There was something about his presence that was just so comforting, I couldn’t stay away. All night, I slept in his embrace, my rest more peaceful than it had been in weeks. Bear was like a relaxing drug, in the best possible way.
When I woke before him, I stretched luxuriously, taking the opportunity to watch him sleep. He was so peaceful, and I wanted to trace the line of his scars that he hated so much. I just saw it as just part of who he was. A strong alpha who had been through his fair share of trials.
In the light of day, I could take in his room a bit better. There was a large throw blanket on the bed in a shade of green that coordinated with the dark browns and forest greens of the rest of the room.
Sighing, I slid out of the bed, needing to start my day. I padded back to my room to change. Spencer and Chase had to know I was spending the night in Bear’s room—scent didn’t lie, after all.
A quick shower later, I threw on a pair of leggings and ahoodie that probably belonged to Spencer or Chase. Bear was the largest, and I adored his clothing, but the one I had grabbed was still comically huge.
I was brushing my hair when Chase knocked on my door.
“Hey, honeybee,” he greeted. He was wearing gym shorts and a T-shirt. One hand rested on the doorframe, while the other held what I assumed was his laptop. It was thin, sleek, and silver. One of those fancy brands that cost an arm and a leg.
“Hey,” I replied. My anger toward him was starting to ebb, but I was still a little peeved about the nightclub.
“This is for you,” he said, holding out the laptop.
“M-me?” I stammered, putting the hairbrush down and standing to face him. He handed me the device, and I knew instantly that it was an expensive one. “This is too much,” I insisted. “My old laptop was a dinosaur.”
I ran my hand over the shiny metal.
“It’s not,” Chase insisted. “I’m good with technology. I picked this one up cheap a few weeks ago, and I’ve been refurbishing it. The insides are state-of-the-art for a fraction of the price, so don’t feel bad about it at all. You need a laptop for school, don’t you? Your last one got destroyed with the rest of your stuff?”
I nodded. “But I can make do with something basic.”
Chase shrugged. “But you don’thaveto. I was working on it anyway. I would have given it to Spencer or Bear, but they both have good computers already. If it helps you, I want you to have it.”
“Are you sure?”
“Think of it as an apology for all the spying.” He grinned.
I narrowed my eyes at him, resisting the urge to stick my tongue out. “I’ll think of it as a start.”
“I’ll accept it,” he said with a dazzling grin, his eyes never leaving me as he backed out of the room, leaving me to my studies.
“Are you still studying?” Spencer asked from my doorway. It had been several hours and I had been busy trying to catch up with everything I had missed and emailing my professors.
I looked up from my textbook. “Yep. I have an exam next week, and I can’t get out of it.” Between the laptop Chase had given me and the two textbooks that had survived in my apartment, I was able to do the majority of my prep. As soon as I was able though, I needed to go to the university bookstore and get a few more textbooks.
They cost a fortune, but I had no choice. I had borrowed some from the university library a few weeks ago, but they were also destroyed in the carnage. So, until I paid for the damaged books, I couldn't check out anymore.
I had no idea whether I would actually make it to the exam, but I needed to ensure I was ready for it. The last thing I wanted was to end up sitting for the exam without having done any work.
“You’d think having a psycho stalker would at least give you some leeway,” he grumbled, cocking his head to the side.
“It probably does, but I haven’t informed the university about what’s going on.” I still had my phone and could easily contact them, but I knew it would be futile.
Spencer frowned. “How come? They’re usually really accommodating when I’ve spoken with them.”
I chuckled ruefully.Of coursethey’d be really accommodating when it came to him and the golden boys who playedhockey. They would bend over backward to ensure a fancy-pants sports team stayed on campus. A single scholarship omega with no prospects? Well, that was a different story.
“Explain,” he demanded, taking a step into the room. He had two large bags with him I hadn’t noticed until that moment.
“When it comes to Pack Garnett, if anything happened, the university would see it as worthwhile to keep the pack on campus rather than to just make the problem go away. For me, they’d probably ask me to defer my courses for a year.”
“Is that a bad thing if it means you’re safe?” His brow was furrowed with confusion.
“Yes, it’s a bad thing,” I insisted, slamming my book shut. “Why on earth shouldmylife be derailed because this crazed man has it in his head that he wants me?”
