I refuse to look at him, keeping my gaze firmly fixed on my feet. My skin tingles from just being in his presence, remembering what happened when we were last together.
“She doesn’t want to talk to you,” Kady snaps. “Hasn’t she made that clear enough by ignoring your calls?”
“Kady, I know you’re trying to help,” Cole tries to rationalize with her. “All I’m asking for is a chance to explain.”
“You lost your chance when you covered up a crime. My PI looked into it.” Kady remains calm, but her voice takes on a cold, almost menacing edge that says not to fuck with her. She’s not an omega you want on your bad side. “Now, if you don’t get out of our way, I’ll report you to the dean for omega harassment.”
We’re attracting attention. The classmates who are milling around—including Amora, the omega I met in health botany who seemed nice—watch us with interest.
“Faye, please.” Cole sounds devastated. “Just give me five minutes. That’s all I need.”
I look up and catch his eye. The pure desperation and pain staring back at me makes me waver for a second until I remember how we got here.
“I’m going to be late for class,” I mumble.
“And don’t even think about skulking around here waiting for her,” Kady warns, piercing him with a glacial stare. She’ll be formidable in a courtroom one day. “You and the rest of your pack aren’t getting within an inch of her. If you want what’s best for Faye, you’ll take the hint and stay away.”
Kady links her arm through mine and tugs me away, leaving Cole staring open-mouthed after us.
“Are you okay?” Her tone softens instantly. “He shouldn’t have approached you like that.”
“I’ll be fine.” My voice shakes a little. “It’s a small campus, so I’m bound to run into them eventually.”
Although I hadn’t fully prepared for how bad the aching in my chest from being parted again would feel.
“Delilah will meet you here after class.” She gives me a rare hug. Unlike Sabs, who hugs everyone she meets, and Delilah, who cuddles those she cares for, Kady is not particularly affectionate. Yet now, I feel her fierce loyalty and protectiveness coming through as she strokes my back. “Keep your chin up,okay? You’ll get through this. Now go and kick ass in that greenhouse.”
I nod and swallow down the lump in my throat before shuffling into the greenhouse. As I trudge to the classroom area, barely looking at the magnificent plants, I'm sad to realize that the magic I initially felt upon entering the impressive dome for the first time has dulled. My chest constricts when I feel the gazes of the students who were watching us outside and overhear them gossiping about what kind of alpha drama I’m embroiled in. I slide onto a stool at a workstation at the back of class. At least here they can’t gawp at me too.
“Can I join you?” Amora motions to the vacant seat next to me. “I was starting to think you might have dropped out.”
“Go ahead.” I smile wryly. “And nope, I’m still here.”
“It looks like we’ll have to work in teams today.” She points at the blackboard with the lesson plan already written out. “Would you like to pair up?” She drops her voice. “Between us, no one else here seems to know the difference between wolfsbane and larkspurs.”
Before I can reply, Professor Grub waddles in. His piggy eyes scan over the room, anxiety eating my stomach lining when they land on me. His lip curls in obvious disapproval. “It seems that someone has finally decided to grace us with her presence.”
My armpits become sweaty, like the temperature in the room has suddenly spiked. He knows the reason for my absences. SVU has a college-wide policy to accommodate an omega’s needs during heat, which I guess Professor Grub doesn’t approve of.
He clears his throat then, thankfully, continues addressing the class. “Today, you will be making a custom elecampane tincture to help with coughs. Combine it with at least one other herb. You will each present your creation by the end of the session. Let’s hope some of us…” His gaze rests pointedly on me.“Can keep up.” He smacks his hands together, making everyone jump. “Now pair up, and get started!”
Amora and I busy ourselves, talking only occasionally to check measurements or steps. It’s nice to be working with herbs again, and being in her company is effortless. I get the sense I’m not the only one with something on my mind, judging by how aggressively she’s cutting the roots.
“We could add fresh ginger?” Amora suggests, checking her book. “There’s some ginger over there, but it’s not quite ready yet.” She points at the spot where some of our classmates are haphazardly pulling up the plants. “But I saw some with yellower, wilted leaves down at a little spot by the bridge, if you want to check it out?”
“That sounds great.” I stand up. “Anything’s better than staying here and watching them yank out the ginger like they’re playing tug of war.”
“Grub shouldn’t speak to you how he does,” she whispers as we progress down the path. We’re well away from everyone else, but she still seems afraid someone will hear. “It’s not fair.”
“He has a point,” I shrug. “This is only my second class since this semester started.”
“Omegas can’t help when they go into heat,” she reminds me but doesn’t stress the point, even though I can tell she wants to.
We track down the harvestable ginger then carefully dig it up. It’s nice to be back around nature and working in my element again. However, no matter how hard I try, my mind keeps wandering back to them.
“Faye?” She must have been speaking, but I’d completely spaced out. “Are you happy with that?”
“Sorry, my head’s all over the place today.” I inhale deeply, trying to collect myself. “What did you say?”
