The Challenge (The Pack 2)

“Where’s Anna?” I asked curiously. I hadn’t seen her all day and she hadn’t told me she was going to be absent. My question diverted Dom’s attention from Monster as he cocked his head. I recognized his slightly unfocused gaze as he used the Pack bond to locate her. Only the ones with the ability to shift were connected that way, with the exception of a true mate bond like the one I shared with Dom.

Caleb snuck a glance at me and I quickly shifted my gaze. I’d never once felt uncomfortable around him, but today that had changed.

“She’s taking a makeup test,” Dom answered, his expression clearing. I nodded, relieved she was here at least.

“Does she want me to bring her lunch?” I asked, knowing the appetite of a shifter was something to be feared and admired. He shook his head, smiling.

“I asked her and she brought her lunch.”

“Did she know…” I trailed off and switched to our mental bond. About Caleb being here?

No.

The short answer said everything as we glanced at Caleb. He was smiling at something someone had said, but there was an emptiness in his eyes that chilled me.

***

I tapped my pencil against the desk, eyes on the clock as I counted down the seconds until sixth period ended. Anna glanced at me from across the room, her sensitive senses picking up on my anxiety. The bell rang then and only the fact that she was a shifter had her beating me to the door.

“What has you in such a rush?” She teased, her lithe steps keeping up with me effortlessly as I pushed against the stream of students headed to the front of the school and the parking lot. I was headed to the back of the school where the field house and hopefully my brother were. Still standing and alive, respectively.

“I haven’t heard a peep from Dom all afternoon.”

Anna sent me a sideways glance, still not grasping why it was a big deal and I realized she didn’t know about Monster.

“How was your test?” I asked instead of explaining the Monster situation.

“Bad,” she replied, fiddling with her backpack.

“Sorry.” I winced sympathetically. “I don’t guess you can take it again?”

She shrugged offhandedly. “No, it was my last chance.” Her tone was a little too casual and I slowed down.

“A certain someone’s presence didn’t distract you, did it?” I asked cautiously. “Or were you avoiding him?”

She smiled tightly. “It’s not really avoiding someone if they don’t notice your presence, is it?”

“He isn’t talking to you either then?”

“He doesn’t even seem to see me,” she burst out, stopping so suddenly I was five steps ahead before I realized. “I thought we were friends at least. Pack mates. You know?” I nodded vaguely, not having a clue, but figured now wasn’t the time to point that out. “But he’s pushing me away. Acting like we barely know each other. I thought we had a connection,” she finished in a rush, more upset than I’d ever seen her.

“Anna,” I reached for her arm, pausing as she tensed. She shook her head and I dropped my hand.

“I appreciate it, Jess. I do, and another time I might be able to accept your sympathy, but not right now.” She backed away, slipping her bag off her shoulder as she started moving faster. “I….I need space.”

She took off for the edge of the forest before I could utter a word, and I glanced around to see if anyone had seen her. Thankfully, the back of the school was empty and no one had been around to see her move faster than a human girl should be capable of moving.

I heaved a sigh as I trudged toward the field house and Dom’s office. He was the assistant football coach, a great cover to allow him to stay on the school grounds and keep watch over Caleb who was still a student. His job as beta was to keep the next Alpha safe. Current Alpha, I corrected myself morosely.

So much had changed so quickly it was hard to comprehend. Not the least, my little brother’s unexpected arrival.

“Jess.” My name was accompanied by someone grasping my elbow and tugging me around. “Hey.”

I jerked my elbow from his grasp as I glanced around. “Caleb,” I acknowledged quietly, seeing the area was empty.

“Hey, I’m glad I caught you,” he said, dropping his arm as he shifted closer to me.

“Didn’t realize you were chasing me,” I replied sharply, easing back a step. He followed and I bit back an irritated sigh. He was like a damn puppy, hopeful and completely oblivious that his attention was unwanted. My irritation seemed out of proportion to the situation but my instincts were screaming at me that something wasn’t right. I wasn’t getting good vibes from him chasing me down.

“I’ll chase you anytime,” he leered at me and I choked back an involuntary laugh at the terrible line. Laughing would only encourage whatever delusion he was under that I might want his attention.