Chapter 11 #2
Ruby deflated. “Aanya had a relationship right off the bat when she got here before last semester. It only lasted a month, but the bastard was extremely over-controlling. He cut her off from everyone, including her own family. When Ryder finally managed to talk some sense into her, she was emotionally fucked in the head because he had convinced her that she needed him… Clearly that wasn’t the case, and I’m just glad that he ‘disappeared’ once she found the twins. ”
“He went missing?” I arched my brow.
“Yeah, into the lake,” Ruby scoffed. “Listen, I’m sorry you’re having to deal with this shit. I know our fights probably seem stupid.”
“I want to support both of you. I was really concerned when you just disappeared.”
Her face flashed with guilt. “I wanted to contact you guys earlier, I just had no idea…still have no idea how to explain myself.”
“If you need help with something, I’m sure we can figure it out,” I offered. “You don’t have to ever explain yourself to me, Ruby. I will support you however I can.”
Her hand squeezed mine. “Thanks, girl. I’ve got this, I promise. I will probably be back in class next week, but if they ask—”
“I haven't seen you yet?” I wasn’t one for lying, but I also understood the need for Ruby to handle this her own way, so I didn’t mind staying out of it.
“Thanks.” She smiled and walked out, leaving me sitting at a coffee table on my own, trying to process what just happened.
I had no idea what female friendships were supposed to be like, but I suddenly felt right in the middle of an issue that I had no idea how to solve.
When I finally stood, Tore was right there, grabbing my elbow.
“What was that about?”
I shook my head. “I don’t really understand it.”
Tore nodded, looking sleepy himself. “You want to grab some more coffee or head back to the dorms?”
“Coffee,” I murmured. “I am going to go use the bathroom first.”
I found the bathrooms easily, turning the corner and entering into the modern white tile room.
Afterwards, as I was washing my hands, the door opened and immediately I felt uneasy, the hair on the back of my neck standing upright.
My gaze snapped up in the mirror to find a familiar woman entering the space, dressed in a tight red dress and black heels, her blonde hair floating down her back.
The woman who came to Ryder’s office.
Upon seeing me, a small smile appeared on her lips as she came to the mirror and pulled out a lipstick. I finished washing my hands and grabbed a paper towel to dry them, her voice filling the space suddenly and almost making me jump.
“You’re the student from Ryder’s office, right?” she asked curiously, but I could hear something underneath it, something that made me nervous.
“Yes.” I nodded hesitantly, while finishing the process of drying my hands.
“You know it’s not a good idea to get involved with a teacher, right?” she asked casually as if she was telling me the weather. I froze and looked up at her, not knowing how to react.
“Get involved?”
“Oh come on,” she teased, leaning against the counter with all the ease and grace in the world. “I see how everyone looks at him, but Ryder is taken. He may get distracted, but don’t let him fool you—he has already made a commitment to me.”
“No he hasn’t.”
I didn’t mean it to come out as harsh as it did, but my statement seemed to make her smile more. I knew I had fallen into the metaphorical spider’s web with that comment.
“Oh, you poor thing. He’s gotten under your skin, hasn’t he? He’s good at that. Good at making women want him. Especially ones that are willing to believe his bullshit.”
“What do you mean?”
“The entire ‘we can’t be together’ thing,” she drew out, feeling amused.
My chest squeezed as I inhaled sharply and curled in on myself slightly. The way she smiled further made me sick to my stomach.
“He told you that, didn't he?” She sighed. “It’s bait and hook for silly girls like you. Ryder doesn’t need a girl like you, he needs a woman. Don’t waste your time. Besides, it sounds like you have a large enough problem at hand… You’re the mate of the blood-bonded pack, right?”
“Yes.” My voice was terse but also sad.
She walked to the door and looked back at me. “Stay in your lane, Effie. Ryder has been with me for a long time now.”
When she was gone, I felt myself deflate against the counter, and tears started to cloud my eyes. Was she telling the truth? No. I didn’t want to believe that she was… I didn’t want to believe that Ryder was like that.
Blinking them away, I stepped out into the main part of the hallway to find Tore there, waiting and offering me a small smile before frowning.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I mean, it is something…but later.” I wiped my eyes and tried to dislodge the thoughts in my head. “Can we just head back?”
“Actually, Julian, you, and I are going to get you a phone.” His voice was light, but the way he was watching me had me know that he was far from done with this conversation.
“I have a phone,” I teased.
“Not a real one. Not one that makes it easier to find you.”
Maybe that tracking idea wasn’t too far-fetched…
“Tore, I have no idea how something like this works, and I for sure don’t need one,” I murmured, holding the piece of expensive technology in my hand.
“You do need it,” Julian pointed out from a few feet away where he was looking at the different cases. “It will make all of us feel far better about your safety.”
I looked towards the wall of phones, wondering how to handle this.
I could tell Julian was being honest, but somehow this felt different than the laptop.
Maybe because that had felt like a gift and this felt more…
I didn’t have a word for it. Still, I didn’t think signing up for a phone plan with them was exactly a ‘casual’ thing.
“There are more than ten cheaper options that would be equally as functional.” I actually had no idea how their functionality rated, but I figured I would give it a go, at least.
“But do they have the ability to have this cool case on them?” Julian teased, handing me a purple and blue tie-dye case that I more than loved. Examining it, I bolstered my nerves and looked at both of them, addressing the elephant in the room.
“I can’t afford this.”
“Good thing you aren’t paying for it then.” Julian flashed a smile.
“You’re our mate, lil bit, let us buy it.” Tore smoothed a hand over my jaw. “Please? I need to know you’re safe at all times, and this is just one more way to stay in contact with you.”
I examined his expression, seeing a level of earnest honesty that had me knowing I was about to give in.
“Okay,” I breathed out.
Tore flashed a bright smile that had my heart tightening happily as he went to check out. Julian’s fingers intertwined with mine as I tilted my head up to find my bitten mate staring at me with a pensive expression.
“What?” I asked a bit self-consciously.
“Just waiting for you to explain what happened this morning. Tore said you came out of the bathroom upset.” Julian brushed his lips against my knuckles, his body relaxed but his wolf shifting under his skin dangerously, signalling that he was more worked up than he let on.
“Well, first there was the Ruby thing,” I pointed out, something I had filled both of them in on while driving through town to the store.
“Which is so fucking odd, all of it,” Julian murmured, shaking his head.
“I’m just worried about her, and now Aanya.” I felt my brow dip before considering the other part of the situation. “And then, when I was in the bathroom—”
A ring sounded overhead as the shop door opened, my words cutting off as I watched Guy, of all people, walk into the store.
The first thing I noticed was how rough the man looked, from the splint on his wrist to the bruises covering his face.
I knew at least the first was because of Dakota, but instead of feeling upset over the notion of violence…
I felt vindicated. I felt like he deserved it, and that was a very hard pill to swallow for me.
My wolf tried to let out a defensive growl, demanding that I accept those more instinctual feelings that allowed for violence, as I tightened my grip on Julian’s hand.
Even worse, it was like Guy had locked onto my scent because immediately his gaze found mine, a sick smile filling his face.
Then he saw Julian and Tore, his face paling significantly.
Guy and his friend, who seemed oblivious to the tension crackling in the room, led him towards a far wall as Julian let out a deep growl that had me turning into him. I loved the sound of his growl, and I loved the feeling of his chest vibrating against my ear in a deep rumble.
“I want him the fuck out of here,” Julian snarled.
“As long as he leaves me alone, I’m happy,” I promised.
Julian didn’t disagree but he didn’t agree either, his eyes narrowed on the man as Tore finished up before we walked towards the door.
We’d borrowed Caedmon’s truck because of the heavy snow on the ground, and when we reached the front seat, I let out a small giggle of surprise as Julian lifted me up onto it.
His responding chuckle had me feeling better about how upset he’d been in the store.
Tore got into the driver’s seat as Julian sat in the back and began to set up my phone before handing it back to me, explaining that I not only had everyone’s phone number but that Aanya had texted me as well.
Aanya: Ryder gave me your new number! We’re having a sleepover tonight, tell your mates they can go do whatever scary blood-bonded packs do on Saturdays, but tonight is girls’ night. Ruby also said she’s coming. It will be at Ryder’s place.
The idea of seeing Ryder now scared the crap out of me. I didn’t want to confirm or know the truth about what the woman had been saying, but I also knew it was necessary.
I didn’t wait to respond.
Me: Sounds fun! What time?
“I am having a sleepover tonight,” I announced. “I need to go to Ryder’s to meet with the girls around six.” I let out a small yawn and Julian leaned forward, his fingers brushing through my messy hair.
“Then we need to figure out something to do before that.” Julian nipped my ear as I squeaked. “What do you want to do this afternoon? After our nap that we are taking, because no amount of caffeine is going to keep me up right now.”
Tore grunted in agreement.
“Whatever you guys are up to,” I replied breathlessly, my skin stinging from his nip. “I just want to spend time together.”
It was the truth.
“What about the hockey game? We could get everyone to go to that, it’s around three today, I think?” Tore offered.
“I am cool with that.” Julian nodded. “Effie?”
“I’ve never seen a hockey game, but it sounds fun.
” I smiled as we pulled up to the dorm. Julian was immediately out and picked me up out of the car.
Tore muttered something to him that Julian ignored while calling back about having to ‘always share me.’ I didn’t understand what he meant until we reached his room.
“Julian!” I squeaked as he dropped me on the bed and crawled on after, his large hands smoothing over my waist and molding me to him.
“Caedmon is a needy fucker, but so am I. We’re taking a nap, and you’re going to like it.” He hummed happily while nuzzling his nose against my hair. “Fuck, you smell so good.”
I let out a pleased sound while nuzzling against his chest. I loved being in Julian’s arms, and I could feel my eyes growing heavy.
It was easy to be relaxed with Julian because I knew without a doubt that I was always safe.