Page 12 of The Hunt

“Ooh, was he hot?”

Yes.

The answer floated unbidden into my mind before I could consciously think of a response. I hated to admit it, even to myself, but Rhett was damn sexy. Tall and broad-shouldered with tousled dark hair and full lips that seemed like they were designed to be spread in a perpetual smirk. Heat unfurled in my chest as I pictured him, and this time, it had nothing to do with my earlier fury.

“He was one of the biggest assholes I’ve ever met,” I said. It was an avoidant non-answer, but Tessa didn’t seem to notice.

Her thin brows rose. “Oh, so it wasn’t a meet-cute situation.”

“Definitely not.”

“Damn. What happened?”

“He was beating up some guy. I stepped in to make it stop.” I lifted a hand as my new roommate’s mouth dropped open. “I know, I know. It was stupid. But I have a stun gun, so I thought it would be okay.”

Tessa’s eyes were like saucers now. “Oh my god. That’s so badass. Did you use it?”

“No. I didn’t need to. The guy didn’t actually attack me, or anything like that. He was just…” I trailed off, slowly shaking my head. “He was really scary.”

“Did he threaten you?”

Rhett’s words swept back into my mind, along with the memory of his dark gaze when he said them.You have no idea about all the things I could do to you, princess.

My stomach flipped again, as if I was standing right back there on that path with Rhett looking down at me. I swallowed thickly and shook my head.

“No, he didn’t threaten me. Not exactly, anyway. I don’t really know how to explain it,” I said. “He was just so… intimidating. Arrogant, too.Like he justknowsthe whole world revolves around him.”

“Ah.” Tessa nodded sagely and leaned back against the pale blue wall. “Sounds like you encountered your first Wilder.”

“My first what?”

“There’s a secret society here called The Wild Hunt. Don’t ask me why they’re called that, because I honestly don’t know. But the members are called Wilders for short.” Tessa paused, lips thinning. “Most of them match the description you just gave.”

Of course.There were a few secret societies at my old college, and they were filled with arrogant assholes too. Guys born with the world at their feet, willing to do anything and everything it took to ensure the world stayed that way.

“Mental note: avoid all Wilders,” I said.

“That could be a little hard, given that they throw the absolute best parties. But let’s not think about that right now.” Tessa waved a dismissive hand. “I want to know all about you. I’m guessing you’re a sophomore like me?”

“Yup.”

“Where’d you transfer from?”

“Blackwood.”

“Oh, wow. That’s a great school! Why’d you leave?” she asked. “I mean, Hollingsworth is obviously great too,” she hastily added before I could reply. “But it’s just sofarfrom Blackwood. I’m way too lazy to make a move like that.”

“Yeah, it took a while.” I flashed her a rueful smile. “As for why—long story.”

“Spill the tea, girl.” Tessa’s lips stretched into a playful grin as she sat up straight. “You’re eventually going to realize that I simplyneedto know everything about everyone.So you might as well make it easy for yourself and fill me in now.”

I laughed softly and sat down. “All right. As stupid as this sounds, I switched schools for my boyfriend,” I said. “Well… ex-boyfriend now.”

“Ouch. What happened?” Tessa raised a palm. “Wait, no, let me guess. He cheated?”

I pursed my lips. Jakedidcheat multiple times, as I discovered after our breakup, but that wasn’t the catalyst for the destruction of our relationship. It was only the tip of the iceberg, and not even a tenth as bad as the other fucked-up stuff he did. But I didn’t want to go into any of that right now. Especially not with a girl I’d only just met, friendly as she was.

“Yup.” I nodded slowly, lips pressed in a grim line. “I guess it’s pretty common with long-distance relationships, huh?”

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