Mitchel was off-limits, he didn’t like Sinclair, and he only did him a favor because he had to go to the mail room anyway.
They got back in the car and finished their errands without incident. Sinclair thanked him, Mitchel shrugged it off with a casual “Don’t mention it,” and they went back to avoiding each other.
In the days that followed, Sinclair watched the alpha more often than he cared to admit, and more than once, he’d caught Mitchel staring back. Mitchel would avert his eyes right away, so Sinclair did the same thing.
Unless no one was looking. Then Sinclair could stare all he wanted.
And he wanted.
CHAPTERNINE
Sinclair
“Mamaaaa, ooooh,”blared from his phone, and Sinclair blinked his eyes open. So much for a nap. He swiped open the call, and “Bohemian Rhapsody” faded away.
“Hey, Mom,” he answered.
“Sinclair.” Her voice soothed his frayed nerves. “My love. I almost didn’t recognize your voice. It’s been so long.”
He laughed. “I’m sorry. I know I should call more often, but school’s been keeping me busy.”
“Too busy. How are you?”
“Good, good. Everything’s good.” If he said it often enough, maybe he’d believe it himself.
“I’m glad to hear it. I miss our talks.”
Sinclair missed them too. Long midnight walks with his mother, chatting about everything and nothing. She always had time to listen. “How are you and Dad?”
“Your father keeps himself busy. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. He has enough council work for two people despite the fact that he remains just the one.”
That wasn’t unusual. “And you? How are you?”
“I’m getting by, but I worry. Darling, I’m not sure it’s still safe for you to be living in werewolf territory, what with the split vote. I wish you’d come home.”
“Campus is safe. No one here would bother me, I promise.” No one would do him any harm at least, but the bratty pack he lived with still leaped at any chance to annoy him.
“I know you think so, but that doesn’t make it true. Be careful and come home if you even get an inkling something might be brewing. Promise me.”
“I promise, Mom.”
Her sigh said she wasn’t content.
“I can’t talk long. I’m sorry. I fell asleep, and now I’m behind schedule. I love you.”
“I love you too, dear. Don’t study too much. Try to have some fun. Safe fun.”
“Will do.”
“Bye, dear.”
“Bye, Mom.” Sinclair hung up the phone in good spirits, but they evaporated by loud banging at his door. The door banged open, and Snarly threw a wet parcel onto his desk, disordering all his paperwork.
“Mail for you.” He sneered. His real name, Sinclair had learned, was Charlie, but Snarly was more fitting.
More mail? Sinclair wasn’t expecting anything. “Next time wait for me to answer before opening the door. What if I was naked?”
Snarly gagged. “Whatever.”
