But I’m not a prey.
Her hands clenched into tight fists as she reassessed her surroundings.
She was getting out of this house and far away from the guys who were contemplating her future like she was a pawn or a pet.
Our world has taught them that women must be protected. Thus, women were weak. Thus, women were victims of violence.
And instead of teaching the violent actors not to hurt the female prey shifters, and teaching the females how to protect themselves, the academy taught them to cater to and obey the alphas, so the men wouldwantto protect them.
Fuck this.
Nix’s mates were worried she would wipe out a city with uncontrolled flames? Maybe Bael was right. Maybe the shifter society needed to start over.
Nix threw on one of Ryker’s long button-down shirts again, covering her naked body—which may or may not have been covered in hickies—and escaped through the bedroom window.
They think they are smarter, but they won’t even know I’m gone.
They think they need to protect me, but I am what other alphas will need protection from.
Nix knew exactly where she was going as the sun rose behind the forest, lighting the morning with a haze of gold and casting sparkles over the morning dew.
“Nix?” Elle opened her dorm room door and smiled as if she had been expecting Nix. “Do you need to borrow a uniform?” Elle’s gaze fell over Ryker’s shirt. “I have plenty.”
Nix stared at her. And stared. She wondered if she could see through the act if she looked hard enough.
“I was going to come find you this morning if you didn’t come by.” Elle grabbed Nix’s arm and tugged her inside her room. “Adar was just trying on suits for the dance tonight. Wanted my opinion on what I thought would match your dress.”
Nix frowned, pulling her arms from Elle’s manicured fingers. “I don’t have a dress…” she trailed off.
Because when she looked at Adar, standing in his tailored dark suit, her brain blanked.
Her vision turned…pink.
Bubbly pink.
And pretty.
Adar was so…pretty.
“Doesn’t my brother look handsome?” Elle asked as Adar stepped over to where Nix stared at him, wide-eyed.
“You are going to look beautiful in your dress tonight, Nix,” Adar said, but this time his voice sounded so…alluring. Enchanting. Mesmerizing.
Pretty pink sparkles claimed Nix’s vision as she watched him move closer.
“Dress?” she asked, breathless.
“Elle picked one out for you last night.” Adar took Nix’s hand and kissed the back of her palm. “I’m so glad you said yes to being my date.”
Adar’s touch warmed Nix to her core and wiped every thought from her head.
Elle circled Nix and elbowed her back. Nix stumbled forward, dizzy for a moment, but Adar caught her in his lean, muscular arms. He held her up and chuckled good-naturedly.
“Don’t worry, Nix. I’ve got you,” he whispered onto the side of her face. “We’ve got you.”
CHAPTER 20
“Where the fuck did she go?”
