I huffed a laugh and shook my head. “I don’t know how you think that’s going to work. If she will have you, then I won’t stand in your way.” I dropped my hands from his face and twisted back toward the fire. The betrayal and heart ache stung more than it had a few minutes ago.
I waited for Tate to leave me to my brooding, but he didn’t do so right away. My head turned toward him just as his fingers tangled in my ebony hair, yanking my head back and devouring my mouth. His tongue pulled on mine, scrapping his teeth against my lip before biting down on it, the coppery taste of my blood filling our mouths.
For once, I let him take the lead, taking what he needed from me until he had his fill. I half-expected him to escalate the kiss into more. Tate was a wolf and a touch-craving person, and he had used sex as a way to be emotionally close to me. Especially since, while I could feel his emotions, he couldn’t feel mine, something that I knew frustrated him beyond measure.
Instead, Tate held me close, pressing his front to mine. Not once grinding against me or trying to get my clothes off. His restraint would have been worrying had I not known the reasoning behind his sudden attack.
When he released me, his breathing heavy, his eyes dark with desire, I licked my lips. “Feel better?”
Tate smirked and shook his head. “No. Not really.”
I inclined my head in understanding. “You best get going. You’re going to miss lunch, and we know how you get when you’re hungry.”
Giving me a lopsided grin, Tate tugged on my lip ring. “Sure you don’t want to come with me? Your absence is starting to make the other vampires talk.”
“And when have I ever cared about them?” I picked my glass up from the mantel and swallowed a mouth full.
“Well... never, but I’m sure our girl’s reveal will cause all sorts of drama.” He paused, his voice growing serious. “And plenty of supernaturals besides you would love to hit the Durands where it hurts the most.”
The liquid became hard to swallow. The visceral need to appear at the academy and defend her pressed hard on my very bones. I might be angry, I might not want her anymore, but she was still mine. No one else would get to touch her as long as I lived. Not if I had anything to say about it.
“Watch her,” was all I said in return, not looking to see if Tate nodded or not before the sounds of him leaving the apartment drifted from my ears.
My eyes burned as I stared into the fire, its flames twisting and turning into a familiar feminine form that had me draining my glass and turning my back on it.
Yes, Kleon would be turning over in his grave if he could peek into my heart just now, and I struggled to even care.
Chapter 3
Jack
Thankfully the walk to the cafeteria was an uneventful one. Most people were either already there or getting ready for classes to start. Either way, I stayed close to Xinyi, hoping her bubbly personality would shield me from unwanted conversation.
No such luck.
“Jaquelynn, isn’t it?” A bleach blonde tall slender woman stopped in front of me a shy smile on her face.
“Jack,” I corrected her, forcing myself not to scowl in response to being stopped.
She bobbed her head. “Right. Sorry.” She chewed on her lower lip and glanced between me and Xinyi before blurting out, “I just wanted to tell you how much we appreciate your parents and everything they have done for the supernatural community.”
I grimaced.
This was what I was afraid of. My parents had made massive changes in the way that supernaturals interacted and lived amongst humans, making it so that it was easier be out in the open and not be hunted down for what they were by the Hunter’s Guild. Since my parents tended to keep to themselves or a few close confidants, their fans would no doubt look to me to be their proxy. Something I do not want or need.
Xinyi, bless her, noticed my discomfort and stepped in.
“I know we are all appreciative of the Durand family.” The smaller woman stepped forward, not quite between us. “I know I can’t believe the things they are saying about Jack already. Shameful.”
The blonde gasped, a hand to her mouth before setting a determined look on me. “Well, be comforted in knowing you have friends here. We won’t let anyone bad mouth you.”
I nodded, not quite sure what to say.
Xinyi linked her arm through mine and smiled at the blonde. “We need more people like you around. But Jack needs to get to breakfast before class.” She ushered us around her, calling out as we passed. “Can’t keep the supernatural community safe on an empty stomach.”
“Yes, yes, of course,” the blonde muttered, thankfully not following us down the hall.
When we were no longer in hearing distance, I sagged.
