Page 7 of The First Year

The guys I’d once felt shackled with in this dorm room had slowly become my friends. We got along despite our differences, and this place had somehow become home with them around.

“It kind of is, but without a phone or a TV, what else am I supposed to do?”

He knew better than to ask that question.

“There is an hour before dinner,” I said, leaning against the wall. “I’m sure there’s some fun we could find.”

“No,” Sol barked, putting down his worn paperback. “Your fun and my fun are not the same. The last time you suggested something fun, we ended up in the headmistress’ office, and she doesn’t like me like she likes you.”

“She’s not so bad. You just have to flirt with her a little.”

“Do you hear yourself? You’d flirt with a poster of a woman.”

I cocked my head, thinking about the scenario. “Depends on the woman. I’m not that bad, anyway. Sometimes I’m just being nice.”

Sol shrugged. “The problem is, some females can’t tell the difference. You’ve got half the female population swooning and the other half ready to murder you with their notebook wire.”

“I…” I started to argue with him but Odin walked in. His face was red, and he closed the door behind him as though he were being chased. “You good?” I asked. Odin didn’t really get worked up about anything, so whatever happened must’ve been epic.

“There is a new student. I showed her around. Gave her the tour.”

“Isgave her the toura metaphor because you are blushing like she gaveyoua tour.”

“Fuck off,” Odin replied and pushed off the door where he had been leaning. “I gave her a tour of the school and then showed her to her dorm room.”

“Oh.” I rubbed my hands together, hoping for some gossip. I didn’t spread it but loved to hear it all the same. “Do tell.”

“Stop it, Evander. Nothing happened. I showed her to her room, but she’s not doing well. She’s fresh off the battlefield. And bitten. It’s taking a toll on her.”

“We’re all bitten, Odin,” Sol replied.

“We are but…there’s something different about her. I-I think we need to help her if we can.”

Odin was a male like the rest of us, but he hadn’t shown a lot of attention to any female I was aware of. He wasn’t a flirt like me, and women didn’t flock to him because of his status like Sol.

“What’s her name?” If there was someone who piqued Odin’s interest, I would have to scope out the situation for myself.

“Roxy. Roxy Swifthunt.”

My gaze darted to Sol. He was the heir apparent to one of the biggest packs in the shifter world. If Swifthunt rang any bells, it would be his. Though from the looks of it, Odin’s bells had already been rung by just a stroll around the grounds.

“What? I don’t know everyone. And that name doesn’t sound familiar.”

“Exactly how do you think we are able to help her, Odin?”

“She’s new to all of this and…my wolf was a bit protective of her. That’s all. Make sure she gets the rules and doesn’t get into trouble, if we can help it.”

I laughed. “Not getting into trouble is not my expertise, friend.”

Odin countered, “Wouldn’t you have liked a friend or someone to help you when you first came here?”

I thought it over. I came here with no one and nothing. Schedules thrust at me. Uniforms shoved in my direction. Medical tests. Stern professors. Rigid rules.

Yeah, I could’ve used a friend.

It took the three of us months to warm up to each other.

“I could’ve. Someone to give a damn about what I did and when I didn’t show up for meals. Someone to talk to who knew what I was going through.”

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