I look down. A cat. Small, black sprinkled with gray, one clouded eye. She's sitting in the corner, watching me with her one good eye, utterly unbothered by the fact that an alpha just walked out.
She pads over slowly, winding once around my ankles before sitting at my feet.
I crouch down, offering my hand. “I guess you didn’t catch his scent, huh?”
She sniffs. Considers. Then leans in, head butting gently against my palm. A worn leather collar circles her neck, a small silver nameplate catching the light:Juniper.
"Hello, Juniper," I murmur.
Her purr deepens, as if she approves of being properly addressed. I sink onto the floor, letting her settle into my lap, her warmth grounding me.
The greenhouse smells like soil and cedar now. I tell myself it's just the wood.
But I know better.
2
ELOWEN
The administrative wingis busier the following morning. While I’m waiting to speak to Ms. Hartley, a student enters wearing tight-fitting white pants that sparkle in the daylight streaming through the wide entrance, a black and white sailor top, and open-toed sandals revealing perfectly manicured toenails. A floppy white velvet bow in her long blonde hair completes the ensemble.
A man comes in behind her and sets a suitcase and matching carryon on down at her feet. Designer. With a distinct brown pattern that Lila would probably be able to name in an instant.
“Thank you, Daddy.” The student air kisses her father and flutters her fingers at him as he walks away.
“Elowen.” Ms. Hartley calls my name, her smile warm but efficient, and I realize I’m staring. “How can I help you?”
I step up to the desk, my rehearsed question about the greenhouse temporarily forgotten, as I avoid eye contact with the new arrival. Strangely, I feel unsure about asking in frontof her, like I’ll be judged for being more interested in growing plants than this season’s fashion trends. I’ve clearly been watching too many of grandma’s reality TV shows that she likes to pretend are not her guilty pleasure.
“I, um…” I stall, wishing the new student would move on.
I get my wish when her voice carries around the grand foyer. "Calder!"
The name sends a pulse through me, and I instinctively glance toward the open doorway at the other end of the corridor.
He's there, the sleeves of a dark gray henley rolled up, talking to another student. An omega. The morning light catches the edge of his profile, and I find myself unable to look away. Calder’s attention reaches the new arrival who called his name, unfocused, until it drifts towards the front desk and settles on me.
The moment stretches. Not long. Just long enough.
His stormy gray eyes make my breath catch.
He doesn't smile. I tell myself he's comparing me in my sage-green sweater and pleated skirt to the new student in her sparkly white pants, and I turn away first.
The new omega pushes past me, leaving her luggage where it is in her haste to reach Calder. “I just arrived. The traffic out of the city was horrendous…”
“Elowen?” Ms. Hartley is still waiting for me to speak, her fingers busy shuffling papers across her desk.
I try to focus. “I wanted to ask about extracurricular activities.” I can’t mention the greenhouse now with Calder watching me too. “But it’s fine. I’ll comeback later.”
Head down, I dart towards the entrance, the scuffed toe of my boot catching the wheel of the designer suitcase and sending it lurching precariously sideways. My heart performs a somersault. I grab the handle and manage to keep it upright. Barely.
When I risk a glance back, the omega has her back to me, oblivious, but Calder is still watching. Those gray eyes hold for another beat before he drags his attention back to the other student.
Outside, I tilt my face to the sun and wait for my pulse to regulate. He was obviously killing time in the greenhouse while he waited for his friends to arrive.
Girlfriend.
I don’t even know why I let him bother me so much. He won’t be back. We probably won’t attend any of the same lectures. We’ll barely see each other around campus.
