Chapter 3

When class was over, Amanda couldn’t move fast enough to get out of there. Once out of the building and into the fresh air, she took a deep breath. What was that all about? she asked herself. She started moving farther away, hoping that it would take Hudson awhile to get out of class, and she would be out of sight, out of mind for him. But she was wrong. She felt a tight grip on her wrist, stopping her from going anywhere. The skin touching hers sent a jolt of electricity throughout her body, making her feel tingly and wanting more of that touch. When she turned to see who was grabbing her, her face paled. It was Hudson. Amanda’s body started to fill with anxiety. What did this all mean? Why was his touch making her feel good? She tried to pull away from him. “Where do you think you’re going?” he asked her. “Let go of me, Hudson,” she said under her breath, so that she wouldn’t make a scene. “I just want to talk with you for a moment,” he told her in a voice that was soft and gentle. Amanda looked at him with confusion. “Why? Why would you want to talk to me? Last time I checked, I was nothing to you. Remember? I was beneath you, and all I ever would be is nothing,” she told him as she continued to pull her wrist out of his grasp. Hudson was taken aback; he didn’t remember saying that to her. But by the look on her face, he must have at some point. He let her pull her wrist out of his grip. “Mandi” “Don’t!” she said to him with anger filling her voice. “Don’t you ever call me by that name ever again. That girl is gone, and she is never coming back,” she said to him. Amanda could feel the tears burning her eyes, but she would not give him the pleasure of seeing her cry. “Hey, is this guy bothering you?” she heard a female voice from behind her ask. Amanda turned to see a beautiful tall girl standing there with her arms crossed over her chest. She walked up, got between Amanda and Hudson, and stared at Hudson with a deadly glare. “You need to walk away from her right now,” the girl told Hudson. Hudson wanted to just laugh at the girl. Sure, she was tall and beautiful, maybe to most guys. But all he saw and smelled from her was human. She couldn’t do anything to him. Hudson continued to stare at Amanda through the girl. Instead of the shy, timid girl he was used to, who would cower behind anyone to get away from his glare, Amanda shifted to the side and met his stare with her own. Hudson didn’t want to make things worse than they already were, so for the time being, he turned and walked away. Amanda watched as Hudson walked away before letting out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding. There were so many feelings she was having at that moment; she didn’t know which ones were real or not. “Hey, are you okay?” the girl asked her. Amanda nodded and said, “Thanks for stepping in and helping me.” “Glad I could help. Are you sure you’re okay? You look pretty shaken up.” “I’m fine. He’s always been like that in some way to me,” Amanda said as she looked back in the direction that Hudson had walked in, making sure he wasn’t coming back. “Ex-boyfriend?” the girl said. Amanda looked back at the girl and let out a nervous laugh, “Worse, high school bully,” Amanda told her. The girl looked at her confused for a moment. “Hmm, that looked more like a lovers spat than a bully situation. But what do I know. Do you have another class right now?” she asked. “No, just finished the one class I have today. The rest of them are tomorrow.” “Walk with me for a bit then; it might calm your nerves. I’m Kimmy, by the way.” “Amanda.” They started to walk across the campus. As Amanda walked, she started to feel better, though she found herself rubbing her wrist and missing his touch. What? “So, what’s your major?” Kimmy asked. Amanda shrugged. “Not sure yet. I was happy to get accepted and get away from my hometown, but I guess I didn’t pick far enough.” Kimmy nodded. “What about you?” Amanda asked. “I’m in my third year and working on my degree in business management.” “Wow, with your height and figure, I’m surprised you’re not a model.” Kimmy nodded as she tossed her silky black hair away from her shoulder, “Oh I was, but I got bored and decided I wanted to go to college.” Amanda stopped and looked at Kimmy, confused. Kimmy rolled her eyes and hooked her arm into Amanda’s and pulled her along. “I know it sounds crazy, but I had been modeling since I was a kid and just wanted to try something different. I didn’t want to fall into the typical stereotype just because I’m tall, skinny, and beautiful. I have more to offer.” Amanda nodded. “Good for you. You stood up for what you wanted, and you’re making it happen,” she told Kimmy. “Exactly. Well, this is my stop. Here give me your phone, I’ll give you my number and maybe we can hang out sometime,” Kimmy offered. Amanda smiled and pulled out her phone, opened the screen, and handed it to Kimmy. She heard a chime when Kimmy handed her phone back. “I already sent myself a text. I’ll text you later.” Amanda said goodbye and turned to look around to see where she was at. She shivered when she felt a chill go down her spine. Still looking around, she decided to just head back the way she came and hoped she wouldn’t run into Hudson again. Hudson watched from a distance as Amanda started making her way back to their English class. He really didn’t want to leave her, especially since he sensed another shifter in the area. He knew it wasn’t a wolf—most of the wolves that went to this college were either from his pack or a neighboring pack close by. He wasn’t sure what it was exactly, but he knew it wasn’t human. He wanted to make sure that Amanda was safe, but of course, he botched that the second he grabbed her wrist to stop her. His protective side had gotten the best of him, and he didn’t want her to leave him just yet. If only that girl hadn’t stepped in. He would have apologized to Amanda and tried to get her to let him walk her home. At least then, he would know where she was staying without looking like a creepy stalker and following her home. But there he was, watching her from a far, keeping his distance, but making sure she got to her place safely. His wolf whined again. He rolled his eyes but let out a sigh. Yeah, he wished he could get closer to her too.