Shadow Mate - Jen L. Grey Page 0,66

talking to him and my friends. They were worried about me.

"Fine, I'll go get the car started, but if he," Liam said as he pointed to Kai, "takes one too many steps toward you, he'll have more than a broken nose."

"It's fine. Nothing will happen." I'd stay three feet away from him if I had to.

"Make sure they don't mess with her." Liam looked at Evan and turned, heading to the car.

"Make it quick." Evan waved over at the other two guys. "Let's move out and get back to the dorm. I'm exhausted after all this shit."

"Are you serious?" Simon didn't budge. "We aren't going to follow them?"

"No, we aren't." Evan lifted his chin and looked down his nose at the other two. "Look what wound up happening because of our interference."

"But my dad said..." Micah pointed at me.

"Shut up!" Evan's voice was laced with power almost as strong as Liam's. "Get in the damn car now."

Their group was fracturing.

"We'll deal with all this shit when we get back." Simon smacked Micah in the back. "They won't get away with this."

Micah and Simon headed to what had to be Evan's vehicle. Though Evan stayed back with me for a minute. "We're even now." He turned his back to me and headed to the car.

Nate turned off his car. Then, both he and Tripp headed over.

"Even?" Bree glanced at me. "What is he talking about?"

"It's nothing." I couldn't spill his secret. I was only just beginning to realize how messed up the whole council was.

"You can't go with him." Max nodded his head in the direction of Liam's car.

"I agree with him." Kai pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Hey, man." One of the guys who arrived with Max hurried out from the front porch. "Is everyone okay? We saw the whole thing from the house."

He smelled distinctly human. Of course, they'd be too afraid to come outside with all the wolf shit we had going on. They didn't understand what it was, just that they needed to stay inside. Though, he was too curious now that Liam was in his vehicle and the other heirs were pulling out of the driveway.

"Just a crazy ex-boyfriend." Tripp chuckled.

Tripp was a genius. Liam did act like a jealous, crazed ex, which should scare anyone shitless. Except me of course. I was quickly learning how messed up in the head I truly was. Who would've thought it was possible after being raised normally and by two loving, caring, and nurturing parents?

"Well, he's still there, glaring at you all." He shook his head and took a step back. "Hell, he may get out again. I'm going back inside, but, uh... yell if you need help."

"Thanks, man." Max mashed his lips together, trying not to smile.

When he was a few yards away from us, I looked at Bree. She had to understand this, unlike everyone else here.

"My brother isn't leaving without her." Bree took a deep breath. "And he won't hurt her. If she doesn't go, he won't leave, and things will get extremely bad."

"I'm starting to see what you mean now about the university not being what it seems." Nate ran a hand through his hair. "I thought he was bad the time he came and got you. That's nothing compared to how he's acting with her."

"Wait..." Max sucked in a breath. "Is he your mate?"

"Why else would he be acting all crazy?" Nate laughed.

"Uh... he's always kind of acted that way, but not to this degree." Bree glanced at Kai.

"You don't have to go." Kai took a few steps toward me, and I countered them, moving back away from him.

I wasn't about to get Liam going again. "Look, it's best if I go. I'll see you back at school."

Defeat appeared in Kai's eyes. "Of course. He always gets what he wants."

"Maybe, but if I don't go with him, both you and Max are going to get hurt. I can't live with that on my conscience." Despite everything, that was the truth. Yes, I may be thrilled that Liam showed up here and wanted me to leave with him. However, I'd do anything I could to protect my friends and family.

"He won't hurt her." Bree touched Kai's arm and smiled. "If I thought he was going to, I wouldn't let her leave. But she's right. He won't let this end any other way."

The driver’s side door opened. I turned to find Liam about to get out of the car.

"I’ve gotta go. I'll see you back at