Chapter 1 - Zaine

“Go! Go! Go!” I heard my friend Arlo calling next to me, while all those around us cheered, and I knocked back the large drink within my hand. The bitter, sweet taste of the beer within my cup hitting my throat with ease as it went down. I quickly swallowed and slammed my cup to the table to an even louder cheer, as Presley threw her arms suddenly around my neck unbalancing me, causing us to drop backward onto the sofa behind us.

The moment I realised we were falling, I adjusted myself so I would not fall and crush my friend, and we landed near side by side, and I looked across at the pink-haired beauty by my side as she offered me a big grin. “I fucking love college!” She yells over the noise form the ongoing drinking game, and I laugh. So did I.

As a son of an Alpha, I had a lot of pressure upon my shoulders, and one of them was the fact I was to become Alpha in the not to distant future. But, I had decided to find a way to escape the pressures and commitments of pack, to simply enjoy my life with freedom for a couple of years, and had done that by attending college. Gaining a college degree in business as I did. One that may well benefit my pack. That was how I sold it to my father anyway.

In truth, the past few years in college has involved as much drinking, partying and having fun as they had learning and studying... and I do not think I would change a thing!

I had loved my time at college, and in being here I had met some of the most awesome people. Many of whom had become amazing friends. The girl by my side was one. Presley and I had met in orientation week, mainly because I had all but sent the poor girl flying across the corridor when rushing around not looking where I was going. But little did I know at the time, me and her would have more than a little in common. And that drink I offered in apology would become one of so many more...

I smiled across at her. “I don’t think I am going to do too well on my exam tomorrow.” I moan, and she giggled before resting her head upon my shoulder.

“Get Blade to do it for you.” She muttered, referring to my wolf, and as I glance down at her, I notice her big brown eyes flickering as she began to drop of to sleep where she rested. She was such a lightweight. Less than a couple of hours into one of the bigger parties of our college year and this girl is crashing out already...

I gently nudged Presley. “Come on, Princess, let me get you back to your chambers if you want to sleep.”

Her sleepy eyes furrowed as she looked back at me confused. “Chambers?”

“I called you a princess…” I began to explain, but her face told me she was not even beginning to grasp what I was talking about, she was too sleepy right now. I knew she had been up late studying the last week. “Never mind, come on.” I eased myself to standing and offered her my hand.

“I am fine, Zee.” She said in a far from convincing sleepy tone. “You don’t want to miss the party, I know you have been looking forward to it all week.”

“And I can come right back once I drop you off.” I offered. “You clearly need to sleep.”

“I really do.” Presly mumbled with a sigh. “But I can head back myself.”

I shook my head. “Not happening, Pres, I will not be letting you walk home alone. So come on.” I offered my hand again, knowing I would not be enjoying the party knowing she had walked home on her own. There had been a few random attacks lately on campus, and I did not want my closest friend here to fall victim to them, all because I put drinking before her.

Presley took my hand in hers, and I pulled her upwards, my arm circling her waist to steady her as she stumbled a little once on her feet. This girl was so ready for her bed. And most definitely an exception to the rule when it came to werewolves having a high tolerance to alcohol. She was such a lightweight!

“Let me go tell Arlo and Cooper where I am going, then I will be back, okay?” I told Presley, who in all seriousness looked like she was ready to fall asleep upon her feet. “You need to go tell the girls you are headed off?” I added, wondering if her friends would question where she disappeared to. I would like to think they would. They were meant to look out for one another whilst out.

She shrugged. “I can message.”

I found myself smiling. She was too tired, that meant. “I will get the guys to tell them, how about that?” I offered, and she shrugged again, leaning herself against a wall, clearly preparing to wait for me.

“Don’t let them be creepy again.” She giggled sleepily. She sounded so sweet. I knew what she was talking of. The guys attempting, as they do, to be the failing charming romeos… I offered Presley a grin.

“I will warn them there are to be not attempts at cheesy chat-up lines, okay?” I earned myself a beautiful smile, as I walked away to find my friends, leaving Presley leaning against the wall of the large lounge of the frat house where the party was being held.

My gaze drifted across the louonge and instantly found Arlo, exactly where I left him, with no surprise, still drinking. One of his favourite things to do since being here. As I began to walk over to him, I spotted Cooper, busy talking to a tall, beautiful blond girl in the corner, his arms snaking along her hip. I think I would leave him to it…

“Arlo?” I called as he was urging someone else to knock back their drink as he had done to me.

My friend glanced over. “Zee!” He cheered. “You come for another go?”

“Maybe later, I am going to make sure Presley gets back okay, she is already falling asleep.” I expected some argument from my friend, but instead Arlo simply nodded.

“That girl studies too hard. But better she has someone with her walking home.” He slurred. “You coming back though, right?”

I nodded. “Yeah…” I began, only for Arlo to interrupt with a sudden grunting sound, taking me by surprise, even more so as he all but knocked into me.

“Pres isn’t interested in Kaiden is she?” He demanded, and my gaze suddenly darted to where I had left Presley. Kaiden was the captain of the college football team, and a grade A asshole. The moment my eyes found Presley I could see she was fighting off the hands of Kaiden as he was near pinning her to the wall. I had to fight the growl that was threatening to slip from me as I all but flew across the room toward my friend, and Arlo followed.

“Why the fuck is he feeling her up!” He demanded.

“No clue, but last time he tried she was not impressed, so I assume nothing has changed.” I snapped.

I was across the room in no time and without thinking my fist was clenched and impacting the chiselled jaw of the handsome football star, sending him stumbling to the floor of his lounge. “What the fuck?!” He stuttered, his hand rushing to his face. “Are you fucking crazy?”

I didn’t care what he thought of me, my concern was my friend. I turned to her. “Pres, are you okay?” I asked, and she offered me an awkward smile.

“Of course she was okay. What chick wouldn’t be, getting to be with the football captain.” Kaiden said with a cockiness that made me want to punch him again.

“Did we ask you?” I heard Arlo demand as another punch was thrown, and Presley’s eyes widened as I focused upon her delicate features. I knew that Arlo would happily deal with the piece of shit that was the football captain. We were more than willing to protect our friends, and Presley was one of them.

The only issue being we were in a busy party. A party being held in said football star's home, and there was now an increasing presence of people around us. We seemed to have attracted a crowd, many of whom were Kaiden’s team mates, likely here to defend the asshole.

“Maybe we should go now.” Presley whispered to me. “You can’t be getting in trouble again, Zaine. Certainly not for me! Your Dad will not be happy if you do…” Her voice faltered, and I knew she was right. My Dad was not an easy man to please, and sorting out my issues at college, yet again would only result in me being removed from a place I was finally happy…