Shadow Mate - Jen L. Grey Page 0,33

So we stepped in and helped in any way we could."

"Why? They're just humans." Gertrude wrinkled her nose in disgust.

"Whether you like it or not, Miss..." He paused and tilted his head. "What's your name?"

"Gertrude Williams." She straightened her shoulders like she was proud of her name.

"Doesn't she know Gertrude is an old lady's name and Williams is super common?" Tripp shook his head and arched an eyebrow as he leaned toward me. "She shouldn't be so proud."

"You do realize we can all hear you?" The corners of the professor's lips tilted upward.

"Oh, damn. Sorry." Tripp lifted a hand up and glanced at Gertrude. "I didn't mean to be that blunt if I knew you could hear."

He was full of shit, but I wasn't going to call him out on it. She was yet another student here with a chip on her shoulder.

"It's not accepted." Gertrude glared at him.

Tripp shrugged and leaned toward me. "I really don't care."

"As I was saying…" The professor chuckled and headed back to the board. "You must remember that we are in fact half-human. Our wolf is what makes us different... stronger. But we must take care of our human side just as much if not more than our animal. If we let the animal rule too much, we become power hungry and have no remorse." The professor glanced down at his watch and sighed. "Damn, time’s up already. Thankfully we have a whole semester to get through everything."

The last few sentences ran through my head over and over again. Could that be what's wrong with this college? Maybe even Liam and his buddies? They're all letting the power-hungry side of their wolf through. Could the council not be about taking care of their members any longer and more about personal gain? I had to be wrong, but these thoughts nagged at the back of my mind. I guessed only time would tell. However, I had a feeling that I would figure out the answer sooner rather than later.

Chapter Ten

I stood from my desk, heading straight to the door.

"Hey, wait up," Tripp hollered after me.

"You afraid Gertrude might kick your ass?" With the way she had been shooting daggers at him, I wouldn't be surprised. I paused in the hallway, letting him catch up.

"What? Hell no." He shook his head but glanced over his shoulder. "Is she behind me or something?"

"Nope, but that proved you are." Despite what had happened before class, Tripp already had me smiling. He was a breath of fresh air to be around.

"I could totally see her doing a sneak attack, and that wouldn't be cool." He shook his head. "Where are you heading to?"

Pins and needles prickled my subconscious, and my eyes looked to my left, meeting Liam's gaze. All four of the heirs stood together, and there was a tall, blonde girl hanging off of Liam's arm. She was rubbing her finger along his chest and leaning against him, talking into his ear.

I wanted to run over there and pull her off him by her hair, but I refused. I had received his message loud and clear. He was making a point to let me know there was no way in hell that we'd be together.

"Mia?" Tripp's voice was full of concern, and he followed my gaze. "Shit. Come on." He grabbed my hand and tugged me toward the doors.

I hadn't even realized I'd stopped walking. I was letting Liam get to me, and that's what the sick prick wanted. "Yeah, sorry."

Liam's jaw clenched, and he pushed the girl off him.

"What's your problem?" The girl frowned and straightened her shoulders. "You found me. It wasn't the other way around."

"You don't think we can change our minds?" Simon chuckled as he arched an eyebrow.

Liam ignored it all and locked in on Tripp's hand touching me.

He could have a girl touching him all over. However, when he saw a friend of mine touch my hand, he wanted to act like a high schooler all over again. It was complete and utter bullshit.

Thankfully, it wasn't long before we were outside.

"What the hell was that about back there?" Tripp shook his head and dropped my hand. "That guy is weirdly obsessed with you. But he wants to be mean. Those are the type of guys who abuse their girlfriends."

I would say impossible, but that wasn't entirely true. Despite us being fated mates, he still would want to control and dominate me. Unfortunately, that didn't sound too uncompelling in some situations. Seriously, what was