The Pack (The Pack 1)

Dominic followed me, bumping into me when I stopped abruptly at my door once I realized he was coming with me. Heat flashed through me as our bodies grazed against one another and this time when I inhaled all I could smell was the musky odor of his body. It should have been unpleasant, since he’d clearly been working out before they’d arrived, but instead it smelled better than any cologne on Earth. I made a tiny sound and suddenly he was gone. His body as far away from mine as he could get in the small apartment.

“Anna,” Dominic grunted, gesturing toward me. “Stay here until her Dad gets home. We’ll keep watch outside after we send word of what happened.” He escaped out the door after that as if the hounds of Hell were after him.

Anna had a bemused smile on her face and I knew I must look as confused as I felt. Anna didn’t seem surprised by Dominic’s reaction to me, in fact if didn’t seem to concern her at all that she’d just watched a teacher and student almost embrace in front of her. If it hadn’t been for Dominic’s quick action, I was positive I would have turned around and kissed him.

“Potent,” she murmured idly and my eyes darted to her. I opened my mouth to question her then snapped it shut.

“I don’t want to know,” I muttered out loud instead, turning to go back inside my room. “Not my monkey, not my zoo,” I whispered under my breath. Only to feel my shoulders tense as I heard Anna reply just as quietly, “I wouldn’t be so sure of that.”

Chapter Nine

After a weekend of cleaning out a urine soaked room, the thought of going to school was almost a relief. At least until I saw the Jeep idling in front of the apartment door.

“I guess you don’t need a ride today?” Dad asked, managing not to bump into me when I froze inside the door.

“I guess not,” I sighed, hitching my backpack higher as I girded myself for battle. Because that was what it had become. A battle between the known and the unknown. One I was steadily losing with every minute I spent around the Pack.

“Have a good day,” Dad called behind me and I gave him a short nod, never taking my eyes off the Jeep rumbling in front of me. Caleb hopped out as I came to the door, gesturing for me to get in. My eyes wandered to the driver’s seat where a less than enthusiastic Dominic sat, his fingers steadily drumming against the steering wheel.

“You can sit with me,” Anna offered, her soft voice breaking the spell that seemed to weave around me whenever Dominic was near. I smiled at her gratefully as I attempted to haul myself up into the Jeep. The oversize wheels combined with the lift kit made it difficult. Caleb watched me, his hands hovering like he wanted to boost me up, but a quick glance at Dominic had him keeping his hands to himself.

Grumbling, Dominic finally reached over and yanked me in with one hand. The motion was so sudden I landed face first in his lap. I scrambled to sit up as I heard him curse under his breath.

“For fuck’s sake,” he swore as my hand landed on the inside of his thigh as I pushed myself up. He shook his head as I fell into the backseat next to Anna, who was kind enough not to say anything, even though a smile danced on her lips.

“Hurry up,” Dominic growled and Caleb jumped in, barely getting the door slammed before Dominic was backing out in a spray of gravel.

“So, I qualify for an escort now, huh?” I murmured to Anna, low enough he shouldn’t have been able to hear me, but a glance in the rearview mirror showed Dominic staring straight at me.

“It’s a precaution,” Anna answered lightly, her smile not as bright as she probably thought it was.

“Is there any way to stop them?” I asked, barely audible, but again they all seemed to hear me. Anna’s eyes flickered to Dominic and she opened her mouth like she was going to answer, but he stopped her with a shake of his head. She bit her lip and gave me a regretful shake of her head.

My eyes narrowed as I sat back with a thump, unsatisfied by their little exchange. Caleb leaned forward to fiddle with the radio, his sandy hair flopping in his eyes and I heard a little sigh next to me. I glanced over at Anna only to see her staring at Caleb. No one commented or even looked uncomfortable as my gaze wandered over them. How was it they could hear every word I spoke, but somehow missed Anna’s lovelorn sigh?