Zane being the cat.
Valen being the mouse.
“I’m okay. He didn’t touch me. He just decided to play gorilla and manhandle Zane.”
“Still not okay,” Kade growls under his breath. I can see the muscle in his jaw flexing. I’ve only just met Kade at AGU. His family is DSN, but somehow he was allowed to pledge PTO and after lots of hazing… he was allowed to join, despite my brother’s insistence that he be barred. Even now, as an officer, my brother hates him. But it doesn’t bother Kade. In fact, I’ve never met someone more unfazed by my brother’s unsettling moods. “Asshole thinks he can do whatever he wants.”
“He definitely has a caveman complex,” Zane adds helpfully, stirring his latte with a little straw. “But honestly, guys, I’m fine. It was more shocking than painful.” He flashes a cheeky grin and flexes one slim arm in an exaggerated show of strength. “See? Still in one piece.”
Valen snorts. “Lucky for him. If I’d been there, not sure he would have fucking hands.”
“The last thing I need is you guys starting a war with Omega Chi.”
“Relax,” Valen says quickly. “We don’t start wars we can’t win. Unlike others.”
Kade reaches out and gives my shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “But seriously, Mara, if that prick ever lays a finger on you?—”
“He won’t,” I cut in firmly, placing my hand over Kade’s for a brief moment. “I’m steering clear of him. And I don’t want anyone fighting my battles for me or causing more trouble on my behalf. Promise me, okay? No retaliation. This dies here.”
Kade finally lets out a long breath. “All right,” he concedes reluctantly. “If that’s what you want. Milo’s not gonna be happy about letting it go, but he’ll stand down if you insist.”
“Thank you.” I sigh, relief evident in my voice. The last thing I need is a full-blown frat feud turning into tabloid fodder. I can see it now:
Political Candidate’s Son in Campus Brawl
Yeah, no thanks.
“For the record, though, I’d have paid good money to see you knock Dredyn on his ass,” Valen adds with a smirk.
A quiet huff of laughter escapes me, and I feel the tight knot in my chest ease a little. “Don’t tempt me. The thought definitely crossed my mind.”
“Damn right it did,” Zane chimes in with a proud grin. “You should’ve seen her, guys. Five more seconds and she would’ve gone full WWE SmackDown on him.”
“Anyway,” I say softly, drawing the conversation back. “I have studying to do.”
Valen’s gaze drifts to my still-lit phone screen on the table. He frowns when he catches sight of the time. “We gotta go, Kade.”
Kade nods firmly. “All right, fine. But, Mara? We’ve got your back, okay?”
Valen nudges my arm gently. “If you ever need to escape, you know our house is your house. We’ll kick all the brothers out of the living room, line up some cheesy rom-coms—whatever you need to unplug.”
Kade taps the table for emphasis. “Seriously. Say the word, and we’re there.”
I blink down at my hands, fiddling with the corner of a notebook. “Thanks,” I manage, voice a little unsteady.
Kade stands as well, stretching his arms over his head. “Zane, get some food in her. You’re not getting any studying done in your state anyway.” He nods pointedly at my still-closed textbook.
He’s not wrong. With a defeated sigh, I gather up my notes and shove them into my bag. “Fine.”
FIVE
TALON
“Oh, honey, I’m home!” I bellow through the entryway of the OCK house, letting the heavy front door slam shut behind me. I drop my backpack and head straight for the kitchen on the right.
Jasper sits at the black dining table. He may not be as tall as Dredyn, but he’s almost as big—hunkering down over a bowl of ramen.
“Where’s mine?” I ask, swinging open the fridge. I grab a cold beer, pop the cap against the counter edge and take a few gulps.
