add a few when he wasn't satisfied with angles or placement or just the overall lack of security in general.
He even pulled Alyssa in from whatever else she was working on to cover the campus. Jorge was the only one going back and forth between our team and whatever other part of this operation that was physically searching the forests.
Once he was satisfied he had as much control as possible over the situation, we went through the enrollment process, which I might add is a gigantic pain in the ass. I didn't have to worry about financial aid since •my parents left me a trust when they died' or at least that was the story. Like Mina, my semester was paid in full by the Alpha King. We also dove in to do full background checks on all of the professors and TAs that I would be interacting with. We needed to know as much as possible about the main players here on campus. With a program like Forestry and Agriculture set on a campus that is surrounded by preserved lands and forests as far as the eye could see, there is no way someone here isn't involved in the kidnappings and the strange movements of this Rogue King guy.
These forests stretch from the Canadian border to the Gulf of Maine and the more that I look into it, the closer I realize these guys probably are to my pack. This forest surrounds the campus, but runs from the southeast side to the border just north of the Blue Crescent pack island. The drive time is
just under two hours and with the water surrounding my pack's island it would be easy to hide vehicles and observe if they had the right equipment.
I make a note to talk to Xander and Alpha Reggie and report my findings so Alpha Lucas and the guys can expand their search and put plans in place to protect the pack. There has to be a connection or something we could work with at the very least,
I am kind of excited to see how college classes work, since I haven't been on a normal school track in a really long time. When I hit the 8th grade, the teachers who weren't under the thumb of Mr. Cunningham, or just smart enough to stay off his radar, made sure I was in the classes that I needed to be in. Well, they actually got me the work and credits for the classes was meant to be in while appearing to be nonexistent and unwanted in the back of the room. By freshman year, as long as I wasn't supposed to be in a class Kaley was in, I let them move and adjust my schedule as they saw fit.
I showed up to all the classes her and I were supposed to be in together to keep her from getting me in more trouble. It did help that I was not the only advanced student so I had a reason to be in advanced classes, along with several other kids, and more importantly away from her. I was just able to keep it quiet in which advanced classes I was in since I didn't talk to anyone ever.
I have come to terms with the fact that I am not normal. My history isn't that of a normal teenage girl, my education is definitely not normal, my upbringing was one of neglect and abuse, but here. now, I realize that wouldn't be on this journey and be able to help the way that I have been without all of that.
I can't say I'm thankful for the experiences, no one could be thankful for that. am thankful for the few
people who did see me and recognize my struggle, but didn't treat me like a victim that was fragile and broken. I was recognized as someone who needed a little help and for someone to give a sh*t.
"Alright, there have been movements in the wildlife refuge just northeast of the campus. William has cameras and motion detectors there and we caught a pattern of movement over the last three days." Nickolas starts talking the minute Mina and I walk into the kitchen wanting to grab a quick bite before heading to a 7am class. "What do you mean movements?" I ask around a pop-tart hanging from my mouth and leaning out of the pantry. "It appears that wolves are moving towards this area.
Problem is, like everything else, something is missing. We can't see any kind of gathering, just the literal movement across the screen. We know at least another 50 wolves have moved west through the refuge. They must be aware of our tracking systems." "Weird. Are we sure they are not just wild wolves moving around and setting off our sensors?' Mina asks. He scoffs at her over his coffee. "What?! It's a legitimate question from someone who had never run an opp with you guys before. What are you looking for to define the difference between a werewolf and a wild wolf just living its best life in the forest?" 'The first, and most obvious, is the sheer size. Even female werewolves are significantly bigger than your average wild wolf. That's where we start. William, Alyssa and I will do a sweep of the area to catch any scents and see if there is anything familiar to scents we have found on campus, since we still can use scent to track here." We both nod. "Then what?" I ask. now really curious since we are actually doing mission related things now and not just various forms of training and research. "Then we bring in more team members and start tracking. This is where the real work begins. You two are going to have to maintain your school schedule as well as help out with the tracking. You
both seem to be naturally gifted in that area and we might as well get you field ready on the job.” He seems to have accepted our roles in this whole mission and has stopped treating us like China dolls and more like team members with an actual purpose and job to do.
Chapter 0305 This class is so boring! Why do they put the most boring class first thing in the morning? I have to take these prerequisite classes even though I have so many credits from High School, not all of them qualify so here I am. Ugh! The communications professor is droning on and on and I have no idea what he is even saying. I have never not been able to pay attention in class before, and looking around I am not the only person having trouble with focus. The almost full class is mostly freshman here for the same reason as me, it's required. I'm jealous of Mina, she already has a few college credits so she doesn't have to suffer here with me. We decided since she enrolled in the parks, rec and tourism program that I should do the forest ecology track. That way several of our classes will overlap, but we can canvas more people this way. We both lucked out and were able to get into some of our program classes, which puts us in close contact with many of the new wolves that have been coming into the territory recently. And there are a lot of wolves in our classes. I guess it makes sense though.
Not all wolves have their jobs decided like the Alphas and other leaders and we always need people in jobs and places that can help protect us from humans and other species.
I have noticed that the wolves tend to corral together in my classes and tend to look like your average muscle bound athlete, even the women. The humans, for the most part, give us a wide berth. It appears like your usual high school separation of groups, but I know it's the humans' natural nature to stay as far away from a major predator. Although I have never heard of a pack member harming a human for sport or more disgustingly, food. I don't know about rogue wolves. It's possible they would do anything to survive and based on what I've seen from this Rogue King, some of them don't have any problem harming what or whoever is in their way.
My afternoon ecology class goes straight outside for our first lesson. By the smell and look of my professor this is where he spends most of his time and would rather be. He handed out the syllabus and basically said if we couldn't figure that out on our own , we should find another program to be a part of and then brought us for a tour of the area we would be using for our projects and research this year.
"Nickolas, we're headed outside to tour part of the facility. Is there anything you want to know? l ' I try to work it into the conversation." "We want to know about the wildlife. Does it come onto the property regularly, how often will you come into contact, things like that. Let's see if the school has noticed a change in the wolf population. And keep an eye on the rogues while you ask, find the most fidgety one so we can keep an eye on them."
"On it." This class was my favorite so far. The professor talks to us like we are peers not just students and his no nonsense approach to teaching is near and dear to my heart. The area we have for research is on about twenty five acres. Some of it is forested and some is a prairie that has been allowed to grow wild with tall grasses that are yellow now, but still standing strong after the harsh portion of winter.
There are longer stalks that are probably the remnants of wild flowers, I bet this place is beautiful in full bloom. There are trails beaten into the grass where people walk to maintain the integrity of the land. I can feel my whole body relax just being out here. It's amazing. "Professor Chance?' I call walking up to him as he leads us around a fenced area marked for another class. 'Does the school restrict the wild life that comes through here or should we be prepared to come into contact with some animals?'
Chapter 0306 "Are you afraid, Miss He looks over his shoulder at me with the question. "Makain. Skylar Makain, sir. And, no I'm not, sir, just curious." "Sir? That makes me sound old, you a military kid or something?" He is definitely not old. Maybe Alpha Lucas' age. Old enough that he could have teenage or older kids, but aged well and in shape from the outdoor work he does. His sandy blonde hair is short on the top and sides, a simple cut to fit his outdoor lifestyle. He's not quite six feet tall, but still significantly taller than me, like everyone else. "Something like that." I smile at the idea. "Well, Miss Makain, we will more than likely come into contact with our wild friends, but this area is so heavily used that most stay away, just based on scent." He gives me a serious look, like he is communicating more with his eyes than his words. "Out of self preservation, most animals will stay away from areas that smell like humans or larger predators unless they are diseased or starving and have no other choice of survival." "What types of animals will we see here? Big ones, mean. I figure we will see little critters all the time."
"There are moose and black bear. Some mountain lions and lynx, but they stay away from the campus for the most part. Our largest population is wolves, and they have been here long enough that some have become curious about the humans on campus. Especially after a winter like the one we just had, their food supply is low and they are hungry, but we haven't had a recorded attack in years." "Yeah, not having a recorded attack is very different from not having an attack at all." I think to myse f and my wolf. " And why does he look so pleased with himself?" "Because he's hiding something, I can feel it."
"But he's human, do you think he's one of the ones that knows about shifters?' "Maybe. I mean working in this field, he's bound to come across us. I can't put my finger on it, I don't trust him, but I have a feeling we need to get close to him, like he has information even if he doesn't realize it." "l trust your instincts, something is weird about him." None of the rogue wolves reacted to any of my questions, but I wasnt sure they would. It was pretty harmless to begin with. I'll just have to come up with things that are going to make them more uncomfortable as the semester goes on. I keep asking mundane questions, to make it look like I am just overly curious and excited. I throw more wildlife questions in too, not focusing on just wolves, but all of them. I don't know if I am doing a good job of asking for information and sounding nonchalant, but Professor Chance has answered everything without hesitation. I make a mental note of everything he said, not really sure what could be useful to the team or not. We finish the tour and head back to the 'shed' to grab our things. I say shed loosely. That's what Professor Chance called it and there is a beautifully made sign over the door, but this place is anything but a shed. It is a massive 5,000 square foot barn with all the tools and equipment necessary to work these forests. has gutters and rain barrels to collect rainwater and the roof is covered in solar panels, there is even a wind turbine to collect energy. professor Chance says that it is not one hundred percent off the grid, but could be if needed. "Hey! New girl, wait up." Someone shouts behind me as I start to walk away from the shed. I stand up with my bag and look around before making eye contact with a very beautiful looking guy jogging straight at me, flanked by two friends. It reminds me of the guys and for a brief second I am homesick.
Chapter 0307 "Me?" I question pointing at myself, looking around again. "Yeah, you." He smiles. "You're new to campus right." I nod. Yep." I can feel my heart rate rising. I don't talk to guys on my own. Mina is usually here with me and she does the flirting and pretending to be interested and all of that stuff for the both of us. "Dont tell me you're shy. Not after the way you were drilling the professor just a little bit ago. Man, you are tiny aren't you?" He asks no one in particular as he steps right up to me, completely invading my personal space. "The forest doesn't make me shy, people do." I shrug and move to turn around and find Mina. If they choose to follow she can at least help steer the conversation. "Wait! We won't bite, I promise." He gives me a grin that must work on most people, He sounds like the kind of guy who knows he's handsome and usually gets his way because of his charm. I turn back towards them and cock and eyebrow. "l have to meet up with my sister." I point a thumb over my shoulder. "We'll walk with you then. It's not often we see pack members here. This is like a neutral territory for several packs, but no one comes here voluntarily." He says as he starts forward like we always walk together. I didn't expect him to just come out and imply he's a rogue, that's new. I just tilt my head and say nothing, just keep walking. "Is your sister in the same pack?' "Yes." Kind of. We come across as pack members because of the warrior brand we both have. Most pack members can tell their own versus a member from another pack. I guess rogues would have the same ability to sense another rogue versus a pack wolf. "You are so full of questions, but not really answers aren't you?" He asks playfully, not really sounding offended, more like he is enjoying the challenge. "The best way to get answers is to listen, not to talk." I shrug.
"Okay, so you look twelve, are roughly the size of a large toddler, but you sound like a sixty year old seasoned teacher. Who are you?' He sounds amazed and incredulous at the same time. I am saved from answering as Mina approaches shouting my name. "Sky! How was your first day?!" She wraps me in a big hug. When she pulls back, she looks over my shoulder. 'You made some friends, what's up guys?"
"Are you ever not flanked by hot guys?" She asks over the link. I just roll my eyes at her and turn around, at least with her here the conversation will be way less awkward. 'These guys are in my Ecology class." I wave a hand behind me cause that's all I've got, I didn't actually catch any of their names. "Tyler," The charming one sticks out his hand to her and she shakes it. "This is Mike and Robbie." He points over his shoulder to the two guys who have said nothing during this whole interaction, choosing like me, to let their friend do all the talking. "It's nice to meet you Tyler, I'm Mina, Skys sister." "Sky?! I like that." He looks right at me again. "You're in class with her. followed her out to the parking lot and didn't know her name?" Mina laughs. He at least looks sheepish. "l was working on that, Sky is a bit single worded when it comes to small talk in conversations." He looks at me again even though he's talking to her. I shrug again. "l still like listening better."
Chapter 0308 "Well, listen to this." He smiles that big cheeky grin that tells me he is trouble on legs. 'None of us have class friday morning so we all go out on Thursday nights and do a bonfire when the weather stops being sh*tty, so we blend in a little better with the humans. It keeps us out of the way of the regular Friday night partiers. We run and then hang out, if you are interested can give you my number and get you all the details." He smiles that smile again and before I know what is happening, Mina has swiped my phone from my back pocket, unlocked it and handed it over to him. "What the hell?!?' "Umm, he's hot and he's flirting with you and he has a connection to the rogues. Did I mention he's hot and flirting hard? This is the kind of boy you practice with." I roll my eyes at her and scoff, but I must have made the sound out loud, cause Tyler stops typing on my phone and looks up at me. "Is this okay? I don't have to give you my number." Why is he shy all of a sudden? "I'm not a big fan of my sister meddling, that's all." I force a smile to him and it must be enough. He smiles and winks at Mina and keeps typing. 'Is your full name a novel? What are you putting in my phone?' I go to reach for it, but he holds it
over his head out of my reach, laughing. 'You'll just have to wait and see." "You're asking for it now." Mina mumbles under her breath and Mike and Robbie both laugh like my tiny little wrath is nothing. I take a breath and let it out slowly then lunge forward grabbing Tyler s extended arm and launch myself under it, behind his back and hook a leg over his shoulder from behind ripping my phone from his hand. I pat him on the head before swinging my leg over his shoulder and jumping down like I was getting out of a saddle and landing on my two feet looking at my phone like I didn't do anything. "Oh sh*t! Mike says. "You can straddle me any time."
"No way, d*ckhead! I talked to her first, get in line." Mina and I are full on laughing now. "There's no line guys, so quit while you're ahead." "That sounds like a challenge, is that a challenge Sky?" Tyler asks, tilting his head to the side. For sure flirting and it's cute, for someone else. I am just not affected by it at all. Maybe it's the warrior brand, but somehow I dont think "Uh, no. Just not interested. I'm here, with special permission in the early college program, for class and need to focus. Whatever you guys have in mind does not fall in the category of staying focused." "So strong and smart, I might actually be in love." Mike taps his heart and pretends to swoon. 'Marry me?' "Uh no, my mate probably won't like me being married to someone else when I can actually find him. I appreciate your effort though:' l am laughing again. "You are seriously looking for your mate7 Mates are overrated." Robbie speaks up for the first time and doesn't look pleased at my confession. "Not from what I Ve seen, and I figure I should be the judge of that when I actually meet my mate. Not just base my decision on others opinions on the topic." I shrug back at him. "I've seen great mates and terrible ones "What if you fall in love with someone while you are waiting for this so-called mate. What then?' "l don't know. Love hasn't happened to me and I have a few years before my mate can even find me, so it's a moot point until then." I shrug. "Damn! A few years, How old are you, Sky?" Mike asks. "Young enough to still be considered a minor." I raise my eyebrows and keep it vague.
Chapter 0309
"So what about Thursday?" Tyler brings the conversation back to the main topic.
"We need to ask. Can I let you know in the next couple days?"
"Sure, text me anytime." That charming smile is back on his face and I can't help but return it. He winks and then turns to walk away, Mike and Robbie following.
"Well, that was productive wasn't it? You're better than I thought at thls. I'm going to have to leave you alone more often."
"What are you talking about? "l have been in classes with some of these guys for a little over a month and have just started talking to them.
You come in, late might I add, and you have three of them falling all over themselves to talk to you. How do you do that?'
"l don't do anything, I swear. didn't ask for them to talk to me and I wasn't looking to gain their attention. I was just asking the professor questions. Like you said I'm late to the party so I wanted to get any info I can while I can still play the 'new kid' card."
"That's gotta be it!" She got excited. Nou don't give them the time of day and you don't play dumb either. They know you neither want or need them. She's laughing now.
"You basically emasculated them and that somehow made you the forbidden fruit."
"Gross." I laugh back at her.
"Why do you have to make everything sound so s*xual? You've been around Sierra too long. I'm just new, that's the only reason they are interested. They will find out I'm 15 and back off like I have the plague. None of them strike me as cradle robbers."
We are both still laughing as we get to Nickolas' SUV.
"What has you two so giddy? He gives us a half smile, but I can see something is wrong. "Skys been in class for a day and already has guys asking for her number, well stealing it really, and inviting her to run and a bonfire on Thursday." Mina is getting settled in the back seat, but hasn't looked at him yet.
"What's wrong?" I ask him and her head snaps up.
"Gentry never made it back to her coven. It's not unusual for her to go off on her own, especially after a big cast like the bond she did for you two. She will go into the woods for a couple weeks and •recharge.m He air quotes. She contacted her coven before she left us, but it's been two, almost three months since they have had contact from her." He takes a deep breath and rubs his face.
"You think they got her, don't you?" I ask, but not really a question.
She is powerful, even I could feel how powerful when she gave us our brands. How would someone sneak up on her and then subdue her? She would have taken precautions for things like that If this rogue group took her then they are using magic to mask what they are doing and where they are.
"They made a mistake though. She was expected, not off on her own. They have to know we WIII come looking for her. Alpha Reggie's warriors and her coven will be on the hunt now. Why would they do that when they have gone under the radar for so long?"
He's talking to himself, more than us, but something is still off. I can feel the rage rolling off of him, but he's doing a great job containing it. If I didn't know him I wouldn't notice the small twitches of his jaw or the slight flex of his fingers as he talks about her.
"Nickolas? Who is Gentry to you?" I ask as gently as I can. He doesn't answer right away, just takes another deep breath and scrubs his face. "She is my mate."
"Oh, damn!" Mina exclaims.
"Why doesn't she have your mark? Why are you a branded warrior? What the hell is going on?"
Chapter 0310
"It's a long story, well more complicated really. She is a coven leader and they have certain requirements, I guess it's the best way to put it. They have traditions and expectations and a wolf mate is not a part of any of that. She is expected to marry a warlock and produce one of the next coven leaders." Mina gasps. "She hasn't gone through with anything and refuses to be with anyone else, but I have a feeling someone is going to give her an ultimatum and make her choose. It's why I took the warrior oath. I don't want anyone but her, but I also will not come between her and her coven. So we are stuck here in this limbo."
"Do you think they took her because she's a powerful witch or because she's mated to a wolf?" I ask before I can even think the question through.
Nickolas looks up at me and his face goes pale. "I didn't even think about that. She's a powerful witch and she's one of their most knowledgeable casters. It didn't even cross my mind that someone might see her mate bond as something to use as a weapon."
He peels out of the parking lot and I can tell he's mindlinking, aggressively, with someone. We got back to our house in under ten minutes and he flew out of the car without even closing the door. Osiston walks out our front door and meets him on the porch. Nickolas snarls and pulls his arm back for a punch, but Osiston is calm and sees the wild fury for the grief that it is and counters him easily.
Osiston leads him down the steps and into the yard where they grapple, Nickolas pouring all his rage into each punch and kick, but not being able to make a good connection while he is letting his emotions rule his movements. Osiston is too far away to take any real hits, but close enough to remain Nickolas' sole target.
This goes on for the better part of twenty minutes. Osiston is breathing heavily and finally gets Nickolas into a submissive pose on his knees, and then Nickolas just goes limp and crumples to the ground.
Mina and I just stood by and watched. There was nothing else to do. That helpless feeling of being out of control while someone you care about is in danger is the worst. I have destroyed a gym and passed out because of that level of anger. That seems like a lifetime ago.
"Okay." Osiston says. "We have some information that we can share, but we are going to need you two to fill in the blanks." He looks at Mina and I. We both nod, then walk over to Nickolas.
I squat down in front of him and place my hands on either side of his face, bringing his eyes up to look into mine. He doesn't fight me, but his gaze is lost, like he's looking right through me.
"We are going to fix this, alright? We are going to make this right. It's personal now."
"You can promise that." He whispers, still not focusing on me.
"Yes, I can. I can promise my full attention and my full effort. I can promise that you have never seen me stubborn and on a mission before. Alpha Reggie told you I'm special. I'm really not, I just have a bloodline that affords me some bonus features. Let me help. No one messes with my family."
"Can you really just metabolize silver?" He asks, sounding almost drunk.
"Yes. I can't explain it though, that's a Doc Ganon question.
"I need her back, Sky." This time he focuses right into my soul. I don't know how his emotional connection works with the brand on, but I'm not going to deny him anything at this moment.
"We will get her, that I can promise you." He nods and gets up slowly, wrapping an arm around both Mina and I as we walk into the house.