Chapter 30
Flora
Going to class was surprisingly easy. Spencer’s presence wasn’t overwhelming, like I had worried. In fact… it was kind of pleasant.
I had been a little anxious, but he had kept his distance.
He was always close, though—a quick glance at the back of the room or out the window always assured me of that.
He would either be sitting in the back row with a baseball cap on or standing just outside the room, acting like he was playing with his phone when, in reality, I knew he was paying attention to his surroundings.
During the short walk to my first class, a student in a black sweatshirt passed me, and for a moment, my steps faltered. Was it him? Was he going to take me? The thoughts that ran through my mind were laced with sheer panic.
“It’s not them,” a deep, rich voice soothed behind me.
My body reacted to Spencer’s voice instinctively. My muscles relaxed as I took in a deep lungful of air, my blurred vision easing. For a brief moment, his hand touched my lower back before he vanished into the throng of students once again.
He was there, though.
From then on, it was like a constant reassurance that I wasn't alone. No matter what happened, I would be safe because Spencer was nearby, and I knew he would do whatever it took to protect me.
After that, the day just… flowed. My mind sank into old routines, and I was able to get through the rest of my classes without incident.
Lunch was odd, knowing Spencer was close but not joining me. He had warned me ahead of time that he wouldn’t be interacting with me because it could draw negative attention. He wanted to focus on the big picture in case my psychotic follower was lurking.
So I sat alone, eating my lunch.
“Hey, we’re in the same econ class, aren’t we?” a masculine voice said as an alpha sat in the cafeteria chair beside me. His blond hair was messy and tousled, and he was wearing some sort of sports shirt.
“I wouldn’t know,” I mumbled, hardly looking away from my food. I was trying to enjoy a quiet lunch in one of the many food halls on campus, but he was disturbing my tranquility. Spencer probably wasn't very happy with his appearance, either.
“Well, I was hoping you’d be able to give me your notes from class, ’cause you’re always scribbling them down. You see, I’m on a crunch, man. We’ve been so busy lately, and I just haven’t been able to get my notes organized.”
“Sorry, no can do,” I replied, only looking briefly at him.
I didn’t know why he assumed I would just hand over my notes, but I had no interest in doing that. This alpha had never said two words to me before, and now he wanted something from me?
An arm wrapped around my shoulder, and I cringed. His scent was dull, like printer toner. How any omega was going to put up with that was beyond me.
“Come on, you’re so smart. You’re always getting top grades. Surely you can help me,” he insisted in that weedy, weaseling voice.
My skin crawled from being so close to him. I wanted nothing more than to slap his hand away and flee. We were in a crowded cafeteria, though, and that would only draw attention. And if there was anything I hated more than confrontation, it was attention.
Glancing behind me, I stilled when I noticed Spencer approaching, a look of what I could only describe as utter hatred twisting his features.
This idiot was about to die if I didn’t do something. Subtly, I shook my head at Spencer, but he kept stalking forward.
“Alec, do us all a favor and buzz off,” a sweet voice growled as an omega slid into the chair across from me, glowering at the alpha.
She had pin-straight blonde hair and icy blue eyes that were currently fixed on him. I would have shriveled up and died if I’d been on the receiving end of that stare. It was shrewd and piercing.
Valeria Castile. Everyone knew who she was, even though she wasn't a full-time student. Her brothers were some famous business moguls, so she took a few classes in her spare time. When she wasn’t in class, she was busy being one of the most popular omegas in town.
Spencer halted, mid-step, assessing the situation. Once I was no longer alone with the creep, he backed off but stayed near. Lurking again.
It helped that the alpha took one look at the perfect, icy, Valeria and fled.
Turning back to her, I nodded appreciatively. “Hey…” I trailed off.
“I saw him acting all creepy, and I couldn't resist.” She giggled lightly. “Your name is Flora, right? I'm in the same econ class as the one he was talking about, but I tend to stick to the back.”
“I am. I didn't realize you were in there as well.”
How did I not realize she was in any of my classes? Was I that lost in my own world? Valeria was perfectly polished. Her hair never had a single flyaway. Her clothing was always immaculate, without a single wrinkle in sight.
She was pretty much the opposite of me.
“Thank you,” I sighed. “I was honestly considering ducking under the table and crawling away.”
She pursed her lips. “You know what? If it got you away from him, it would be worth it.”
I nodded. Her smile was small, but relaxed.
“Anyway, I’ve got class. If he bothers you again, I find glaring at him like he has a tiny penis—which, let’s be real, he probably does—scares him off.”
I chuckled. “Good to know.”
With grace I would never achieve, Valeria stood and glided away, not a hair out of place.
Other than that, the day flew by.
“Not so bad, was it?” Spencer asked when we got into the car. I buckled myself in as he pressed several buttons.
“Honestly, it wasn’t. How was it for you?”
Spencer pursed his lips for a moment, thinking before giving me a nod. “It wasn't that bad at all. I think we can do this regularly.”
“So, no more skipping class?” I asked hopefully.
“Nope.” He smiled, pulling off.
My body ached all over, and I couldn’t figure out why.
We had come straight back to the apartment after class. I had crawled into bed for a nap, assuming the events of the day had tired me out more than usual, and a little rest would help.
“Hey, do you want—?” Spencer started as he entered my room, pausing when he saw me curled up in a ball. “Are you okay?”
I shook my head. “I think I’m coming down with something.”
He sprang into action, moving forward and gently placing a hand on my forehead. “You are a bit warm,” he agreed. “How are you feeling? Did this come on suddenly?”
“Generally lousy. My body aches. I’m so freaking tired, but I didn’t feel that bad before my nap.”
“When did you last eat?” he asked, his voice all stubborn and serious.
“You know, when you frown like that, you look constipated,” I pointed out before breaking off into a giggle. Spencer’s eyes widened, and he looked at me like I’d grown a second head.
Maybe I was so tired I’d lost my filter.
“No one’s ever told me that before,” he huffed.
“Well, I’m happy to be the first,” I beamed. “Seriously, this is probably just a stomach bug or the flu or something. You should probably leave me alone in case you get infected.”
He sat on the edge of the bed and pulled the blanket off, ignoring my whimper of protest as the cold air flitted over my body.
“I’m not going anywhere,” he insisted. “Come here.”
“No,” I whined pitifully, batting his hands away.
It was no good. Spencer grabbed me around the waist and pulled me over to him with ease.
He’d showered but hadn’t put on any scent blockers yet, so his warm, peppery aroma was extra strong.
Maybe it was because I was sick. Maybe it was because I was exhausted. But I didn’t think twice before burying my face in his chest and inhaling deeply.
“You smell good,” I muttered.
“And you smell extra sweet,” he admitted, his tone distracted. “Flora, is there a chance you could be in heat?”
I shook my head, keeping my eyes closed and snuggling deeper into him. “Nope. I take my pills every night, even when that freak show trashed my place because you brought me them, remember? I haven’t missed a single dose,” I declared proudly.
“Chase!” Spencer shouted, tilting his head toward the door.
“What do you want, Spencer, ’cause if you need me to pop your back pimples again, I’ll do it for you. But I'm just saying, it’s gross,” Chase announced loudly as he entered the room, a smile on his face.
I highly doubted Spencer ever allowed anyone to pop his back pimples. In fact, his skin was so perfectly clear, I doubted he even had any.
When he saw me, Chase’s face fell. “Honeybee! What’s going on?” he asked, lurching forward.
“I’m fine,” I maintained, but the impact of my words was dulled by the fact I was slurring them.
“Go to her bathroom, get her heat suppressants, and give them to me,” Spencer instructed.
“You think she’s…” He trailed off, eyes wide.
“Just get them, Chase!”
Burying my face in Spencer's shirt again, I could hear the guys moving around, but didn’t pay it much attention. My stomach was starting to cramp, and all I wanted was to touch more skin.
I was burning up from the inside out.
I knew about heats and what they consisted of. If I wasn’t taking my medication religiously, I would have thought I was going into heat.
“I can't be going into heat,” I faltered.
Spencer's voice was quiet. “Flora. Your medication was in your apartment. The same apartment your stalker entered several times. What if it was tampered with?”
My blood ran cold, and I jumped back, looking at Spencer in disbelief.