Page 113 of The Hunger
I glanced at Fenris. “You never stop her from doing anything. Why would your presence make any difference?”
“By not criticizing her, she thinks she has a chance and stays focused on me instead of turning on the other girls and making their lives worse,” Fenris said.
All three girls nodded.
“It’s all pack hierarchy,” Jenna said. “If Aubrey thought Fenris was actually considering any of us weaker females, she would continue to torment us to prove to Fenris how weak we are. The strongest always lead the pack. There’s never a strong alpha with a weak mate. It’s like nature just doesn’t let that happen.”
Raiden’s words at dinner rang in my ears again. Was that what he meant when he said I wasn’t strong enough? Did he mean that I wasn’t strong enough to stand up to Aubrey?
“So am I invited to the Roost?” Eugene asked, interrupting my thoughts. “I’m keeping my head down and staring at this extremely boring tuna fish sandwich, just like you wanted.”
Jenna snorted. “You’re supposed to be ignoring us, not just staring at your food.”
Despite her scolding words, I could feel her humor, which was how Eugene secured his invitation to the club. To keep him safe and give the girls some breathing room, I offered to drive everyone to the Roost.
“She’s going to be so angry when she finds out,” Jenna said.
“She’s always angry,” Willow said with a shrug.
Some of that indifference faded when Willow got a text several minutes later.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, feeling the shift in her mood.
“Adira wants me in Principles of Public Integration. Apparently, Aubrey needs a babysitter.” She groaned and stood. “As soon as I get home tonight, I’m talking to my parents. One way or another, I’m done with this crap after Saturday.”
While the others prepared to return to their scheduled classes, Fenris and I lingered in the cafeteria.
“How much trouble are you going to get into for not playing their game?” I asked once we were alone.
“Your concern over trouble is cute.”
“Unlike the way you attempt to avoid giving me straight answers.”
He darted in to give my nose a quick lick and grinned at me.
“If I’m lucky, all sorts of trouble.”
For the next few hours, we talked about nothing and everything. Between the company and the continuous light feedings, the hunger that had stirred earlier slowly abated, and I found myself reveling in Fenris’s undivided attention. He listened to every word I said. My insides would go hot and cold, and the corner of his mouth would briefly tip just a smidge higher.
He toyed with my hands, circling his fingers around my wrist and tracing the lines on my palms. The touches never felt confining or annoying. Just the opposite. I craved each one more than the last. I knew Fenris did too. When I used my right hand to gesture as I spoke, he took possession of the other one. When I’d lifted my hands to pull back my hair, his hand went to my jean-clad leg. It was like he couldn’t be next to me and not touch me. And I loved it until it was time for the bell to ring.
“I’m going to pass on the ride to the Roost, but I’ll meet you there.” For the first time since lunch, Fenris released me and stood. How could this lack of contact feel so wrong?
I sought his emotions to see if he felt the same. Instead of finding a longing similar to my own, I found his mood was a weird mix of dread and excitement. The latter wasn’t unusual to sense on Fenris; he was always up to something. However, the combination of the two made me down right suspicious.
“What are you up to?”
“Just trying to buy a little more time with you. See you soon.”
He jogged out the cafeteria doors that lead to the snow-covered space we only used when the weather was nice. When he started unbuttoning his shirt, I quickly left the cafeteria.
The girls and Eugene were already at my car by the time I arrived.
“Sorry for the wait,” I said, unlocking it.
They piled in, with Willow, Eugene, and Laurel taking the back and Jenna going for the front. I smiled at them, feeling their excitement at spending some time together. Time without Aubrey breathing down their necks. I wondered how long it would take her to figure out they weren’t going back to the pack with her.
A rage-filled scream echoed across the parking lot, answering my question. Panic surged from the three girls.
