Page 15 of Wolf Mate

Whatever.

If he cared, he’d be direct. I didn’t need to waste any more time thinking about him.

I hurried through the front doors and up the elevator. Soon, I was at the apartment door. I paused and listened for any noise from within.

Nothing greeted me, so I punched in the code and opened the door quietly.

I stepped inside.

Then I heard a noise coming from Lucy’s bedroom.

Shit.

I spun around to leave, but I heard her step into the hallway.

What was it with people moving so fast here?

Before I could go, Lucy said hurriedly, “Skylar, wait. Please. I’ve been upset over how things went down this morning.”

For a moment, I considered marching out the door, but she sounded sorry. I didn’t want to be the asshole. I understood what it was like to be on her end, wanting a chance to explain things. I’d wished so many times that people would hear me out, so what type of hypocrite would I be to deny her?

My blood jolted as I shut the door and faced her.

I lifted a hand. “You don’t have to explain anything. I get it. You weren’t expecting someone likemeto be your roommate.” It was clear I wasn’t on the same level as her. She was gorgeous, dressed nicely, and screamedmoney. “I just came to grab a few things so I can get out of your hair until you sort this out with Lafayette.” I forced a smile, wanting her to believe there were no hard feelings. At this point, I’d do anything to end this conversation.

“Youaren’t the problem.” She wrung her hands. “Well, not you as a person.”

I was trying to be nice, but I hated when people skirted around the truth. The bullies who’d tormented me all my life had gotten away with most of their shit because they chose their words carefully. Whether it was the wide-eyed, innocent stare and the proclamation that they hadn’tmeantit that way, or that I must have slipped and they’d only been trying to help, every time, the teachers and principals had believed them because they were the favored students or because it was just easier than dealing with the problem. I wassotired of people getting away with things. “Actually, that was exactly what you meant. But just so you know, running under the moon sounds amazing, and if I had guys hitting on me like I’m sure you do, I’d sleep with the ones I wanted to as well.”

She blinked then laughed.

Great. This was when her nice facade vanished and her claws came out.

“You’re blunt.” She pressed her lips together. “I’ve never met anyone like you.”

“Most people don’t like me, so there’s no point in playing nice. All it does is make the rejection hurt more.” I hadn’t meant to say that, but it was the truth. “I’ll get out of your way until it’s handled.”

“You have a person willing to let you room with them?” She dropped her hands to her sides.

“No, but don’t worry about it.” Since we were having this conversation, I might as well get my things now instead of having to come back later. “I’m just going to pack some stuff.”

“There’s no need.” She blew out a breath. “Lafayette told me there’s no way to change the assignment. All the apartments are full, so we’re stuck together.”

Ugh. I couldn’t sleep in my car forever. It would eventually get cold. The fizzing sensation swirled within me, and I deadpanned, “That’s great.”

She snorted and placed a hand on her chest. “This might actually be a good thing.”

I tensed, waiting for the punch line.

But she didn’t continue. Instead, she smirked.

“Why? So I can wash your clothes? Clean the bathroom?” Cinderella status made sense to me. I doubted she wanted to ruin her long, burnt-orange nails. I glanced in the kitchen at the black stove. “I hate to tell you, but my cooking skills are subpar at best.”

“What?” She flipped a hand, looking genuinely perplexed. “Why would you do any of that? We have a cleaner who comes in weekly, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the stove is just for looks. Besides, I mainly eat meat, rare, so I doubt I’d want you to fix me anything even if you were a great cook.”

I wrinkled my nose. “Rare?”

“And you said you weren’t judgy.” She arched a brow.

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