Page 198 of Wicked Savage Wolves
“I was just helping Zheng out. You and Jordy didn’t have to come,” I add, needing to end this conversation before he gets any ideas.
He gives me an incredulous look. “Really? That’s the bullshit you’re gonna try and feed me right now? Like I can’t smell that lie from here without even trying?”
“Drop it, man. I’m telling you, I’m not interested. Sue me. I get a kick out of riling the girl up. I saw an opportunity and I took it. That doesn’t mean I want her.” Though I wouldn’t mind her on her knees for me, mouth open and—Fuck. Drop that line of thinking before you get your ass in trouble.
Rafael levels me with an incredulous look. “I’m one of your best friends, cabrón. I’m not buying what you’re selling. I know you better than that and there—” He stabs a finger in my direction. “I smell you, asshole. Your lust is like fucking pheromones in the air, eagerly searching for your woman.”
I let out a snarl. “Ro, she’s just a kid, not even eighteen yet. And you know how I am with females. You really think I'm gonna fuck myself over by trying to get a piece of her?" I shake my head. "I'm not that dumb. Isa, Joaninha, and KeAnna would all have my balls if I fucked things up with Meiying."
“So don’t fuck it up, then. Give shit a real try, bro. You two have been going at it since senior year. You know there’s something there. Everyone else can see it. Why can’t you?”
“Because there isn’t anything to see.”
His stare is penetrating, his wolf glaring at me in challenge as I wait for him to concede the point. Rafe is dominant, but I’m hunter-born, which means even his gaze doesn’t affect me, so I refuse to give in.
“Is this because of Zheng?" he asks. “You know he’d come around.”
“No, fucker. This is because of me. What part of ‘I’m not interested’ do you not understand?” He opens his mouth to argue, but I cut him off. “I don't want hearts and rainbows with any female, let alone Meiying-fucking-Liu, okay? You’re wifed up and I’m happy for you, man. For Jordy too. But I’m only interested in a tight piece of ass and a hot lay and Meiying isn't who I plan on getting that from." I make my words especially crude, hoping he gets the point. “So stop pushing. If shit changes and I decide to fuck her, I'll make sure you're the first to know."
His face hardens, and I can see the second we go from conversation mode to lecture mode. “Don't even think of going there," he warns.
"I'm not,” I grind out. “You’re the one suggesting—“
The lines around his mouth tighten. "If I have to kick your ass because you—"
I bark out a laugh. "Go home to your woman. Meiying's made it her mission to get under my skin. All I'm doing is returning the favor. Stop reading into nothing. We’re good.”
He doesn't look entirely convinced, but finally nods. "Fine. You going back to Kappa Eagle?"
I should, but if I go back now, it'll give Rafael the wrong idea. "Nah. I'm heading home. Gotta shift and shit. I'll catch you later."
"Later, cabrón."
I flip off my best friend as I climb into my Escalade, put it in reverse, and head for home. I pass by the sorority house and tighten my grip on the wheel until I make it to my street, three short blocks from where Meiying is living now.
Fuck. I need to get my head on straight. I’m not commitment material, and there are too many obstacles in the way, so why is it that the idea of getting past them all makes my dick twitch and brings a smile to my face?
85
Meiying
“Mom, I have to go.”
“Oh, and did I tell you about the time when I was your age and—” She rattles on as though she doesn’t hear me.
“Mom,” I try again, shifting my bag to my other arm to avoid dropping my phone. “I’m late for class. I’ll call you later. Okay?”
“Oh. Just one more thing—”
I grind my teeth together. “Mom!”
“Oh, alright. But before you hang up, can you at least tell me if you’re making friends? I worry about you, sweetie.” Obviously not enough since you decided to move halfway across the country to join a new Pack for a man you barely know.
I sigh. She means well and at least she’s checking up on me. “Lots of friends. All the friends. Have to go now. Love you. Bye.”
“Love yo—”
I hang up and all but run to my last class of the day, my sneakers squeaking as I race down the hallway, not bothering to use an ounce of my shifter stealth in my haste. My phone buzzes in my hand, but I send Mom to voicemail. I’ve talked to her three times already, and she just left for Florida yesterday. I think she’s bored. It’s a long drive, and she still has probably a day and a half before she’ll get there, assuming she doesn’t stop to shop along the way, which she shouldn’t, but probably will. Crossing Pack boundaries is always interesting, to say the least, and if she lingers in another Pack’s territory for long, she’ll need to formally present herself to the Pack there. Something I know she won’t bother doing. Sometimes I swear she’s the most forgetful shifter I know. I even had to coordinate her travel route for her and let all of the Alpha’s whose land she’d be crossing over know about her trip. If I hadn’t, and she was caught, she could land in a whole heap of trouble. Not that she was worried about that in the slightest.
