Kevin Santhil opened his eyes, looked around the room and panicked.

What the fuck?

Then it all came back to him. Jaynell's battle, his friend's victory, and Kevin letting the wolf alpha, James, sweet-talk him into bed. Well, one of those things wasn't as bad as the others. Kevin's stomach churned over how much he liked being in James's bed. He'd never spent all night in anyone's arms before. His deep-seated fear of commitment ensured he generally snuck out long before his bedmate woke. Turning his head, he examined the large man lying beside him. Most people looked younger, gentler, while asleep. James looked like he could snap awake and spring into action, taking down anyone who threatened his pack.

It was kinda hot.

Dangerously so.

Kevin had worked too hard to get into wizarding college to throw it all away for a hot alpha wolf, no matter how much he longed to spend the rest of the day wallowing in the big wolf's bed and licking the sexy man all over.

Glancing at the clock, Kevin bit back a curse.

If he didn't get his ass moving, he was going to be late for class. Sliding away from the warm, sensual man 7 *

took a huge amount of willpower. It didn't help when a large hairy arm grabbed him around the middle and snuggled him back against the shifter's body as if he belonged there.

"Where ya goin'?" a deep, sleep-roughened voice murmured in his ear. Sharp teeth nipped his lobe, making his cock rise in interest. A moan broke from his throat as his body, operating on instinct, rubbed against the hard man behind him.

Damn, the big wolf woke ready for action.

"Let go," Kevin gasped, half-heartedly trying to move the muscular arm pinning him easily in place. A difficult protest when his body yearned to stay in the snuggly cocoon of the big wolf's arms, even as his mind knew class started in an hour.

He couldn't miss class. As his father always said, if you lack talent, make up for it with persistence. Of course his father was an abusive asshole but he did occasionally dispense good advice. What Kevin lacked in pure magical power he made up with dedication. This morning he had Magical Theory, and if he were even a minute late, he'd probably miss the one essential fact in an hour of droning monologue.

"No, I'm going to keep you in my bed where you belong." James's warm breath slid across his skin, leaving 8 *

hot desire in its wake. The alpha's hard body pressed against Kevin's brought back vivid memories of the night before. Memories his body remembered fondly, his cock hardened in appreciation. Stupid hormones didn't care about Kevin's schedule. They thought wallowing in bed all day was a fabulous idea.

He reluctantly broke away from the gorgeous alpha, scooting quickly towards the edge of the bed and away from temptation. "I've gotta go. I have class in half an hour." He still needed to take a shower unless he wanted to go to class smelling like cum. He'd lost track of how many times they had sex last night, but his entire body ached in places he didn't even know could ache. Spending all day on a hard wooden school chair wouldn't be comfortable, but definitely worth the price.

"You'll come back." James definitely didn't lack confidence. Of course, with those kinds of bedroom skills, the man had reason. Kevin didn't even know if he liked the big wolf as a person, but the attraction was undeniable. He desperately needed to get away from the man before the alpha could convince him to throw it all away for a big cock and a possessive attitude. When the alpha lured him into bed last night, he hadn't even thought to protest.

Strange, he wasn't really the type who jumped into bed with just anyone.

9.

"I'll be back after school," he lied.

Uh huh. Not going to happen.

James clamped his big hands on Kevin's hips, stopping his progress out of bed and sliding him back closer to the wolf. Pressing his nose against Kevin's neck, he inhaled deeply. "Why do humans bother to lie to werekin? We can always tell."

James flipped him over, forcing him to meet the eyes of his incredibly strong lover.

"You scare me," he admitted.

The pain in James's eyes had Kevin quickly amending his statement. "I don't mean because you're a werekin. I mean because this is going way too fast. You're a really sexy guy, and you're great in bed, but I've got a lot of stuff on my plate right now and I don't have time for a steady boyfriend." It took him a moment to realize he'd just given the other man his "it's me not you" speech.

A sparkle lit the wolf's golden eyes as if he knew Kevin's thoughts. "And you think I do?"

Relief rushed through Kevin. "You're not looking for steady boyfriend?" He thought all shifters were into the permanent mate thing.

James leaned down, placing a kiss on Kevin's neck right above his collarbone and sending shivers down his spine. "I won't rush you into anything. Come back to the 10 *

pack house tonight. You can have dinner with me and then study in the library with Jaynell. He'd be happy for the company."

The thought of studying with his powerful wizard friend intimidated Kevin. On the other hand, Jay could help him with his potions studies. Although he didn't have a fraction of Jay's magical power, the other wizard always knew a trick or two to help those with lesser ability. His friend would make a kickass teacher.

Before Kevin could agree or argue about returning, a gnome popped into the room. The fellow wore a green velvet suit perfectly tailored to his short frame. "Greetings, alpha and wizard friend. Master Jay said to tell wizard friend, Kevin, the limo is ready to take you to school."

Shit.

"I've got to take a shower then I'll be right down."

Kevin pulled away from James's hold.

The gnome offered him a small white pellet.

"Master Jay said to hold this and say clean."

Kevin smiled as he snatched up the ball. "Thanks.

I'll be right down."

Leave it to Jay to come up with a magical cleaning pod. The guy was going to be a millionaire with his inventions.

The gnome bowed and vanished out of the room 11 *

with a soft pop.

"How does Jay keep them out?" James wondered aloud, glaring at the empty spot the gnome had occupied moments before.

"He does a blocking spell. He tried to show me but it's pretty complicated and takes a lot of power." Kevin didn't mention when he performed the blocking spell it drained him of all his magic while the spell barely dipped into the reservoir of Jay's power.

"Ah." Kevin waited for the alpha to ask why he didn't perform the spell, but the question never came.

Unable to resist, Kevin leaned over and gave the gorgeous alpha a quick kiss before climbing out of bed.

Standing naked in the middle of the room, he cupped the white ball in his hands and closed his eyes.

"Clean."

A burst of energy crackled across his body, tingling his skin. After the feeling passed, the smell of oranges permeated the room. Looking down at his body, Kevin laughed. The spell not only cleaned him, but also dressed him in a new outfit of a t-shirt and pair of jeans previously residing in his closet at the dorm.

"Now that's a great spell," Kevin said. He turned at the sound of a low growl to see James glaring at him, his wolf eyes glowing with fury. "What?"

12.

"It ruined your scent."

"What are you talking about?"

James stomped over to Kevin. Pressing his nose to Kevin's neck, he breathed in deeply. It took every scrap of willpower he had to resist throwing himself back into the shifter's arms.

"It completely erased my scent. I forbid you to use that spell again." The low and menacing tone of the alpha's voice lifted the hairs on the back of Kevin's neck, but he refused to back down.

Kevin folded his arms. "You aren't in any position to forbid me to do anything." He might enjoy hot sex with the gorgeous shifter, but he didn't belong to him.

"Think again, wizard. I may be willing to give you time to get used to the idea, but you're mine."

Before Kevin could argue with the shifter's statement, a chime filled the air. He recognized the noise as a gentle reminder from Jay, but he grabbed at the opportunity like the lifeline it represented.

"We can discuss this later. I've got to go." Snatching his book bag off the floor, Kevin stepped away from James and rushed out the door. Moments later, he climbed into the back of the limo, fuming as he sat next to Jaynell. It took two tries before he could talk to his friend.

"Problem?" Jay's voice revealed his obvious 13 *

amusement even as he kept his face carefully neutral.

"That alpha thinks he can own me." Kevin winced as his voice came out more pouty than irritated.

Jay frowned. "Own you or date you?"

"Own. Date. Is there any difference among wolves?

I noticed Thomas keeps you on a short leash."

Jay nodded. "True, but then I've been in danger almost the entire time we've been together."

Kevin looked Jay over curiously. "How do you deal with it?"

"With what?"

"The possessiveness. Doesn't it drive you crazy?"

"Sometimes," Jay agreed. "I try not to take his protection as an insult. It's not as if he doesn't think I can take care of myself. He just worries if he's not there beside me. Think about it, Kev. If you knew your entire life was based on another person's welfare wouldn't you want to make sure they were safe? For a shifter, if he loses his mate, his life is pretty much over." Jaynell tilted his head to one side as he gave Kevin a considering look. "Did James say you were his mate?"

He replayed the conversation over in his head. "He said I was his. He didn't specify mate."

Jay looked out the window. "I think you need to work that out with James. Figure out what he means. If you 14 *

really are his mate, you owe it to him to at least try to get to know the man."

Panic made Kevin's heart flutter madly. When you trusted someone to be there, they always let you down. His parents were perfect examples. His father only married his mother to have a half-elf child and build on his family's power. Unfortunately for him, Kevin's magical ability didn't develop as strongly as his father wished. All his life he'd been a disappointment to his father, and now he was doomed to be a disappointment to his possible mate. He knew his strengths, both physical and magical, and they weren't enough to bond an alpha wolf. James needed a powerhouse like Jaynell, not a weak half-elf like himself.

"I-I don't know if I can be someone's mate," he confessed.

Kevin shifted uncomfortably beneath Jay's piercing gaze. "It's not something you try to be; it's something you are born to. If you are James's mate, you'll be the perfect match for him without even trying."

"So I'm supposed to give up everything and be his little househusband? What about my dreams?" Not that he could ever fulfill his real dream of being a medic. His father would have a coronary, but Kevin was still determined to get his degree. Looking at his calm and confident friend, shame filled him over his outburst even as 15 *

jealousy ate away at him. Jay knew his place in the world, while Kevin still treaded water trying to not drown beneath the demands of his academic studies. Life, as he'd learned long ago, was not only unfair but fate had a way of kicking you in the balls just for fun.

Jay shook his head. "I don't have all the answers.

No one does. Every relationship is different, but if you don't talk to James, you could be running away from the best thing you could ever have. It doesn't hurt to ask him a few questions and find out what he's looking for in a life partner. The worst thing that'll happen is you find out you're not compatible."

Kevin thought over his friend's words for a moment.

"You're right. I'll come back after my classes and talk to James. If I really am his mate, he deserves a chance." A chance to find out how wrong he was about wanting to keep Kevin forever.

Jay squeezed his knee in a show of support, unaware of the negative turn of Kevin's thoughts. "I think that's a great idea. It doesn't commit you to anything to talk to him. I'm really happy with Thomas. You deserve the chance to see if you can be equally happy with James."

"Will you help me with my potions studies afterwards?" He might as well get something good out of the crappy night he anticipated. After all, no one had ever 16 *

wanted to keep him before.

"Sure. I'd be happy to help you."

Armed with a plan, Kevin vowed to give the sexy shifter a chance. He'd have to talk to James someplace where there weren't any flat surfaces if he wanted to keep his focus, maybe the garden, by the thorny rose bushes.

Shaking his head, he shoved the problem away to be examined later. "When do you think we can move back into our rooms?"

"You can probably move back any time. I think they already have a new room assignment ready for us, but I'm going to be staying at the pack house with Thomas."

Kevin wished things worked out as well for him as they did for the other wizard. Even though Jay had a rough start at the university, he was able to test out of most of his classes. He was scary smart as well as powerful.

"I wish I had your magical ability."

Jay's eyes took on a stormy cast. "No you don't."