Page 2 of Protected Promise

Lachlan shrugged. “If you need a date, I’m happy to go. You know where to find me.”

He left and Kian sat next to me on the couch.

“I genuinely think he means that, Kait.”

“I know. But ever since Mila put the thought in my head that he has a serious thing for me, I second guess every little thing when he’s around.”

“So, take me as your date, seriously. Please.”

I snorted.

Kian had only been at the ARC for one semester, but despite him being a cat and me a dog, we’d really hit it off. He had quickly assumed the status of my very best friend. I had even confided a few things to him that I hadn’t to anyone else, and he never judged me for the things of my past, or even for the occasional stupid thing I still did now.

“It’s going to be weird if you go without a date. Is that really how you want to end your time here? You and Lachlan have always been tight and he’s been your go-to plus one forever now. So, either ask him, or say, ‘Kian, I need you to be my pity date. I’ll rescue you from all those slutty panthers if you just take me to this dance.’ It’s that simple, but it’s your choice.”

I laughed and shoved him away from me.

“I’ll think about it. I still have three more finals to get through before I start caring about any of this.”

“I thought Damon was going to help you study.”

I sighed. “Yeah, but he got held up at work, so I guess I’m going to have to just do this myself.”

“Hello, I’m right here?”

“It’s math.”

“I’m out. I love you, but I do draw the line there.”

I laughed.

He kissed my cheek and then left to head to his room.

Marie and Holden were watching me closely.

“What’s the deal with you and Kian?” she asked.

“And why hasn’t Damon ripped his head off yet?” Holden added.

I grinned. “Because there is no deal with me and Kian. He’s like my best friend. That’s it. Besides, he’s too young for me.”

“He’s twenty,” she pointed out.

“And I’m twenty-three. I’m a wolf, not a cougar.”

Holden laughed. “Yeah, because three years is ancient.”

“Shut up. I do have my standards you know.”

I plugged my headphones in and got to studying. All I had to do was pass three little tests and I was out of here.

But then what…

I still had no idea what I was going to do after graduation. I could stay on campus and buy myself a little more time to decide, but I still needed a plan.

I had ended up double majoring in business and hospitality. I knew it wasn’t going to set me up for the most profitable life, but I really didn’t need much. At my core I was a simple girl. I loved the outdoors and quiet spaces, but I didn’t mind being around others or the occasional party, I just didn’t think I needed those things in my life to be happy.

Sawyer, my Alpha of Longhorn Pack, had already been on my case about returning home. It made me physically ill to even consider that option. I just couldn’t do it. I wasn’t strong enough to face it and I shouldn’t have to.