She flicks her hand in a shooing motion that would be comical if Rafe's expression of wounded pride wasn't so satisfying to witness.
Oh, I like her.
"As for you, Ms. Rose," she continues, turning back to me, "I can handle a housing switch. But it may take a week or two to establish alternative arrangements, if you can manage to wait."
Two weeks.
Two weeks of living with three Alphas whose scents make my hindbrain do backflips.
Two weeks of thin walls, one bathroom, and a kitchen that apparently requires combat skills to access.
Stuck seeing Rafe Calder's stupid, perfect face every morning and remembering how he made me cry until my eyes were swollen shut.
I open my mouth to say yes, absolutely, two weeks is fine, get me out of here as fast as humanly possible.
But then I catch Rafe's expression from the corner of my eye.
That cocky smirk.
That knowing look that says 'she'll break' and 'she can't handle it' and 'same old Nerdy MaeBell, always running away.'
No.
Absolutely not.
I didn't survive thirteen years of rebuilding myself from the ashes of sixth grade just to let him think he still has power over me.
"It's fine," I say, and my voice comes out steadier than I expected. I pause, letting the silence stretch just long enough to see Rafe's smirk widen into a full grin.
Then I continue.
"Two weeks is manageable. I'd love to see if maybe I can get a different set of roommates. Being in a dorm with all guys may be a bit uncomfortable."
The grin slides off his face like ice cream off a hot sidewalk.
Ha.
Cal makes a sound that might be a poorly disguised laugh.
Étienne's lips twitch.
Miss Phillip nods, completely unbothered by the drama unfolding around her.
"Not a worry at all, Ms. Rose. I'll personally handle the arrangements."
"Thank you." I smile sweetly, not looking at Rafe. Not giving him the satisfaction. "I appreciate it."
"Now then." Miss Phillip claps her hands together once, the sound crisp and final. "Let me officially welcome you to Valenridge University. I'll take you through a tour of the campus and get you associated with everything you'll need to know."
She pulls out a sleek tablet, scrolling through what looks like an itinerary.
"We'll start with the Omega Lounge on the third floor of the main building. It's a designated safe space for Omegas to relax, study, or socialize without Alpha interference. Very popular during heat season."
Heat season.
Right. That's a thing I'll have to deal with eventually.
My heats have always been irregular thanks to my late presentation, but they're getting more predictable now. More intense.
