Page 74 of Baseball and Shifters

“I love you too, see you at lunch.” One more kiss and I’m out the door headed to class.

Visual Arts is up first and when I walk into the classroom the first thing I notice is no Trent. Normally I dread having to walk past him to get to my seat, but he’s not here. I glance around, half expecting him to pop out from behind another student, but he never does. Class begins and ends, and still no Trent.

Maybe he’s sick… or expelled.

One can only hope.

When I exit the classroom I’m happily surprised to find Liam waiting.

“May I walk you to class, pretty lady?” His flirty teasing is definitely a drastic change from his previously sullen attitude, but it’s a welcome one.

“Lead the way, good sir,” I tease back, taking his offered arm.

When we reach the classroom, Liam leads me over to a pair of empty seats in the front row. Professor Stone starts class witha deep dive into the evolution of romantic tension but I can’t focus. My notebook is open, my pen in hand, but his lecture may as well be in Latin. I’m too busy rehearsing what I want to say to him after class.

What if he doesn’t remember her?

What if this is all for nothing?

What if I never get answers?

Liam squeezes my hand, pulling me back to the present as Professor Stone ends his lecture laying out this week’s homework, then dismissing the class. The volume rises making my head pound as the students all stand and gather their things before exiting the classroom. When the last student leaves, I finally stand ready to get some answers. Liam stands with me and gives my hand another squeeze before releasing me and hanging back.

“I’m right here, Shadow Girl, you’ve got this.”

I approach Professor Stone’s desk, but it’s not until I’m standing directly in front of it that he raises his eyes from the papers in front of him.

“Oh, hello, Rachel,” his warm eyes always seem to hold a kindly sparkle. His silver hair is pulled back in a low ponytail, a few loose strands framing his weathered, thoughtful face. He wears a deep green sweater with elbow patches and a pair of worn leather loafers that suggest he’s been here forever and plans to stay. “What can I help you with, dear?”

“I-I…” I pause and take a deep breath, centering myself by letting the support and comfort my mates are shooting down the bonds wash over me. “I was wondering if you could tell me about my mom?”

His brow raises slightly, but a look of nostalgia takes over his face. “Yes, I remember your mother. Kara Anvers, right?”

I nod my head hanging on every syllable.

“She was such a bright young girl. She had a spark, something about her just made you certain she was destined for great things.” The warmth in his tone is telling of how much he enjoyed having her as a student. “Often it was like she could see things the rest of us couldn’t, more than once she asked me a question that made me rethink my entire lesson plan.”

“Did you know she was a kitsune like me?”

He chuckles. “Of course I did. The first time we met, she actually scared the snot out of me by darting past me in fox form. She was so fast, I didn’t know what I had just seen, but when I saw her two tails flying in the air behind her I knew she was a kitsune.”

“Two…” It takes everything in me to remain calm. “Did you saytwotails?”

“Yes…” His brow furrows in confusion. “I’m sorry, did I say something wrong?”

“No, I just… I have to go. Thank you so much Professor, see you tomorrow.”

I don’t wait for him to respond, I just turn and grab Liam, hurrying us both out of the classroom.

“Rachel? Are you okay? That was… a lot.” Liam’s concern radiates through our bond.

“I need to talk to everyone together. Now.”

He doesn’t ask questions; he simply nods and leads us out of our building to our picnic spot. The other guys are already there, unpacking our lunches when we arrive.

“My mom had a second fated mate!” I half-blurt, half-shout the minute I drop onto the picnic blanket.

The guys all freeze, Lucas with a sandwich halfway to his mouth, Bas holding a bottle of water, and Derrick in the middle of unpacking this picnic he prepared for us. Liam drops down next to me huffing out a breath.

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