Page 14 of Forsaken

“Let me guess,” she says. “You never got your spot at the salon.”

I want to roll my eyes, but I settle for shaking my head instead. “I didn’t even realize there was such a place until Kinsey came here.”

Ebon’s gaze narrows. If she has an opinion on that topic, she doesn’t share it. I can’t get a handle on whether she’s a friend or not. “I can get the hairdresser if you want.”

My fingers flex against the boxes. I have a suspicion that if she knew what I wanted to do to my hair, she wouldn’t approve. “It’s okay. I’m used to doing it myself. I did back home.”

“It’s no trouble.”

“You sure the academy would want to waste more money on someone who has a time clock above their head?”

Ms. Ebon clicks her tongue. “I understand your mistrust, Miss Adams, but I really am trying to help you. I met with Lydia Greystone today. She approved the return of the Daybreak Pack to their territory for the festivities.”

I blink in surprise. “All of us? Nathan too?”

“If he’s in Daybreak, he’s allowed to attend, yes.”

My heart pangs against my chest. I’ve tried to put him out of my mind. It’s hard to think about him and Sean being in the same place together without guilt settling over me like thick cobwebs.

As if on cue, determination sets in next. It’s not fair that I should feel guilty for what I did when Sean has more than likely been doing the same the whole time I’ve been here.

“I am glad I saw you slip inside,” Ms. Ebon says, smoothing down her narrow skirt. “I was wondering if you were serious about the accusation you placed against your mate yesterday?”

My mouth dries instantly. My tongue is so thick in my mouth that it feels as if I swallowed a bunch of cotton balls. I want to say yes, but dammit, the mistaken loyalty I feel to that asshole shifter keeps me quiet. For the most part. “They dated before we were mated during our first shift. His girlfriend also rejected her mate. Nathan.”

Ms. Ebon nods slowly. She moves her arms up to cross them in front of her. She’s a serious looking woman, but I’m beginning to think more and more that she has a softer side. “I’m not as familiar with your pack laws as I am with my own, Miss Adams. But if they are at all the same, if you find out that they are together, active non-compliance with mate laws would be a major offense in Lunar Pack. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

I take a deep breath and let go of the claw-like grip I have on the boxes of hair dye in my hand. This is the first time someone in charge has hinted that I have to look out for my own interest instead of saying that my one and only duty is to get my mate back.

I bite my lip, trying to keep my emotion in check when she ruins it. “I am sure when you return to Daybreak and have more than the short minutes together that are available at the academy that you’ll be able to find common ground. Shifters can’t resist the pull of their mate, Miss Adams. It’s fate. Undeniable attraction.”

“Do you have a mate, Ms. Ebon?”

All color drains from her face. Sharp cheekbones stick out on her pale-as-death skin. “No,” she states in a way that’s both lifeless and angry.

Sounds like I’ve struck a nerve.

Part of me wants to high-five myself. I’ve been digging up my emotions in this place for a year, and all for nothing. It’s about time someone else was in the hot seat instead of my ass being judged as to why Nathan—

I mean Sean.

Sean.

Fuck. Of course I meant Sean. Why I’ve made no progress with my mate, Sean.

The door opens behind Ms. Ebon, and the both of us freeze. She recuperates quicker than I do. “Oh, Grace. I’m glad you’re here. I have a student that would like her hair colored.”

“No, it’s fine.”

“Miss Adams, sit down,” Ebon demands.

I lick my lips, smirking a little. The hairdresser gazes between the two of us like we’re in a battle of wills, but honestly, my argument isn’t with her. I turn, placing my boxes on the counter, color side out, and then sit in the salon chair.

“Ooh, fun,” Grace says. She comes over, maneuvering her black waves over her shoulder. She grabs my hair and runs her fingers through it. “What were you thinking?”

I explain my idea: Instead of coloring my whole head purple, I imagined black hair underneath with the purple sitting like a crowned layer on top.

She nods, her smile growing wider as I explain it to her. “That’s going to look so awesome! What a change!” She takes the boxes to a ledge on the right and starts working. “So, what’s your name?”

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