“I think I might need to collect on my payment a little early today. Whatever happened this morning put you in a bad mood,” Fenris commented when we reached Ashlyn’s class.
“You’d be in a bad mood, too, if you had to endure the morning I had,” I grumbled, trying not to make eye contact with Eugene, Ashlyn’s hopefully temporary replacement.
“Do you think so?” Fenris asked.
His question gave me pause, and I looked at him as we sat next to each other. Did I think Fenris would be in a bad mood if Piepen had sprinkled on him? No. Fenris never seemed to be in a bad mood. In fact, he probably would have clapped the annoying little brownie on the shoulder and offered him more man-to-man advice.
Sex advice from Fenris.
My insides went hot and cold at the thought.
Instead of answering his question, I picked up my tablet. The equations danced in my vision and didn’t settle into any sensical meaning. My mind was too busy dwelling on the fact that Fenris was a better person than I was. What was wrong with me?
“Advanced Algebra? Nice. Are you hoping to be an engineer or architect?”
Setting the tablet down, I took a long-suffering breath.
“We both know that will never be an option for me.” I met his gaze. “Fenris, you need to complain to your father that Adira changed your schedule. She’s meddling with your future. I might never be able to leave here, but you will. You need to study.”
He leaned in with a grin.
“I’ve already passed everything. The only reason I don’t have my mark yet is that I’m not mated. I’m here to spend time with the ladies, whichever ones they see fit to throw in my path. You’re this week’s flavor, and I don’t mind the change.”
“You passed everything?”
“Yep. Don’t forget these classes are online.”
“So you’re just here because you’re mateless?”
“Yep.”
“Since when?”
“All my life.”
I gave him a flat look, which only amused him further.
“I mean, how long have you been attending classes with no other purpose than to be around the females?”
He looked at me thoughtfully.
“It was the summer after you arrived. I’d had the brilliant idea that, if I finished all my work, they’d give me my mark, and I could spend a few years traveling the world. Apparently, single wolves aren’t allowed to travel.”
“I’m so sorry, Fenris. I hadn’t realized how trapped you were.”
He shrugged.
“It’s not so bad. I just needed to adjust my thinking.”
I didn’t see how that could make his situation any better, and he chuckled at my skeptical expression.
“Instead of thinking of myself as trapped, I consider myself in charge.”
I snorted.
“I’m serious. The pack leaders are worried about me finding a mate, so they order pack runs. To keep things interesting, I’ve turned them into games of hide-and-seek. The girls are less disappointed when nothing happens since they’re having fun. The pack leaders don’t say anything because I’m spending time with the girls like they want. But even though I’m doing what they want, I’m not really. You know?”
I slowly nodded, seeing what he meant.
