Graduation (Kingmakers, #5)

by Sophie Lark

These are men who have bonded already. Worked together. Learned to trust each other. I’m a stranger. An intruder. They regard me silently. I speak instead: “Adrik said you guys need some help opening jars.” It’s not the world’s greatest icebreaker, but it’s enough to get a smirk out of Chief. Not Vlad. “Why don’t you help us decorate?” he sneers. I feel Adrik stiffen, but I cut across him. “Sure,” I say easily. “Let’s start with that shirt.” That gets a snort out of the two gamers, Andrei and Hakim. Andrei pipes up. “A Gallo, huh? Was Leo busy?” It’s still insulting, but not a bad sign. Ribbing is better than cold silence. If you can’t take a few shots, you’ll never fit in with men. They really are pack-animals, releasing their aggression publicly in front of the group so the group determines the appropriate behavior. They don’t bottle shit up and bitch behind your back—or at least, not often. Andrei obviously knows Leo, but he’s too old to be in the same year. So I know exactly how to respond. “Yeah.” I grin. “He’s all tuckered out from running train on you at school.” This gets a laugh out of the gamers and Chief as well. The chill in the room is warming, at least a few degrees. Vlad isn’t biting, hefty arms crossed, a scowl on his face. “I thought this house was patch-only.” He means the tattoos. It must be a rite of passage before entering the Wolfpack. Adrik says, “This house was supposed to be brains only, but we let you in.” Now they’re all laughing, and Vlad looks ...