Page 7 of Forbidden Devotion
“Sinclair, you cannot be serious. I can’t leave you here. It’s abysmal and smells like”—Becket wrinkled his nose—“wet dog.”
“I’ll be fine. Let’s get the rest of my things so you can get home at a reasonable hour. No need to tell my parents about this. It’ll only upset them.”
Discussion over.
Sinclair was staying. He’d have to make the best of it.
CHAPTERFOUR
Mitchel
If such a thing were possible,and Mitchel would tell you it was, the alpha gathering had grown even more tedious than he’d come to expect.
Sure, he had plenty to learn. And sure, the topics were important—mostly. But the politics and red tape drove him up one wall and down another. When the midday break arrived, he couldn’t be happier for a chance at some downtime.
On his way to his room, frustrated with the day, a voice called his name from down the hall.
“Mitchel, wait up!”
He turned and dropped his jaw. Joshua, an old friend from his youth and not someone he expected to see at Rocky Mount, was waving him down.
Joshua had always been a sweet person. Happy to be useful. Content with his own freelance design business. But he wasn’t an alpha.
“Hey, buddy.” Mitchel greeted his friend with a hug. “How are you, and what the heck are you doing here?”
“Good, good.” Josh slapped him on the back. “Here to help some alphas with the promotional push. Someone’s got to drive the younger wolves to the polls next Saturday. How are you?”
“Getting by. Looking forward to heading home, to be honest.”
“Of course you are. We never see you anymore. You’re always at Borson. How’s that job going? Is it weird to be the oldest one on campus?”
Old? He wasn’t that old. Was he? “I’m thirty-two. Don’t act like I’m ancient!”
Josh laughed. “You and me both. But college kids have got to make you feel your years.”
That was the truth. “They do. Good kids, mostly undergrads, but we have a few graduate students in the mix. They don’t need a lot from me. I’m there to settle disputes and lead the full-moon festivities. Give advice when they need it. That’s all. It’s a good fit.”
“Well, don’t forget to drag yourself into town to vote. It’s neck and neck, man. We can’t afford to lose.”
“Preaching to the choir, Josh. Damn those vampires and their selfish agenda. I wish we’d wiped them out when we had the chance. Before they get us all killed.” Mitchel didn’t mask the disgust in his voice. He hated the bloodsuckers, every last one of them.
“It won’t come to that. Rally those kids of yours at Borson. Don’t let them grow complacent.”
“For sure. If they don’t vote, they don’t eat, simple as that. They’ll all get to the polls. I personally guarantee it.”
“That’s what I like to hear! Good seeing you, man.”
“You too. Say hello to your mate for me. Oh, and ask her to tell Erika I’m not interested. That woman doesn’t take no for an answer,” Mitchel complained. Erika had practically mauled him when he arrived.
“Ha! None of us can persuade Erika to do anything she doesn’t want to. You’re going to have to do that yourself. Doesn’t she know you’re gay?”
“Apparently, she doesn’t care. And stop laughing. It’s not funny.”
“It’s kind of funny,” Josh said between chuckles. “You could do worse. She’s the smartest alpha we’ve got after all.” He shuffled backward, dodging the playful punch at his shoulder.
Josh wasn’t wrong, though. Erika had always been the brains of the group. Even Mitchel could admit that. Still…
“I’d sooner end up with a vampire than Erika know-it-all Silver.”
