*Sasha*
Days later, it still felt like eyes were on me. I hadn't been back out to the library site. I hadn't even been back to the town. The eyes had followed me onto the train, right into the capital.
I'd thought of connecting with Lucas until, hours after arriving at my dorm, Jay called from Doc's phone and angrily told me that Lucas had accused us both of stirring up trouble.
Lucas didn't believe them–didn't believe me.
It made a ball of resentment settle in my stomach.
“If I never see Lucas Black again, it'll be too soon," I grumbled, coming out of Professor Augustine's office. I still didn't have a new work-study, and I was officially off the library project. Lucas might as well have put up a billboard telling me never to return.
Of course, as soon as I stepped onto the quad, the eyes were back, staring a hole in the back of my head, disappearing as soon as I turned around.
I'd have shouted at them to go away, and I was tempted to, but then everyone would think I was crazy, not just Lucas. Even Amanda had given me a weird look when I mentioned the inexplicable draw to the temple and the eyes.
Still, it was unsettling enough that when I thought I was alone, I rounded on the eyes, about to give them a piece of my mind, when I ran smack into Donovan.
“Hey there, Sasha. You okay?" Donovan asked, reaching out to steady me.
I could only imagine how I looked–frizzy blond hair, dark circles under sleepless eyes. I'd let my appearance go a bit, I knew, but I just didn't like the feeling of the eyes watching me naked in the bathroom. And I could hardly sleep at all, sensing them even in my dreams.
“I'm fine," I lied.
“Yeah, right," Donovan snorted. “You done with classes? I am. Let's go to Nostalgia and you can tell me all about it."
I looked up at Donovan. He was all sympathy and smiles. “I… just have the work-study this semester," I admitted. “And my current assignment just became my former assignment."
“Oh damn. Did Lucas Black toss you off his team because you wouldn't sleep with him?" Donovan clucked with disapproval.
I let out a bitter laugh. “I wish."
“Hmm. This sounds like a long story best told over a couple of martinis. Let's go." Donovan slid his arm around my shoulders and steered me away from campus and down the short few blocks to Nostalgia.
Once we were seated and I had an apple martini between my hands, I glanced at Donovan, who was sipping a beer, and finally gave in. “You're going to think I'm crazy."
“Too late. Already do," Donovan teased.
I shook my head. “No, really."
“Oh. Okay, you're serious. Well, lay it on me. I can't think you're crazy until you start raving like a lunatic at me," Donovan said.
Despite myself, I gave a little laugh.
“There she is. Now, go ahead," Donovan encouraged.
I tucked my hair behind my ear and stared into my martini. “Well… so… there's this temple that was discovered under the northern library site...."
Donovan nodded along as I continued, telling him everything that had happened. At the end of it all, his voice turned gruff. “And he didn't believe you?"
“Nobody but Jay and Doc believe me," I replied glumly, still watching the thin apple slices float across the top of my drink.
Gentle fingers touched my chin and Donovan tipped my head up to meet his eyes. “I believe you," he said.
It was like balm to my soul. I felt my eyes welling up, despite myself. “Really?"
“Absolutely," Donovan responded. “You're not some nut job, Sasha. Jay and the doctor are right. Something must be going on. Though, whatever it is, you should probably stay away from that library. Try your best to forget about it." He gave me a smile. “I'd be more than happy to distract you until this all dies down."
I laughed. Honestly, would it be so wrong to date Donovan? Lucas was… well, quickly falling completely off the radar, and Donovan was sweet, and funny. If Lucas was right about him and he really did want to date me, well, why not?
“Thanks, Donovan," I said. “You're a really great guy."
Donovan wiggled his eyebrows at me. “Not just a great 'friend'?" he asked boldly.
I decided to be just as bold. “Not just a nice friend. Maybe a nice… boyfriend?"
His smile was wide and bright and blessedly nothing to do with eyes. I could barely feel them in his exuberant presence. “I'd like that a lot, Sasha. If you're sure."
I gave it a moment's thought, then nodded. “I'm sure."
“And Lucas Black?"
My smile faltered. “I… need to resolve something with him, but then it's done," I said firmly.
“Oh… okay," Donovan replied with a nod, no anger or pressure–just acceptance.
Donovan really was a truly great guy. And now he was my boyfriend.
I smiled at him, though there was a little twinge of disappointment in my gut that it wasn't Lucas I was smiling at. “I—“
The door to Nostalgia opened, and I was surprised to see Brady and a bouncy brunette walk in.
“Brady?" I asked, blinking.
Brady turned his face away from the brunette. Was her name Phoebe? I'd had a class with her. “Well, if it isn't the devil herself, Sasha Wentley."
Devil? I wondered why he'd called me that. But I shrugged it off and went over to give my childhood friend a hug. “It's been forever! How have you been?"
“Just great. Practicing doctor at the Capitol Hospital. Engaged to the lovely Phoebe here...." Brady grinned.
Phoebe blushed happily.
I smiled and took her hand when she held it out to show me the ring. “Wow."
“I know, right? It's so beautiful," Phoebe gushed.
“… living with Lucas Black…" Brady went on.
My smile turned to a frown. “Oh. Is that why I'm the devil?"
Brady winced. “Yeah. Kind of."
“But a good devil," Phoebe cut in. “He talks about you all the time. He...." She trailed off.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Sold as the Alpha King's Breeder
Yeah sorry full of crap clichés skipping chapters...
Really oh fn....off another weak heroine roll, her pack hated her, she was abused, why would she do this .... pfghhj off at another cliche novel. .... Nope...