Page 13 of Just One Bite
A growl leaps from my throat. I knew it was him. Darien smells like money. He only wears expensive cologne, and because he’s on the council with Zant, I’ve unfortunately memorized the smell of it. That and the smell of his hair gel. They’re under a magnifying glass and always have to look their best. Zant says he hates it, but I think that’s bullshit.
Darien stops a few feet away—he knows better than to piss me off.
“Fuck off. You can’t claim them. They are not part of The Donor Program.”
“Oh, I know. And that’s what makes it fun. Free game.”
I grit my teeth. “Do they look like free game to you?”
The girls huddle around Olivia, and I’m in front, blocking them from Darien. The edge of my vision blurs and my hands tremble. I love the feeling of my inner wolf just below the surface, and I’d love to let it out.
But I also know better than to get into a fist fight with a member of the council.
Darien’s smile fades as I step closer. Protection on behalf of others is a gray area.
“I expected nothing less from Parker Owens. Say, I hear you're going for the open council spot this year,” Darien says with a taunting smile.
“Who told you that?”
As I say it, Zant saunters in, putting himself between Darien and me.
“Really?”
“Come on, gentlemen. Not in front of the new students. It makes us look bad,” Zant says.
“Stay away from them,” I say to Darien.
“You’re going to have a tough semester ahead if you’re keen on protecting these three … without the help of the majority council.”
“Worry about yourself,” I say through gritted teeth.
Darien chuckles to himself and disappears through the crowd gathering for orientation.
“Sorry about that.” I turn to the girls. “Don’t worry about him. Here, let me get you to the nurses’ station.”
I go to hoist Olivia over my shoulder.
“Wait!” Evangeline sheds her cardigan and ties it around Olivia’s waist.
I motion for Zant to follow me so I can give him an earful for spinning yarns about me to the council. Olivia’s breasts are pressed into my shoulder, and the sweet scent of her blood floods my senses.
Oh, fuck. I’m in trouble.
Chapter Five
Olivia
The room spins as I sway on Parker’s shoulder. Being upside down doesn’t help, and I’m tired of having a man’s hand on my ass.
“You can put me down now.”
My head swirls when he does, but I’m stuck staring at the scars peppering his stomach. The fair skin of his chest makes them stand out in long jagged lines that span to his arms, with smaller scratches up his forearms. His chocolate-brown hair is shaved short on the sides, and the top falls onto his forehead.
He notices me noticing him, and his worried expression turns into a grin showcasing his canines.
We’re at the main entrance of the castle, and the double doors are propped open to let in the draft of the night. The trickling of the water fountains outside greets us. Light from the candles lining the walls flickers with each gust, and the orientation is mostly contained on the Central Lawn, but there are a few groups of students lingering in the main entrance. The stone walls tower above us, and a double staircase takes up the center of the room. I’ve never seen a building so vast, and even though I toured the castle this summer, it still strikes me with awe.
“Here. It’s this way.” Parker stays next to me, ushering me with a hand on my back.
