Page 13 of Born into Madness
I laugh into the empty dorm room and crash onto my bed with my supper. God, I’d never have the courage to approach someone like that. A guy like him is not for the likes of me. No one wants to date the girl with panic attacks and a shit ton of childhood trauma baggage. My plan has always been to get a degree, find a good job, and then live a quiet life surrounded by animals. I’d love to meet someone along the way, but I’m also not hinging everything on it.
My phone buzzes right before I can dig into my tacos.
SAV:
Everything go okay?
I’m not surprised she’s texting me. She has a big heart, and she tends to worry. I don’t want her worrying about me all night, though, so I send her a quick reply.
ME:
It was fine. I’ll give you the details tomorrow. I’m going to get to bed early and hope Brittney doesn’t wake me at five again.
SAV:
We both know she will. :) You need a break so I’m making you go to the Alphas’ this Friday with me.
ME:
Let me guess, you’re forced to go as a Kappa?
SAV:
And you’re forced to go because you’re my bestie.
I laugh and send her the thumbs up emoji. Anytime she’s forced to go to one of their keggers, I go with her. Safety in numbers, and she knows I’ll always have her back. Parties can be a dangerous place for young women, and we’ve all heard the horror stories—girls who were drugged and raped, girls who were assaulted after they passed out, photos that were taken and shared online so everyone could see the most humiliating moments of some girl’s life. It’s disgusting, and no matter how much we evolve as a society, nasty shit like this still keeps happening. It makes me have serious doubts about the future ofhumanity. Maybe that’s why I like dogs so much. Their natural state of being is happy and sweet. Unless of course their owner has turned them into something else.
Grabbing my laptop, I start streaming the first show that looks interesting and grab a taco. I try to focus on what I’m watching, but my mind keeps drifting back to the guy with the broad shoulders. It’s stupid, and a very clear sign that I’m losing my mind and desperately need to rethink myPride and Prejudicepinkie promise.
By the time I finish my meal, I’m barely keeping my eyes open. The last thing I remember thinking is that maybe I’ll see Mr. Broad Shoulders at the Alphas’ party, maybe I’ll even work up enough courage to go and say hi to him.
Chapter 3
Sasha
I’m already frustrated with my latest assignment. Chort and I are surrounded by arrogant little dumbasses, and we’re not allowed to kill a single one of them. I’m just finishing up my last sweep of the campus when Chort disappears on me. As I walk around the dorm building we’re scouting, I give the whistle that meansget your furry ass over here, and within seconds he comes sauntering over.
We turn the corner before I look down at him and frown. “Are you chewing on something?”
He sits and eyes me while I reach down to run my finger along his gums, worried that he’s eaten something that might make him sick. When I pull back my hand and see slobbery bits of milk-bone, I groan and wipe my hand clean. He gives me a look that says,Well, you’re the dumbass who put your finger in my mouth.
“You’re welcome,” I mutter. “I’m just trying to keep you safe.”
He stands and nudges my leg with his shoulder while I reach down to give him a pet. Scooting to the edge of the building, I peek around the corner in just enough time to catch a glimpse of a young woman. She grabs her bags before looking right whereI’m standing. I know she can’t see me, so I stay where I’m at, wondering why in the fuck she just fed my dog a snack. I don’t recognize her, and I’d remember someone with hair the color of hers. It reminds me of a perfectly ripened blood orange, and for some reason that makes my mouth water.
I keep staring after she’s walked inside, and when Chort gives me another nudge, I finally step away from the building.
“Made yourself a friend, did you?”
He grunts and follows me down the sidewalk.
“Do I need to bring you home, or can you behave yourself at the club?” When he looks up at me, I say, “No eating people.”
A soft snort is the only response I get. Is that anOf course I won’t eat anyoneor is it aI’m going to attack the first fucker I see?
I have no idea, but I’m about to find out. The Red Room is walkable from campus, one of the main reasons my family bought the place, and even though it’s a Tuesday, the place still has a decent-sized line out front. Chort and I bypass it, ignoring the curious stares and the way the men suddenly become distracted by something, anything that allows them to not make eye contact with me. Oskar is checking IDs at the door, but he steps aside to let me through as soon as I’m close enough. Like the men in line, Oskar keeps his eyes down, but he does give me a respectful nod before I step into the club.
Chort stays by my side. I should probably put a leash on him, but we’ve been working on this particular skill, and he needs more real-world experience. I have to know I can trust him, that he won’t get distracted by a noisy crowd. I’m willing to take the risk of someone getting bit if it helps my dog’s training. Plus, he really hates the leash, sees it as a personal insult, and I can’t do that to him. I know he can protect himself, and he’s chipped so if we ever do get separated, I can easily track him on my phone.
