He considers me for a moment like he isn’t quite sure whether or not to believe me. “You sure? I mean, I get it. You’re a wolf. He’s a wolf. All the girls at Hellbound High want him, especially since Rafael will be the Southwest Pack’s next Alpha.”
“Good for him. But yeah, I’m sure.”
His nostrils flare and I fight my annoyance that he actually feels the need to scent if I’m lying. After a few seconds he releases a relieved sigh. “That’s good. Rafael’s used to getting his way and he can be … intense. I wouldn’t want to see you hurt.”
I don’t argue because, well, he is, and the fact Zheng’s concerned about me is kinda nice.
I pull out my phone and shoot a text off to Natalia.
Me: Do you think my dad will let me stay with a friend this weekend?
Natalia: Dates, Times, Location?
I turn to Zheng.“My dad’s assistant wants to know for how long and where we’d be going?”
He lifts a brow. “Assistant?”
“Yeah. I know it’s weird, but I’ll get a faster response if I go through her rather than trying to track him down.”
He nods like he understands. “Shadle Creek. Today until Sunday morning.”
I shoot her the information and watch as the three little dots appear. Then they stop. Then they appear again.Urgh.Come on. Answer already.
Natalia: Human friend or … ?
I stare at the screen,thrown off by her question. Instinct has me wanting to lie to her though I’m not sure why.
Me: Yes. Human. Is that okay?
Natalia: That’s fine. Your father says to use the credit card he gave you if you need anything. He’ll schedule a dinner with you when you get back.
Me: Great.
I roll my eyes.I love the idea of having to schedule a dinner with my dad. Some support system he’s been. I shove my phone back into my pocket and turn to meet Zheng’s expectant gaze. “I’m in.”
His dark eyes brighten. “Really?”
I nod.
“Awesome!”
* * *
Zheng givesme a ride home and follows me inside. He sits on the edge of my bed, watching as I hastily pack a bag with the essentials. Underwear. Toothbrush. Hairbrush. Toothpaste. I’m not sure what all I’ll need but it doesn’t take long to realize none of the clothes Natalia got for me are going to work. Everything is white or blush and definitely not suitable for camping. Where are a pair of Pack sweats when you need them?
I dig through my dresser drawers and raid my closet looking for something passable. Zheng looks out of place in the space as he leans back against the pink floral comforter covering the bed.
He’s wearing his usual black pants, though today he’s paired them with a long-sleeved thermal tee that stretches tight over his broad chest and shoulders and a pair of checkered sneakers. His muscles are well defined, even beneath the fabric of his shirt, and his tee rides up, exposing an inch of smooth, pale skin dusted with a light trail of jet-black hair.
I force myself to look away from the curve along his hips that I know leads to an Adonis belt I have no business admiring. How did shifter guys get that? My body sure as heck wasn’t shaped like that and I’ve seen him eat. Zheng’s like a garbage disposal in the lunchroom, but looking at him now, you’d never know it.
“I can’t believe you live here,” he says, a hint of wonder in his voice.
“Yeah, well, only up until a week ago.”
His head tilts in question and I sigh, not wanting to explain but not seeing a way around it, either. “My mom died.” I stuff down my emotions and force the words past my lips, refusing to let them swallow me whole. “Dad’s the only surviving relative I have, so I was shipped off here. I just moved in the week before last, so none of this,” I wave at everything around me. “Is mine or even resembles the life I grew up with.”
“That’s why your scent is still faint in the room?” He shakes his head and his face pulls down into a frown. “Damn. I’m sorry.”
