Page 27 of Clawless

“Of course, he did. Because Reed Marshall is a robot ninja.”

I couldn’t help laughing. “What? What does that mean?”

“As your shifter sister, I have to warn you that the Marshall clan are a strange bunch. His mom is nice enough, but his dad is… odd.” She blushed and dropped her voice, even though we were alone in the breakroom. “He looks like an accountant, but he’s the pack alpha for a reason.”

“Which is?”

“Secrets. Intimidation. I don’t know. No one’s ever come right out and said it, but Alpha Marshall knows everything. And no one crosses him, even though there are much bigger, nastier alphas in the pack. There just has to be something really dark lurking under his fur to keep that kind of control.”

If there was anyone I trusted it was Marnie, and she’d never led me wrong when it came to the shifter world, but I had to wonder if she wasn’t exaggerating a bit. Reed’s folks had seemed pretty nice when I’d met them at the dance, and so far, Reed had been nothing but welcoming. “Well, the other part we’re focusing on is getting my wolf out. If Reed can help me with that, I don’t care how weird his family is.”

She watched me for a moment. “And Jasper? Are things really that broken between you? Because that chunk of jewelry around your neck looks kind of permanent.”

I shook my head. “He told me if I shift, and if he trusts me again, he’ll take it off. I’m not sure I care about earning his trust back, but I want to get my wolf out even more than he does. So, that’s my focus.” I didn’t want to talk about the alphadouches and my messy feelings anymore, so I propped my chin on my hands. “And how are things with you? Any sign of your wolf?”

Her cheeks turned a pretty shade of pink. “Maybe. Well, it was just a peek. But after the Hunter Moon Formal, I saw Baron in the dining hall. He was leaving with Pearl, and I heard him say something nasty about you as they walked by my table. I don’t even think he saw me there, but I got so mad…” She huffed out a breath. “I was gripping my fork so hard, I didn’t realize there was brown fur all over my hand.”

“You went wolf paw!” I gasped. “Marnie, that’s so great!”

“It was just one hand. But yeah, it was real fur. And for a moment I could feel something shifting inside me.” She gave me a shy smile. “I’m pretty sure it was my wolf, and she was pissed at those alphadouches bad-mouthing you.”

I groaned and reached across the table to hug her. “Screw the alphadouches. I’m so happy for you. Now you’ve connected with your wolf, I bet you start full shifting any day.”

“I’m just glad I can tell my folks. I know my mom is terrified I’ll be a dud for life. This little bit of wolf paw will make her year.” She grabbed my hand and took a close-up look at my omega ring. “To say nothing of being friends with the most famous omega on campus.”

“Famous or infamous? You might want to ease your mom into the idea of our friendship.” I gave my containment collar a derisive flick. “I’m not sure she’ll think I’m a good influence.”

“She’ll love you,” she assured me. “Just be ready for her to try to mate you off to my brother. She’s obsessed with getting pups out of my siblings.”

I laughed. “Then we’d be real shifter sisters.” I gnawed on my lip. “But I’m not so sure about the pups bit. I’ve got Den Night to survive first.”

“Oh, right!” Her eyes went wide. “Better you than me, sister.”

“Not a fan of pups?”

“In small doses, maybe. But a whole pack of them?” She gave a slight shudder. “Just make sure you wear thick socks. Those ankle-bitters aren’t playing around.”

***

Marnie and I packed away the rest of the picnic in the refrigerator, and I sniggered at how much she enjoyed writing her name on all the leftovers. Since we didn’t have any classes together, and most of my free time was spent confined to Omega House, we vowed to meet in the breakroom for lunch every day. We shared a long, warm hug and then she helped me wind my scarf back round my neck. I wasn’t sure how much of a disguise it was, but my next class was deportment and I figured the teacher might consider flashing a containment collar poor form.

Not that I was an expert. I had a vague idea that deportment had something to do with not slurping your soup and walking around with a book on your head. Which weren’t exactly talents of mine, but if it helped me be a better wolf, I was prepared to give it my best shot.

The teacher was exactly what I expected. A small woman with her gray hair scrapped back into a bun, she stood at the front of a spacious room with a shiny wood floor and mirrors for walls. There were no books, however, or tables with fancy place settings. Just the stern-looking teacher, a bunch of guys and girls standing in pairs, and a huge black piano in the corner. “Ladies, today’s dance is the waltz. If you would please take the floor with your partners, we will practice what you learned in the last lesson. Is there anyone without a partner?”

As the others moved off, I reluctantly lifted a hand, and she gave me a pinched look. “Name?”

“Vail Chance.” I cringed. “I mean, Vail Marrow.”

None of the omegas laughed – that wasn’t their style - but more than one guy picked up speed as they moved away from me. The teacher watched them with a frown, waving a hand at a tall guy with shaggy dark hair who looked like he was trying to fade into the mirrored wall behind him. “Xavier, you can be Ms. Marrow’s partner while Chloe is in the medical bay. Assume the position, please. Ms. Marrow, just follow Xavier’s lead.”

The guy looked like he was in need of the medical bay himself. “Are you a Marshall wolf?” I asked as he reluctantly joined me.

“Sawyer,” he muttered. “But I know who you are.” His gaze skidded over my face and then slammed to the floor. “I can’t freaking believe this.”

The piano started up and the other couples began swooping around the room. I saw Nadia amongst them, my friend watching anxiously over her partner’s shoulder as she waltzed past. The dance teacher seemed oblivious to the tension, snapping at poor Xavier, “What are you waiting for? Quickly, Mr. Sawyer!”

“Yes, Ms. Vine,” he muttered, his fingers biting into my waist as he dragged me into the swirl. The threat of my collar cleared a nice wide path for us, but sweat popped on his brow and his teeth were making a grinding sound. He might have been a good dancer, but he was a stiff as a board and his eyes were locked on our feet. His focus didn’t stop him from stumbling over his own, and for once I wasn’t the worst dancer in the room.

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