Page 56 of Fallout

“I believe you.” I chew on my bottom lip as I study Will. I can’t help but smile slightly as I say, “So… does this mean we’re friends again?”

He gives me a pained look. “Were we ever friends?”

My grin widens. “The very best of friends.”

Will rolls his eyes, but even his annoyance can’t hide the way his lips tip up in the corners. “I’m going to regret talking to you about this, aren’t I?”

I wave a hand. “Nah. Parker will be glad we made up.”

“I still can’t believe you didn’t tell Parker.”

I shrug. “It wouldn’t have done any good.”

“Still.” Will leans forward. “Thank you, Henley. I’m glad we’re friends again.”

Friends.

We really are friends.

“Does this mean you’ll keep passing me notes in first period to distract me?” I ask.

He nods. “Yes. But don’t expect me to be any nicer to you. With Parker and Blaine both telling you how awesome you are all the time, somebody needs to keep it real or you’ll get arrogant.”

I snort out a laugh.

Okay, I can handle snarky Will. Especially when he smiles instead of glaring at me.

13

New student.

Henley

Parker lets go of my hand when we arrive at school. We’re still in the parking lot, but I am hit with an overwhelming amount of voices. My head spins, so I stay in my seat, knowing if I tried to get up, I would end up falling. Since Parker likes opening the door for me, he smiles when he opens the door.

“You usually don’t wait,” he says. “Even though you should wait for me every time.”

But his smile quickly fades as he takes in my appearance. I’m sure my face is pale. He reaches his hand to mine and the moment our skin touches, I’m hit with a soothing calmness that only my soulmate can provide.

“What’s wrong?” His eyebrows furrow as he studies me cautiously.

“Loud.” I take a deep breath, calming my racing heart. “I’m better now.”

“It usually doesn’t bother you when we’re outside.” His lips turn downward and he looks between me and the school. I know him well enough that I can tell he’s considering leaving.

I shake my head. “We can’t leave. I skipped yesterday. And we missed three days last week when we went to the dragon’s island. If I skip much more, I’m not sure I’ll be able to graduate.”

He leans closer to me. “I will compel whoever I need to. Don’t worry, Henley. You will be graduating.” He sighs. “I will be talking to my father about homeschooling again. At the very least, you should be homeschooled.”

I shrug. “And be home without you, Will, or Blaine to entertain me? No thanks. I see you little enough already. The rides to and from school are the highlight of my day.”

“Henley.” He growls out my name and leans forward to give me a quick kiss on the lips. “You’re maddening, you know that?”

My lips tip upward. “And you think being mated to an alpha is that much easier?”

He snorts. “Fine, fine. Let’s go inside. But I will not allow it to get as bad as it did yesterday. The moment you even get the slightest twinge of a headache, we’re leaving.”

I frown but nod.