Sinclair’s laughter took him by surprise. “I’m only kidding. You’re right. I’m no Boy Scout. I’ve never needed to fend for myself or others. All I could wish for has been provided for me.”
“Must be nice.”
“Mm, one might think so.” Sinclair steepled his hands on the desk. Long, elegant fingers with neatly filed nails gleaming under the office fluorescents.
Silence returned, bringing with it a contemplative mood. Sinclair’s calm, occasionally smug attitude baffled him. “Why aren’t you afraid of me?”
“Should I be?”
“No.”
Sinclair thrust his chin forward. “Then there’s your answer.”
Mitchel got the feeling he was hiding something, but he wasn’t up for the conversational gymnastics required to uncover it.
Sinclair pushed back his chair, the wheels squeaking on the old linoleum, and stood. “Well, Mitchel Edgehill, I hope we can be polite since we’ll be living so close.”
And that was him dismissed. Finally. “Of course. I’ll speak with the pack. See that they leave you alone.”
“Thank you. That would be much appreciated.”
Mitchel nodded and left. In the hallway, he filled his chest with a gulp of air and let it out slowly. He didn’t have to like the vampire to coexist with him. With any luck, Sinclair would tire of their company and find somewhere else to live sooner than later.
Odious task complete, Mitchel returned to the dorm. He’d set a bad example in front of his pack and needed to fix it. Despite his personal feelings toward the species, a truce reigned between their kind, and keeping the peace took precedence over his grudge.
Mitchel entered the common room and found a group of his charges gathered around the flat screen, enthralled in some video game. They’d invited him to join in the past, but he had no interest. And no time, with something always needing doing.
He cleared his throat. “Shouldn’t you all be studying?”
“It’s still early in the semester,” Nathan said without glancing away from the screen. “Plenty of time for that later.”
“You mean there’s plenty of time to procrastinate now so you’ll have to cram later, right?” Mitchel raised an eyebrow. “That’s what you’re really saying.”
The young wolf shrugged. “It’s tradition. Can’t fuck with tradition, you know?”
“Guys, pause the game. I need to speak with you.”
“Of course.” Nathan and the others stopped the play immediately.
“What’s up?” Charlie removed his headphones.
All eyes shifted to Mitchel. It was a lot of pressure, being an alpha. Trying to be someone they could look up to. “It’s about the vampire, Sinclair.”
“You getting rid of him for us?” Nathan grinned.
“No. It turns out he has a right to be here.” Mitchel took a seat on a beat-up old sofa. They really needed some new furniture. “He went through official channels and received clearance from the board. Our chancellor invited him personally. We’re going to have to make the best of it.”
A chorus of unbecoming whines rang from the students.
“None of that. Believe me, I understand how you feel, but I was out of line yesterday. Sinclair is a student like the rest of you, albeit further along, and pursuing a doctorate. We need to be hospitable.” Mitchel frowned. “Myself included.”
“Yeah, but does he have to live here?” Nathan asked.
“Supernatural housing is limited. The other dorms are full. I checked. I need you to be civil. Be polite. You should know I’ve apologized to him for my behavior. I apologize to all of you as well. That isn’t the kind of example I intend to set.”
“Don’t apologize.” Charlie smirked. “It was epic.”
“It was a mistake. I overreacted. Look, Sinclair will be teaching in the Supernatural Studies department. You could end up with him as your professor down the line,” he warned the group. “Take my advice and be kind. You don’t have to be friends with him, but don’t be jerks either.”
