Page 4 of Learning to Love… Book 1: Shade

“You don’t sound excited,” she said as she followed me down the hall. “Don’t think you have a shot with Alpha Caelan?”

“Of course not,” I scoffed.

“Why not?” she asked. “I think you have as good of a chance as anyone else. Maybe even better.”

“I highly doubt that,” I said, turning to face her as we neared my suite. “I’m an omega.”

“You don’t smell like an omega,” she chirped.Again with this?

“Well, I am,” I said, looking anxiously down the hall. “Besides, my mistress would be a much more suitable mate. I’m really just here to ensure her safety. I wasn’t even supposed to be a candidate.”

“But you are,” she said with a smile. “And what does your alpha think is gonna happen? Our pack is more than capable of protecting our guests.”

I bared my neck, hoping she wouldn’t take my words as an offense. “Yes. Of course. I didn’t mean to imply… It’s my responsibility, that’s all.”

“No worries,” she replied. “The name’s Taffy, by the way.”

“Shade.”

“Shade… That’s cute,” she chirped. “See you soon, Shade!”

I stared after her as she bounded down the hall, unsure of what just happened. I shook my head and hurried to change.

***

“Remember, don’t speak unless spoken to,” Sunny hissed as we approached the group gathered in front of the pack house. “And for Goddess’s sake, don’t shift. I don’t need anyone seeing that hideous wolf of yours.”

I nodded, stepping away from Sunny as she joined the crowd. I assessed the situation clinically, determining that as long as she didn’t mouth off to the wrong she-wolf, my sister was probably safe.

My hand twitched, and I covered it with the other, taking a deep breath and blowing it out slowly. I wasn’t a fan of crowds, and while this gathering was relatively small, I couldn’t help but feel a little out of my element.

“So,” a male voice said to my left. “Are you excited about the choosing?”

I glanced over my shoulder, barely taking my eyes off Sunny as I spotted the strikingly handsome wolf with a slightly crooked smile and dirty-blond hair beside me.

“No. Not really,” I admitted as I shifted my attention back.

“Why’s that?” he pressed.

I shrugged. “I don’t expect to make it very far.”

“Why not?” he asked. “You seem perfectly stunning to me.”

I gave him a surprised look, fighting the blush that threatened to spread across my cheeks. No one ever complimented me.

A heartwarming smile graced his lips. “I’m Dillon.”

“Shade,” I replied.

“It’s nice to meet you, Shade,” he said as he held out his hand.

I fought the urge to flinch, my mind automatically dropping into defense mode as I braced myself for a slap or a reprimand. But neither came.

I hesitated, finally reaching out and shaking it.

“Oh…uh…nice to meet you too,” I replied with a touch of uncertainty.

“I think you’ve got better chances than you think,” he offered,leaning in as he spoke. “I know Alpha Caelan quite well, and you’re exactly his type.”