26. Muse

**Tyra**

"Tyra will join you in a couple of minutes," Jett told Ember. He was holding the car door open for her, a sight that might have alarmed me if I hadn't seen Ember's unfiltered feelings towards Kane up-close. It was also obvious just by watching the way Jett watched Ember that there was no romantic interest present on his part- yet he still treated her well. As if she were a little sister he was looking out for instead of the woman he was being paid to protect. (And a whole lot if it was any close to my own salary.) Seeing them together only solidified my positive opinion of his character. In fact, if the man got any better I might suspect him of being a mermaid. Why? Unlike Disney's version, the mermaids I knew were underwater fae who posed as the man or woman of a person's dreams and lured them into the sea with promises of wedding bells and happily ever afters- only to stand by (likely eating popcorn) while the pitiful person drowned to death. Very unpleasant business.

I hoped Jett wasn't a mermaid.

He didn't smell like one, I thought, studying him more closely. His attention was on Ember who was hurrying out of the parking lot- and then all of a sudden he was opening my door and leaning towards me. "You're staring," he said, hand reaching out.

My body instantly went rigid- but he was only reaching for my pockets, the wrappers on the sweets crackling as he stuffed my coat pockets to the brim with them. In the next breath he had shut my door and was in the driver's seat, turning to me with an expectant look. "Well?"

I raised my boots and settled them on the dashboard, hiding a smirk at the distracted look he gave my legs. I wasn't wearing the outfit he'd tossed at me- that had been less revealing- and he seemed caught between appreciation and annoyance at the fact. "You don't like me staring at you?" I asked him.

He sat back in his seat, gaze shifting slowly back to my face. "I like it. I'd also like to know what you're thinking about while you're staring."

I batted my eyes innocently. "What if I'm calling you bad names?"

"Stop trying to provoke me."

I gasped. "Why would I provoke the all-knowing Jett who holds the key to my recovery in the palms of his sexy hands?"

Not a twitch out of him. "You don't really think I can help you."

I dropped the fake expression, glaring daggers at him. "I think you're too confident about my will to get better for someone who met me a day ago."

"You heard about how Ember used Kane's powers to give her kick a boost, pack magic can likewise strengthen a person's will. Werewolves are stronger together, it's why staying in packs secures their survival."

"I'm not a werewolf, genius."

"You're my mate."

"Do you still believe in Santa Claus too?"

"Getting you to realize you have a strong will-"

"You're very good at ignoring people. Is that an acquired skill?"

"You realizing you have a strong will is the first step," he continued calmly. "The pack will provide you support until you can stand on your own."

"Long story short, your plan is to brainwash me into thinking I'm stronger than I really am, and then have me rely on a group of strangers to keep me from losing my shit until I stop losing my shit." I slammed my fist on the wheel, shoving my face inches from his. "What if I never stop losing my shit?"

His hand covered my fist, his nose nuzzling my cheek. "You can dump it all on me."

My breathing became a shaky, loud thing I couldn't seem to control. I retreated with a hiss. "Why the hell would you let me do that?"

"You're mine."

I glared at him. "You're insane. What if this whole soul mate thing is a scam?"

"Smart werewolves trust their instincts, mine are never wrong." He gave me a phone. "I've gained special permission from the school for you to shadow Ember even while in class. You can sit on a chair provided for you if you get tired."

I gave the electronic device a disdainful look. "What? Am I supposed to call you if there's danger? Is your hearing that bad?"

"The phone is for you. Text me if you get bored."

"No thanks." I pocketed it anyway. "You can multitask and you still want me to watch Ember for you?"

"Ember told Kane to stop reading her mind, think of it as him assigning you as his interpreter."

I squinted at him. "He can read her mind. And he wants me to interpret…what exactly?"

"The Ember language," Jett said, deadpan. He pointed a finger at the phone. "His number is inside, if anything alarming happens you call him or me."

"Can you read my mind too?"

"You're late for work."

"I'm taking your avoidance of my question as a no."

He simply stared at me.

I undid my seat belt, surly. "Fine, I'm leaving." Then, a lot more quietly, "But I guess you already knew that, Mr. Mindreader."

He opened the door for me. From the outside.

I blinked up at him. I didn't even seen him move.

Could I outrun him if it came down to it? I wondered.

Jett folded his arms over his chest. "Would running away make you happy?" he asked.

I got out of the car, lowering my head while doing so to hide my shocked expression.

"You can leave if you want," he added, shutting the car door when I moved away.

I pursed my lips, feeling a twinge of disappointment at his words. "You won't threaten to bring me back or chase me?"

"Kane is always being forceful with Ember, they're always fighting. I don't want to fight with you."

"Unfortunately for you, your soul mate absolutely loves to fight." I fluffed out my hair and stalked past him. "Guess you'll just have to find another one if you don't like that."

He didn't say anything. I hadn't expected him to, I'd baited him and he'd ignored the hook. Just like he said he would.

I quickened my steps, fluffing my hair irritably. Doing the wrong thing for the right reasons was hell on the conscience apparently.

But I had no other choice, not unless I wanted to screw Jett up along with me.

***

**Ember**

The morning art class I shared with Kane used to be a source of stress for me in the past, and the last time we'd had a class together he'd kissed me and I'd almost punched him if it hadn't been for Jett. This time I planned on having a reconciliation.

Ms. Jessica was asleep as usual- which boded well for my plans- but when I looked up at the desk we shared it was to find Kane wasn't there. Instead, there was a broad-shouldered redheaded guy seated. And he was waving me over.

I glanced behind me to make sure he wasn't calling out to another person. There was no one there. Left with no other choice, I made my way to my seat and turned to him. His size was intimidating but he had a gentle face, his red hair was short and curly, green eyes light. He looked nice but after getting a cake to the face from another certain nice-looking person I was kind of wary.

He held up his hand.

I stared at it, uncomprehending.

He pointed at the suspended hand. "High-five."

Remembering what happened to Ian when he'd woken Ms. Jessica up the previous time, I gave him the quietest high-five possible. "No offense, but why are you giving me random a high-five when I don't even know you?"

He gave my hand a friendly shake, grinning. "Victor Mckeen, werewolf, nineteen-years old and economics major. Now you know me."

"I still don't know what the high-five was for," I said, unable to stop myself from returning his smile.

The smile in question lost its carefree mirth and shifted into something more somber. "That was for speaking out and getting rid of a rotten bunch of guys. I'm not a fan of Kane but what he did to those idiots gained him my respect."

I glanced away, growing awkward. "You believe me?"

"You're talking about Donna and her group of deserters." He shrugged. "People in denial can be selective about the facts, that doesn't mean they can rewrite the truth."

"Thanks." I held up my hand.

Mirth returned, Victor gave me a high-five that wasn't as muted as mine had been. Ms. Jessica twitched, muttering something that sounded suspiciously like 'one more hour' but thankfully went back to sleep.

"Do you think she's a vampire?" I asked Victor. "She's always sleeping during the day, how she gets away without the school board knowing is beyond me."

"The board knows," he said, taking out a camera and setting it on the table. "She gets away with it because she teaches night classes for free. Part of a charity project the school runs."

I studied my snoring teacher with wide eyes, seeing her in a new light. "Wow."

Victor placed a hand on the camera, flashing me a sheepish smile. "On that note, I have a confession to make. I approached you today with a hidden motive."

"Do you have a cake for me?" I joked.

"No cake masks for you, although I can arrange for one next time we meet if you really want one."

"I'll pass on your kind offer."

He nodded solemnly. "Let me know if you change your mind. Moving on to another amusing matter, will you do me a favor?"

The word favor made me worried but I tried not to let it show on my face. "Depends on what the favor is."

He picked up a photobook, opened it and showed me the dozens of pictures inside. All of them were of me, walking across campus, serving tables at Crunch and even one of me in the cage I used to fight in, throwing a bloodied fist at a larger opponent.

"Why do you have these?" I whispered, blood draining from my face.

"I want you to be my muse, Alpha Ember," he replied.