Page 103 of Dark Bonds

“Don’t you dare.” She wags a finger at me. “I’m not ready. I know college is supposed to be where you begin to build your pack, but I just want to exist.”

“I had no idea.” I reach for her hands and squeeze once.

“Well, that’s because it’s something I just thought about.” She smiles at me in her usual way. To anyone else, it would look normal, but I know better now.

“Who says you can’t?” I try sounding cheerful, but it falls flat.

“Seems the council wants us to pack up sooner than later.” She wrinkles her nose. “I have to go.” She pushes away from the bar, her drink forgotten.

“Tori, wait,” I call out, catching her arm. “I know I’ve been caught up in my own pack drama, but... are you okay? This whole forced pack thing must be rough on you.”

Tori’s shoulders slump a bit. “It’s just... I see you with your pack, and it looks so natural, but for me? It feels like I’m being shoved into a box I’m not ready for.”

I squeeze her hand. “Hey, you know you always have a place with us if you want it, right? No pressure, just... an option.”

She gives me a small smile. “Thanks, Frankie. I... I’ll think about it.”

“Tori,” I call out to her one more time, but she just waves her hand behind her as she walks away.

Unfortunately, a huge group of college students from the smaller community college burst in, swallowing Tori. I can always tell the difference.

They are louder, more careful, and unhaunted.

The air grows thick with the scent of spilled beer and grenadine, undercut by the sharper notes of lime and tequila. I fall into an easy rhythm, mixing drinks and chatting with customers, momentarily letting my worry about Tori fade for the time being.

A group of girls approaches the bar, giggling and swaying slightly. “What can I get you?” I ask, plastering on my best customer service smile.

“Four tequila shots and your number,” the boldest of the group says with a wink.

I laugh, reaching for the tequila bottle. “Sorry, I’m taken,” I say with a grin, pouring their shots. As I hand them over, I can’t help but think of Leo’s warm smile, Matteo’s intense gaze, and even Dorian’s brooding charm. God, when did my love life get so complicated? I shake off the thought, focusing on the task at hand. “By this bar,” I add, hoping my momentary distraction wasn’t noticeable.

As I slide the glasses across the counter, my fingers brush against a girl’s hand. For a split second, I feel the shadows within me surge, drawn to the warmth of her skin. I pull back quickly, my heart racing.

Steady, Frankie. They are just drunk college girls, not demon summoners.

The moment passes, and the girls down their shots, completely oblivious to my internal struggle. For a while, I almost forget about the complexities of my new life, but then,as I’m serving a group of regulars, I overhear a snippet of conversation that makes my blood run cold.

“I’m telling you, man, I saw her—that girl with the shadow wolf. It was wild!”

I freeze, my heart pounding a frantic rhythm against my rib cage. Slowly, I turn to face the speaker, a lanky guy with shaggy brown hair. He’s gesturing animatedly to his friends, oblivious to my presence.

“Dude, you were probably just drunk.” One of his friends laughs, the sound grating against my nerves.

“No, I swear! It was right here in Morrow Bay. This girl, she like, controlled these shadows, and then boom! Shadow wolf!”

I feel the shadows around me start to stir, responding to my rising panic. They curl around my ankles like wisps of smoke, eager to protect and consume. No, not here, not now, I think desperately, trying to rein in my powers. The glasses on the shelf behind me begin to rattle softly, the shadows growing more agitated with each passing second.

“Hey, isn’t that her?” another guy in the group says, his voice cutting through the buzz of the bar.

The chatter around me dies instantly. A dozen pairs of eyes swivel in my direction, pinning me in place. My chest tightens, each breath becoming a struggle. The shadows are going nuts, swirling around my feet like they have a mind of their own. I clench my fists, my nails biting into my palms. The sharp sting of pain is an anchor, the only thing keeping me from losing complete control.

I scan the bar, my mind racing through possible excuses. The ice machine, that’s it. “Sorry, guys, have to check on the ice machine. It’s been acting up all night.”

Before I can make my escape, the lanky guy narrows his eyes, studying me intently. “No way, it was definitely you. I’drecognize those eyes anywhere... They glowed in the dark, just like now.”

I feel a bead of sweat trickle down my back, icy against my flushed skin. It doesn’t matter that I’ve only ever shifted in the shadow realm and he can’t possibly be thinking of me. The glasses on the shelves behind me rattle more insistently, the shadows growing darker and more substantial with each passing second. The air around me feels charged, as if a storm is brewing indoors.

Just then, I feel a hand on my shoulder. I turn to see Tori standing there, her expression a mix of concern and determination. Her touch is like a lifeline, anchoring me to reality.