Jax’s wolf stood to his paws. Lola didn’t step back. Something about him felt safe. Whether it was his size, the unmeasurable strength, or the fact that he was a wolf was unknown to her, but she did know one thing—the wolf wouldn’t hurt her.He stepped behind a tree and shifted back into his human form. Lola heard the sound of a zipper as he dug through the bag, and a few seconds later, Jax stepped out from behind the tree. He was pulling his shorts up and tying the waistband. When he looked up, he saw Lola gawking at his bare chest. Her eyes went from his waist, taking in the creases of his muscles, over his abs, and across his chest. She stepped back in her mind and let her body take control. Her feet moved over the grass, and she walked with small steps over to where he stood. She stopped inches away, her eyes still taking in everything he had to show, everything that wasn’t covered. S

 *** “What is happening to us?” Carrie coughed as she put her feet on the floor. She tried to stand, but her legs buckled beneath her, and she fell, hitting her head against the wall.  “Carrie!” Lola stood by the window, looking through the dirty glass, watching as her father coughed up blood in his hands on his way to his wife, who fought for her life on the bedroom floor.  “K-Kent…” her voice disappeared in the heaving as she fought to take a breath. “What is this?!” He ran to his wife and fell beside her.  Lola watched in the darkness as her father dragged her mother out of the house. Her aunt fell out on the

Lola woke up to the alarm clock going off. She rubbed her eyes and stared at the wall opposite the bed. Melissa left yesterday after about an hour. She was in a hurry to leave and tossed a quick bye when she was already out the door.Lola dreaded going back to school now, even if part of her was just happy to get out of the house. However, she wouldn’t have her best friend. A surge of determination blew through her, and she aggressively ripped the cover away.“If I’m stuck here, I will sure as hell at least have my best friend,” she seethed as she pulled out the last shirt she had and a pair of jeans. She looked at her clothes, the little she had with her, and her head fell back in a desperate sigh.She dressed and washed her face. She put her hair up in a high ponytail and grabbed her bag. Lola opened the door.

Lola didn’t see Jax for the rest of the day. He wasn’t in any of her classes, nor did he show up to the seminar. After the professor had gathered their papers at the end of the class, everyone started walking out of the classroom.She turned her wrist and looked at the time. Jax was the one who drove her to school. If he had left, then she wouldn’t have a ride back, which gave her an excuse to stay away from the mansion.Lola stuffed her books into the locker and grabbed her bag. On her way out, she kept looking over her shoulder, hoping that she wouldn’t see Jax. She smiled when he was nowhere to be found and pushed open the doors to get out of the school. On the parking lot, leaning back against a car that looked far too expensive to be in the community college parking, was Ash.I would’ve preferred Jax.

Jax moved in and closed the distance between him and Lola. He reached out his hand and roughly gripped her chin. Her head was forced back, and her fingers wrapped around the edge of the metal table behind her.“What were you doing with him?” he asked again, slower, colder, and his eyes darkened more and more for each word.“We— We were having coffee.”Jax’s eyes flickered down to her lips, and they parted as though they obeyed his silent wish. His hand slid down around the back of her head, and he drew a deep breath. He leaned his other hand on the table, caging her in.“Lola.” Her name was the only word that he didn’t speak in pure anger.“Yes,” she whispered.“Cle