Page 21 of My Pucking Family

“It looks like we don't know yet, Sweetheart, but I promise we'll find out.” Sinclair nods in agreement.

Men. We have more research to do. I'll catch you up when we get home.

“Alright, let's return to the topic of Leera's academics. She very badly wants to stay in class, but I was tryi—"

“Actually, Roman,” Leera interrupts me with a hand on my arm. “I've had a really rough day, and I have to admit, you were right. Professor Sinclair helped me reframe the way I was thinking about everything. It's not what I wanted, and it's not what I thought my normal college experience would look like, but I think it's best for now. Especially while we figure out what the hell is going on with everything.”

I nod and use all the physical willpower that I have not to break into a grin and whoop out loud. I'll be able to keep her safe this way.

Before I can even ask, she looks at me and says, “We'll talk about the rest later.” This time, I do smile.

“Well, I'll leave you two to it then. And, Leera,” she says with a sweet, motherly smile on her face. “Now that we share some secrets, please call me Willa.”

The smile on Leera's face almost seems to glow with the new addition to her small group of people in her life.

I collect her things from the floor, and we're about to walk out the door of Sinclair's office when she asks, “The small cloaking spell will have worn off by now; would you like another one to get you out of here?”

Leera seems to consider this for only a moment before straightening her back and standing as tall as her four-foot-eleven-inch frame will allow. “No, thank you, Prof…Willa.” She smiles, turning her gorgeous face to mine, and places her hand around my forearm. “I've got Roman I'll be fine.”

17

As if I didn't draw enough attention to myself all on my own, walking through a crowded college building with a hockey god's arm draped around my shoulder was definitely the cherry on top.

The guys are all sputtering in awe, and the chicks are divided between jealousy and thirst, if you catch my drift.

I just focus on the tingles and warmth radiating from where he touches me as we move through the seas of people parting for us.

For the first time today, I feel a genuine smile bloom on my face when I realize that Roman didn’t even seem to notice anyone else that was in the building. Sure, he does the dude nod thing to some of the young men praying for his attention, butwhen he sees the women who would happily take my place on his arm, he either leans over to kiss the side of my head or pulls me closer.

No matter what happens, for once, I feel like it really will be okay. Life is different when you know you have a seven-hundred-something-year-old werewolf, hockey god for a mate. And this is only the beginning.

I never have to feel alone again.I think as my eyes try to fill with tears. This immediately alerts my wolf and Roman to my feelings, but I just smile and nod.

When we finally reach our car, because he drove it again today, I slide into the seat with my name embroidered in pink thread and release a heavy breath. All the weight I’ve been holding on my shoulders all day finally evaporates.

When Roman makes it into his seat and starts the car, I turn to him with a guilty smile and say, “Go ahead and say you told me so.”

He just shakes his head and says, “I didn't want to be right about this one, Sunshine. I know how much it means to you. That's why I went to talk to Sinclair. To make sure you can still have as much of the experience as you can handle.”

I turn to just nod again when I release another loaded sigh. “When will I stop learning new things about my parents...and myself? When can I just be Leera and live that normal life I wanted?”

This time he throws his head back and laughs, causing me to cross my arms and scowl at him. “And what exactly is so funny?”

“Baby, I hate to break it to you, butnormalis long gone. You're a werewolf. Your mate is an NHL player. Your favorite teacher is a witch,” he says each one while counting his fingers to drive it home. “I'm afraid that ship has sailed.”

And damn him if he's not right.

Things could easily be worse, though, even when you throw the kidnapping situation into the mix. I could hate my college roommate, hate college, not have Roman. The last one causes my wolf to whine a little.

“So, where are we going then?” I ask since we're just sitting in the car.

“That's up to you. Do you want to go to your dorm to get some things and come home with me, or what's the plan?”

I drop all the way into my seat and stare at nothing through the windshield while I really think about what I want.

Do I want to stay with Zoey and be away from Roman?

Do I want to move in with Roman and miss Zoey?

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