Page 13 of Tethered to the World
When she wrenched on her bag, instead of releasing it, the troll lifted it up in the air until she was dangling by the thin strap. She refused to let go, determined not to lose the last of her supplies.
“No.”
“What do you mean, no?” When she glared at him this time, they were on eye level. “Put me down.”
“No.” Then he proceeded to turn and make his way across campus, not seeming to care that she was still dangling like a fish on a fucking hook. She watched the bag stretch, and she worried the seams wouldn’t be able to hold much longer under the strain.
“Mason!”
The snap in the voice had the troll stiffening, before he finally pulled to a halt. When they turned, Annora saw the rest of his team making their way toward her.
“You guys look like shit.” She bit her lip to stop more words from pouring out.
The redhead, Logan, looked like he’d been on a bender, his face pale, his hands shaky, and he shoved them in his pants when he saw her watching. He wouldn’t even look her in the eye. The one called Xander was neutral, studying her like she fascinated him, while the leader’s hair was rumpled, his eyes both murderous and tired…and maybe a bit relieved?
“Put the girl down.” When the troll hesitated, Camden pointed to the ground.
The minute her feet hit the sidewalk, she jerked her bag away from Mason and clutched it to her chest.
“Miss Greenwood—is there a problem?”
When she turned, it was to see an older man wearing a suit and tie glaring at them with a stern expression on his face. His black hair was streaked with silver at the temples. It should’ve given him a distinguished look, but his bitterly cold green eyes showed a ruthlessness that set her skin crawling.
Energy practically crackled around him, indicating an animal of some type, the beast on the verge of splitting from his skin. He radiated danger, and she couldn’t tell if it was his creature peering through his eyes was the greater threat or the human standing before her.
The guys quickly gathered close, as if to shelter her, but the man didn’t even spare them a glance.
“How do you know who I am?”
When he smiled, his teeth were slightly sharper than normal, and she knew she wasn’t imagining things.
Another fucking wolf.
“I’m Director Erickson, one of the five administrators at the school. I’m here to oversee your signing commitment.” His nose crinkled as he glared at the guys surrounding her, as if they stank. “Why don’t you allow me to escort you? I’m sure we can find a more suitable team.”
He had to mean wolves, and everything inside her rebelled at the idea. “I—”
“That won’t be necessary, Erickson. I can take it from here.” Rufus strode out from the crowd…but not the Rufus she knew. Instead of the affable gym owner who lived in track suits and T-shirts, he was a dapper man dressed in a custom, form-fitted suit that hugged his shoulders. He looked powerful and in charge as he confronted Director Erickson.
And at least ten years younger than the last time she saw him.
And she realized the wolf’s energy she used to heal him must have been more potent than a normal human.
“Go away, Rufus. You’re retired. This matter no longer concerns you.” Erickson glanced over at her, and she’d swear his eyes shaded slightly yellow. She suddenly felt like a bone between the two of them. The interest in the director’s eyes turned to avarice.
Rufus stepped in front of her, blocking the director’s view, and the constriction in her chest eased. “A leave of absence. And I’m back—with my new student. My name is listed on her papers. It’s my right to place her where I see fit.”
A rumbled growl vibrated in the air as Erickson faced off with Rufus, going chest to chest. “Go home, old man. Times are changing. You’re no longer wanted here.”
The guys began to edge away, taking her with them as the face-off threatened to become physical.
Rufus didn’t even blink at the veiled threat, but his brown eyes flickered, as if something was awakening. “Children…go to my office and wait for me there.” He turned and gave her a reassuring smile. “I’ll be there shortly.”
It was an order.
As the guys nodded, turning to go, Annora hesitated, remembering the last time he was confronted by wolves. And suddenly realized this Erickson was most likely the alpha who tried to have him killed.
Which also meant they would’ve reported back to him, so he knew something of what she could do, and his interest in her suddenly made sense.
