Alek’s thick finger tapped on my notebook, drawing my attention back to his message. I snorted, despite my mortification at being so publicly called out by our professor. Before I could do anything, Noah took my pen and scratched out both boxes.
Huffing, I tore the paper out of the book and crumbled it before shoving it into my bag. Then I crossed my arms over my chest and stared straight ahead at our toad of a teacher, desperate to look at anyone but the two men who both wanted something from me.
I had two invitations from two beautiful men I wanted, but it had never been more clear to me that I had to make a choice. Anxiety curled in my belly, forming a cold pit that gnawed incessantly.
Which would keep us safe, and which would end the world? How could I know who was the right choice?
I couldn’t getout of the room fast enough when Professor Moriarty dismissed the class. I wanted my voice back. But more than that, I wanted the pressure of their gazes, and their expectation, off me. How could I choose one of them over the other?
Even if I knew I had to.
“Sunday, wait,” Noah called, following behind me.
I knew he could’ve been in front of me, blocking my path before I could even blink if he wanted. Still, he chased, his breath hot on the back of my neck. I was too frustrated to acknowledge him or Alek. I needed to breathe, to have some space to think.
“Leave me alone, Noah.”
“Never going to happen, dove. You’re mine, remember?”
“Mine,” Alek said. “She belongs to both of us—”
I whirled around, my hair flying. “Excuse me? Belongs?”
Alek’s eyes widened, the icy blue irises searing into my soul. “I... I don’t know where that came from.”
I narrowed my eyes but didn’t sense anything but raw honesty rolling off the Novasgardian. Just to be clear, though, I took a step forward, poking him in the chest. “Good, because I’m the only one that gets to decide who I’m in a committed relationship with, and last time I checked, Noah is the only one who fits that bill.”
Noah smirked, wrapping his arm around my shoulders. “So it’s settled then. You’ll attend the ball at my side.”
I slapped his arm away. “No, it isn’t, because I’m not going.”
“What? You can’t justnotgo. This is part of our—”
“I can do whatever the fuck I want, Noah Blackthorne. How are they going to know if I’m faking being sick? Spoiler alert, they won’t.”
“Father Gallagher will know,” Alek butted in. “I don’t like the way he watches you. He’s possessive.”
I snorted. “Says the man who just growledminelike a caveman.”
He blushed. The big, strong Viking manblushed. “Um...”
“If you don’t go, neither will I.” Noah slid his palm over the small of my back, sending a shiver down my spine. “I’d rather spend the night in bed, anyway.”
I opened and closed my mouth. It was a tempting offer, but he was missing the point. Just because I had feelings for him didn’t mean I suddenly wanted someone else making decisions aboutmylife or who I could or couldn’t spend time with. That decision was my own, and since I didn’t feel comfortable making it, I decided I wouldn’t choose any of them. I’d choose myself instead.
“No. If I don’t go, it’s because I want to be alone.”
“Not possible,Kærasta.” The way Alek said that word had something in my chest warming. Like something was awakened in me.
“Why not?”
“You know why.”
I released a heavy breath, some of the fight leaving me. Stupid Moira and her stupid visions. “Okay, then Moira can stay with me and babysit. Penis not required.”
Alek leaned close, invading my space. “Maybe not, but in this, I will not be swayed. Your safety is my top priority, whether you like it or not. So either you go to the ball with one of us, or you stay home with one of us. It’s the only way we can keep you safe until the threat is neutralized.”
“I should have just stayed locked in my tower back home. This is ridiculous. Why does anyone want to kill me, anyway? I’m a defective shifter. Damaged goods.”