Page 68 of Alpha Varsity

I’ve been a dick to her, I know. But it also occurred to me that Lotta doesn’t really trust anyone, and I suspect it has a lot to do with the way her parents fucked her up about her art.

They never should have made her choose between pack and career. And I shouldn’t saycareer,because art is more than a career to Lotta. It’s her soul. Her identity.

And that’s why I have to lean in there.

“What’s up?” Abe says when we’re out of earshot of anyone else.

“I wondered if I could talk to your mate about something.”

In a flash, Abe has me pinned against his vehicle, his eyes glowing with his wolf.

I laugh, holding up my hands. “Relax. It’s about Lotta. You can be there for protection if you want.”

Abe blinks, his wolf receding. He releases me and gives his head a shake to snap his neck. “Sorry, man. Just instinct.”

“Yeah. No worries. I get it.”

“So… yeah. Do you want to go over there now?”

I nod. “Did you tell her about me and Lotta?”

Abe frowns. “No, dude. You swore me to secrecy.”

“Right, yeah. Thanks. I mean, we could tell her if you think she can keep a secret. Or I can just not use specifics.”

“She can keep a secret.” He sounds offended on her behalf. “Her twin doesn’t even know they’re bears.”

“Okay, cool. I’ll follow you over to her place?”

“Yeah. See you there.”

I climb on my bike and trail Abe to the mansion on Moongaze Hill where Lauren and Lincoln Sterling live. The twins moved here this school year from Manhattan, and their human and wealth status inspired instant hatred in all of Wolf Ridge. Now that Abe marked Lauren as his mate, though, they’re under his protection, and things have changed for them socially.

I follow Abe up to the hand-carved door. Inside, the sound of a piano stops playing, and Lauren comes to the door. Her soft gaze lands on Abe then skips to me, and she raises a quizzical brow.

“Hey, Lauren. I, uh, wondered if I could pick your brain about New York. And art stuff.”

Her brows pop, but she holds the door open wide. “Of course. Come on in.”

“Thanks.” I have no idea if this is a hare-brained idea or not, but I figure it’s worth a shot.

As we enter the house, the sounds of killer electric guitar playing come from the hallway. I jerk my thumb in that direction. “Is that your brother playing?”

Lauren sits on the couch, and Abe slides in right beside her, an arm draped behind her back. “Yeah. He’s pretty good.”

“And you were playing the piano?” I take a seat in the chair opposite them.

“Did you come here to flirt with my girl or ask artquestions?” Abe cuts in, and I grin at his possessiveness. I hold my palms out. “Art questions. Chill, bro.”

Lauren rolls her eyes, but I can tell she loves it.

“So…this is probably a wild goose chase, but you’re sophisticated, and you came from New York. I wondered if you know anything about the New York art scene? Like how to get into galleries?” As I say the words, I realize how ridiculous I sound. “Nevermind, this was a dumb idea.” I stand.

“It’s not dumb.”

I sink back into the chair.

“We know some fairly big-time artists. Like the kind who sell paintings for fifty thousand dollars.”

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