Chapter 30

I stare curiously at my cousin, waiting for my explanation.

“I mean he’s going to be possessive,” Jesse says, shrugging. “The same way Rafe would be if he found his mate, and me too, to an extent. He just won’t want anyone else’s hands on you, will want you all to himself. And, considering that you’re taking a very independent and somewhat dangerous path in your life…”

“Oh,” I say, thinking it through. Luca – his instincts are going to be to keep me out of danger. And if here I am, running off to war…

Jesse shrugs again, twisting his mouth to the side. “Maybe that’s another reason why our dads decided, at least initially, not to let girls into the school. Wolf affections – especially with our mates – they’re more complicated and aggressive than humans.”

“Well, I certainly don’t want Luca to like…hold me back.”

“Or push you into things you’re not ready for,” Jesse says, raising an eyebrow at me, and I immediately know he’s talking about s*x even if he’s not saying it.

“How do you know what I’m ready for?” I ask, narrowing my eyes at him even as my red.

cheeks grow

“Because, Ari,” Jesse replies, leaning forward and grinning at me, “you blush even at the inuendo. Which kinda suggests you’re not ready.”

I scowl and kick him a little, but Jesse just laughs at me and looks back to the barracks. “We should probably go in,” he murmurs, “get some sleep.”

“Well now I’m all awake,” I sigh, leaning back on my palms. “So, thanks for that. It’ll be your fault when I’m a mess at the course tomorrow.”

“Nah, that’s on you, Shrimp,” Jesse says, pushing himself to his feet and offering me a hand up, which I accept. As we turn back to the barracks, he slips that arm around my shoulder. “I really am happy for

you, Ari,” he says quietly, smiling at me in the dark..

“Thanks, cousin,” I say, wrapping an arm around my waist. “Since you like him so much, it’ll be your job to protect him when I finally have to introduce him to dad.”

Jesse laughs at this and agrees, but even as I smile at the joke….

Something picks at the back of my mind. Because even if everyone likes Luca and will be willing to convince my dad to let him have a chance…

Who would stand up for Jackson?

And…will I ever have the chance to introduce him to my dad as well? Do I even want that?

Chapter 30

though they have chocolate chips in them today my favorite – I can’t

Ben, who likewise picks. at his food. I glance to my right at Ben and he rolls his eyes towards the Alphas across from us, and then snorts like a pig, making me laugh.

on my other side, making me almost leap out of my skin. I scowl as I look up at him. “Do you mind?” I

we feeling jumpy today?” he asks, grinning at me and leaning close to me so that only I can hear his words, “didn’t get much sleep after sneaking out in the middle

favorite cousin?”

on the shoulder with the tips of my fingertips, which tingle as usual from the touch. “Creep,” I say,

in the middle of the night!” he counters, grinning at me

boots!” I object, my jaw falling open.

asks, suddenly narrowing in on our

mind frantically for

mountain of a distraction, actually, his full tray

didn’t think he’d take me up on my

forgot that

sit here?” he asks, his voice quiet but tense with what I now realize is anxiety, not

I say, my face breaking into a hesitant smile at the same moment

not!”

to look at Rafe, who

Jackson. “Of course you can sit, Jackson,”

Rafe throws out a hand. “No way,” he says,

Chapter 30

brother, his expression shocked and a little appalled, “Aunt Ella raised

surprise and shame, but Jesse ignores him and turns a warm smile Jackson. “Please,”

up to

introducing Jackson around to the table even

this but hasn’t yet figured out why. I

there?

actually Luca’s cold voice that brings my

says, looking Jackson up and down in a way that clearly communicates his distaste. “We haven’t really

go very

yet another reason why this breakfast

they’re searching for the same

is

make them potential friends, does it?

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