Chapter 9

Once again she woke up with no recollection whatsoever of her dream. She probably will never remember.

Yup that’s me.

I sat up in my bed realizing that I must have fallen asleep last night while listening to my romantic playlist. One look at the je clock told me it was time to get my ass out of the bed and start getting ready for a school. I swung my legs over the edge of my bed and went to the bathroom to brush and clean up. My phone was low because I had been using it throughout the night which means I can forget about taking it to school with me. My laptop was still plugged to the power source.

I frowned.

No that’s not right. I didn’t plug it in last night. It had been full when I turned it on and still had more that half the battery when I turned it off.

Beside the laptop on the table was an empty packet of chocolate chips cookies.

I don’t eat chocolate chips cookies but whoever ate the one on my desk definitely enjoyed it because there was not so much as a crumb remaining. But that wasn’t the problem. The real problem here was that someone came into my room to use my computer and didn’t clean up after themselves.

I hurriedly put on the rest of my uniform and slipped my boots on before running out of the room to confront everyone.

The rest of the pack was up and moving already and Lance and Mason were in the dinning room with the younger ones getting them ready for school. Leo was just coming downstairs.

“What’s the problem? You seem uptight.”

“Yeah because someone came into my room last night and forgot to clean up after themselves!” I shot out brandishing the packet of cookies in my hand. “Who snuck into my room last night?”

“I don’t think anyone wants is brave enough to do that without having their heads off.”

“Just what do you mean by that, Leo?”

“I’m just saying you’ve been sour since last night. Coming into your room was off limits for everyone.”

“Yeah well I’ve been sour because everyone is testing my patience.”

Lance looked up from where he was feeding Freddy, Mason’s son. “Did you leave your door open last night?”

“I did. So someone came in. Also everyone here knows I hate chocolate so who came into my room?”

They all shrugged. I squeezed the packet in my hand.

“Fine. That’s how it’s going to be? I’ll be locking my room from now on.”

I went to the kitchen to discard the wrapper and stalked angrily outside without having anything from the dining table. Noah was waiting by the car when I got out and he avoided my gaze.

“Aren’t you going to point out the fact that I am early this morning?”

He was silent for a few seconds then a smile tugged the side of his mouth up and he finally met my gaze. “Do you want to me to stay out of your lane or what?”

Oh I see he’s trying to be a smart ass. “Out of it.”

“Then I am not going to make any comments.”

“That’s a first for you.” Leo was still taking breakfast inside and it was still too early to hurry to school. “What changed? Miss Aurora? Did you call her? Have you made any plans to meet and fuck yet?”

“I don’t think that’s any of your business.”

I nodded with a small laugh. “That’s fair. You stay out of my business and I stay out of yours.” I wasn’t satisfied with his answer but I didn’t push.

Noah was watching me with an amused expression. “You are not very hostile today.”

I eyed him suspiciously. “Should I be?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know. You wear your attitude like a second skin, did you take it off?”

“Yes and I put it in the laundry. What happened to staying in your lane while I stay in mine?”

“You are right. My apologies Miss Dark Storm.” I don’t know if he was being sarcastic with that response but he stepped back and opened the door for me. “You can get in.”

As I moved to enter the car our hands brushed and right then something charged through me. I paused for a second, too shocked to get into the car or do anything else but stare and wondered if he felt it too. And he did. It was in the slight widening of his eyes which he quickly concealed. But he couldn’t hide the furrowing of his brows.

I don’t know how to explain it but it felt like a dull voltage running from the point of contact through the rest of my body. I never felt anything like that with anyone, not even Leo.

What is this? Why should I feel it with Noah?

I tried to speak but nothing came to my mind only the face that Noah and I just felt something and neither of us knew what to do about it.

“Get in the car, Ginny.”

His voice was suddenly hoarse and when he looked away and broke the moment. He walked away from the door and I stared after him still not sure of what to say.

Then Leo came barreling through the door with his bag in his hand and he charged straight to the car and slid into the other side. I noticed a movement upstairs and looked to find Asher standing in front of his window with a huge frown on his face as he took in the sight before his eyes.

Did he see that moment pass between Noah and me? He probably did, maybe that’s why he’s frowning.

He noticed me staring and smiled with a wave. “Have a nice day at school,” he yelled.

“Sure.”

There was nothing sure about anything. My life was…something was changing. Somehow the routine of my life was shifting.

“Music?” Noah asked and I noticed he was avoiding my gaze.

“Yes. Just play anything,” Leo said.

And so we made our journey to Princeton. Cars of different models and sizes pulled up into the parking lot, many of those had tinted glasses. The parking lot was a sea of students coming out of cars and walking into the school building. Leo and I did the same and the first person I saw was Emerald.

Looks like my day is off to a terrible start.

“So you came back,” She said almost as soon as she saw me. She was coming closer and I noticed her heeled shoes no wonder she looks taller. Her jet black hair was a straight curtain behind her shoulders. “Yesterday wasn’t enough to send you running?”

“It will take more than that to send me running, Emerald.”

“You don’t belong here.”

“Is there a law about that?”

I was surprised to hear Noah’s voice as he stepped out from the driver’s side. Emerald’s eyes drifted over to him and lit up with interest.

“And you are the bodyguard unfortunate enough to be stuck with this… what do I call you? Ariel on crack? Gin?”

“It’s Ginny,” I bit out through my teeth. “And yes, he gets paid to follow me around and he’ll do it.”

“I see.” She moved up close and whispered so that only the two of us would hear but it was useless since Leo and Noah are both wolves and could easily hear anything she has to say. “Just because you’ve been adopted into wealth doesn’t make you one of us. When I say you don’t belong here, I mean it. I’ll make you regret coming back, Gin.”

“It’s Ginny.”

“Whatever dehydrated Ariel.” She looked past me over my shoulder and smiled sweetly at Leo. “Let’s get to the hall shall we?”

I watched them walk away. Leo had a spring in his steps as they walked with their hips bumping. Parker who just got out of the passenger seat of his Mustang frowned as he saw them walking into the building. The bleached Rapunzels were right behind them.

Noah had a concerned look on his face when I turned to shut the car door.

“Are you alright?”

“I’ll survive.” I replied. Leo’s behavior was expected. Anything in skirts was a potential sex partner for him and when he’s bored with Emerald he will cast her aside for one of her friends. If she doesn’t cast him off first. For now he’s not my problem anymore.

“Are you sure?” Noah asked again.

I swung my annoyed glare his way. “Yes I am.” And as I passed him I whispered in his ear. “Stay out of my way. I can handle myself.” I stopped to pass him a side glare and caught his hazel blue eyes staring at me.

He raised his hand in surrender. “Fine.”

“And try not to hang around school. I promised Maggie I’ll stay. Besides, you’ll look like a fucking idiot. Go hunt something.”

“I wasn’t planning to stay. I have a date.”

I stopped short. “With Miss Aurora?”

“It’s none of your business.”

He nudged my shoulder as he opened the door and got in with a mock salute and started the car.

With Miss Aurora?!