My eyes widen as a rather large cat sprints across campus, startled by my presence. It runs past the science building and zooms around a corner, startling a few of the students.
I freeze, Fang’s scent all but forgotten.
Even though I’m frozen, there’s an urge to spring into action.
Who was that cat?
It ran away so fast I couldn’t tell if its ear was clipped, indicating it had been spayed or neutered.
What if it’s pregnant?
What if it’s hurt, and no one has been able to do anything about it?
Can I get Blair or Piper here in time?
I’m stuck standing in the middle of campus, my heart racing and stomach churning in fear.
It’s the same strange panic I experienced when Bean was sneezing, and Alvin’s eye was squinty.
It’s a sense of uncomfortable urgency that grows worse with every second, fueled by racing images and thoughts that aren’t entirely rational.
I force myself to move, each step heavy as I make my way to the music building, heading up the steps.
That peppery leather scent only grows, and I follow it to the music room, ready for class.
But the double doors are closed, and I frown when I see the paper sheet taped to the door.
Introduction to guitar cancelled—will resume next week.
My face falls.
“It’s only the second class,” I murmur, disappointed.
I had studied my ass off, nervous but willing to take the theory test if it meant I could finally learn some basics about the instrument.
I huff, walking past the room and down the hallway, my inner Omega pouting at the loss of seeing Fang.
Maybe by next week I will get over his scent.
My Omega scoffs at me as I pull two sticks of gum out of my pocket and pop them into my mouth, the minty taste overwhelming.
It doesn’t block the delicious Alpha scent completely, but it’s enough to take the edge off.
For now, at least.
I’m going to need to invest in an industrial-size carton of this stuff to get through guitar class going forward.
With a sigh of defeat, I trudge down the hallway, frowning.
But as I pass an open door, I catch a glimpse of dark hair and pale skin, and freeze.
Fang is in his office, frowning while staring at a pile of papers.
Yet his head snaps up when he sees me, and the frown disappears when he meets my eyes.
“Hello, Maeve,” he says, grinning.
12
