Page 67 of Just One Bite
“She’s getting her sisters.” I nudge his shoulder. “Great speech, as always.”
“Yeah, I saw you whispering in Olivia’s ear during. I half expected you to take off.”
“Never. I would not embarrass you with such blatant disrespect.”
He smirks. “I get it. Mates are different. And you and Olivia … it’s obvious.”
“What’s obvious—”
“Parker Owens.” My name echoes through the speakers.
The crowd vibrates with color as they shift to look at me.
“Uh, what?” I say, but the crowd is so loud the only person that hears me is Gavin.
The students are whispering words of encouragement and praise, but my world is a blur.
What the fuck? How did I get a nomination?
All official nominations must be registered by someone in the council.
Zant.
I’m going to kill him.
“I didn’t know you were running this year?” Gavin’s voice is low. Hurt. He thinks I’ve planned this without telling him. I open my mouth to speak, butI’m itchy.Why would someone do this to me?
I move to push my way to the podium, and Gavin stops me with a hand firmly on my chest.
“Whoa, you good?”
“No. I didn’t do this. Someone nominated me. And I think I know who.”
“Don’t do anything you’ll regret. Stay here.”
“I have to find Zant and kick his ass.”
“No, you’ll stay and calm down. That’s an order.”
I grit my teeth so hard I think they’re going to break. The tug in our bondurges me to comply, and instead of giving into it, I spit on the ground.Yes, Alphais the only reasonable response to his command, but I can’t get myself to say it. A part of me wants to, but that part isn’t strong enough.
“I know you’re trying to help.” I start and stop, clenching my fist and taking a steadying breath.
He’s patient and waits. “It’s okay, take your time.”
“I want to be respectful here, but respectfully, I need to find my best friend and beat him within an inch of his life.”
“As if you could.” Zant’s smiling as he makes his way through the crowd.
Nominee announcements have concluded, and students are breaking from the huddle.
I step forward and roll my shoulders.
“Whoa, whoa, what’s happening?” Zant puts up his hands in surrender.
“You nominated me for council? We’ve talked about this about a thousand fucking times.”
“Wait, what? I didn’t do it. I was coming to ask you why you didn’t tell me.”
