“That…was also okay,” she said.
Four
Jeremyparkedhistruckin the gravel driveway beside Patrick’s, already aware of several things. One, his guardian was awake. Two, he wasn’t awake by coincidence, watching a film or reading in his chair. No, he was pacing the kitchen floor with a heavy tread. Like every wolf, Patrick’s usual tread was unnaturally light.
So Jeremy was in for it.
He shut off his truck and hopped out. Halfway up the porch steps, he said, “Sorry, but I’ve got to talk to you about—”
Patrick’s growl cut him off. He was still growling, low and reproving, as he let himself out the front door. From their bedrooms, the quiet breathing and peaceful scents of Nicole and fourteen-year-old Nathan indicated deep sleep. Once outside, Patrick’s growl rose in volume. He gripped Jeremy’s shoulder and propelled him back down the steps to stand in the yard, a safe distance from the house. Now he could yell if he felt like it. Great.
“Patrick, please, I’ve got to talk to you.”
“It’s three in the morning, Jeremy.”
Jeremy tried not to clench his jaw. “I know, but I—”
“I was about to drive to campus and track your scent.”
He rolled his eyes.
A snarl rose in Patrick’s throat. “No, you don’t. I know at your age you want to test a few boundaries, but you can’t just not come home. You can’t ignore my texts for six hours.”
“Texts?” Oh, crap.
“Stay out late if you want to, but not without a word. That’s not acceptable.”
Patrick shoved his hands through his hair, bright ginger with a few glints of silver. He drew a shaky breath, and the smoky odor of his anger gave way to a sharp tang. Fear.
“You thought I was in trouble.” Jeremy shook his head. Would he ever convince Patrick he was no longer a pup? “I’m an apex. I’m strong and fast and my senses are freaking awesome. How am I going to get in trouble on a college campus?”
“No tempting vices there anymore? Times really have changed.”
Jeremy shook his head as his throat began to burn with the howl he couldn’t voice in Lucy’s company. His body knew he was home, was safe, and with that knowledge his wolf voice rose in him, nearly forced its way out to wake Nicole and Nathan, because if he released it, he’d howl straight up at the stars. Fifty acres away, his buddy Aaron and Aaron’s guardian George would hear him. Instead he shook his head, swallowed hard, choked on the voice that fought not to be silenced.
“Jeremy?”
Right.Focus.What everyone was always telling him.One thing at a time, another admonition he’d heard too often. “We can’t get intoxicated. We can’t get high. You’re worked up for no reason, and it’s not fair, and anyway I’ve got to—”
“Youcanbe in the company of humans under the influence when the police show up. Youcanbe handcuffed as the most threatening person there, simply based on your height and build. That’s what I’m worked up about, Jeremy.”
“Okay, I know, I know all that already, and I’m sorry, but please, I’vegot to talk to you.”
Patrick’s glare cooled. Jeremy must be smelling desperate by now. “What is it, pup?”
He pressed a hand to his chest where his wolf’s heart pounded, overflowed with an intensity of feeling that almost scared him. “I found her tonight. I found my mate.”
Patrick took a step toward him. Reached out and set both hands on his shoulders, studied him. Then he grabbed Jeremy in a powerful hug.
“It’s true. You have found her. That’s the change in your scent, isn’t it?”
A growling chuckle escaped his chest. “I don’t know, is it? Is that how it works?”
“You bet. You were with her tonight? Is that why you’re late?”
“We went for coffee, and then the coffee shop closed, and we talked in the parking lot for like…uh…” Whoa, had it really been that long? Their first date, a total of more than six hours?
“What’s her name?”
