Page 80 of Rejected By the Shifter King
One always has to mind their manners, even while politely extricating one’s self from the person’s hold.
And then off I go again, but this time I’m focused on being less hasty and more careful. Stumbling every three seconds is just going to slow me down—
“The exit is in the opposite direction.”
I nearly jump out of my skin at finding him right next to me, with his long-legged stride allowing him to effortlessly catch up without breaking a sweat. Why is he doing this, really? Why bother—wait, did he just say—
I skid to a stop. Look around. And...crap.
He’s right.
The exitisin the opposite direction, and...huh.
Is it just me or are more and more people suddenly staring at us? This speed dating event isn’t your hole-in-the-wall kind of thing. It’s massiveandmassively funded. It’s on Year 4 (yes, it started right afterThat Dayand it’snota coincidence), and so with less than a thousand participants divided by age, there should be too many of us to notice just one Hexius Mercier.
Right?
“Samira—”
Argh.
I really wish he’d stop making my heart skipping a beat every time he says my name like that. And why is he so...so...oh, I don’t even know where to start. Why is someone like him here, and why is he wasting his time talking to me when he couldn’t even bear turning his gaze to me six years ago?
“Please just go away.”
“I’m afraid I can’t do that.”
“I think you can—”
“And if you’d allow me—”
I pivot on my heel while he’s speaking.
Crap.
I end up nearly crashing into a potted plant. Why oh why can’t I remember that these heels arenotmade for pivoting? Honestly, I’m not sure what they’re made for at this point. Are just supposed to make you look good and have really long legs without actually...walking?
Hexius approaches, and I immediately raise a hand to stop him. “I’m fine.”
And surprisingly enough, he actually heeds my words, his gaze watchful as I right myself.
“It’s him, isn’t he?”
“The Leopard King?”
“I can’t believe it. The Leopard King!”
“Does this mean he was one of the participants?”
The whispers only get louder with every second that passes, and as soon as I regain my balance, I find myself curious enough to look around and...
Where?
Who is it?
And why are they all looking at Hexius like—
No way.
