Page 44 of Moon Kissed

I wanted those bastards to know their time was up.

Nia turned around to look at her friends for the fiftieth time.

“Just go already,” I snapped, making her jump. “Hang with your friends. You don’t have to stalk me all day.”

She blew out a breath. “Actually, I do. Dagem ordered me not to leave your side from now on. I wouldn’t be surprised if she announces we’re going to be roommates.”

“But you can’t be by my side all the time. We’re not in separate classes. We’re in completely separate buildings.”

“Actually...”

“What? What is it?”

“You’re looking at the second omega in history to be accepted into the alpha track.”

I blew back in my seat, brows high.Wow. Dagem is really determined that the next time the only witness by my side is one Dagem can order to say what she wants.

There was no doubt in my mind that was the reason Dagem was assigning me my own personal stalker, because Nia’s omega power mollified my wolf, but it wouldn’t stop me from hurting someone else if I really wanted to. It’d only stop me from hurting Nia. Therefore, Nia was also a witness I couldn’t kill.

“Gotta give it to her. She’s cleverer than she looks,” I muttered. “So, what did you get out of the deal?”

“Excuse me?”

“Don’t tell me you let her rip you away from your friends and your life to be a lovable psychopath’s shadow, and didn’t ask for a single thing in return?” I caught the look on her face. “Unless...” I grinned. “You did. Nicely done, omega. You’re not taking anyone’s shit.”

“It’s not like that! It’s not like I blackmailed her like a certain person,” she snapped back over my laugh. “All I did was say I wouldn’t do it unless set design was put back on the approved list.” Nia sniffed, turning her nose to the air. “It shouldn’t have been taken off in the first place, so I did nothing wrong.”

“No arguments here, but you and I will need to make a deal too.”

“What deal?”

The friendliness melted off my face, making her scoot her chair back. “Anything private you overhear about me and my fates, stays private.”

Nia stiffened. “It’s not my job to keep your secrets. When we agreed to befriends, I was clear that I wouldn’t do that.”

My eyes narrowed. “Is that a no?”

She locked eyes with me, defiance rising up in her hot and fast. It was gone in a blink. “No, it’s not,” she said, surprising me. “If it’s private like that kind of private, I’ll keep it to myself. It’s no one’s business no matter who you are, and... and if I’d known they were going to slut-shame you like this, I wouldn’t have said anything. If we’re going to be stuck together, we’ve got to have boundaries like you said, so...” Nia tipped her head. “Won’t happen again.”

“Thank you,” I replied, and meant it. “Same goes for you. That kind of private stays private. I know how to mind my own business.”

She just nodded. “But that’s all. If you break the rules, or so much as break someone’s nail, I won’t protect you. Actually, I’ll be riding everyone’s shoulders while they laugh and cheer your cuffed ass out of here.”

“Oooh, someone’s finding their claws. I like it, but don’t get too carried away,” I sang. “My wolf fought her instincts to kill my fate. Something tells me she can shake off her sleepiness for you if she’s really motivated.”

Nia scooted back at my smile. “Of course, High— Daze. I didn’t mean any disrespect.”

“Yes, you did, but I’m nothing if not forgiving.” I sighed, flipping my hair over my shoulder. “Another one of my loveable traits.”

“—take our mind off of all this.” Ava’s voice broke through the noise. “Party tonight in my dorm. Alphas and epsilons only— Sorry, Packer.”

“It’s Paxton,” Paxton gritted.

Ava waved that away. “Whatever. Like I was saying, alcohol is welcome. Clothing is optional.”

“Yeah, nice,” the guys hooted, clapping and high-fiving each other.

I really,really, didn’t want to be that pathetic fate making moon eyes at her mates from the shadows, but I couldn’t help it. The popular crowd always manages to set itself apart, and somehow, my fates were at the top.

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