Page 227 of Volik

Supposedly, shifters also go through something similar when they mate. Which blows my damn mind. And I specifically told Volik to ask Henry about it over lunch.

Gods, I wish I could tell Jenny that the dean is a freaking wolf shifter.

Someday. Hopefully.

I’m shoving the last bite of food into my mouth when my phone rings.

It’s already on the desk, so I flip it over and look at the caller’s name. Then I silence it and flip it back face down.

Jenny snickers. “Someone you don’t want to talk to?”

“Yeah.” I shove my empty container back into the paper bag. “My mom.”

“Not taking the hint, huh?”

I shake my head. “Neither of them are.”

I ignored calls from both of my parents last week after the article went live. I also ignored their texts. And while we were in France, I left my phone at home, so I came back to several messages, mostly from my mom, each with more attitude than the last.

There was even a text from one of my stepsiblings. I was honestly more inclined to respond to that than to my parents. And I might’ve, if that wasn’t the first time in six years that they’d messaged me.

To be fair, I don’t message her either, but that just proves that we aren’t family.

And I have a better family now.

“Just give me their numbers.” Jenny stands. “I’ll tell my niece to crank call them every time she gets her hands on her mom’s phone.”

I laugh as we head out of the office. “I bet she would too.”

I met her niece two days ago when they stopped by my classroom with cookies, and that eight-year-old can talk more than anyone I know.

“Even if it wasn’t for the bat lady, she’d still do it.”

I laugh. “I know I should correct her, but it’s just too cute.”

Jenny rolls her eyes as she opens the front door. “That child is going to believe whatever she wants to believe, no matter what you say.”

Students look at us—me—as we walk across campus. But the vibes are curious, not malicious. So I don’t feel stressed.

Next week, I’ll convince Volik to take me out for coffee or something.

We’re both nervous about me going somewhere public for the first time since my changes, but the sooner I can get out there, the sooner people can get used to seeing me.

Though with the way people still react to Volik on the daily, I have a feeling there will always be some awkwardness.

“Jenny,” a male voice calls out.

We pause as someone I recognize as faculty walks toward us.

He does a good job of keeping the smile on his face, but his eyes dart too quickly between us to be casual.

I shift away from Jenny, not wanting to scare the guy.

But Jenny closes the space I just made and elbows me in the side. “Don’t be an idiot.”

A laugh bursts out of me, popping the tension building in my shoulders.

The guy’s eyes widen as he stares at my smiling mouth. At my fangs.