x

tie his shoes. They'd spent a grueling two hours at practice th

feet up for the first time. Axel didn't get as tired as the re

ossing his dark bangs from his face. "It's tradition

ould. Fitting into the human world was only important because he didn't need

eah, why? You got a beef with one of them? You seemed a little distant today,

oommate. "I don't have a problem with anybody. I'm just not

ugh his hair in the mirror. "So, are you going

but he knew enough about football in high school to know that he needed t

bed. "I'll go. Give me a fe

en they walked out of their dorm room and into the humid night. Something about the night put

t way since h

they fixed up for the school. The SIGMA NU two-story brick house was lit up like a Christmas tree. The do

y. He had too many things to worry about to enjoy the party. The fact his m

eir age and the practice they put into it. Several people sat on the front porch, Red Sol

eir way into the crowd. The overwhelming scents had his wolf pacing with anxiety. It took Axel yea

island. Jaxton tossed him one, and Axel popped the top. Beer didn't affect

e wanted to hold a conversation with. Jaxton disappeared shortly after handing Ax

with an itch to run. The breeze picked up, and her scent skim

e was outside with her new friend. He tightened his fingers a

e amends with her, he would have to make an effort. He pushed through the crowd, fo

like it. The second floor had most of their bedrooms, and a huge game

her with outside of her class. She looked delicious, with her blon

down with guilt. Guilt that he never made her

is drink, and brown liquid splatt

him said. "You're spilling your drink,

ck to see him there. Her date looked over his shoulder but didn'

sed hi

near them. Claire's green eyes turned up toward his.

talk to you. Come

and slowly shook her

n control. "Who is this?" he asked, gesturing toward the guy

something going on?" he asked. "

ullied me in high school, and now he's showing up eve

, his shifty gaze locked with the door. Axel didn't blame him for wa

tened into fist. "I d

d agree. "You're right, bu

go," Tegan sai

d frowned. "You don't have

you okay?" he said, softly. His stomach twisted at the care in hi

ng this to me?" she asked, her voice loud and drawing attention. "I've waited years to fit in, to

tion in his body. His mate hated him. Claire stalked from the room, leaving be

treet. Claire made it to the stop sign when he caught he

yelled. "What do

my wolf co

orry for how I treated you, Claire. I'm sorry for everything. I mean

few tears down her cheeks. "Why

the back of his neck and sighed. "Because I was an ass t

rs to realize I didn't deserve to be bullied for no reason?

e. I'm sorry because I've grown up, and realized I hurt you for

s?" she

they were mates and nothing could keep them a

lly from junior high? What doe

ed that you let him hold your hand.

partly t

believe a word that came out of your mouth, but I forgive you. This doesn't mean we're friends, or we will ever be. S

alone, so he slunk behind her, staying f

ve blew it with the only girl you're

He'd broken the one girl that would make him whole, and that left hi