Chapter 1
Riley
“It’s moving day!” I shout in a sing-song voice as I grab my first box from my brother’s truck.
“You are the only one I know that is this level of happy on their first day as a freshman,” Zane says, pulling my ball cap down and obscuring my eyes.
I push it right back up with my arm. “Oh, come on. You were excited on your day of move-in.”
Reid and Quint join us at the truck. “Good grief, Riley. How many years are you moving in for?” Quint asks.
“You probably had more boxes than I do when you moved in,” I tell him with a grin.
“He totally did,” Zane says, siding with me. “Come on. Let’s get this over with.”
I face Reid and Quint. “Thanks for helping me; I really appreciate it.”
“Of course, Riley,” Quint says and jumps into the truck. Reid just nods. I whirl around and join Zane who’s all but jogging for the door.
“Where’s Evie this morning? You're cranky.”
“I’m not cranky, and she’s working at the coffee shop.”
“Oh, that explains it.” He doesn’t say anything, and I can’t help my grin.
My brother is amazing one hundred percent of the time, as long as Evie, his mate, is with him one hundred percent of the time.
If she’s not, then he’s a cranky bear. I head up the stairs and down the hall where Zane’s already knocked and opened the door.
I hurry after him. “Zane, wait.” But he doesn’t wait; he disappears inside.
Muttering under my breath about impatient brothers, I hurry after him.
I knock quickly and then step into the room.
There’s a pretty girl standing off to the side. “Ashley?” I ask.
She smiles widely. “I’m guessing you’re Riley.”
“Yes. It’s good to meet you.”
“You as well. It’s cool that this worked out.” She grabs a bag and throws it over her shoulder. “I’m headed out. Make yourself comfortable, and let me know if you need anything.”
“Thanks, Ashley.”
Ashley lived across the hallway from Tessa, Slater’s mate, last year.
Tess originally wanted me to room with Stephanie, her old roommate; but that spot was already filled.
When she heard there was an opening in Ashley’s room, she pushed me to put in for it.
I’m glad it worked out. It’s nice to have someone kind of know the person you’re going to move in with.
Tessa said she’s a sweetheart. There’s a knock at the door, and I quickly open it.
Quint strides inside, and I hold the door for him and Reid as they drop off boxes.
I use one of the boxes to hold open the door. “Ready for round two?” I ask the guys.
“We can get it if you want to stay here and unpack,” Reid says.
“Speak for yourself,” Quint says, punching him in the stomach. “We need her muscles.”
Reid just shakes his head, and I laugh. “That would be great. Thanks.” The three guys head out to grab more boxes, and I start unpacking.
There are two single beds, one on each side of the room and a single desk in between.
There’s a door that leads to the bathroom that we’ll share with our suitemates.
I can’t help my goofy grin. I’m so happy to finally be here.
I start making my bed, and the guys bring up the rest of the boxes.
That’s the perk of having guy friends that are shifters; they’re strong and fast movers.
“You need anything else?” Quint asks.
I turn around. “No. Thank you so much, Quint and Reid.” I really appreciate it.
“See you, Riley,” Quint says as he heads out. Reid doesn’t say anything as he follows Quint. I turn back around and see Zane still standing there. “You too, Big Brother. I’m good.”
He looks around the room. “You sure? It’s a lot to unpack.”
I wave him off. “I don’t mind; I’m actually looking forward to it.”
“Unpacking?” he asks skeptically.
“No, just being here, being away from home, getting a fresh start...you name it.”
Concern lights his face. “It’s been a tough year.”
I nod. “It has, and mom and dad haven’t let me out of their sight.”
“There have been some pretty significant threats to you, Riley.”
“I know. I really do; I’m just...I’m ready for a new start.”
“I get that.” He steps forward and drops his hands to my shoulders. “Just because we haven’t heard anything doesn’t mean the threat is gone.”
I sigh. “I know; Dad reminds me every day.”
Zane’s brows knit together. “He’s just worried about you; we all are.”
“I know, but I’m also no longer a little girl,” I remind him gently. “In a few weeks, I'll be able to shift and then I won’t be without protection. While we’re talking about this, do you know anything new? Dad will never talk to me about any of it.”
He drops his hands from my shoulders. “No. We really haven’t heard or seen any activity from the skinwalkers since the attack.”
Zane’s words make goosebumps break out on my arms. I take a step back, hoping he doesn’t notice.
The skinwalkers are a pack of sorts that use black magic to shift because they’re not actually wolves.
They’re led by a master who has a personal vendetta against my family.
They’ve been actively working against us.
My father led an attack against them about six months ago, killing most if not all of them.
The only one for sure we know we didn’t kill is the Master, but our father has been hunting him every day.
I have every confidence he will be found and killed soon.
Our father won’t give up until the threat is gone, especially when the threat is against our family.
Because of the threats made to me specifically, my parents have really pulled me in tight.
My last semester of high school, I was only allowed to attend school, go to practice and games, and come home.
I know why they did it, but it’s been hard.
I'm a social person by nature, and it was my senior year. I push those thoughts away; I refuse to get bitter towards my parents whom I love so much. I’m just ready to move on.
The threat is pretty much past. My father will find and kill the Master any day now, and we’ll all be able to move on with our lives.
In the meantime, I am so excited to be here and be free. I want to try everything and anything.
“Did I lose you?”
Zane’s words snap me back to the present. “Nope. All right.” I step away from him, and his hands drop from my shoulders. “You need to leave, so I can unpack and put my room together.”
He frowns again at all the boxes. “You sure you don’t want help?”
“Nope. I’m good.”
“What about if I bring Evie over when she’s done at the shop?”
I laugh. “Zane, I’m fine. Evie will be tired, and I know you two will want to spend time together. Don’t worry about it; I’ve got this.”
He finally caves. “Okay, but text if you change your mind. And let me know when you’re finished. Evie and I will take you to dinner to celebrate your move.”
I grin. “You don’t need to worry about me, Zane.”
He frowns. “You’re my little sister; it’s in my job description to worry about you.”
My heart squeezes. “I love you.”
“Love you too, Sis. We'll be in touch.” And then, he’s gone.
I look around the room at all the boxes and wonder if maybe I was a little hasty in denying help, but I remind myself that I am a strong and independent woman and get to work.
When I finally finish a few hours later, I sit on the side of my bed and look around the room.
I can’t help my smile. It feels good, really good.
I just know I’m going to love being a college student, and I can’t wait to play basketball here.
A dreamy smile fills my face. To finally get to play for FMU is a dream come true.
I love basketball with every fiber of my being and getting to play for the same school my brother plays for is the ultimate experience.
Zane’s the best quarterback this school’s ever seen; and I’m not just saying that because he’s my brother.
Of course, it doesn’t hurt that Slate’s also making waves in soccer.
He's probably going to go professional after he finishes at FMU, and Reid is just as impressive in basketball. The guy is like a scoring machine. Quint’s setting records left and right in football as well.
I can’t help my grin. I’m ready to join all that greatness and add my own stamp to our history here.
I just have to wait a few more weeks, and I’ll get that chance.
I find my phone and call Zane. “Hey, I’m finally done. Is that offer for dinner still available? Because I’m starved.”
Zane chuckles. “You’re always starving.”
I don’t bother denying it because it’s true. “So, what’s for dinner?”
“What do you want?”
I think about it a minute. “How about Panda? I know that’s Evie’s favorite.” I hear her happy cheer in the background and know I made the right decision.
Zane says something to Evie that I can’t hear and probably don’t want to hear. My brother is a hopeless romantic and absolutely beyond in love with Evie. I’m so happy for him; I love Evie like a sister. She’s so amazing. “We’re heading there now.”
“Okay, I’ll meet you there.”
“You remember where it is?” he asks.
“Yep. I'm good. See you soon.” I head into the bathroom and look at myself a moment in the mirror.
My long blond hair hangs down my back, and my blue eyes sparkle with excitement.
I grab my wallet and my sunglasses and head downstairs.
I smile at every girl I pass on my way. I open the front door and step out, putting my sunglasses on.
I'm not surprised to see the tall shifter standing a few feet from the door. “Hey, Reid.”
“Hey, Riley.”
“Let me guess. Zane sent you to walk me over.”
His lips turn up in the corners. “Possibly.”
I groan. “He is going to have to back off, or this isn’t going to work.”
He’s quiet a moment as he walks next to me. “He just worries about you.”
“Yeah, well, he doesn’t need to; I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”
Reid doesn’t say anything after that. I take in the sights as we walk, and it does not escape my notice all the female attention he’s drawing. “Wow, Reid, you’re pretty popular with the ladies on campus.” I grin up at him, knowing he hates that kind of attention.
His grimace is exactly what I expected. I laugh and tug on his arm. “Come on. Let’s speed up; I’m starving.”
“Did you not eat all day?”
“No, I was trying to get everything done before Ashley, my roommate, got back. I don’t want to annoy her on my first day. Hey, you want to play a pickup game sometime soon?” He looks down at me in surprise. “What?” I ask.
“You just haven’t asked me to play in a long time.”
I snort. “Well, that’s because you became a giant; and I could no longer beat you. But.” I turn to him. “I’m going to need to up my skills since I’ll be playing college ball now.”
“Whenever you want, Riley.”
I take that in. “Thanks. You’re one of the good ones, Reid Marshall.” I glance up at him. “You know, you’re the one that pulled away first, right?”
He frowns at me. “What?”
“You were the one that stopped playing ball with me first.” I’m very careful to keep the hurt out of my tone; I've had years to get past it. And I remind myself, I am past it. “We were friends, or at least I thought we were; and then one day, you ghosted me.” I shrug, playing it off. “And we haven’t played since.” He stops and looks down at me, but I really don’t want to have this conversation right now.
So, I turn away from him, grateful to see Zane and Evie waiting for us. “Ooo, there they are.”