24

I wake with a start as Zoey crashes around the room, complaining that her alarm didn't go off.

What a weird dream. I think to myself, but the chuckle escapes me, causing Zoey to stop her mid-morning tantrum and just stare at me.

"Sorry. I had the weirdest dream," I say, reaching for my phone on my bedside table and powering it back on. "You'll nev . . ." I trail off as I see a text pop up on my phone from an unknown number.

It couldn't have been real! Werewolves?! That bitch. I'm grumbling at my phone about stupid bitches and werewolves when Zoey coughs, reminding me I was talking to her before I got distracted. "Um, you wouldn't believe me if I told you," I try to placate her but quicker than I realize, she snatches the phone out of my hand.

"OH MY GAWD, YOU LITTLE TRAMP!" She laughs out loud, "You were with ROMAN last night?! We fell asleep watching a movie. How did I miss this?!"

She's practically yelling, and I can't exactly tell if she's excited or angry—maybe a little bit of both.

"Girl, I woke you up! We did fall asleep, and I woke up to knocking on the door, and then he was there, and he wanted to talk, and then . . . and then I think his girlfriend showed up," I say, dropping my head into my hands so she can't see how much it affects me.

"Ohhh, I think I kind of remember you waking me up, but you know how hard I sleep." She laughs it off like it's no big deal, while I'm over here having a small life crisis internally that I can't even tell anyone about because I'm a freaking werewolf!

I can still feel the strange stirring beneath my skin when I do so much as think of him. I'll have to try not to do that so much. Yeah, like that's gonna happen.

I'm so glad I chose not to take any Saturday classes, as I watch Zoey fumble around to make it to class on time while I enjoy my pajamas and comfy bed.

When she finally wiggles through the door with her bag and books, she shuts it behind her. The quiet only lasts a second before she opens the door back up enough to pop her head through when she says, "Hey, I don't mean to run off on you. No matter what, everything will be okay. If you still need to get it all out when I'm done with classes, I'm totally game."

I smile and nod as she leaves again and I allow myself to return my attention to my phone which now has another new message.

I can't help the smile that stretches across my face at such simple words. I've never had any real friends, male friends, or even close to a boyfriend. It was always just me and my parents. I'm going to have to find a way to tell him that. He's probably used to fully experienced women and I couldn't be farther from it.

Shaking the thoughts from my head, I add Roman's number to my phone and think for a moment, deciding if I should just use his name or a fun nickname. I tap my finger to my chin in thought for a few moments. Ah ha! I finally have it!

Giggling to myself, and satisfied with his contact name, now I need to decide if I'm going to text him back. I told him to work for it and he's trying. It would be wrong of me to just leave him on read, right? Especially after I kind of blew up on him yesterday. I didn't mean to.

Short and concise. I'm still upset with him after all. I'm not going to forget all the shit last night over a couple sweet text messages. I've barely hit send, when the little texting bubbles pop up to let me know he's typing.

I can't help giggling at our conversation as I make my way to the bathroom for my morning routine. I'm so incredibly thankful these dorm rooms have their own bathrooms. I can't imagine having to go to the end of the hall or having to use a public bathroom all the time in general. They remodeled the campus a couple of years ago, so now the dorm rooms are set up more like hotel rooms. Each dorm has a bathroom to share with your roommate. We also each have our desk and shelf built in.

As I walk back into the main room in a towel, there's a knock at the door. "Who is it?" I shout, but there's no response. I slowly check the peep hole, but there's no one there. Curiosity wins and I crack the door open. To my surprise there is a Brunette iced coffee, a hot cocoa, and a single red rose with a note that says,

How sweet is that?! Sipping the coffee and smelling the rose, I walk back over to my bed to grab my phone. I set them on the table and snap a pic to text Roman.

Gosh how can I say no to that?! Zoey won't believe this. So naturally, I have to text her too. She is my only friend after all.

Is this real life? I think to myself while I search the dorm for something to use as a vase, hoping to keep my sweet little rose alive for as long as possible. A red solo cup will have to do for now.

Plopping into my desk chair and setting my phone, drinks, and rose on the desk, I wake my laptop to check the guys' hockey schedule for this week.

To my dismay, it looks like he has two away games before another home game, this time on Saturday. That means he'll probably be gone all week.

I don't have a right to be disappointed since I'm the one who pushed him away. It killed me to do it but come on! The guy tells me I'm his soulmate, and also a werewolf, but forgets to mention he already has someone in his life?!

Even being without him today makes me miss him. It must be that damned mate bond. A mate bond that I have with a freaking werewolf. Oh, and in case that wasn't batshit crazy enough, I'm a werewolf?!

I can't really deny he's a werewolf; I saw it with my own eyes. I felt his fur between my fingers. The thought sends similar tingles through my body. Dammit, stop thinking about him. As far as me being a werewolf, though, the jury is still out on that one. I need more proof.

He's an awfully smooth talker.

I guess I can understand that since I also have grown up totally different that most of the population.