Without a word he turns and heads into class. I sigh. I do not have the energy to deal with both Sabrina and Rafael today.
By lunch, the entire school is buzzing with news that the wolves have claimed me. And not just one wolf. No, though that would have been more than enough, but Jordy made sure to sayoursas if he speaks for all of them, making me the property of not one asshole but three. I’m not entirely sure what beingclaimedby them means. If any wolf tried to lay claim to me back home, he’d court me first. He’d make his intentions to one day claim me as his mate known. This is different. No one is trying to woo me and I sure as heck have no plans of belonging to anyone, let alone three wicked wolves.
The stares and whispers have definitely increased tenfold. If I thought this morning was bad, the afternoon is even worse.
So much for flying under the radar till graduation.
I grab my lunch as quickly as possible, intending to take it and hide out in the library, but Desmond puts an end to that idea when he lifts my tray from my hands and with his own carries them both over to the table in the corner forcing me to follow if I want to eat. I almost consider letting him just have my food. It’s not like I plan on eating much of it anyway.
I’ve lost six pounds since mom died. Which is a lot given my already lean body didn’t have much to spare. I should eat more. My wolf needs the fuel but I just can’t seem to stomach it. Though I had no problems eating the albóndigasRafael made for us.
Des sets my tray down on the table beside Rafael before rounding to the other side and taking a seat next to Jordy. No one says anything about my arrival, they just dive into conversation like nothing is weird about me sitting with them.
Alrighty then.
I poke at my lunch—a chicken patty with mashed potatoes and gravy on the side. The lunch lady said it was chicken fried steak day but nothing about this looks like chicken or steak. Still, I make an effort to swallow a bite before using my fork to move things around so it at least looks like I ate something.
I spot Zheng a few tables away, his gaze trained on me. When he realizes I’m looking at him, he flicks on his mirrored shades and turns back to the guys he was talking to.
I deflate and look away only to see Rafael’s gaze lasered in on me. His mouth is set in a hard line as dark brown eyes search mine. “Something going on between you and Liu?” he asks.
I roll my eyes. “He’s my friend and he doesn’t seem all that fond of you three. That answer your question?”
Rafael nods and sucks his bottom lip into his mouth before throwing an arm over my shoulder and giving Zheng a fuck-you grin.God.Guys can be such assholes sometimes.
I shrug out from under his hold. “Stop trying to stir up trouble,” I tell him, smacking his arm.
He grips my chin and turns my face toward him in a possessive move. I lick my lips and his eyes track the movement, hunger in his gaze. “Isa, haven’t you learned I’m nothing but trouble?”
His head dips and he presses his lips to mine. At first, it’s a soft press but then his teeth are tugging on my bottom lip, urging me to open for him. I do and his tongue darts in for a quick taste that leaves me reeling in my seat.
He pulls back, cocky arrogance stamped on his face before I catch him looking over my shoulder. I don’t need to turn to know he and Zheng are locked in a stare down. My cheeks heat and anger unfurls inside of me.
“When you decide to stop being a jerk, let me know.” I stand to leave the table but his hand around the back of my thigh stops me.
“Sit down.” It’s a command.
I snort and take a step but his grip only tightens. “Isa—” There’s a warning in his voice, one I choose to one hundred percent ignore.
“I’ll catch up with you guys later.”
I pull away and make my way over to Zheng’s table, knowing Rafael would never follow me. Guys like him can’t be seen chasing after a girl, let alone a lone wolf like me. When I reach Zheng, his glasses are still on, so I reach down and push them up over the top of his head.
“Hey.” I pause, suddenly unsure of what to say to him. The drive back from Shadle Creek had been fine. I thought we had things sorted but judging by the look on his face, he’s still pissed.
He tilts his chin toward Rafael and the guys. “You looked cozy.”
I fold my arms over my chest. “And you look mad.”
He shakes his head. “Nah. Not mad. Disappointed. But why should I be, right?”
“Excuse me?”
He stands and moves closer to me, his mouth so close his lips brush along the shell of my ear. “Every girl in this school wants to spread their legs for Rafael Castillo. He’s Hellbound High’s top dog and the Southwest Pack’s Wolf Prince. I guess I just assumed you wouldn’t be one of them. My bad. From what I hear now, it sounds like you’re screwing all three. Aren’t you a greedy little she-wolf.”
18
Isabella