because his anger is my own.
“Wanting to throw you out just because you went over the perimeter. Then, deciding you’re not allowed to shift,” he seethes.
I run my palm up his chest, feeling his heart beat in hard thuds. “I guess it’s a good thing you’re here, then,” I tell him.
“No matter what happens, I will protect you. My whole being demands it.”
That’s not exactly the confession a girl wants to hear. Nature is one thing, but we have to like each other as humans first, and I’m not sure we’re quite there yet with sentiments such as that.
Once my heart beats at a steady pace again, he puts more distance between us. “I thought we could train outside today. That would give you the scenery you love and still fulfill our agreement.”
A warmth spreads in my chest. I’ve longed to go outside, but I also worry about my wolf calling to me more out there. With Jonah around, I know I won’t up and shift. He’ll make sure of it. “You don’t mind?”
His lips tick as if they want to curve into a smile. “I don’t mind at all.”
Before I can swoop down to get my bag like Mrs. Graves showed me, Jonah grabs it first. He throws it over his shoulder, and we walk out the front door to the opposite lawn that the shifters use to roam free in their wolf forms. Probably a good idea since we don’t need to throw it in my wolf’s face that she can’t give in to her very nature.
We pick a spot in the grass next to a row of tall spruce trees. Jonah’s huge equipment bag is already there waiting for us. He goes to it and brings out a stack of clothing. Turning to me, he offers me the pile. “Not that I don’t enjoy seeing you in your schoolgirl uniform, but this will be more conducive to training.”
My brain snags on all the wrong things. First, it’s the fact that he basically just called me hot. Second, that he enjoys this getup. “You like my uniform?”
He stops what he’s doing and turns toward me. “Do I need to remind you of our moment in the alcove yesterday?” He grimaces. “Ouch. And here I haven’t been able to get it out of my mind.”
Heat swamps me. He’s absolutely right. In that moment, I actually liked the uniform, too.
His stare tracks down my body. “I’m convinced the administration does it on purpose.”
My flesh heats, so I try to distract myself. “You know, it’s not all girls who go here. The guys wear pants.” The muscles in his shoulders ripple—a true sign of jealousy. I smirk to myself. It’s fun to poke the beast. “My friend Nathan lives on my floor. He’s from Daybreak.”
A small rumble starts in his chest.
“Yeah, he’s really nice. Funny, too,” I tell him offhandedly like we’re having a regular conversation, but honestly, I’m loving his reaction. “I’ve never had friends, so it’s really great when he stops to chat. It’s just, ugh, he’s a night owl, so by the time he leaves, it’s so late.”
His answering jaw snap and growl make it all worth it. The smile on my face grows when he loses control. His chest heaves, his eyes blazing wolf yellow. His back arches, incisors poking out of his mouth. “Are you trying to make me want to rip his throat out?”
My eyes bulge. All the breath vacates my chest in an instant when long, thick claws rip through his fingertips. He pants as thick, brown fur sprouts over his arms in a wave until he’s half morphed. The first breaking of bones has me backing up. He drops on all fours, ducking his head as the shift completes. He turns his wolf gaze to me, lips snarling. I stumble backward, falling on my ass. Another deeper, animalistic growl tears from his chest. My own wolf rises to the surface, begging to get out.
I scoot back as he prowls closer, but I get stuck where the spruce tree’s branches reach the ground. He moves over me, his thick mane brushing my legs. His heated breaths caress my skin. I tangle my fingers in his soft coat. His eyes roll to the back of his head, and he lowers himself on top of me. His weight isn’t exactly the most comfortable, but I deserve it for riling him up.
He rests his head on my chest, an act of submission as I scratch behind his