Bonded Read Free Page B

had
encroached on a group intent on studying and they hadn’t
appreciated the interruption. He narrowed his eyes and watched the
altercation to see how it evolved. Hot-headed young Lycans didn’t
always have the best self-restraint. If need be he’d step in, but
it was preferable to let them learn how to sort out their own
differences. Soon they’d be in the real world and needed to know
how to handle themselves with discretion.
    Words were
exchanged. One male started to lunge aggressively and Reno tensed
ready to wade into the fight if necessary, however the fellow
seemed to catch himself. With a nod of approval, Reno noted the
group talking, then the football game moved over while the others
settled back down.
    For at least half
of the students gathered, exams started tomorrow and they didn’t
want to waste their time on pointless arguments. Reno recalled how
nerve-wracking finals could be—flaring tempers were to be
expected—and mentally wished them good luck.
    He settled back in
his chair and lifted his face to the sun, pleased the cafeteria had
an outside terrace. Vaguely he was aware of the patrons who were
sitting inside, so busy with food and conversation that they barely
glanced at the view offered by the large glass wall that separated
them from the outside. Fools, he thought to himself, enjoying the
warmth that beat down on him, both relaxing his muscles and
soothing the beast within.
    Not too hot, a
clear bright blue sky arched overhead and the faintest of breezes
skimmed his face. Sighing in contentment, he slouched back in his
chair and closed his eyes. Summer days like this were too few to
waste and he begrudged the fact that he’d have to go back to work
in less than half an hour.
    “Hey, Reno! What
happened to your face?”
    Reno opened one
eye and noted that a tall blond-haired man carrying a tray of food
was approaching his table. He gave an irritated growl. He’d
purposely chosen an inconspicuous seat in a corner hoping for some
time alone, but obviously that wasn’t going to happen. Brad was
okay in small doses, it was just that he could talk the ear off a
stalk of corn. Hiding his displeasure, Reno sat up and nodded a
greeting.
    “A wild night with
the ladies? Someone get turned on by your ‘Texas charm’?” Brad set
his food down and looked around for a chair before borrowing one
from a nearby table.
    Reno flicked his
gaze to the window beside him and noted his own reflection. Faint
red lines still showed across his cheek, the tanned skin and dark
stubble on his face doing little to hide the marks. He touched the
scratches he’d received the previous day, his eyes darkening at the
memory of how he’d received them. Trust Brad to notice, damn
him.
    “Nothing that
exciting.” He responded while shifting his eyes to study the
commons again. “I was doing a demo for new cadets who are
considering taking my course next term. My assistant’s nails caught
me.”
    “Frank has long
nails?” The other man paused in the act of sitting down and looked
at him in surprise.
    “Nah. Frank didn’t
show so I grabbed some girl from the hall to help out.”
    “Who was it? If
she scratches, she might be fun.” Brad smirked. His mind was always
on sex.
    Reno shrugged
negligently. “I don’t remember. Not too tall and a lousy fighter.”
He answered the question with reluctance. Ever since the encounter
he’d been doing his best to try to forget her big green eyes, curly
red hair and lush curves. For some reason she’d stirred something
in him. It made him uneasy and he didn’t like the feeling. In his
job he couldn’t afford to lose his focus and he tried to keep his
emotions in check. It wasn’t easy, but it was for the best. After
all, he didn’t even have a real pack or home. He had nothing to
offer a female so he’d always gone with the belief that it was
pointless to consider relationships. It was a fact he’d come to
grips with long ago; there was little point in