Chapter 12
Effie Harlow
It seemed almost impossible. I was probably imagining it. Right?
My eyes traced over the man standing at the front of the classroom, introducing himself, as my ears rang. Caedmon’s gaze was on mine, but my wolf and I were currently completely focused on who I presumed was my professor. An issue that I truly didn’t know how to handle.
I squeezed my legs together, shifting in my seat as I tried to ignore the surge of heat that ran over me, entirely confused on what the hell was going on here. At least I knew it wasn’t just me, because as he talked, his eyes continued to move over me as if unable to help himself.
I should have listened for his name. Instead, I found myself completely entrapped in watching how he reacted to things, his bright burnt-orange gaze tracking across the space.
He was absolutely stunning, like a model that you only saw in magazines, his features speaking to Japanese heritage.
The man’s entire aura was powerful and vibrant, as if he was holding a brilliant collection of energy under his skin that was on the verge of exploding out in a sunshine-like flame.
I could feel other eyes on me, but I barely cared about that, if we were being honest. I know that sounded terrible, but I just had bigger things to focus on.
As in, why a part of me that I’d never felt before seemed to be coming alive.
And no, I wasn’t talking about the desire coursing through me… that had been constant since arriving here. This was something different, and it was flaring underneath my skin dangerously. My wolf let out a small noise that almost escaped my throat.
“He’s not a wolf.”
Was that why I was reacting so poorly? “What is he?”
My response had her curling up as she offered me a perplexed look.
Wonderful. That wasn’t helpful, unfortunately.
When a piece of paper landed in front of me, I looked up to find Caedmon laying the course packet there, his eyes worried and dark.
I tried to offer him a comforting smile, but I wasn’t positive that it worked, because if anything, he looked more concerned.
My gaze flickered down to read the syllabus. Economics 101, taught by Ryder Bosu. That was a name I found myself wanting to roll across my tongue.
“Hey there,” a voice said next to me as I turned my head, realizing that everyone around us was talking.
Introducing themselves? Crap. See, this is what happened when I zoned out.
I turned and tried to focus on the young man next to me.
His eyes were somewhat warm, and I tried to offer a hesitant smile, forcing myself to not look at the enigmatic men in the front of the classroom.
“Hi.” I offered a small smile.
“I’m Charles.” He offered a hand. “I think we are supposed to introduce ourselves to each other.”
“Honestly, I wasn’t paying attention,” I admitted, meeting his hand.
“My name is Effie.” Almost the minute our hands touched, a low growl came from the front of the classroom, causing Charles to pull his hand back, his face flushed, as his eyes darted down to my neck with surprise. Maybe at me being a bitten wolf?
His reaction was confusing enough, but more so was Caedmon’s reaction, annoyance clear on his features. At what? I shrunk slightly in my chair, wondering if it had been something I’d done. His gaze moved from Charles, warming on me and making me relax just slightly. Maybe not.
Instead of Charles trying to talk to me anymore, he looked down at his syllabus, leaving me to look back up towards the front of the classroom.
Ryder, or Professor Bosu, which didn’t feel exactly right, was talking to Caedmon.
They seemed to be in a heated discussion, and my face felt flushed because I didn’t understand what was going on here.
Why did Caedmon look so upset? Before I could ask, Ryder broke away and walked around his desk.
“Alright, now that you’ve introduced yourself to your neighbor, I am going to be pairing you up for the semester.
Remember, this person is going to be your lifeline for any questions.
I don’t answer shit after hours,” he drew out, his eyes flickering over everyone with a boredom that surprised me.
Mostly because his gaze was so different whenever it met mine.
I wish I could tell you I heard the other names of my classmates as Ryder announced the pairs, but instead, I simply felt overwhelmed.
Everything about this first class seemed fast-paced and complicated—something I wasn’t used to when I was in charge of my own schooling and could take my own time.
I was starting to wonder if maybe this was too much for me.
It wasn’t until we had reached the end of the list that I realized I hadn’t been assigned a partner yet.
Caedmon walked over and sat next to me, looking much more relaxed.
“Uneven number, so we are going to work together,” he offered quietly, looking over my reaction as I nodded happily. I played with the edge of my syllabus, careful to not accidentally tear it with my nervous fidgeting.
“You okay?” he asked gruffly as Ryder gave some type of direction, but my ears were still ringing from his energy circling the room.
“I feel overwhelmed,” I admitted, meeting Caedmon’s gaze. I did. I felt overwhelmed by them. By class. By Ryder. By all of this.
“We can leave,” Caedmon immediately offered, a slight thread of panic in his gaze I hadn’t expected.
I opened my mouth to tell him that maybe it was a good idea, only to have a shadow eclipse my space, a chair moving across the floor as I found myself suddenly looking up into Ryder’s handsome face.
My mouth opened slightly in surprise, because there was absolutely nothing like being around him in person.
This close. He smelled just like he did in my dream, but it was so much more intense being in his space.
How was any of this even possible? Did he remember the dream? There was absolutely no way, right? Maybe it hadn’t been him, just someone that oddly looked exactly like him and no one else I’d ever met before…
“You look like you’re about to pass out, Effie,” he observed, his eyes darting over to Caedmon. “Why?”
“Because she’s overwhelmed, and you’re not helping,” Caedmon leveled, his voice soaked in dominance.
A comment that Ryder ignored as he looked back at me, almost speculative and making me feel as if I was under inspection.
I shivered as a soft energy wrapped around me suddenly, making me breathe out on a short exhale.
“Why are you overwhelmed?” he asked, his head tilting as he leaned forward, his gaze completely on my face.
“Lots of reasons,” I answered, my voice soft. “Partly because of you.”
Caedmon wasn’t wrong, and I was almost positive I wasn’t supposed to say that to my teacher. I mean, I didn’t know for sure, but I felt like this conversation wasn’t normal to have with your professor. Call it a hunch.
“Me?” he questioned, his eyes flashing with something.
“Professor Bosu?” a female voice called out as his burnt eyes examined my expression, a wave of emotion crashing through them, before he seemed to smooth it out and look up at whoever had called him.
Honestly, the man was nearly unrecognizable with his indifferent mannerisms as he stood and crossed the room towards a pair of students, both looking frustrated.
I blinked, clearing my vision, and looked down at my desk, feeling as though I could finally pull in a breath.
Ryder had a very overwhelming effect on me.
A hand gently wrapped around my own, pausing the shaking, as I looked up into a pair of green eyes that were growing more familiar.
I sank against my chair as I tightened my hand on him, something like pain and affection in his gaze.
I didn’t let go, liking the warm, hard feeling of his grip against mine.
“Alright, that’s enough for today. Make sure to look over the syllabus,” Ryder called out after a few moments of us sitting in somewhat silence.
“We will have a full quiz on the reading material on Wednesday before diving into chapter 1. This will be the first and only time class will be cut short, so be ready. I highly suggest staying ahead of the material, because I won’t be taking any extra time.
Caedmon is free to answer questions, but I am not.
” His eyes darted over to me, causing me to blush.
Caedmon muttered something as everyone began to file out.
I took the syllabus and opened my bag, finding a pale purple folder that one of the guys must have picked out for me.
I put the syllabus in it, trying to calm my breathing, and didn’t even realize the classroom was empty until I looked up and found Ryder sitting in the seat across from me once again, his gaze completely focused on my expression.
I froze, my fingers pausing on the zipper as Caedmon let out a frustrated rumble.
“Ryder, cut it out,” he insisted on a low hiss.
“I’m not doing anything.” I felt like there was a ‘but’ that he wasn’t including onto the end of his sentence. Like he wanted to do something. What did he want to say?
“Let’s get you to your next class.” Caedmon stood, and I followed him up.
Ryder’s gaze dipped along my body as he continued to offer me a look I couldn’t quite interpret.
I found myself wanting him to like what he saw, but that made no sense.
Instead, I shrank slightly. His gaze snapped up to mine, confusion and something darker filling his gaze.
“Later,” Caedmon insisted. A wave of frustration ran over my skin.
I could tell that the two of them were not saying something.
It was similar to how I had felt in the dorms yesterday.
The lack of knowledge only made me feel more uncomfortable and lost, creating a sense of anxiety that was growing in size and depth.