Chapter Seventeen

The next morning, I was starving. Not ashamed to admit I had always liked something to eat in the morning, but it had generally been toast or a bagel with my coffee. The morning after my date with the guys, rumbling in my tummy woke me from dreams that faded before I could capture any images from them.

I could guess what they had been about though.

The night before, Theron had asked if he could kiss me. Imagine a guy doing that. In my experience, well, what I'd overheard from other girls at least, guys would go as far as they could until you stopped them. The fact the other two guys hadn't done that to me was already a wonder. My first kiss with each of them was a revelation in sweetness and heat, and I was in awe of feelings I'd never dreamed could be part of my existence. Not that I'd have called myself lonely before, but since coming to the Werewolf Academy, I'd already made a friend and been kissed by two guys so hot, they outclassed anyone at my old school. And they were interested in me. I caught myself muttering "wow" under my breath a lot.

So, when he asked me, I had expected him to do it right then, even tilted my head in expectation only to have him hop out of his side and come around to open my door instead. He didn't comment, but he had to have noticed.

I wanted to ask why he even said anything if he wasn't going to act, but then, as he escorted me, as they all did, I was so overwhelmed with feelings of comfort and pleasure in the moment, I couldn't be bothered by anything or anyone else.

Stevie had already left the room when I rolled out of bed and dashed into the shower for a land-speed record-breaking shower. Dressing in jeans and a T-shirt embossed with a wolf staring at a starry sky Mom had given me before I left, I ran a comb through my hair and headed for breakfast. The clock showed they'd stop serving in about twenty minutes, and I'd never make it until lunch without sustenance.

After I made my selections, I spotted Theron was sitting alone at a table, a stack of pancakes in front of him. I started in his direction, my heavy tray held in front of me. It wasn't that far, but with each step, the noise of clanking dishes and silverware, chatter of students, and other noise grew louder, the scents of food and perfume and lotions and toothpaste making my nostrils flare. Halfway to Theron, another student bumped into me, and I began to shake. I was going to lose it.

And then my feet were no longer under me, and I was rising into the air, strong arms pulling me tight against a hard chest. "Hang on to your breakfast, Minx," his low voice warned. "We're going somewhere quieter to eat."

We must have made quite a picture, Theron holding me while I tried to balance a tray laden with food, coffee, and juice, but for once, nobody seemed to have anything to say about it. Instead, they were all suddenly still. Not even a fork tapping against a plate broke the silence as Theron marched me out of the dining room. When we were heading down the hallway, I heard sound resume. Sure, they were no doubt all talking about me, but I couldn't bring myself to care. His heat and strength surrounded me, taking the edge off my shaking and giving me hope I'd be able to regain control in time. Maybe I could get him to leave me somewhere so he could go back to his own pancakes.

"Here we are." Theron shifted me in his arms to free up a hand and twisted a doorknob. "We should have some peace in here." He didn't turn a light on, but enough sunlight came through the windows to reveal a desk, chair, and sofa.

"Won't whoever's office this is come in and throw us out?" I spoke through chattering teeth.

"No, this is Professor Hanker's office, and he's away until next week." He strode over to the sofa and sat down with me in his lap then worked the tray free of my grip and set it on a low table in front of us. "Poor baby, you've got it bad."

I filtered through what "it" might be in my head. Hunger for pancakes? Lust for the incredible-smelling man who was rubbing gentle circles on my back? "N-no. I'm okay." My teeth always clanked together like that.

"You can't fool me. I've already been through it. But you need to eat." He reached for my fork and cut off a bite of hotcake. "Open up."

The last time anyone fed me was presumably one of my parents when I was very young, but he was gently persuasive, pushing aside my weak protests. Soon, I was opening my mouth like a baby bird to be fed bites of pancakes and eggs and sausage, followed by sips of coffee and orange juice to wash them down.

"There's a good girl. Just one more bite, okay?" He held the last perfectly buttery and delicately sweet bit to my lips, and I closed them around the fork. The whole thing was like something out of a movie. Sexy and comforting at the same time.

As long as he didn't try and burp me. The thought made me giggle.

"What is that for?" He cupped my chin in his palm and brought my face up to meet his heated gaze. "You high on maple syrup?"

"Maybe so." I realized I was no longer shaking. "How did you do that? Calm me that way? And what did you mean you've been through it?"

"Lots of questions all at once." He stroked my cheek. "You calmed because I'm your mate, and that's what mates do. And I've been through my first shift."

"Do you think that's what this is? Did you also set things on fire?"

"No, that's something quite rare, but when a young wolf approaches their first shift, they have a lot of physical reaction happening. After all, your body will be completely transforming. Reshaping in a big way. It can be traumatic. There have even been a few cases where the young wolf did not survive."

"Thanks for that." Remarkably I did not begin to tremble again at a very scary idea. "But I hope you're right. I still don't hear any wolf talking to me, but maybe being around all of you will bring her out."

"It's been known to happen. Now, am I still approved for that kiss?" He grinned at me. "Did you have enough to eat—we can probably still get you more."

"How can you talk about food and kissing in the same breath?"

"More mate stuff. Feeding our female is a thing of dreams." He leaned in and brushed his lips over mine. "As is this. You smell so good."

"Maple syrup," I murmured. "I hear it can get you high."

"Mmm." The second time, his kiss was deep, exploring, and my arms went around his neck and hung on for the ride. One I'd buy a ticket for anytime.

A minute or an hour later, we were interrupted by the door opening, and I tried to jump to my feet, fearing we'd be in trouble, but Theron held on. "It's only the guys," he soothed.

"And we're sorry we interrupted you," Bodhi said, "but it's time for class, and I don't think our girl needs to get in any more trouble."

No, I certainly did not.