Page 2 of Pack Nightmare

“We’ll see.” Jared’s tone is dark with implication, and a little thump of emotion swells my heart.

These guys, my fated mates, continue to surprise me with their concern. Perhaps I should be annoyed that they’ve appointed themselves my protectors, but truthfully, it’s been so long since I really felt someone cared about me—Layla, as an individual—that I continue to be shocked and flattered.

Of course Derrek looked out for me, but delusions of romance aside, I knew I wasn’t special. There were over twenty kids in our crew, and Derrek never treated me differently than any of the others.

But when those bright green eyes lock on mine again, I can’t help thinking: But he’s not with any of those other kids now. He’s here with me. That has to mean something.

Chapter Two

Layla

Somehow I make it through all fifty minutes of the class. I take a few half-hearted photos of the whiteboard to make sure I don’t miss anything important, but I’m certain there isn’t a single word that leaves Derrek’s lips and actually lands in my head. My mind spins uselessly through the entire period, running over everything except literature.

Derrek leaves a stack of stapled papers at the edge of his desk, and when he dismisses us, students file by to grab one on their way out. I don’t miss the flirtatious glances of other girls as they pass my former mentor-turned-professor. He smiles kindly at them, the same smile I knew from Derrek the street kid, but his posture is professional and closed off as he waits patiently.

I know what he’s waiting for.

“Gorgeous, you coming?” Jared has already packed his things and is standing at the end of our row, waiting for me to descend the steps of the lecture hall and go grab a syllabus by his side.

“Um, you go on ahead. I’ll meet you guys outside. I… need to talk to him alone for a minute.” I give him my best reassuring smile.

Jared’s dark eyes are worried, but he nods solemnly and joins the line of students filing downstairs.

I take my time gathering my things, fidgeting with my backpack zipper until I’m the last student in the seats. Slowly I descend the steps, waiting for the guy ahead of me to get his papers and leave. Glancing toward the exit, I see all three of my fated waiting for me just outside the door with anxious expressions.

Steeling myself, I step forward and approach Derrek, who’s waiting for me as the picture of casual with his hands in his pockets, leaning against the desk.

My heart pounds, and I’m not even sure why I’m nervous. In the last year I hadn’t thought about him romantically at all, but his sudden appearance seems to have dredged up every teen fantasy I had of him on the streets and now brings unbearable heat to my cheeks.

His gaze softens when his eyes meet mine, and his smile widens. “Lex, I was wondering when I’d see you. I feel blessed to have you in class on my first day. You look amazing, by the way. I’m so happy to see you’ve recovered so well.”

My heart leaps at the compliment, then swiftly drops when I realize he’s not complimenting my appearance so much as my healing.

“Thanks, and it’s Layla now. I guess technically my name is Lilliana, but that’s still weird to me.” My hands clutch the backpack straps just beside my armpits. It’s so awkward, I don’t know what to do with myself. If we were on the street I’d give him a hug, or a high-five. But now, after going so long with no communication at all and then him turning up as my professor? It doesn’t feel right.

“Of course, Layla. I’m still Derrek, which you already knew.” Suddenly he seems like the nervous one, scratching the back of his neck and rambling. “Either way, it’s great to see you.”

“Yeah, quite a surprise that you turned up here, of all places. After I never saw you in LA after my attack, I didn’t really expect to see you again.” My voice is sharp, and my hands release my backpack to cross my chest defensively. “Why are you here? I assume you know… more about this place than I did before I first arrived.” I’m honestly not sure what he knows, and without alpha compulsion to keep me from saying something wrong, I am especially careful in my choice of words.

Derrek’s eyes dart to the doorway, and my three fated watching us quietly from just outside. “It’s a long story, Lex. Perhaps-“

“Layla,” I correct him. “Summarize.” The word is almost a bark of command.

He chuckles lightly. “I see you’ve connected with your inner alpha. That’s good.”

So he does know I’m the alpha, and that he’s landed in the middle of a pack of wolf shifters. I guess that’s a good start.

“Long story shortened, I’m related to your pack seer, through a long, tenuous connection. When your uncle and his witch Maria showed up to claim you, they knew right away. Your uncle offered me a place to work here, provided I could meet his requirements.”

I snort; his story is severely lacking. “Nice try. I may have been able to get a GED in a year, but there’s no way you got an entire college education in twelve months, let alone two degrees. What does it take to be a professor, a master’s? A PHD?”

He slips a finger between his collar and throat, clearly uncomfortable. “The truth is, I’m not as young as you probably thought I was, back in LA. I had my bachelors and started my master’s before I ended up there, so I just had a couple of semesters to finish before I could legally teach.”

My stomach takes a sickening flop. “How old are you?”

“I’ll be twenty-eight next month.” Derrek’s expression is distinctly guilty, and his eyes drop to the ground.

The sudden pressure on my chest feels like a thousand pounds, making it difficult for me to draw breath. “You’re ten years older than me? Jesus, Derrek, I… don’t know what to say. What the hell were you doing, running around with a bunch of homeless teenagers on the street, living under a fucking bridge, when you already graduated and even had a degree? Surely there were more options for you than there were for the rest of us.”

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