Page 37 of First Offense

For whatever reason, that left me feeling just a little more relaxed. “I guess I’m on my own today.”

Novak grunted.

“Sort of,” I clarified, giving him some recognition as my supposed guard.

We fell into a companionable silence as we ate, but Raven kept shooting daggers at me every few minutes with her eyes. I’d clearly done something to piss her off.

“Are you two mates?” I finally asked, gesturing between her and Novak.

Zian choked on his food as Sorin released a laugh.

“No,” Novak said beside me. “We are not mates.”

“Another full sentence!” Raven exclaimed.

Novak just rolled his eyes and went back to his almost completed meal.

I studied them all, frowning. “Then what did I do? I’ve been hiding for a week. Are you threatened by having another female here? Because I would think you’d prefer to partner up, not hate me on sight.”

Raven’s eyebrows shot up. “Why would I want to partner with you?”

“Because we’re both women?” I suggested.

She glared at me. “Yeah, and what else?”

“Isn’t that enough?”

“Maybe Sayir told you to partner with me,” she countered.

My brow furrowed. “Why would he do that? He told me to share a cell with Auric and Novak. Nothing else. He hasn’t even given me my reformation plan.” Not that one could even exist sinceI wasn’t supposed to be here.

Her black eyes held mine, her lips pursing as she scrutinized my features one by one. I finally looked at Novak, completely flabbergasted by this female’s innate hate for me. “Are you compatible mates?” I pressed.

He locked gazes with me. “No.”

“Then why the fuck is she going all territorial on me?” I demanded. Because that was the only explanation I could fathom for her rudeness. Or maybe all Noir were rude. How the hell would I know?

Novak set his fork down and reached for a strand of my hair, bringing it to his nose. I waited for him to say something, to explain, to help me understand this female’s clear dislike.

But all he did was sniff, then rub the end across his lips. “Let’s go outside, Princess.”

My eyebrows shot up. “Are you crazy?” The last time I went out there, it went up in flames. “Absolutely not.”

“Actually, it’s a good idea. We could all use a little fresh air,” Zian said, pushing away from the table. “Especially our sweet bird.”

“She does appear to have all her feathers in a twist,” Sorin agreed, his lips brushing Raven’s cheek.

She glowered at both her mates. “Keep talking and see what happens later.”

“I think we all know what will happen later, little dove,” Sorin replied, pressing his mouth to hers. “Now, let’s go play outside, hmm?”

Novak stood and pulled my chair backward with my butt still in the seat. He held out a hand, the decision already made.

When I didn’t move to take his palm, he leaned down to whisper, “Trust me.”

“No,” I immediately said.

His lips curled. “You don’t have a choice. Everyone is going to the yard today, including you.”