Chapter 15 #2
It didn’t scare me exactly… It was more the intensity behind the sentiment. I had been surprised by Tore’s words last night, but Ryder saying them really shocked me.
“When would we go?” I asked quietly.
“Tuesday? You may have to skip one of your classes, but I figure you wouldn’t want to skip your Monday ones again,” Julian said.
“Okay.” I nodded slowly and then felt anxiety wrap around my chest. “If you really think it will help. I’m just concerned about being around that again. I don’t want them to treat me poorly in front of you guys. I don’t want you to think of me like they think of me.”
“I will fucking slaughter them,” Dakota bit out, making me tense before he smoothed a hand up my back.
I think that was the biggest difference with my mates and when their words caused me to feel uncomfortable and when they didn’t… It wasn’t what they said but how they said it. Harsh tones caused me to react poorly, and I knew Theresa and Gerald were to blame. I had absolutely no doubt about that.
“We know exactly how amazing you are, Effie. Absolutely nothing will change that—not anything and not anyone,” Julian said casually, but the look in his eyes was far darker than his words. The chill that ran over my skin felt both dangerous and pleasurable.
I nodded and breathed out, “Okay, let’s do it.”
Ryder nodded, and I went back to look at the television, before realizing who was missing from this equation. “Where is Caedmon?”
Everyone seemed to freeze as they exchanged a look that had me feeling like I’d said something wrong. I felt my throat tighten as I wondered if anyone was going to answer, and when Dakota looked at me, his eyes were filled with a concern that made me feel even worse.
“Caedmon is busy tonight,” Dakota explained, his eyes tracing over my expression. “He won’t be here until tomorrow morning.”
My eyes widened in surprise. “Oh, okay.”
Why hadn’t he said anything? Had he been gone all morning?
I mean, I understood if he was busy, but I would have at least liked to know that he was safe.
The idea that he might not be left a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach.
I nervously played with my hands as I stared at the TV, but I could feel eyes on me.
“Little wolf, we are running to the Student Union. Come on,” Dakota said a moment later, standing up. I looked up at him and nodded, taking his hand. I wanted more explanation, but I also didn’t know how to phrase all my questions without sounding weird, so I just didn’t say anything.
“Make sure you wear a coat,” Tore demanded softly.
I couldn’t help but smile at how determined my mates were to keep me dressed warmly and well fed. There was something so basic, almost instinctual, and wonderful about that.
Five minutes later, I was dressed warmly and standing in the elevator with Dakota, tucked against his side. His face was unreadable, but he continued to stare at me, looking like he wanted to say something but couldn’t.
“Little wolf, I want to tell you—”
“If he doesn’t want me to know, I understand,” I said softly.
Dakota let out a low rumble. “It’s not that, trust me. At least not for the reason you think… It has to do with his wolf.”
Dakota was never hesitant, and that paired with his comment had me coming to what I thought was a reasonable conclusion. “Oh. Is he shifting tonight? Is it one of the three nights? He mentioned that they were pretty important to keep quiet.”
I was glad we were in the elevator, or else I would have felt really bad about essentially blurting my questions out, determined to resolve the sick feeling my anxiety was causing.
Dakota looked down to me in surprise. “He told you all that?”
I nodded. I had forgotten they hadn’t sat there with me during that conversation.
Dakota looked thoughtful for a moment as the elevator doors opened. “Yes, that is exactly what it is. Caedmon goes somewhere secluded for it. He doesn’t enjoy the shift, at all, and it can sometimes cause an extreme reaction in combination with his memories.”
Oh.
I could somewhat gather what he was saying, and I didn’t want to push it. Not because I didn’t think he would tell me, but because I wanted Caedmon to be the one to tell me. To trust me with that information. I would wait until he felt comfortable enough to do that.
We walked with intertwined hands towards the Student Union as Dakota pointed out a few things in passing, seeming to understand why I didn’t want to continue to talk about Caedmon.
He showed me a small building that sat near the lake that was used for shifting and another one that was a bit closer to the forest area.
Apparently both were heated and they allowed you to store your clothing and belongings if you needed a midday shift.
I never thought in my life that I would come across a place that was so accepting of shifting, it was a freeing notion that I loved.
When we finally reached the union, Dakota opened the door for me, and the warm, heated air brushed across my face as he let go of our fingers and pressed his hand to my back gently.
Once again, I could feel eyes turn on us, and Dakota let out a low, frustrated rumble but led me towards the small convenience store.
“What are you hungry for?” I asked him.
His eyes flashed with heat. “Dangerous question to ask, little wolf.”
My cheeks flamed as I realized what he was implying. His gaze jumped down to my cheeks as he smiled. “I fucking love that color on your cheeks.”
“When I blush?”
“The very one,” he growled softly, nipping my nose before leading me through the store. After about ten minutes we had a basket of stuff, and I was very happy with our little collection.
As we were walking back, I noticed a group of men, all wearing black jackets and sunglasses, their faces completely blank of emotion.
Dakota let out a low rumble, but other than that, didn’t react or move us from our path, his hand tight on my waist. I thought they would just walk past us, but when the first came across our path, he came to a stop and offered a smile.
The others walked ahead a bit, not going far but leaving us three to whatever this man wanted to say.
And it was very clear that he had something to say.
The guys were about as large as my mates, but they didn’t give me as much of a sick feeling as the men from the cafeteria or the ones from the game. They still made me uncomfortable, but the others had been horrible. His gaze didn’t move from Dakota though, acting as if I wasn’t even there.
Honestly, after all the weird attention lately, I was thankful for it.
“I heard you are fucking shit up with Hastain’s little breeding plan.”
Wow. Talk about blunt.
“I would highly suggest you fuck off,” Dakota growled, tucking me behind him. “Mention breeding around my mate again and see what happens.”
The man smiled further. “So sensitive. I should have known you four would be the first to fucking fall to this bullshit.” His gaze moved to mine before back to Dakota. “Could be worse, I suppose.”
Dakota let out a growl that had the man shifting back. “What exactly do you want?”
The man didn’t hesitate to answer. “I think we both realize something is going on with Hastain, and if you haven’t caught on, let me warn you—he’s planning something. He’s put feelers out for bitten females throughout the surrounding states. I have a feeling that shit is about to get fucked up.”
“Okay, so?” Dakota’s hand tightened on me.
“I want to formally extend a truce.” The man seemed annoyed with the notion. “I know Aaren hates his father, so I would rather be on the winning side with the eight of you when shit gets fucked up.”
Dakota’s face turned cautious as he held his gaze. “Fine, Cato. If you hear any more shit about the feelers he is putting out, you know where to find me.”
The man looked down at me. “Keep an eye on your mate, Dakota. I heard Weylin talking to his pack of assholes. They aren’t over what happened in the cafeteria.”
The group was gone then, and Dakota was instantly leading me towards the dorm building, muttering something under his breath.
“Who was that?” I asked him.
“The other BBP on campus. Assholes, but not like Reamann and Weylin,” he said. “If Hastain is really up to that shit, a lot of bitten females could be in danger.”
A sickening sensation worked its way through my stomach. “Maybe when we go back to visit the Whitepaw Pack, we can ask about what he said?”
Dakota’s eyes darted down to mine as he made a sound of agreement.
I just hoped that when we went back we didn’t find out something more terrible than what we already assumed was going on.