Page 5 of Forbidden Mischief

ASHER

The first week of school has gone better than I thought it would. So far, no one has really given me any trouble about being a wolf shifter among a school of mostly witches and warlocks.

Joining the football team wasn’t something I planned on doing because sports have never really been my thing, but practice has been good, even kinda fun. While I don’t fully understand all the rules just yet, the guys have been great at helping fill in the gaps.

The only person who hasn’t been much help is Zayne. I thought he was fine with me joining. He was very helpful going over the playbook with me and seemed like he was on board, but it’s almost like he’s been avoiding me.

He’s gone when I wake up and always out with his friends when we’re not in school. The only time I see him is at practice, and even then, he seems to try everything not to be near me.

Not going to lie, it kind of hurts. I’m not sure if I did anything to offend him, but if I did, I didn’t mean to.

Tonight, he’s not going to be able to avoid me because it’s Sunday supper.

Dexter and Mom have asked that we take time at least once a week to sit down as a family because everyone has busy lives with work and school.

I think it’s a good idea, but I’m not sure how awkward it’s going to be with how Zayne’s been acting.

There’s a knock at my door, and I pause my song and take out my earbuds. “Yeah?” I shout.

The door opens, and my mom pokes her head inside. “Supper’s ready,” she says with a smile.

“Thanks for coming to get me. You could have texted,” I tell her with a chuckle as I get off the bed, slipping my phone into my pants back pocket.

“I know. I just haven’t seen you all day, and I wanted a moment with just us to see how you were doing.”

“I’m good.”

“You are?” she asks, her eyes searching mine.

“Promise.” I give her a reassuring smile. “So, is this okay to wear, or should I change into something else?”

“You’re fine in that. It’s just family supper.”

Nodding, I follow her out of the room and down to the dining room. When we get there, Dexter and Zayne are already sitting at the table.

“There he is,” Dexter says.

Mom and I join them, and it isn’t long until Mom starts asking us all how our day was as we dish out the veggies and chicken. My stomach growls as the smell of roasted meat and buttery veggies hits my nose.

Zayne raises a brow at me, and I just shrug before taking a big bite. I moan at the taste. Chicken is my favorite. When in wolf form, we eat them whole… and raw, but I like it this way too.

There’s a choking noise that has me looking over at my mom and Dexter, but they’re having a conversation, so my eyes flick over to Zayne. He shifts in his seat as he takes a bite of his own food.

My nostrils flare, and I swear I can smell the faint scent of arousal. What the hell?

“So, Asher, tell me about this lovely lady who keeps picking you up for school and when do I get to meet her?” my mom asks me.

At the mention of Prudence, I smile, only to get a glare from Zayne. I don’t know what his issue is with Pru. I know she’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but she’s really an amazing person.

“Her name is Prudence. We met when Zayne took me to hang out with his friends. She’s a really sweet girl. I like being around her. She’s funny. A bit of an oddball, but that’s what I like about her most.”

“Wow, I think that’s the most I’ve heard you talk,” Zayne mutters to himself, but I have wolf hearing, so I easily catch his comment.

Brows furrowing, I shoot him a look. But he’s not looking at me, too busy playing with the food on his plate with his fork.

“She sounds wonderful,” Mom says with a warm smile.

I’m about to answer her when Zayne’s chuckle cuts me off. “Oh, yeah, she’s so wonderful that Asher here has made her his whole world in one week. Isn’t that nice?”

Why does it sound like he’s jealous? Is he upset because I haven’t tried to get to know him better? I would have if he wasn’t the one avoiding me.

“How about the boys? Anyone cute catch your eye?” my mom asks playfully, nudging me with her elbow. Zanye’s eyes finally snap up in interest.

I clear my throat. “No, not really,” I lie. There has been one guy who’s caught my eye, but he is very much off limits and kind of acting like an ass right now.

“You will find someone. You need someone better than that Mathew.” Mom makes a disgusted face. “He was always an asshole to you. That is not how you should treat your boyfriend.”

Zayne lets out a choked noise. “I’m sorry, what are you talking about?” he asks, his eyes flicking from me to Mom and back to me.

“Mathew. He’s my ex-boyfriend from my old pack,” I say and wait for his reaction.

His brows furrow. “Boyfriend? Are you bi?”

“No.” I shake my head.

“But… I thought you were dating Prudence!” he says forcefully. “You’re like glued at the hips, always smiling, laughing, hugging, holding hands.”

“It’s a wolf thing. We’re very affectionate. Constant touching calms our inner wolf and helps us avoid feral moments.” I give him a casual shrug.

“Are you sure?” Zayne asks, narrowing his eyes. “I could have sworn you two were all hot for one another.”

“Nope.” I look him right in the eyes. “I am one hundred percent into guys. I like dicks, not chicks.”

“Asher!” Mom scolds me.

“Sorry, Mom. But it’s true. I thought everyone knew,” I say, taking a bite of my food as I look over at her and Dexter.

“I knew, your mother told me. She wanted to make sure to let me know right away that if I had an issue with it, there was no chance for us. She loves you, and you always come first for her.” He gives my mom a smile full of love.

“He’s right,” she says, a slight blush on her cheeks. She has no idea how much that means to me. I’ll have to let her know when there are no other people around.

“I didn’t tell Zayne because it wasn’t my place to say. But I knew he would be okay with it because his best friend is also gay.”

I look at Dexter, a little slack-jawed. “Thank you,” I say. “That means a lot to me.”

“Of course.” Dexter smiles.

“So, you’re gay?” Zayne asks.

“Yes…” I raise a brow. Did he not hear me before?

“You like guys. Not girls?”

“That’s what being gay means.” Is he okay?

“Okay.” Zayne nods, looking back down at his food, and I’m not sure I like how he dismisses me.

“Is that a problem for you?” There’s a little bit of a defensive growl in my tone.

His eyes shoot back up to me. “No, of course not. As my dad said, I have a best friend who’s gay. I’m a firm believer that people should love who they want.”

I feel myself deflate as I nod, not saying anything else.

We finish eating and I excuse myself to go freshen up and text Pru that we’re done eating. Then I head outside and meet up with her.

As I slip into her car, movement out the front window has me looking out. Zayne is in his bedroom window, watching the car for a moment. We lock eyes, and he pauses for a second before closing his curtains.

I have no idea what is going on and why he was acting that way at supper, but the reality is that I really don't know much about this guy.

I'm not one to judge someone without getting to know them, and part of me wants to get to know him better, but maybe that's just the part of me who is attracted to him. Hopefully, things get better from here.