17

A s if I didn't draw enough attention to myself all on my own, walking through a crowded college building with a hockey god's arm draped around my shoulder was definitely the cherry on top.

The guys are all sputtering in awe, and the chicks are divided between jealousy and thirst, if you catch my drift.

I just focus on the tingles and warmth radiating from where he touches me as we move through the seas of people parting for us.

For the first time today, I feel a genuine smile bloom on my face when I realize that Roman didn’t even seem to notice anyone else that was in the building. Sure, he does the dude nod thing to some of the young men praying for his attention, but when he sees the women who would happily take my place on his arm, he either leans over to kiss the side of my head or pulls me closer.

No matter what happens, for once, I feel like it really will be okay. Life is different when you know you have a seven-hundred-something-year-old werewolf, hockey god for a mate. And this is only the beginning.

I never have to feel alone again. I think as my eyes try to fill with tears. This immediately alerts my wolf and Roman to my feelings, but I just smile and nod.

When we finally reach our car, because he drove it again today, I slide into the seat with my name embroidered in pink thread and release a heavy breath. All the weight I’ve been holding on my shoulders all day finally evaporates.

When Roman makes it into his seat and starts the car, I turn to him with a guilty smile and say, “Go ahead and say you told me so.”

He just shakes his head and says, “I didn't want to be right about this one, Sunshine. I know how much it means to you. That's why I went to talk to Sinclair. To make sure you can still have as much of the experience as you can handle.”

I turn to just nod again when I release another loaded sigh. “When will I stop learning new things about my parents...and myself? When can I just be Leera and live that normal life I wanted?”

This time he throws his head back and laughs, causing me to cross my arms and scowl at him. “And what exactly is so funny?”

“Baby, I hate to break it to you, but normal is long gone. You're a werewolf. Your mate is an NHL player. Your favorite teacher is a witch,” he says each one while counting his fingers to drive it home. “I'm afraid that ship has sailed.”

And damn him if he's not right.

Things could easily be worse, though, even when you throw the kidnapping situation into the mix. I could hate my college roommate, hate college, not have Roman. The last one causes my wolf to whine a little.

“So, where are we going then?” I ask since we're just sitting in the car.

“That's up to you. Do you want to go to your dorm to get some things and come home with me, or what's the plan?”

I drop all the way into my seat and stare at nothing through the windshield while I really think about what I want.

Do I want to stay with Zoey and be away from Roman?

Do I want to move in with Roman and miss Zoey?

Do I want to keep trying to pretend that I'm normal and my entire life isn't different than it was months ago when I thought I had my new life all planned out?

Roman waits patiently, allowing me all the time I need to sort through my thoughts until I finally have a line on a tentative plan.

“How about a trial run?” I finally ask, and the look on his face tells me everything I need to know. This won't be a trial run. This will be forever. But he doesn't have to know that yet.

“Of course, what are you thinking?”

“I'm thinking I'm going to run in there and get some essentials and some clothes, and leave a note for Zoey to call me so I can tell her what's going on. Is that okay?”

“It's more than okay,” he says softly and lovingly. He tucks an errant strand of my silver hair behind my ear before he leans forward and kisses me on the forehead.

He drives me over to the dorm building and walks me to my dorm room. He let me know he was going to give me some space to do what I needed, and he'll be waiting for me in the car. I ping around the room in a tizzy, grabbing everything I know I'll need and a few things I might.

After writing Zoey a note, I place my hands on my hips and look around the little space that's brought me so much happiness. I'm not happy that I'll likely be leaving here, but it's time to keep moving forward.

With a couple of bags, I make my way down the hallway. When Roman sees me lugging around my stuff, he dashes out of the car and snatches all the bags from me and carries them to the car.

I can't believe I'm really doing this.

The whole way to his townhouse, he's holding my leg and rubbing it with his thumb, and it's making me feel all kinds of needy things only he's ever made me feel. Is this normal? For my body to try and take over my mind? Why's it so hot in here? His touch feels so good, but this time it's igniting more than our usual tingles. This feels too intense. What if something's wrong again?