Chapter 30
CHAPTER THIRTY
Iwoke up Monday morning, exhausted. We’d gotten in around midnight on Saturday night, and my body hadn’t adjusted to the time change yet.
However, the week I’d spent in California had been just what I needed to get my mind off Rowan Ward.
Now that I was back on campus, I felt rejuvenated and ready to focus on my classes.
The rule I made when I first came here, to say yes more, no longer applied.
Now it was all about keeping a low profile, doing well in my classes, and studying my ass off. Nothing else mattered.
I got up and took a quick shower, admiring the tan I’d gained last week. After I threw on jeans and a sweatshirt, I pulled my hair up into a bun. This was good enough. No makeup. No jewelry.
I packed my backpack for the day, then headed out, making my way to the dining hall. I grabbed a toasted bagel with cream cheese along with a hot tea. Weaving between the tables, I headed for an empty one on the far wall by the window.
I sat, eating quickly. I didn’t have much time before my first class.
A couple of the rugby players were here, sitting at a table across the way.
None of them were wolves, and they didn’t live with Rowan at the rugby house.
They kept glancing my way. I had no idea why they would be looking at me, since I wasn’t dating their captain anymore.
As soon as I finished, I put my dish on the conveyer belt and grabbed my backpack, heading to class.
I sat in my usual seat, taking my laptop out and powering it on for the lecture. I felt, rather than saw, an angry energy enter the room. Glancing up, I spotted Emily making her way to a seat across the room from me.
I pulled out my phone and sent her a quick text asking if she was okay.
She looked at her phone, glared at me, then put her phone down. I guess she didn’t plan on answering me.
I had no idea why she’d be mad at me. While I knew the wolves were ignoring me, I didn’t think any of them didn’t like me. I thought the issue was that I was a half-breed and not good enough for their alpha.
Emily looked over at me, a sneer on her face, as if she wanted to tear my eyes out. I shivered.
While waiting for the professor to arrive, I noticed a group of guys nearby looking my way and pointing to Emily. Something was definitely going on. Before I could ask anyone, the professor entered and immediately began the lecture.
At the end of class, I hurried after Emily so I could ask what was going on. As she exited the building, her bag started to slip from her shoulder, and she reached up to readjust the strap. Her left ring finger had a diamond ring. Danny must have proposed to her.
“Em, wait!” I called out, wanting to congratulate her.
She hurried out of the building. By the time I got outside, she was nowhere in sight.
I was studying in the library when my phone vibrated.
Adan
Sorry to bug you, but is Em in physics lab with you? She’s not answering her phone.
Laney
She was there, but it ended early today.
The second she’d finished her experiment, she’d taken off.
I waited for Adan to respond, but he didn’t.
I hated this wall between us. It was partially my fault for being mad at him, but he’d also pulled back from being my friend.
He’d been assigned as my babysitter, nothing more.
The fact that he texted me meant something was wrong.
Thinking back over my day, I’d noticed a few times where a group of people had been looking my way like they were talking about me. Something was definitely going on.
Laney
Is everything okay?
Adan
Yeah. We’re just looking for Em.
Laney
She seemed upset today.
Adan
She is pretty pissed off right now.
Laney
Why? I saw she had an engagement ring on. What’s she mad about?
Adan
You don’t know?
Laney
Know what?
Adan
I’ll talk with you later. I need to find Em. If you see her, let me know. It’s important.
I hoped everything was okay with her. My stomach growled, so I decided to pack up and head to the dining hall for dinner. When I exited the library, I spotted Danny and Jacob heading my way. They were talking and didn’t even notice me.
I froze, not knowing what to do. Then I remembered they were the ones who were avoiding me, not the other way around.
Holding my head high, I forced myself to continue walking along the sidewalk.
As I got closer to them, I considered my options.
I could either say hi, or I could congratulate Danny on his engagement.
Danny glanced up. His appearance startled me. His eyes were bloodshot and sunken in, his hair was a mess, and his clothes were wrinkled.
I couldn’t help myself. “Are you all right?” I asked, concerned something was seriously wrong. If not with him, then with Emily.
He stopped and faced me. “Am I all right?” He started laughing, the sound maniacal and not funny at all. Then he abruptly stopped. “No, I’m not all right,” he sneered, like I’d done something to him, like this was my fault.
Jacob swung his arm around Danny’s shoulders. “He’s fine,” he said to me. Then to Danny, “Let’s go.” They started to walk away.
“Adan texted me,” I said. “If you’re looking for Emily, I haven’t seen her since our physics lab. But I wanted to congratulate you on your engagement.”
Before I could even blink, Danny reached out, grabbing my arm so hard it hurt.
Shocked, I glanced up into his angry eyes. Pain and longing rolled off of him in waves, overwhelming me. I knew the emotions well because they mirrored my own. Confusion swirled through me.
“Danny,” Rowan barked. “Release her. Now.” His voice was deep, angry, and authoritative.
Danny immediately let me go. I turned away from where Rowan’s voice had come from, not wanting to see him. It would be too aching. Just hearing his voice clawed at my heart, ripping it open, raw and painful.
“Everyone is accounted for except for Emily,” Rowan said. “We need to find her.”
His voice still sounded like he was a good distance away. As if he couldn’t bear to come any closer to me.
Unable to help myself, I turned and looked at Rowan, my eyes locking with his, and my breath caught. I felt a tug and automatically took a step toward him. The connection between us was still there. Desire flooded me, making me want to throw my arms around him. Kiss him. Devour him.
Danny chuckled. “You don’t know, do you?”
“Know what?” I asked, my focus moving to Danny as fear crept in.
“Rowan proposed to Emily on Thanksgiving. They’re getting married.”
It felt as if a fist had punched into my chest, grabbing my heart and squeezing it. I couldn’t breathe. Stumbling forward, I placed my hands on my thighs and tried to catch my breath before I hyperventilated.
Rowan proposed to Emily? Did he use me to get her back? Then realization dawned on me. He had no choice but to marry a strong wolf. Emily was upset and angry with me because she’d had to break up with Danny and accept Rowan’s proposal.
My arms started shaking as warring emotions took place inside me. I wanted to claw Emily’s eyes out and hug her at the same time because she knew my pain. This entire situation was messed up.
I straightened and looked at Rowan. His eyes were glassy. His hands were balled into fists.
“It sucks to have your heart torn out, doesn’t it?” Danny said.
“Yes,” I admitted. “I had it shredded and stomped on when Rowan had no choice but to break up with me. Now I’m going through it all over again, knowing the man I love is going to be with someone else.
So thank you for ripping my wounds open.
” Disgust filled me. I stepped around him and started to walk away.
“Laney, I’m sorry,” Danny called out after me.
I stopped and turned around to face him. “Instead of being so focused on yourself and how you feel, you might want to consider you’re not the only one suffering.” I forced myself to turn and walk away, not wanting to hear anything else he had to say.
The tears started falling.
While I’d known Rowan would have to move on, I hadn’t expected it to be so soon and with Emily. I felt both sorry and pure hatred for her, as illogical as that was.
No longer in the mood to eat, I went to my dorm instead.
Hiding in my room seemed the better option.
At least no one would see me crying there.
When I stepped out of the elevator, I spotted someone sitting in the hallway, leaning against my door.
As I got closer, I realized it was Emily, her head resting against her knees.
Not knowing what to say, I stopped before her.
She looked up at me, her eyes red. “You look like shit,” she said. “I assume you heard I’m marrying the man you love.”
It felt as if she’d kicked me. I wiped my tears.
Emily stood. “I was hoping we could talk.”
Not wanting to have this conversation in the hallway, I unlocked my door and let her into my room. I sat on my bed, hugging my pillow to my chest.
Emily remained standing in the middle of the room. After an uncomfortable minute of silence, she finally asked, “You didn’t know about it ahead of time?”
“Know what, exactly?”
“That Rowan was going to propose to me?”
Red flashed across my vision. I hugged my pillow tighter. “Nope.” I couldn’t manage to say anything other than that one word.
“Neither did I,” she said. “I’m not sure if you know about mating bonds, but I could feel one forming between Danny and me.
We went home for Thanksgiving. Then at dinner, out of the blue, Rowan proposed to me.
I was shocked. I thought my parents supported Danny and me because we’re in love.
Apparently, it doesn’t matter, since Rowan is the next alpha.
It feels like I’m living in ancient times, and I’ve been sold off to the most advantageous suitor. ”
“I’m not sure what you want me to say,” I told her. She was a full-blooded wolf, not me. This was her world, not mine.
“Nothing. I just wanted to explain why I was so upset earlier. At first, I blamed you. Then after I thought about it, I realized it’s not your fault.”
“No, it’s not. You can thank your alpha for this mess.”
“Unfortunately, when the alpha gives an order, we’re forced to obey.”
I’d wondered about that based on some of the things I saw when I was with Rowan.
“Anyway, that’s all I wanted to do. Explain and apologize.”
I wasn’t sure she’d actually apologized. “You should probably check your phone. Everyone is out looking for you. I ran into Danny on my way here. He’s worried about you.”
She laughed, the sound not quite right. Like she might cry again. She pulled out her phone and looked at it, her brows drawing together. “I gotta go.”
“Is everything okay?”
“I’m not sure. You stay here. Don’t leave until you hear from Adan or me.” She rushed from the room.
The hairs on my arms stood. If she wanted me to stay in here, that had to mean there was danger nearby. I went to the window, looking outside, not seeing anything.
“Hey,” Sarah said, coming into the room and startling me. “I passed Em. She looked upset.”
“She broke up with Danny and is now engaged to Rowan.” I realized why so many people had been looking and pointing at me today. The news of Rowan and Emily’s engagement was making its way around the school.
“What?!” she screeched, hurting my ears.
“Yup.” It sounded like something out of a movie or book.
She dropped her backpack and rushed over to hug me. “I’m sorry. This has to be hard for you.”
“I don’t know what to think or feel,” I admitted.
“I thought Em and Danny were solid.”
“I guess things changed.”
“Have you eaten?” Sarah asked. “I’m just here to grab a jacket. I’m meeting Danielle at the dining hall.”
I was hungry but needed to stay in my room until I knew things were safe. “I’m going to place an order. Can you pick it up for me? I’ll just eat it here.”
“Of course. And if you need anything else, let me know. I’m here for you.”
“Thank you. I appreciate your friendship.” It was nice to have someone I could count on. Someone who wasn’t a wolf and didn’t look down on me for being a half-breed.
She grabbed her winter coat and left.
Wanting to get my mind off Rowan and Emily, I opened my laptop and got to work studying.
I couldn’t believe they were getting married. He’d have sex with her. The thought made me want to vomit.
My phone vibrated.
Unknown
Your presence is requested at 1742 Riverfront Drive. Please arrive at your earliest convenience, though the sooner the better.
Strange. That was Rowan’s address.
Laney
I got a text to go to the rugby house. Is this legit?
Emily
Caleb summoned you, too?
The unknown number must belong to Rowan’s dad. Asshat. He didn’t need to be so overly formal with me.
Laney
I guess.
Emily
I got a text from Caleb, too. I’m almost at the house. If he texted you to come, you should. It’s probably important.
Laney
Confirming I can leave my dorm?
Emily
Yes. I didn’t know he wanted you there.
Laney
I’m on my way.
I had no idea what Caleb wanted to talk to me about.
Hopefully, it didn’t have anything to do with the enforcers, unless it was good news and they were going to leave me alone.
Maybe now that Rowan was marrying Emily, Caleb was going to welcome me into their pack and give me whatever protection Rowan had sold his soul for.
I grabbed my keys and left my room, heading to the rugby house. I hoped Rowan wasn’t there. It would be too hard to be in the same room as him. Seeing him had been hard. If I had to smell him on top of that, or see him with Emily, it would be too much.