Page 32 of Savage Desire

Aknock sounds from my bedroom door and I know it's Bryony before I even open it. She has a certain rhythm that I'm growing familiar with. Three short raps, a brief pause, followed by a slightly louder knock.

Opening the door, I take a step back, and before I can say a single word, she bursts in like a firework catapulting around my room. She’s wearing a pale pink dress that sits just above the knee, with cropped sleeves and a delicate collar resting around her neck. It’s sporty but girly all at once.

“Wow, you look hot,” she states, raking her gaze over me from head to toe. “The silver hair does things that the black hair just couldn’t,” she adds with a wink. My cheeks heat as I tuck a loose curl behind my ear.

I can’t hide the embarrassment at her compliment. “Thanks?”

It's more of a question than anything, but she thankfully lets it slide, circling back to close the door behind her as I make my way over to my armoire, its door hanging open. Standing in front of the mirror, I take myself in. I’m not wearing anything too exciting, just a pair of denim shorts with a black tank top tucked inside the waistband. Another outfit provided by the academy.

Really, I need to figure out if I'm allowed to venture off campus and choose some clothes for myself. Not that I have any way to pay for new clothes. Part of just taking the clothes out of my wardrobe feels like I'm still conforming to another institute instead of finding a piece of myself.

“Is everything okay? You've been pretty distant today,” Bryony asks, pulling me from my thoughts, and my gaze whips to her as I offer an apologetic smile.

I’m acutely aware of the fact that I've held back most of the day after Juniper reignited my concerns over The Renegades.

“I’m sorry. That wasn't my intention,” I answer truthfully. I may not want to tell her everything, but that doesn't mean I want to become distant as well.

She waves me off with a smile as she takes a seat on my bed. “Don't apologize. I'm just worried about you. You took off in combat and… oh…”

“Oh?” I repeat, cocking a brow at her in question, and her grin widens.

“Nothing, I just wondered why Wylder hightailed you over to the wolf table at lunch, but it makes sense now,” she states, the smile spreading impossibly wide across her face.

“What makes sense?” I ask, eyebrows crinkling in confusion, and her gaze turns questioning as she aims a finger in my direction.

“You're getting pink cheeks,” she states, and I drop my gaze, more than aware of what she’s referring to. It seems playing coy isn't my best attribute.

I sigh. “I’m that obvious?”

She rolls her eyes at me. “Girl, I would be that obvious too. It's just insane. I hadn't considered it since…” Her words trail off and confusion falls heavy in my gut. She presses her lips together, uncertainty glossing over her features before she shrugs. “Since it was during the day, I guess. Sure, there's a fullmoon party tonight, but usually, quads keep to themselves until they'reinthe bubble. You know?” she states, and my face drops.

“I don't know,” I admit, still irritated by the fact that I'm completely out of my element and plenty of steps behind everybody else here.

She winces. “Sorry. It's not a bad thing, just a different thing,” she explains, trying to ease the moment, but uncertainty gets the better of me this time and I twist my fingers together nervously as I consider my options.

“Maybe going isn't a good idea,” I admit, and she scoffs.

“Are you joking? We're definitely going,” she insists, bouncing to her feet and reaching for my arm.

I wish it was as simple as that.

“I know, but Bianca was a bitch about it at lunch today. I just don't want to ruffle any more unnecessary feathers,” I mumble as she gives me a pointed look and a short snicker before she stands tall, and I brace myself for her next words.

“Girl, that bitch is a fucking crow. Her feathers are forever ruffled and she never ceases her incessant squawking. Don't let her impact your life like that,” she insists, and I gulp, feeling a sense of resilience like I did earlier today, only this time in a different way. A more personal, self-approving way.

She has a point, and I should take it.

“Now, are you ready to let your hair down? Because Wylder may have taken you for a ride earlier, but you still seem way too tense.”

The momentbefore entering a wolf party is weird. It's like watching people drink and dance in silence with no music tooffer them any rhythm, yet the moment you step over the threshold, embracing the magic, it somehow all makes sense.

I take a deep breath as I eye the crowd, trying to squash down the instant feeling of being out of place, but as if sensing our arrival, Minnie comes barreling toward us, interrupting my train of thought without even knowing.

Her smile spreads wide as she draws closer. “You're here,” she shouts animatedly. “I was worried you weren't going to come,” she adds, linking her arms through mine and Bryony’s so she’s plastered between us.

“She wasn’t,” Bryony admits, loud enough to be heard over the music, causing Minnie to gape at her for a beat before whirling around to stare at me. I roll my eyes at their dramatics.

“I’m here now,” I insist.

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