There was a crowd outside the frat whose party we were attending. I had no idea what type of frat this was… only that Clare asked me to come with her. And there was no way I was going to let her go alone. Even now that I had met Vicki andknew she would be able to handle any trouble. But Clare… My panther was very protective of her. When I couldn't make lunch today, my panther wasn't happy he didn't get to see his mate. But Mom had taken some pills last night… My heart ached at having to take her to the hospital again. This was the second time this year they had to pump her stomach.
I took a deep breath and squared my shoulders. That was not me tonight. I was a college student, out with the most beautiful girl on campus and about to have the best night.
We stepped inside the building, weaving our way through hot bodies and loud music. The scents of so many horny people in the same place had my panther in overdrive. It was messing with my senses. Vicki turned to me, her blue eyes pinning me. She smirked and kept on weaving through. Witch knew this would affect me and she was loving it. I groaned internally at how much she was gonna make my life hell tonight for the fun of it. As we made our way out the back of the house, it was less crowded and there were red cups everywhere. Wouldn't be a party without them.
"I’ll get us some drinks. Beer? Soda?" I asked them both. They nodded as Vicki looked around as if she was looking for someone. Hopefully not another witch.
"Beer," Vicki answered as she held onto Clare's hand.
"Soda," Clare added. I tipped my head and turned to enter the house again.
Drunk frat guys, half-naked girls, and the stink of sweat and sex. I wish I was better at turning off my scent. I could switch off my hearing when I needed to. Not always, but most of the time. But nothing like sweaty ass-crack smell to wish you had the power to stop smellingeverything.
I grabbed the solo cups and poured two beers and a soda for Clare. It didn’t surprise me she didn’t drink. She didn’t come across as a beer girl. Maybe wine? Or maybe she didn’t drink at all.
I held the cups and weaved through bodies until I was stopped with a finger on my chest. I looked down to see a blonde chick staring up at me, a tight little red dress, her tits spilling out of it. I was surprised they stayed there.
"Hey, you… I haven't seen you before. Are you a freshman?"
She slurred her words. She’d obviously been here a while and had had a bit to drink. I shook my head.
"No, I'm off to see my girl."
She pouted. "I bet she doesn't mind sharing," she purred as she slid closer to me. I wanted to vomit. This was sad and pathetic.
"Yeah, well I do. Excuse me."
I pushed past her, spilling some beer onto her heels and feet. She screeched and I left as fast as I could, not wanting to start any fights tonight.
My panther was already hating this, but it hated the fact we were apart from Clare. When I was with her, he was content. He also kept letting me know she was my mate.
My soul mate.
He was right. Everything about her, her laugh, her lips, the way her hair fell across her face when she was trying to hide her blush from me. She was the most beautiful woman I had laid my eyes on. But that wasn't it, it was the way she talked, described the things she loved, the passion and love of animals. She was the most amazing person I had ever met. She was making me question everything I had done to get up to this point in my life.
I was twenty years old, I had nothing to give her but my heart, and even that, I wasn't sure my heart was still there. It was so damaged from years of abuse, from my mother’s lack of care, the shifters who beat on me growing up, and my Shadow who didn't care if I lived or died. Something had died in me, and I never thought someone could ever want me, let alone love me.
I was a broken man. Giving my heart to her would be the biggest thing I ever gave someone. It was the one thing I had left that I could protect. Love was the last thing I was expecting… until I met her.
I couldn't even admit to myself I was falling in love with her. How could I when I was lying to her, and it was killing me. But how did you tell this beautiful, intelligent woman who you were falling for that you lied about who you really were? That you were a drug dealer… and take care of your junkie mom. You're the only father figure your little brother has, and live in a trailer in the trashiest part of town?
Not only that, but she had mentioned twice about wanting to go back to her hometown in Washington. She wanted to leave college and never return. I couldn't go, I couldn’t leave my brother behind with Mom. She wouldn't be able to take care of him. I would never forgive myself for leaving him behind either.
I would have to make a choice if that ever happened. I would choose my brother over my heart. My broken heart would survive being broken. My brother wouldn't survive my mom.
As I made my way to where I left the girls, they weren't there. I quickly surveyed the area and my panther scented Clare. I let my nose lead me to where they were talking with some guys. My panther rumbled deep in my chest.
"You found us." Clare smiled as she held out her hand to take the cup from me.
"I told you he would, this one is like a dog. He can find you anywhere." Vicki grinned at me, raising her brows.
"More like the cat who got the mouse." She tilted her head and assessed me. When she straightened up, she nodded in approval.
"Okay, cat boy."
I groaned and Clare giggled, her hair falling around her face. I pushed it back behind her ear, and she peered up at me with those bright blue eyes. I wrapped my hand around her waist and brought her closer to me.
"Hi," Clare giggled. I didn't realize I had been staring at her for that long.
