“How unlike you, Eliana. I simply wanted to ask if you could deliver this to Eugene. There are few others in Uttira I could trust with the safety of a human.” She held out a book for advanced math.
I took the book.
“I’ll see that he gets it. Anything else?”
“No. That will do. Unless, of course, you’ve seen Fenris. He isn’t answering texts, and Raiden said he left shortly after you.”
“I haven’t seen him and don’t plan to.”
“Why ever not?”
“Because there’s no need. If you don’t mind, I have class.”
Without waiting for her answer, I walked away and met Jenna’s eyes in the crowd. She hurried to join me.
“She’s gone,” she said.
“Good. Can you get this to Eugene?” I handed the book off to her.
“Of course. What are you doing?”
“Not going anywhere near Eugene. Adira’s plan to get me to feed off of Fenris failed. Eugene is still Plan B.”
“Is it true what you said about Fenris? You’re not planning on seeing him again?”
Pain radiated from her. I stopped walking to meet her gaze.
“I didn’t know he’d been kissing me. I thought he was being playful like always. I’m sorry for my part in hurting you.”
Jenna spontaneously gave me a quick hug.
“Eliana, you and Fenris didn’t hurt me this morning. It was the moment of accepting my worst fear that hurt me. When I saw him with you, it suddenly hit me that my mate isn’t in Uttira.” She gave a slight shrug. “He’ll find me eventually through the meetups the elders plan.”
“I’m still sorry. And I hope you’ll be able to stay if that’s what you still want once you meet him.”
She nodded and tentatively lifted the book. “I’ll get this to Eugene. He and the others heard about the Club Blayz opening for the rest of us and are wondering if they can join in, too. They’re itching to get out since the rest of us are moving around without any problem.”
“I’ll talk to Megan and Mom. I’m not even sure when the soft opening is.”
“Don’t worry. As soon as you know, the word will spread quickly.”
Her phone started to ring. When she glanced at it, I saw Fenris’s number.
“Please don’t tell him I’m here,” I said.
She looked up at me, showing her confusion.
“Are you really avoiding him?”
“Fenris invited me over, and his dad uninvited me.”
Her confusion only grew.
“Fenris invited you to his house? Inside?”
“Yeah.”
“Whoa. He’s never invited anyone.”
“Raiden has, though. You. But not me. It’s better if Fenris and I avoid each other for a while. Hanging out with me is just going to make things worse for him, not better.”
She gave me a doubtful look but nodded.
“Thank you. I better get out of here before he shows up. Plus, Adira still expects me at the Roost.”
I hurried away before Jenna could question me further. I wasn’t completely convinced that she’d be able to keep my presence to herself. Which was why I’d also misled her into thinking that I was going to the Roost. And why I sent Eugene a quick text.
Me: Jenna mentioned your interest in attending the soft opening for Blayz. I’ll talk to my mom later tonight and let you know what she says.
His reply was immediate.
Eugene: Thanks. We’re going stir crazy. The girls are letting me stay at their house just for company.
Me: Can you let Jenna know where you are? She’s going to drop off a book for you from Adira.
Eugene: Will do. Feel free to stop over too.
Me: I’ll think about it.
Tossing my phone into my purse, I hurriedly drove away from the Academy. If Fenris was still looking for me, he’d be running around town then go check my parents’ place. That meant I needed to head in the other direction. Into pack territory.
My phone buzzed with a message by the time I reached Fenris’s cabin.
Fenris: Where are you?
Me: Avoiding you. The only reason you want to talk is so that you can convince me I’m wrong. I’m not. I’m fine being your friend. I can’t be your girlfriend.
Fenris: My dad has no say in who I see or date. Adira made that clear to him and to me. I’m at the Roost. I’ll give you twenty minutes, nibbles. Then I’m seeking.
Why did that last line make my heart race?
Me: This is why I didn’t text you. You’re unreasonable. Stop bulldozing over my feelings in this. You were only one half of our relationship. I get some say, too. And I’m saying move on, Fenris.
I muted my phone and tossed it into my purse.
Wiping the tears from my eyes, I started the fire. I hated that Fenris was feeling as bad about the situation as I was. Well, maybe he hated it more because he saw me as a way out while I saw him as a temporary means to end my loneliness. Megan’s return would fix so many things.
Rubbing my hands on my pants, I stood and wondered what the heck I was going to do with the rest of my day.
Lemon cakes had babies with Boston cream pies. That was the only explanation for the odd creations that made a sudden appearance in my woodsy dreams. Cakey layers filled with lemon curd and topped with chocolate. The flavor was different but so good. And I craved more of it with an intensity that shook me even as I swallowed down what I was eating. It was like some deep part of me was sure I’d never taste these cakes again.
I ate ravenously, pulling in the flavors like a starving person. The thought didn’t slow me down. Instead, I became more frenzied as I fed until the trees shook around me. I’d been so hungry when I’d finally given in to sleep just after dark. That was way too early for a normal person, but it had been a welcome escape for me. An escape into my favorite cake-filled woods.
“Take what you want. I am yours.”
Inhaling deeply, I decided I wanted it all. Every last crumb. I gorged myself on everything the trees would offer. The number of mixed cakes decreased, replaced by a tempting variety. The old favorites were there. Spice cake, Death by Chocolate Cake, Lava Cake. But, there was a new one, too. Angel food topped with strawberries. It was the perfect end to the meal of a lifetime. I’d never felt so bloated.
The sweet, tangy burst of flavor from the berries was interrupted by a violent shaking that plucked away all the remaining cakes.
My cakes.
My food.
Gone.
Ripped from the dream, I snapped my eyes open. Fibers of the warm quilt stood out starkly even in the dim light cast from the fire. I didn’t care about those prominent details, though. Or the way the cabin shook around me or the way the wood creaked with the severity of the movement. I cared that something had stolen me from the place I wanted to be, where I could eat without care, and I wanted it back.
Arms wrapped around me.
“It’s an earthquake. We need to get out of the cabin.”
My bed partner started to lift me. Angry, I moved fluidly and flipped over the male who dared to touch me without permission. I pinned him beneath me, showing him who was in charge of the moment.
Fenris grunted, and his pupils dilated favorably as my hips settled over his.
“Eliana, you need to focus on the cabin,” he rasped. “On the shaking.”