Chapter 7 Getting Ready for Graduation

Graduation was only a week away, and there had been no more sightings of the rogues. Our pack was easing back to normal, though my nerves hadn’t caught up yet. There was so much to do—I still needed to secure a room on campus.

I eased my bike into a parking space just as someone approached me. “Alora Windsong?” he asked.

I nodded, wary.

“The Dean wants to see you. Follow me,” he said with a boyish smile.

My stomach twisted. What now? My mind raced immediately to my grandfather. He was furious—he’d just found out that his pride and joy wouldn’t be graduating this year. My sister’s grades weren’t enough, and I could already imagine the storm brewing in him. I braced myself, half-expecting to find him waiting in the Dean’s office, ready to shame me in front of everyone.

But to my surprise, it wasn’t Grandpa at all. It was Alpha Ryker.

“Ah, there she is,” he said warmly, pulling me into a hug. “This is my unofficial adopted daughter.”

His words hit hard, sinking deeper than I expected. My throat tightened, and a tear slid down my cheek before I could stop it. He had never said that about me before—not out loud, not to anyone. For a moment, I felt like I belonged.

Mr. Bolton, the Dean, stepped forward. “Pleased to meet you, Alora.” He shook my hand firmly. “We’re glad to have you on campus. Alpha has informed me you’ll be staying in one of his condos just off the campus grounds. We’ve also arranged for our campus security to patrol that area during their nightly runs.”

I blinked in shock. A condo? All to myself?

I turned to Alpha. “But…”

“I can’t have my girl in with all the riffraff on this campus,” he said with a laugh. “Come, let’s show you around.”

We headed straight to the condo, and when I stepped inside, my jaw nearly hit the floor. It was huge—complete with a den and a fireplace.

“Two bedrooms,” Alpha explained. “In case you wanted a roommate to study with.”

He grinned knowingly. “And the den has just enough room for your bike.” He winked, and I couldn’t help but laugh through the shock.

But when Alpha turned away to check the locks, my smile faltered. Relief washed through me at the thought of finally leaving my grandfather’s shadow, of carving out a space that was mine and mine alone. Yet guilt clawed at me, too. Here was Alpha, building me a future, protecting me as if I were his own blood—and all the while, I was hiding the fire burning inside me.

Blaise.

Even now, in this beautiful condo, I could still feel the ghost of his heat in my chest. The scent of leather and smoke clung to me in memory, no matter how many showers I took.

Jag stirred, satisfied and smug. He’ll find us here, too. He always will.

I swallowed hard, my gaze sweeping the spacious condo. For the first time, I felt like I had a home of my own. But deep down, I knew it wasn’t just this place that made me feel that way. It was him. And that truth could burn everything Alpha had just given me to the ground.

****

I eased my bike next to the house. Grandpa hated the sound, so I cut the engine and let the silence settle a little way down the road. Slipping through my window, I moved quietly, avoiding him at all costs. For weeks, I had been slowly packing, sneaking what I could on my bike, and ferrying it back to the condo Alpha had given me. This was my last trip.

*Tonight, we will sleep in our own place for the first time.* I whispered to Jag.

I strapped my duffle bag—the last of my things—to the back of my bike and pushed it down the dirt road, far enough so Grandpa wouldn’t hear me start it up. And when I finally did… the roar split the night.

It screamed ‘Freedom.’

The smile on my face as I tore across town toward my new home shone brighter than a galaxy, blazing with the fire of everything I was leaving behind—and everything waiting for me.

Jag purred inside me, her voice low and fierce. *At last, Alora. No more shadows. No more chains. We are free of him now.*

The wind whipped through my hair, and I laughed, wild and breathless. I rode without my helmet for the first time. I needed to feel the freedom on my face. For once, I wasn’t running from something—I was racing toward it.

*Feels good*, Jag whispered. *Only us.*

I pulled right up to my front door and opened it wide so I could ride my bike in.

*This is us!* Jag almost yelled. *What’s for supper?* she giggled.

I took out my phone and ordered takeout from the dinner. Sam took my order and said he would deliver it personally. He wanted to see my new place. I had never been happier in my entire life as I was right now!

I hooked up my speakers and added my playlist. I was dancing around when I heard a small sound. I went to my kitchen, the curtains were open by the sliding glass doors, and there he was, the cutest kitten I had ever seen in my life, with his tiny paw on the glass, asking to come in. I scooped him up just as my doorbell rang. It was Sam with our food, and I showed him to the kitchen bar. 

“And who is this?” he said, petting my little bundle of joy.

*He says his name is ‘Rudy’* Jag giggled.