Chapter Sixteen

I wasn't sure what would happen after dinner. Something I hadn't thought about until we were in the car on the way back to school. My dating experience had been very minimal in my old life, not because I didn't get asked but because I had little to no interest in the boys who pursued me.

At one point, I even questioned my sexuality but quickly recognized that while I could appreciate a pretty girl, I did not want intimate contact with them. And when I went to the lake, I had no trouble imagining some of those boys wearing even less than they currently had on. But when I went out with a few of them, it was only once, and I did not appreciate having to fight off their octopus moves.

Finally, I had come to the conclusion that only a mate would be worth the effort and emotional investment of a relationship. If I ever found mine.

Sitting in the front seat while Artemis drove back toward the school, I wondered if they would want me to come to their room. And what I would say if they asked. They seemed sure I was their mate, and my wolf rumbled in agreement every time that thought rolled through my mind. So…if they invited me in for a while, I would accept. Even if it scared me to death, my nipples were diamond hard inside the demi bra I wore and my panties uncomfortably damp.

Conversation on the way home was casual and friendly. I had steeled myself for having to talk about uncomfortable things in my past, but we instead chatted about classes and people at school and what might be on the menu in the dining hall the next day—which was never announced in advance but was always good. In short, our life in common, and nothing could have made me feel more included and welcomed to the Werewolf Academy.

They were so at ease with one another and didn't seem in the least concerned about sharing my company. If these three were not my mates, then I didn't want any at all.

We rode up in the elevator to our dorm floor and exited, still talking without any awkward pauses or topics I was not ready to address. I wasn't sure if that was a deliberate decision or just how awesome they naturally were.

Or maybe everything I had heard about mates was true? Dare to dream…

"This is you." Neo paused outside my door and bent to brush a kiss over my lips. "Thank you for a nice time."

My knees went weak, and I braced myself against the doorframe as each of the other two followed suit. Kisses and thanks. Wow. "I should be thanking all of you. Dinner was great and that dessert we shared was the best part."

Ian thrust out his lower lip in an adorable pout. "Are you saying we weren't the best part?" The other two frowned, brows drawing down in a ferocious glare.

I gasped, reaching out to all three of them at the same time. "No. I didn't mean that. Of course you were, I…"

Their laughter rang out in the hallway and while I glowered in return, the door behind me opened and I stumbled backward. Dahlia caught me and settled me on my feet again. She wore her favorite silky black pj's, her sleep mask pushed up on top of her sleep-tousled hair. "What are you doing to my roomie and why is it so loud?"

All three jaws dropped, and the trio tripped over one another apologizing to Dahlia as if she was one of their professors who had caught them doing something naughty.

"It's a school night, you know." She propped her hands on her hips and squinted at them. "Our girl needs her rest. Now, if you ever expect to see her again in this lifetime, you will go home and think about your behavior." And with that, she kicked the door closed and turned away from it.

I wasn't sure what had just happened, but as footfalls moved down the hall, she cupped her hands over her mouth and fell back on her bed in what I could only describe as a fit, until peals of giggles escaped around her fingers. "You little minx. What was that about?"

She wiped her streaming eyes and grinned at me. "They kept you out until all hours and then woke me up."

"It can't be that late. We just had dinner." I fished in my purse and pulled out my phone to check the time. "Oh gods. It's almost three."

"That's right, missy. I assumed you'd gone home to bed with them, but instead, you are going to have to go to class on almost no sleep. Not good."

I brushed that aside. "I've never needed a lot of sleep anyway, but it felt like we were just in the restaurant for such a short time. That place sure stays open late." I pictured the caves in my mind and suddenly realized that by the time we left, we might have been the only ones left. The light was always dim, so it wasn't as if the darkness in the corners stood out, but they must have been shutting off fixtures as the place emptied. "Wow. I guess nobody chased us out because Neo is friends with the owner."

"Whatever it is, you need to get your fanny in bed and grab what shut-eye you can. I want every detail of your evening, but I'll get it from you in the morning. Now…sleep!" She crawled between the covers and pulled her sleep mask down. "And brush your teeth quietly."

I considered skipping the brushing entirely, but after all that chocolate, it seemed like a bad idea, so I did as instructed, quietly, and then grabbed my nightgown from the hook on the back of the bathroom door, changed, and fell into bed, sure I'd stay awake but falling into darkness within seconds. It truly had been another long day.