I wouldn’t have this experience to know that having friends is actually fun. “I love you,” I tell Mia, squeezing her.
My door bursts open, the wood creaking under the force. Both Mia and I jump apart, startled. Mia starts to shake, a growl ripping from her throat.
I blink at Jonah’s hulking form, his chest heaving with his labored breaths. He pulls up short, taking in the two of us. “I heard you say something.”
His possessive streak knows no bounds. Holy shit. “This is my friend Mia,” I explain. “I was just telling her how much I appreciate the help she’s given me.”
Mia turns toward me, widening her eyes as Jonah tries to calm himself. He brings his hand up, frowning at a bouquet of yellow daisies that are now in disarray, half the petals falling off.
She clasps my wrist and pulls me in for another hug. “Good luck, girl. You got this.”
“Thanks,” I whisper, trying to hold on to her encouragement. It’s not looking good so far.
She backs away and gives Jonah a wide berth. “Nice to meet you, Kinsey’s mate. Hope the door’s okay. I might call maintenance while you’re gone to make sure.”
I chuckle as she leaves the room with a look on her face like Jonah is fucking nuts. At this point, I’d agree.
“It’s nice to meet you,” he mumbles.
Her footsteps eventually disappear down the hall, and Jonah offers me the disheveled bouquet in his grip. “I got you these.”
I smile as I take them. Sure, they’re practically barren now, but the thought was there. A trail of yellow petals litters the hallway behind him. “They’re pretty.” I move toward the bathroom and grab a cup I stole from the cafeteria, fill it with water, and arrange them on my desk, smiling. Flowers are customary on a date, but I’m hoping it’s a step further than that. I’ve already told him how much I love plants and the outdoors.
“You look really nice,” he says.
I peek over my shoulder to find him staring at me. His gaze drifts down my legs, up my ass, and across my torso to my face. I took the time to blow-dry my hair so it lands in dark waves over my shoulders.
While he watches me, I take my time ogling him. He’s wearing dressy, dark jeans and a midnight-blue polo that stretches across his taut shoulders. His short hair is styled to the side. Dammit, he’s hot. He looks good enough to eat.
My wolf agrees, her fur bristling, making the hair on my arms stand to attention.
Down girl.
“Shall we?” he asks, gesturing toward the door.
I grab the small, crossbody purse Mrs. Graves ordered for me, and we walk into the corridor. Jonah shuts the door behind him, inspecting its hinges as he does so. “I think it’s going to be okay.”
I start to chuckle, and it turns to a full-on laugh. “Who exactly did you think I was saying I love you to?”
He glares at me, eyes morphing to yellow before returning to brown. It sends a shiver up my spine. Silence engulfs us as we make our way to Jonah’s truck. Ms. Ebon approved our outing, but I do have a curfew like a lame ass wolf pup. I have to be back by midnight. I’ve never been to a party before, but I’ve seen enough on TV to know that that’s probably when the fun parts start.
Jonah opens the truck door for me, then gets in on the other side. The engine starts smoothly, and as he steers past the stone and iron gate, I peer over my shoulder. This is the first time I’ve consciously left the academy grounds, and a thrill shoots through me. I’m going to do as Mia said. Start fresh. Start new. I can do it.
I’m repeating those thoughts in my head when Jonah starts talking. It’s as if he’s bound and determined to start fresh, too. “The party is in Lunar. Jesse’s throwing it at his parents’ lake home.”
I used to hear stories about parties at the future alpha’s house on the lake, but of course, I was never invited. “Sounds fun,” I tell him, trying to infuse as much enthusiasm as possible.
“They know you’re coming.”
“Great. Can’t wait.”
Jonah sighs. “You don’t have to lie to me, Kinsey.”
I take a deep breath and let it out. “I’m not trying to lie. I’m trying to think happy thoughts. Obviously, I can make friends, so I’m thinking positively.”
He glances over, appraising me. “Mia seems nice.”
“She is,” I