Page 11 of Wolf Mate

I took the staircase on the right to the third floor. My classroom was the first one on the right.

I entered the room, relieved to find that it looked like a normal college classroom. I wasn’t sure what I’d expected. Something similar to Hogwarts, old and fancy, like I’d seen on television? The lackluster tan walls and desk seats seemed typical and not intimidating.

There were open seats in the front and the middle of the classroom. The early risers had gotten their choice of the back-row seating, but that was fine with me. I picked a front-row seat to ensure I maintained focus. I needed to be engaged, take notes, and ace this class if I wanted a chance of getting accepted into vet school the first time I applied.

A few students nodded at me, but I kept my mouth shut, not wanting to scare them away with my pointless rambling.

As I slid into the seat, I heard a familiar chuckle and glanced up.

Nice Guy.

He grinned as he strolled toward me, and I blinked as he sat in the seat next to mine. I hadn’t expected to see him again so soon.

“If this doesn’t prove we’re meant to get to know each other, I don’t know what would.”

I wasn’t sure what to say, but one thing was certain, I didn’t want anyone to think I was weird. “You don’t have to sit next to me.” I flinched. I hadn’t meant to be rude, but he was a talker and observant. I didn’t want to ramble or, worse, have my blood do its funny stuff and make him think I was weird.

His lips mashed together. “Is that your way of asking me to move?”

Great. Now, I was the asshole. “No, sorry.” I lifted my hands. “I meant don’t feel obligated to sit next to me. You know I’m having a bad day and …” How the hell did I even finish that sentence? I sounded like a fucking loser.

He unzipped his navy backpack and pulled out a binder. “The chance to sit next to a gorgeous woman will make microbiology easier to bear, even if she’s playing hard to get.”

My face flamed. “Oh, I’m not playing.” The last thing I wanted him to think was that I was manipulating him. After being the target of so many kids, I deplored games like that.

“You’re not interested.” He leaned his head back and groaned. “You have a boyfriend, don’t you?”

My eyes widened. I’d never had a boyfriend. No one had ever talked to me more than they had to, let alone tried to kiss me. “No boyfriend, but … I’m here for the education.” I snatched a purple pen from my bag, needing a moment to collect myself.

I straightened, and then Nice Guy beamed.

He winked. “So Idohave a chance. It might just take some effort. I can handle that.”

I remained silent, my brain scrambling for something to say. A handsome guy was flirting with me, and I had no idea how to respond. Even though I wanted to make friends, dating someone was more than I was ready for. That would cause strong emotions, and I couldn’t risk it. “How about being friends?”

“Fine.” He held out his hand. “Since we’re friends, we should know each other’s name. I’m Slade.”

Names. That wasn’t too personal. “Skylar.” I shook his hand.

That was when the professor decided to glide in.

He began class, jumping right into microbes and cell structure, and I finally felt normal as I listened and took notes, the crazy past twenty-four hours slipping from my mind.

I stuffedmy notebook and pen into my bag, ready to search for my next class.

“Where are you off to now?” Slade asked as he packed up his stuff.

“Economics.” I zipped up my backpack and tossed it over my shoulder. “It’s in the Evergreen Building.”

He stood and bowed slightly. “Well then, follow me.”

I tilted my head. “I can find it on my own, but thanks. You don’t need to be late for your next class.”

“Okay. See you soon, Skylar.” His words sounded like a promise.

I bit the inside of my cheek, creating just enough pain to prevent a stupid grin from spreading across my face. Slade was nice, and something about him was comforting. He didn’t look at me strangely, despite how we’d met … unlike Raffe, Keith, and Adam from yesterday.

Glancing at my phone map, I located the Evergreen Building and headed down the stairs. Luckily, the building was next door, so I didn’t have a long walk.

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