Page 77 of Conner's Luna

"What is it?" I ask, going alert. This explains why she wanted to come outside, away from prying ears.

"We have Ariana Liefson."

It takes me a moment to place the name as the most recent disappearance from RedMoon. Velia winces as I hiss curses under my breath. My vision tinges grey at the corners, my wolf furious.

"Did you tell Uncle Dev?" I snarl under my breath at her. Velia shifts on her feet, looking fearful. "Damnit, Veli! Why the fuck wouldn't you mention it? It's an investigation into possible serial crimes!"

"We know. I'm not supposed to know that Ariana is at the LaNu house, but I could scent her there."

"How do you know what her smell is?"

"Uncle Gerald gave me some of her clothes, to see if I could pick up anything."

"You haven't said anything?"

"She's safe, Conner, but..."

My brain catches on. "LaNu thinks ClearHowl is involved in the disappearances." My wolf throws himself against the back of my brain. It hurts to the point where I wince openly just as Bailey walks back out into the store, chatting happily with the two females who followed her into the bathroom.

"I really like her, Con," Velia whispers, but she's staring at Bailey with a sad face.

"So do I," I answer quietly. My wolf settles down, back into his familiar pacing, his eyes watching his female as she walks closer and closer, an excited bounce in her step. Sighing with relief mixed with trepidation, I adjust myself in my pants.

"Honestly, you're disgusting," Velia snarks. "She should be commended for touching you at all."

"I've been touching her, more," I say as straight-faced as I can.

"Gross, Conner!" Velia moans as I hold open the door for Bailey. "Bailey, tell my brother he's disgusting."

"Are you being mean, again?" Bailey laughs up at me.

I pout, "now I'm the average one?"

Velia stares at us, her nose wrinkling, "is that an inside joke?"

"It's a math joke," Bailey explains. "Means and averages."

Velia stares at us, unblinking, "you're both nerds."

---

Hours later, I trail along behind Bailey and Velia as the two females discuss every inch of Caluna, from the grass to the atrium on the top of the Math building.

"Conner!"

I greet Jonas with a fist bump as I saunter along. He's a good kid, one of my Alpha-Upsilon frat brothers. I think he's the Sergeant-At-Arms this year.

"Who's the hottie?" he asks me in a low voice as he falls into step with me.

"Mine," the word is a little too guttural. Jonas wasn't even being disrespectful. I never had a girlfriend, as far as Caluna was concerned.

He grins. "Obviously. What's her name, bro?"

"Bailey," I grunt. I don't like sharing a single piece of her, even her name, with him. My nerves are skyrocketing. Every damn person here, human, witch, and wolf, who have met Bailey, love her. In return, she's falling in love with the campus and the fucking irony is that I'm jealous. She's had such a shitty time at State. She really needs to come here, but I'll be over an hour away with the pack as soon as Dad and Uncle Alex know that I've given up on Lydia. I would only see Bailey on the weekends and whenever I can get away during the week.

"Bailey," I hold out my hand to her as she looks over her shoulder inquisitively. She shares a look with Velia, but then, apparently, decides that I want to introduce her to Jonas. She stops walking and holds out her hand for him to shake.

I capture it for myself and tuck her to my side. "This is Jonas," I tell her.

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