Page 24 of Pucking the Enemy

Sebastian hated Kingswood.

My mind raced as I tried to reconcile the Kingswood that Seb had told me about—the cruel, cocky bastard—with the sweet, caring alpha who had just seen me through my heat.

This wasn’t good.

My heart pounded. If Seb knew I had spent a heat with the Kingswood pack, he would be livid. Worse, he would feel utterly betrayed.

Tears gathered in the corners of my eyes as I tossed the jersey to one side. I grabbed the first T-shirt and pair of sweatpants my hands touched and threw them on. It didn’t matter how I looked.

I needed to get home.

Hopefully, I didn’t destroy my relationship with my best friend over a few days of epic fucking.

I easily found my handbag, which was sitting on the kitchen island. Grabbing it, I quickly rummaged through and found my cell phone and all of my personal items still inside.

A quick look at the date let me know that I had been in the house for six days.

I had a few text messages from Seb, but nothing urgent. It wasn’t uncommon for us to go a few days without talking, especially if he’d found a lady friend to distract him.

I took a shallow breath. Something deep in my stomach panged at the idea of leaving the guys, but in my post-heat clarity, I knew I needed to get home and get my head on straight.

Everything Sebastian had told me about the Kingswood pack was that they were playboys. They fucked a different omega every week and discarded the ones they used. While they hadn’t given me that impression, I needed some space to think.

And if I was gone much longer, Seb was going to ask questions.

My heart felt heavy as I snuck out of the house and started making my way back home. Thankfully, there was an easy bus I could catch.

I couldn’t help the feeling that I was walking away from something special.

Chapter 9

Hazel

Ten Weeks Later

Considering it was the third year of my four-year degree at Hawking, they were overloading me with work. Between the endless tests and assignments, I hardly had a moment to breathe.

My classic literature lecture was at an ungodly eight in the morning, so I pulled myself out of bed bright and early, despite feeling like a lightly animated corpse. I hadn’t felt right for the last few days. Every time I stood up, I felt dizzy, and my stomach was constantly in knots, like I had a stomach bug that just wouldn’t die.

The light felt too bright, and I squinted as I walked toward the old lit building, sunshine burning my retinas.

“Hazelnut!” I turned, looking for the only person who would ever call me that name. Seb, running up to me, his backpack slung over his shoulder.

“Hey,” I greeted, giving him a small smile.

“Are you okay?” He frowned. “You look a little pale.”

“I think I’m coming down with something.” As I spoke, Seb took my messenger bag off me.

“You should go get some more sleep.”

“I wish I could. I have several exams coming up and a pile of reading to do.”

“Do you want me to come to class with you? I don’t mind playing hooky.”

“I know you don’t, but I’m pretty sure your coach is going to get pissed if you’re caught skipping class again.”

“That old blowhard could do with an attitude adjustment.”

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