Untamed (Rejected Mate Academy #1) - E. M. Moore Page 0,42

He doesn’t take a step over the threshold, just drops my bag inside the door and crosses his arms, watching me as I prop my hip on the desk, waiting for him to say or do something. “It’s nice,” he says.

“Yeah, it’s bigger than my room at home. I even have my own bathroom and the buffets for breakfast, lunch, and dinner are to die for. I’m not”—I clear my throat—“used to that.”

His hands turn to fists at my words. The muscles on his forearms pop out. Something I’ve said has triggered him. Maybe it’s the revelation of my life back home? Even with the small house and being the black mark upon the pack, I’d much rather be home.

He frowns at me. “I know I did this to you. If you could not hate me while we figure this shit out, I’d be grateful, Kinsey.”

I blink at him. A response doesn’t immediately come to mind, so I stare into his eyes. The rawness in his words and expression squeezes my heart.

When I don’t say anything after a few good minutes, he reaches for my door and starts to pull it closed. “Have a good night.”

The door shuts with a soft click. How a huge man like himself can be so delicate, I have no idea. I throw myself on my bed and curl up, stuffing a pillow under my head. Scared to think about my predicament for fear I might freak out again and be unable to control myself, I, instead, throw myself into the moment I had with Jonah. My body heats all over again. I’m about to yell out Why? when my wolf gives me a dubious look. It’s not as if I can see her, but her movements are mine, like a separate but identical entity. I can feel her emotions, and right now, she’s saying, Duh. It’s the nature of our match. I can still hate Jonah and want him to kiss me like that again.

I’d spent so much time hoping I didn’t mate with anyone from Lunar that I forgot to research how it would be if I actually did get paired with someone. I wasn’t expecting the whirlwind of emotions. I need legitimate, first-hand accounts of bonding with your fated one. Rumors don’t help.

Do all normal shifter pairs start out with more of a physical bond? Or is it just us?

These are questions a pack could answer. Too bad mine has never wanted me.

14

Judging by the looks I got from some of the other residents of Greystone Academy when Jonah walked me to my room, I can’t tell Mia and my new friend group that Jonah and I made out yesterday. It’s not that I couldn’t tell them—it’s not against the rules or anything—it’s that I don’t want them to feel bad that they aren’t making out like horny teenagers with their own mates. It’d be like telling your friend who’s struggling to lose weight that you’ve lost ten pounds without trying. I’m pretty sure they’ll want to cut me.

I wait until we’re all seated with our trays at breakfast before bringing up the physical attraction talk. “So, you know how you guys are my first friends?”

Nathan chuckles. “Still think that’s a little weird, but yes.”

“I missed out on a lot of gossip that maybe would come in handy as we go through this whole, you know, having a partner thing.” My face is already red which makes them more curious about what I’m asking.

Mia rolls her hand over. “Do tell.”

I peek around us, making sure we’re relatively alone before I spout to everyone that I’m a super newb at all things sexual. “So, I’m curious if mate bonds make your um...sex drive kick up a few thousand fucking notches?”

Nathan spits out his water, and Mia crumbles over the table laughing. In between bursts, she says, “Sex-ed teachers and doctors are the only people who use sex drive.”

I groan. Of course that’s what she comments on. “Well, do you know what I’m getting at or not?”

“Are you saying you want to flick your bean more often?”

I purse my lips, avoiding her stare now. Nathan has completely checked out of the conversation.

Mia’s eyes widen when I don’t answer. She doesn’t say anything, but I think she’s figured out that I’ve never masturbated. That’s it. End of story.

Instead, she shrugs, “Yes, and that’s what fingers and vibrators are for.”

Nathan focuses on eating. Nadia, on the other hand, has a whole different perspective. “I don’t know