“Um, sure.”
“What in the world do you see in this lug-head?”
“Hey!” I said, a little too loud.
“I’m just saying, his head’s already a little too big. He’s super grouchy at times. And he still plays video games like he’s twelve years old.”
I growled in warning.
“Calm down,” Denny said as he and Lauren joined us. “He’s just riling you up while he can.”
“Just remember, Mark, payback is a bitch.”
I took satisfaction in seeing his jaw drop and then shut.
“It’s nice to see you again, Zoey. This is my mate, Lauren.”
“We’ve met,” the girls said in unison.
Zoey started to relax after that.
“Saw the new video. You made our boy look good,” Denny said.
She shrugged. “That’s not difficult to do.”
I beamed. “Thanks, doll.” But when I leaned in to kiss her, she stiffened next to me, so I retreated.
That’s when I noticed it—the mask.
I hated when she pulled out the fake Zoey. I hadn’t actually seen it since before our lockdown at the lodge. Glancing around the room, I realized everyone was still staring at us. I honestly thought they would go on about their business as we sat down to eat, but that didn’t appear to be the case.
She was careful not to drop the perception as we ate. Even her voice changed.
What the hell?
Everyone at the ARC should be comfortable enough to be themselves. That was the whole point of the place. We didn’t have to hide here. But as we finished and got up to leave, several people stopped us, asking her for an autograph.
I stood quietly on the sidelines just observing.
“Is it always like this?” I finally asked when there was a break in the line of waiting fans.
“Most of the time, I’m afraid.”
“I’m sorry,” I told her honestly. “This is a lot.”
Her eyes shot up to mine, and she looked devastated.
What had I said?
Something felt very off, and Zoey didn’t relax until we were out of the cafeteria.
“So, not a fan of eating there I take it.”
“It just gets like that every time. On Greek Row, it’s not as bad. I guess they’re more used to seeing me around. But around campus it gets weird fast.”
I reached for her hand, but she pulled away from me like she was embarrassed or something. Even knowing my touch would help soothe her inner wolf, she still refused it.
My wolf was angry which put me on edge.
