Page 35 of First Offense

Natural.

Wanted.

“You’re not trying to court a mate?” he asked, his gaze smoldering with wicked intent. “Are you sure about that, sweet cherry? Because your scent says otherwise.”

“Whoa,” the female exclaimed. I turned to find her and her mates stunned.

Sure, Novak had been entirely rude, but I didn’t expect anyone else to care.

“He knows how to use complete sentences?” the female whispered loudly to her mates.

“I’m just glad to see he’s here and not in solitary,” the dark-haired one replied.

My brow furrowed, but I ignored their commentary. They were all friends. I’d gathered that from seeing them in the yard yesterday. Or was that two days ago? I had no way of knowing without a proper clock or the sun.

Regardless, I needed to set the record straight here.

“I’m not seeking a mate beneath my station,” I clarified, holding his gaze and poking him in the chest with my index finger. “So don’t get any funny ideas. And don’t call mecherry.” Just because we were cellmates now—and he smelled absolutely amazing—didn’t mean I was going to fall for him.

Maybe.

Hopefully.

He grinned and didn’t reply. Although, he didn’t have to. His expression said enough.

I’d just given him a challenge, which was probably the wrong thing to do.

He glanced down, one eyebrow jerking up. “You have blood on your fingers,Layla.” His tongue flicked out to dampen his lips.

I frowned down at my hand.Right. Good-for-nothing brutes.

Huffing, because this most certainly seemed to please Novak, I reclaimed my hand and maneuvered around him to gather my meal and what was left of my dignity.

Because I found that I enjoyed pleasing him.

Which wouldn’t do at all.

11

Layla

After workingmy way through the cafeteria’s labyrinth, I scanned the room, not finding Auric anywhere.

Just as well. I didn’t want to see his perfect face anyway.

Unfortunately, there wasn’t a single table open. The male Noir with shaggy, dark hair stood up, waving me over.

I had no idea how the female and her mates had managed to procure their food before me, but they’d sectioned off a table of their own and had apparently saved me a spot.

Beggars can’t be choosers.

Tucking my chin to my chest, I clutched my tray of indiscernible mush and accepted the invitation. Without Auric, I was truly on my own, and I didn’t want to try taking my food back to my cell when I’d probably just run into more sex-starved Noir again.

The girl and the blond male gaped at their mate as he grinned up at me.

“I’m Zian,” he said, waving at me to sit down. “I think we got off on the wrong foot earlier. This is Raven and Sorin.”

The female crossed her arms, ignoring her food even though she really should be eating something. She was skinnier than me.