Dastien’s hand tightened around my calf.
I reached down and ran my fingers through his hair as I looked out among my classmates—my peer pack. “What I’m trying to say is that yeah—she’s done bad stuff, but maybe she’s not a terrible person. People make dumb mistakes all the time. And yes, hers were really seriously stupid, but I think if we give her a second chance, maybe she’ll be better. She knows what she will lose now and how quickly things can go wrong. She’ll have to earn back our trust, and it won’t be easy, but if she’s willing to work for it—then I think we should give her a shot.”
My strength waned, and Dastien stood, holding me against his side. “All I know is that everyone deserves a second chance. Maybe that’s really human of me. Maybe that’s not how things work here. But I really hope it is. I vote she stays.”
I looked over at Mr. Dawson. “I’m tired. Is it okay if I don’t stay for everyone else to vote?”
Donovan smiled. “Take her home, pup.”
He smiled down at me. “Ready?”
I nodded, and he swung me up into his arms.
I met Imogene’s gaze. “Good luck,” I mouthed.
A tear rolled down her face and she wiped it away. “Thank you,” she mouthed back.
Dastien lifted me into his arms, and I rested my head on his shoulder. I couldn’t control what anyone else did, but I had to do what felt right for my own conscience. Speaking up for her when no one else would felt right.
Somewhere between the fire and my dorm, I fell fast asleep.
***
Three days later I was going stir crazy. My days were filled with trying to figure out the homework on my own and resting. The good thing—or maybe it was bad—was that my peer pack decided to let Imogene stay. I hoped speaking up for her didn’t end up being a wrong move on my part, but I felt that I’d done what was right. Even if Meredith disagreed. The vote hadn’t been unanimous in the end, but Imogene had gotten enough to stay.
The vampire venom was gone, but its effects lingered. Everyone was being really great about it. They came by to hang out in shifts—to bring me homework, give me a bit of gossip, or play cards. Dastien stayed almost all the time, and spent the night in his wolf form in my bed. Apparently we were stretching the rules a bit, but since he stayed furry after hours, no one said anything. Even with the distractions, I wasn’t going to last much longer cooped up.
It might have been Saturday, but I’d be damned if I stayed in my pajamas for another day. I grabbed some clothes from my closet and went into the bathroom to get ready for the day, leaving wolf-Dastien sleeping in my bed.
When I got out, he was gone. I peeked into Meredith’s room. “Have you seen Dastien?”
“He’s grabbing his stuff. Thought you’d like a day out.”
A silly grin spread across my face. “A day out? Does that mean I’ve been cleared for my regularly scheduled life to resume?”
“You’ve been a good little patient.” She patted my head, and I knocked her hand away. “But you’re now free to leave the confines of your room. Dr. Gonzales checked on you last night and cleared you.”
This was amazing news. “I’m seriously in for something normal.”
Dastien came in with car keys in hand. “Ready?”
“Totally.”
We walked to the parking lot and then I stopped. Adrian, Chris and Shannon were leaning against a Porsche. The SUV kind, but still. “Seriously?”
“You don’t like my car?” Dastien said.
I pointed to it. “That’s not a car. It’s a Car.”
“Graduation present.”
Meredith elbowed me in the side. “Yeah right. Didn’t you know he was loaded?”
“I guess it never came up,” I said.
“You can call home on the way.” Dastien held out a phone as he opened the door for me. “If you want, we can stop by.”
I snatched it from him as I jumped in, and quickly dialed Mom. She answered on the first ring. Dad was home and she said she’d get Axel to drive down for dinner if we all wanted to come eat. I told her we’d be by in a couple hours and to think each wolf was like ten humans. She laughed and said she’d go buy burgers in bulk.
I was still processing everything. Somehow the witch thing was easier to deal with than the shifting. Hopefully. I still hadn’t gone furry, but I knew that it’d happen soon. When it did, I’d deal with it. Just like I’d dealt with everything else.
Dastien held my hand as he drove. The spark that went between us was strong. I felt more connected to him than ever before. He glanced at me. He was happy, content. And thanks to our bond, I knew that he liked the feel of his hand in mine.