Untamed (Rejected Mate Academy #1) - E. M. Moore Page 0,46
I have that might be able to do something for us, so instead of keeping him at arm’s length, I have to hold him close.
My situation—and my wolf—demands it.
15
Sociology is possibly the worst class I have. I thought it was going to be Etiquette; however, after spending forty-five minutes listening to the instructor drone on about interpersonal relationships, I kind of want to have a close and personal relationship with his carotid artery.
How can Ms. Ebon be fascinated by this? Ugh, people suck.
Even with the way Jonah and I left things last night, I can’t wait to get out of the class and meet him in the gym. I spoke with my parents before I went to bed, and they didn’t give any indication that anything was going on. After thinking about it, I realized Jonah was right. Why worry them if we don’t know for sure something is happening?
I was too young to see the toll it took on my parents the first time around, but I’ve been privy to their reaction when it’s been brought up. I’ve witnessed how timid they are to go to pack festivities. During school activities, when their attendance was required, they were always on the outskirts, like me. Watching and waiting. And also like me, no one paid them any mind unless it was to make some snotty remark.
I can imagine why Jonah wouldn’t be thrilled that I was his mate. My family’s reputation might take his down.
I mope to the gymnasium. The huge space is empty when I get there, so I lean against the wall and slide to my butt. Pulling my knees to my chest, I wrap my arms around my legs and place my head on my thighs, shutting my eyes for a moment. My breathing deepens as I relax, batting back the emotions threatening to drown me.
Suddenly, my heart speeds. The contrast is so dramatic that I pick my head up and stare at my chest like my heart is going to pound right out of it. My wolf perks, and we survey the huge room, searching for a threat. Nothing’s here, but the feeling doesn’t abate. Sweat dots my forehead until it feels like I’m going to crawl right out of my skin.
My wolf tilts her head. Jonah.
I dismiss the thought but he should’ve been here by now. I unzip my bag to fish out my cell, and without warning, the gymnasium doors bang open. I pop to my feet in a crouch, my wolf hovering just beneath my skin.
Jonah barrels inside, nostrils flaring. My wolf vision keys in on the tight lines around his face as he marches forward. His whole demeanor reads danger. When he reaches me, my first inclination is to cower. He places his hands on my ribs and forces my back to the wall. His hot breath caresses my face as he drops his forehead to mine. My own breathing matches, shallow and quick. Tension snaps around us as if it’s a living, breathing thing.
After several long moments, Jonah asks, “Where were you?”
My hands have somehow found his sides, and my fingers tighten their hold before I release him. “What do you mean?”
He lets out a breath. “You didn’t get my text?”
I shake my head, uncertainty threading through me.
He sighs. “I sent you a text to meet me out on the grounds for training today.”
I move back, causing him to pull away. I rest my head on the wall and stare at him. “I put my phone on silent for the most boring class imaginable. I forgot to turn it on before I headed straight here.”
His deep brown eyes score mine. The green in his irises sings today, striking against his usual muted color. “I was worried.”
I reach up to touch my chest. “I think I felt it.”
He pulls back even more, cocking his head.
“Before you came in, my heart started to beat abnormally fast. I thought there was a threat in the gym. My wolf said your name, and I told her no, but maybe she knew it was you.”
He walks away, running his hands through his hair. “I’m scared to death they’re going to do something to you when I’m not around.” He returns, holding me to him again. He’s so strong, it feels as if he could squeeze too hard and snap me in half. His temper rises. I see it in the pulling taut of his muscles, but I feel it in my gut more.