I’m still reeling from Zheng’s words when I get home from school. I have nothing but time on my hands so, of course, I stew. I can’t believe his nerve. I’m not some whore. I don’t sleep around and even if I did, skin privileges amongst shifters have never been something to be ashamed of. No one from my Pack would have said what he did to me.
I pace my room, leaving a worn path in the pale beige carpet, and I finally decide enough is enough. I can’t let his opinion consume me. I know who I am. If he wants to be an ass, let him. I don’t need him.
Powering up my laptop, I catch up on some homework before touching up my resume and sending it off to at least a dozen local businesses. I need a job. All this downtime is driving both me and my wolf insane. I need to find a way to stay busy. I spot the sneakers I bought at Target and an idea forms in my head.
Stripping out of the white skinny jeans and lavender blouse I wore today, I throw on a pair of leggings, a band shirt, and my new Target sneakers. I curse when I realize I don’t own a sports bra but figure what I’m wearing will do. Throwing my hair up in a messy bun, I tuck my phone into the hidden zipper pouch on the side of my leggings and grab my wireless earbuds and a water bottle. If I can’t run as my wolf, running in my human skin will have to do.
Natalia sent me a calendar notification earlier letting me know Brian has requested my presence at dinner this evening. I confirmed that I’ll be there, though I’m still not sure wherethereis exactly, since under location it said TBD, but I do know the time. She scheduled dinner for six, so I have a little over an hour before I need to be back in order to have enough time to shower and get ready.
Jogging down the stairs, I tuck in my headphones, blaring some old-school Linkin Park.Numbdrowns out my thoughts as I head outside and let myself get sucked into the heavy thrum of music. I settle into an easy jog, a five-minute mile at best. It’s still fairly warm, despite it being November, and the first signs of sweat trickle down my spine thirty minutes into my run. My breathing is steady as I push myself to go faster. It might not be the woods but the smell of clean air and the faint breeze on my skin does wonders for my earlier agitation.
Thirty minutes turns to fifty before I slow to a stop. Bracing my hands on my knees I suck in lungsful of crisp air. The sun is setting, suburban streetlights illuminate the streets. A car rumbles in the distance, growing closer, but I don’t bother looking up until my wolf senses register that it’s slowed to a stop and is now idling beside me. I’m in a human neighborhood. The risk of anyone being more predator than me is slim.
I stand to my full height, propping my hands on the back of my hips as I catch my breath. I stay light on my feet, ready to run hard and fast if I have to. And equally willing to shift and fight if the need arises. But then I see it’s Zheng in his WRX and the tension in my shoulders relaxes.
Mouth pressed into a tight line, he looks me up and down. “You look like shit.”
I flip him off, not even bothering with civility at this point.
He leans over and opens the passenger side door. “Come on. I’ll give you a lift home.”
“I’m only a few blocks away.”
He lifts a single black brow as if to say,so?
“Fine.” I climb in, immediately sinking into the cool leather seats. Cold AC fans my face and I sigh, closing my eyes.
“I didn’t realize you were a runner.”
I give him a sideways look.
“A human runner,” he amends.
I snort. “I’m not. Just … needed to clear my head and I don’t have anywhere safe close by where I can shift.”
He’s quiet so I open my eyes and glance at him through my peripheral. He pulls up to the mansion that is Brian’s elaborate home and I move to open the door. “Thanks for the lift.”
Before I can step out, he halts me with a hand on my arm. “Wait.”
I stop and turn to face him, leaving the door open.
He scrubs both hands down his face before dragging his gaze back to me. “I hate the wolves.”
My anger flares and I suddenly remember what he said to me earlier and why I should still be pissed off with him. “Noted.” I get out and step away from the car, slamming the door behind me.
The engine shuts off and Zheng’s door opens and closes, but I’m already heading for the front door. “Isa, wait,” he calls out, but I don’t bother stopping. I’m almost to the door when it swings open and Brian’s stern face greets me, bringing me to a hard stop.
“Isabella, is that you shouting out here?”
His pale eyes flick from me to the boy I know is standing a few paces behind me and I stiffen. “Sorry.” I wilt under his scrutiny. “We didn’t mean to disturb you.”
“Have some decorum. We have neighbors.”
My face falls and I nod. “Sorry,” I mutter, hating that this man I barely know has the power to make me feel two inches small. I’m just about to slip in past him when I feel Zheng step in beside me.
“I’m Zheng Liu, sir. I go to school with Isa. It’s nice to meet you.” Zheng thrusts out his hand in a surprisingly human gesture, and more surprising, Brian takes it, giving it a firm shake and Zheng an assessing look.
“You’re Jin’s boy?” he asks.
