He and Anton had been best friends practically from birth, and they had grown up together in the pack. From running wild in the bayou to supporting each other through challenging times, their bond of friendship was unbreakable.
There had never been a question that they would attend Trifecta University together. It had simply been understood. Being roommates and playing football had helped make the transition to college feel less daunting. While they both excelled on the field and in their studies, Anton was having a little more difficulty adapting to their new magic than Remy was.
“You aren’t getting out of going to the welcome party that easily,” Anton warned. “People are expecting us.”
Remy let out a low groan. “I just want to go home and crash. Go to the party with Kyler.”
“I don’t want to go either,” Kyler Vespa complained.
Kyler was a jaguar shifter-fae hybrid whom Remy and Anton met back when they had first arrived at the school. His family was currently part of the Bazin Pack, which was located close to the university, but they were making plans to move down to New Orleans to join the Fortier Pack after graduation. Kyler’s parents worked at one of the large hotels in Mystic, so it would be easy for them to transition to the Fortier Grand Hotel.
“Think of all the new freshmen females,” Anton enticed in a singsong voice. “I heard there are some real beauties in the new class.”
There was a brief pause, then Kyler said, “Okay, maybe we should go to the party.”
Remy snorted out a laugh. “I think I’m still going to pass.”
“Aww, come on, Rem,” Anton whined. “Come with us for an hour. Please? If we show up without you, people are just going to keep asking where you are.”
He really was dead on his feet, but the hopeful expressions on his friends’ faces were hard to deny. His hair was still wet from his recent shower, and he was wearing black sweatpants and a matching shirt. While that was not exactly party attire, no one would give a shit what he was wearing if he just stopped by for a few drinks. He was about to give in when his phone started ringing and vibrating in the pocket of his gym bag. That was strange since he’d put it on silent before practice and hadn’t bothered to check it since.
Pulling the phone out, he stared down at the screen in confusion. There was an unfamiliar icon pulsing with purple light that he’d never seen before on his home screen. He was about to delete the damn thing, but the pulsing light seemed to grow brighter, filling him with a strange sense of urgency. With a muttered curse, he gave in and clicked on it.
The screen turned black before the wordsArcane Assistappeared in large, bold purple letters, then it instantly changed to a different message that almost made his heart stop.
Your mate is in danger. Someone is following her, and she needs urgent assistance. Proceed to the corner of Cedar Lane and Campus Drive to help her.
Remy’s brows furrowed in confusion, then anger slowly started to take over. Someone was playing a sick joke on him.He didn’t have a mate. Hell, he’d never even had a girlfriend, so whoever was claiming he needed to go save some female was just playing a twisted game. But they had chosen the wrong mark. When he found whoever had sent the message, and he damn well would, he was going to make them regret it.
Slowly and in the most painful manner he could devise.
“Screw this.” When he let out a low growl, his friends immediately went on alert.
“What is it?” Anton asked. “What’s wrong?”
Before Remy could answer, the words on the screen changed.
This is not a game. You have one minute before the situation becomes critical. Move your ass, wolf.
Then, a large countdown clock appeared on the screen.
His anger dissipated as sheer panic suddenly kicked in. It didn’t make sense. Nothing about the situation did. However, sometimes magic didn’t need to make sense. There were a million reasons for him to ignore the bizarre notification from an unknown app that had magically appeared on his phone, but there was one good reason he couldn’t risk ignoring it.
If it was real, his mate was in danger.
Even if it turned out not to be true, if someone was in trouble, he was close enough to help. That was enough to get him to haul ass. Without another thought, he tossed his gym bag at Kyler, turned on his heels, and started to run.
“I’ve got to go.”
“Where?” Kyler asked.
“I have to save my mate!” Remy shouted over his shoulder.
“But you don’t have a mate,” Anton called out, sounding confused.
“I think I do now!”
Chapter Four
