God, this boy. “I love you, too,” I say, flinging my arms around his neck and hugging him tight. No matter what our future holds, I know he’ll be by my side, and I can’t wait for what our next chapter might bring.
43
Bonus Epilogue
“Have you guys seen the new girl?” Zheng asks, taking a seat beside me. He’s wearing his signature black jeans, and a long-sleeved shirt.
Rafael, Desmond, and Jordy wear matching schools as they turn toward him. The guys still aren’t one hundred percent on board with letting Zheng back into their lives, but they’re thawing to the idea a bit. At least, I hope they are. That they haven’t snarled at him to get lost is already an improvement.
“I thought I was the new girl?” I ask, shoving a French fry into my mouth. As soon as I swallow, Rafe hands me another. I roll my eyes but accept the food and toss it in my mouth before meeting his gaze with an exasperated smile. I might have developed a bit of an eating problem earlier this year and may have starved my wolf.
Really, it was more of a lack of eating problem. As in, I never really ate, and it definitely showed. But I’m better now. My stomach is no longer trying to devour itself. I’ve found better ways of coping with my problems and being a friend of the Pack has helped. I’m not alone anymore. But now that I’m better, Rafe has made it his mission to ensure I eat at least five meals a day. Yep. Five. Every chance he gets, he shovels food at me.
It’d drive me nuts if it wasn’t for the fact I know this is his wolf’s way of looking after me.
Zheng shakes his head. “You are. But now we have a newer, new girl. The whole school has been buzzing about her all morning. I’m surprised you haven’t heard about her.”
I scan the cafeteria looking for any unfamiliar faces, but no one jumps out.
“That’s because Isa is the only new girl who matters,” Rafe says, leaning a smile and a kiss on the cheek.
“Is she hot?” Jordy asks just as Meiying claims the seat across from him.
Des scowls at her and catching his gaze, she sticks out her tongue like a petulant child.
I snicker.
“Yeah, man. She is. Not a shifter, though. Something else.” Zheng says. “She’s got dark brown hair. Blue eyes. She’s fucking tiny too. Barely over five feet, but she smells different. Like water, almost.”
Me and Meiying both roll our eyes.Boys.
Jordy’s eyes brighten with interested.
“No,” Meiying says forcefully and all heads turn to look at her. Her eyes bore holes into Jordy’s skull as she waves a fry in his direction.
“This’ll be good,” Rafael whispers in my ear, his warm. Breath caressing my neck. I fight a shiver and lean toward him, smiling to myself when he pulls me closer and trails kisses along my bare shoulder, completely ignoring the surrounding conversation.
“No?” Jordy’s brows pull together.
“Yea. No. Leave this new chick alone. Everyone knows you’re fucking the witches. Though none of us know the hell why. Joaninha is nice. She’s not a wolf. Or a witch. Or a vamp. And she doesn’t need attention from any of the wolves. Least of all you.”
Rafe snorts as Jordy’s eyes spark with mischief, his upper lip curling into a smirk.
“Joaninha, huh? I like it.”
Des places a fist over his mouth, hiding his own smile as we all lean in, ready to watch the fireworks explode as Meiying and Jordy verbally spar with one another.
“What’s the matter baby Lie? You jealous?”
She laughs. “Of you? Hardly.”
“That’s right.” He snaps his fingers. “I almost forgot. I’m the wrong flavor, right?”
Meiying glares. “What the hell are you going on about?”
Jordy’s smile turns wolfish. He leans over the table as if he’s about to share a secret with her. “We all know you’re a fan of dark chocolate.” He winks and tilts his head toward Des.
Meiying bares her teeth, but she can’t hide the crimson staining her cheeks.
