Page 87 of Wolf Unseen

I followed a narrow trail through the thick forest that bordered the school, grateful for my sneakers. My wolf pricked her ears when we heard a faint howl, but evidently she decided it was no threat because she soon went back to sleep.

Fifteen minutes later, I passed through a small gate and then stood in the shadow of a large tree, working out which way to go.

The school layout was almost identical to Moonfall, with smaller red brick buildings scattered around a much grander, central building that looked a lot like a castle. Pathways snaked around buildings and across a central plaza area, illuminated by hundreds of twinkling lights.

It was surprisingly pretty, but I wasn’t here to admire the architecture or aesthetics. I needed to find the feline’s dorm.

There were already people scurrying along the main pathways, which was going to make it tricky. It was much too early for me, a male student, to be here. The only way to avoid detection was to use my pendant to remove the glamour.

I pulled the pendant from my pocket and slipped it over my head, sighing with relief as the glamour lifted.

Me: I’m here. Where are you?

Kasia: Dorm 2 on the far left, near the black tree.

Black tree? I scanned the buildings and then spotted a charred tree that must have been struck by lightning.

Me: On way.

Kasia: Will meet you outside.

“We’re so happy you’re here!” Bree and Raquel threw their arms around me the minute I walked into their apartment behind Kasia. They squeezed me so tightly I feared for my newly healed rib. These felines had no idea how strong they were sometimes.

Like the wolf alphas, the four felines shared a small apartment with separate bedrooms around a central living space. It was way nicer than my single room. The felines had added cute little decorative touches—fluffy throws, pretty cushions, and colorful artwork on the walls—and the walls were pale yellow rather than my boring white room.

“Raquel painted those,” Bree told me when she saw me admiring the paintings. “She’s super talented.”

“I just paint for fun,” Raquel said with a faint blush.

“They’re amazing!” If only the goddess had blessed me with a talent like Raquel’s. Sadly, the only thing I excelled at was pissing people off. Specifically males.

Kasia clapped her hands. “Come on, ladies, we have work to do. Riley needs her red carpet moment.”

The felines had already changed into their costumes. Bree wore a cute little cat suit with matching pink cat ears and a fluffy tail. Haley had squeezed her curvy body into a sexy red devil dress with glittery horns poking out from her curly blonde hair. Raquel’s costume was more low-key—she’d chosen a classic witch outfit with a green wig and creepy makeup—while Kasia looked amazing in a black corset cut so low it was a wonder her breasts didn’t pop out.

“I’m a vampire,” she explained, flashing a set of fake white fangs. “Now it’s your turn. Please remove your shapeless and unattractive clothes. They offend me.”

I huffed in annoyance. “I have to dress like this. It’s a male thing.”

“No, it’s not,” she said, rolling her eyes. “Even the rat shifters on campus have better taste than you, and they go dumpster diving for their clothes.”

“Don’t judge me for being unable to afford decent clothes.” I wasn’t kidding. Everything I owned came from the local thrift store in my neighborhood. I’d also raided Felix’s closet; so if anyone had shit taste, it was him.

Nudity was a natural part of being a shifter, but I rarely shifted and never with an audience, so being half naked in front of an audience made me uncomfortable. The last time I’d had sex, the guy hadn’t bothered removing my clothes or his. Which was just as well, given he lasted all of thirty seconds. And yes, it was the most disappointing thirty seconds of my life.

“That’ll need to come off,” Bree said, pointing to my chest binder.

“And those,” Kasia added, examining my gray boxers with a horrified expression.

“I’m not going to this ball without underwear!”

“We’re shifters!” Raquel winked. “Underwear is always optional.”

“For you, maybe, but I’d feel more comfortable if I wore some boxers.”

“Not an option.” Kasia pulled a bag out from behind the sofa. “This dress is way too tight. Underwear would spoil the line.” She grimaced while pointing at my boxers. “Especially those hideous things.”

My jaw dropped in horror when I saw the white latex dress she held up for me to admire. There was no way I was walking into a crowded ballroom wearing that!