The Pack (The Pack 1)

“I thought you had better control,” I said offhandedly, trying to make a joke of what happened. His hand seized my wrist, keeping me from going to my next class. His hold was ironclad and I froze, wondering if I’d pushed him too far.

“You think it’s funny?” He whispered as he came up behind me, his body taut against my back. “Do you have any concept of how much control I’m exerting right now?” The words were precise, as he maintained the barest inch between us, our only contact the hand shackling my own.

“I….,” I paused to gather my words and inhaled, a musky scent filling my nose and causing me to lose my train of thought.

“What?” He gave my wrist a shake, but I only shook my head as I resisted the urge to press against him. It took everything I had to fight myself, and only when the classroom door opened and he released me, did my head clear.

“It was a joke,” I finally answered him, unable to meet his eyes. “A poor one,” I admitted as he moved back around the desk and students came in. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to imply you were anything like them.”

He nodded and I darted from the room, wondering what had come over me. His touch had started it, but when I’d inhaled his musky scent I’d lost all ability to think. It had been all I could do to control my body, and not rub up against him. If the door hadn’t opened just then….it had given me an inkling of just how much control he did have.

“He’s a teacher. Older than you. And dangerous,” I whispered to myself as I leaned against a wall of lockers. “Never forget dangerous.”

I closed my eyes, remembering his body hovering behind mine as I reached up to touch my neck, my skin tingling. How could one brief brush of his lips leave such a long lasting mark? It wasn’t even visible, but I could trace the exact place his lips had pressed against my skin.

My eyes opened as a door slammed and I saw him stalk toward me, his gaze lasered on the spot my fingers stroked. I hesitated for a fraction of a second before I took off down the hall, my feet pounding against the linoleum, afraid of what would happen if he caught me.

I skidded to a stop in front of my next class, my hand already on the knob as I glanced back at him. His eyes were still on me, but he’d stopped, his hand gripping the back of his neck as he fought for control. I turned the knob, and for a second I thought I saw a glint of admiration in his eyes before he twisted on his heel and went back down the hall. I almost collapsed against the door, my legs weak as I considered how close we’d both come to losing complete control.

I didn’t understand his draw to me or mine to him, but it was wrong. Completely and utterly wrong. Our attraction was dangerous for both of us.

I slid in my seat as the teacher remarked, “How nice of you to join us, Jess. That’s your second tardy this week so you can stay after class and clean the boards.”

I winced, knowing Dad wouldn’t be happy about having to wait for me. I took out my book and then slid my phone under my notebook to text him I’d be late. However, when I unlocked my phone, I saw I already had a text message from him.

I had to run to Brinkston for supplies. I’ll be late getting home. Sorry you’ll have to get a ride or walk today.

The sad emoticon following his message did nothing to make me feel better. Brinkston was a two-hour drive and this message had come in an hour earlier. Sometime around when Dominic had been handing out worksheets. Either way it was too late to convince Dad to wait until I got out of school to go.

I typed out a reply, glancing up occasionally to make sure Ms. Nichols didn’t catch me. No telling what she’d make me do if she caught me texting in class even if it was to my Dad.

No problem. Drive safe and bring me back a candy bar. Please.

I finished with a smiley face emoticon, ignoring the dread curling through me. I hadn’t really made any friends who would wait for me to finish cleaning boards on a Friday to give me a ride. Anna might, but I’d have to catch her right after class since I didn’t have her number. I also hadn’t forgotten Dominic’s warning about her being unable to protect me. But there was no way in hell I was going to walk with Dominic and Caleb not after what had just happened. That would be asking for trouble.