Page 18 of The Cursed Fae

I'd already worked out the fact Ewan was a shifter, but I didn't understand why that mattered at a college full of supernaturals.

Laz narrowed his gaze, unsure whether I was messing with him. “Alpha heirs are arrogant from birth.”

Laughter bubbled up inside of me. “So far, I've seen more arrogance in fae than shifters.”

We emerged onto the lower landing and turned right. I watched Laz out of the corner of my eye, worried my joke was in poor taste. We'd been bantering, flirting even. Had I crossed a line?

“He's an alpha's son, Winter. Those guys are a different breed. And spoken for,” Laz said at last.

“'Spoken for?' What year is it?”

This time, Laz did laugh. “Sorry, I guess in the human world that is an old-fashioned term.”

We reached the main hall, both slowing our pace until we came to a stop. Laz turned and offered me a lazy smile, leaning in close and slipping an arm around my back in an awkward hug. With his mouth only inches from mine, I drew in a breath.

He was going to kiss me. And even though we'd just met, I didn't pull away from the opportunity. A tickle of magic crawled up my spine as his palm pressed against my backpack. His eyes darkened, lips parting.

“All fixed,” he whispered, stepping back. His expression was half amused, half something akin to regret. With that, Lazlo turned and walked away.

What the hell just happened?

That evening after dinner, I had my second encounter with Tina Keene. This one in our shared dorm room. Astrid had accompanied me to retrieve my calculus book for our study session with Morgan, but waited in the hall when she saw Tina.

“Hey, I'm Winter. We didn't get to meet yesterday.” I waved awkwardly.

“I know who you are,” Tina said. She sat cross-legged on her bed, staring at her reflection in a levitating mirror.

“Right. Well, nice to meet you.” I grabbed my backpack.

“Be back by curfew,” Tina called after me. “For your sake.”

The bedroom door slammed shut in a gust of air.

“I see you guys are hitting it off,” Astrid teased.

I sighed. “It's fine. It's a hard time for everyone.”

“Don't fool yourself. Tina's always like that.”

Our study session turned into more of a gossip session about the upcoming Night of Four Moons Gala—a town-wide celebration in Arcane Landing.

“It's like a charity ball in the human world,” Astrid explained.

“More like a holiday party,” Morgan corrected her. “Fae come from all over, and a few other supernaturals, too. This time I think the Virgo Alpha and his family are attending.”

On the surface, Morgan seemed composed. I found her quiet strength impressive. In her position, I would've been curled beneath the covers in a dark room.

I sat with my back propped against Astrid's bed while she dangled upside down on the mattress.

“The heir is gorgeous,” she said, flipping over. Her face was red from all the blood that had rushed to her head. “Nathaniel Ames. One hot wolf.”

“Does he go here?” I asked.

She shook her head. “Most of the shifters at Arcane U are only common pack members.”

The words slipped out of my mouth before I gave them conscious thought. “But not Ewan? He's an alpha's heir, right?”

Morgan and Astrid exchanged glances.

---