Twice Bitten (New Moon #1)

by Belle Harper

By the time I found my class, I had three tall guys following behind me.

I could hear Ranger grumble about me being an asshole and to go fuck myself, but I just smiled and started class.

She’d made it this morning before I got a chance to roll in it. Fuck.

“Were you dropped on your head as a baby?” I heard the guy I had shoved make a snorting sound. Alexis tilted her head and raised her brows. Holy shit, she was a smartass and sexy. I think I’ve found the one.

“Excuse me, we might be fosters, or scum to your eyes, but that is not how you treat someone. He’s not a dog, and he’s not going to just sit like a good boy.”

“Her mother and father were killed in a drug deal, and she was found a few weeks later by a neighbor after they complained about the smell coming from the apartment. She’d been living in a cupboard, taking herself to school and returning home every day.”

“Alaric, I think these are things best not spoken about. They’re not who she is, and I don’t think she’d be happy with everyone here knowing her past.” I looked around the room, and everyone held the same expression—shock, pity, sadness. These were things she wouldn’t want people to know about her for this exact reason.

I saw him smile. And holy fuck, that just made him go from sexy teacher to sex god in three seconds flat. “Well, that’s disappointing, but the boys will be happy to know that.” Fuck!

She was right there, and— She didn’t want me.

“I won’t let them send you back.” Her words were barely above a whisper. I looked down at her, her eyes filled with tears and I didn’t know what to say. No one had ever done something like that for me. I vowed then that I would always protect her, no matter the cost. I’ll keep you safe, Lexi.

Yes, Lexi got his head turning those first few days, but now…he hasn’t so much as looked at her without a scowl on his face. He hated her, and I could clearly see that. So when he looked at me then, his eyes full of unshed tears, I froze. I swallowed the lump forming in my throat. “Maverick…” He just shook his head and left my room, leaving me standing there, confused and sad. I’d never seen him that way, and I didn’t know if I should go after him or not.

“Do I smell like you now?” He shook his head as I crawled up and over the top of the sheets toward him. He watched my every move until I was right in front of his face, and I knew right then and there that I wanted Raff. I needed him like I needed air. “Mark me,” I whispered in his ear. He let out a low growl that I felt between my thighs as his hand reached out and grabbed my hip.

“Go find Rafferty. He needs to mark you before the other packs find you, smelling like theirs…mine.” The last word was barely a whisper, as if I wasn’t supposed to hear it. It sent a shiver down my spine as he inhaled my hair and left me there. I was a little disoriented. Did that just happen?

Well, of course no one needed makeup, but everyone needed a mask, something to hide behind at times. Mine was eyeliner and mascara.

“Shit, you probably don’t want my germs—” He took my hand in his, guided the spoon to his mouth, and sucked the ice cream off. Holy shit. That was so hot—no dirty thoughts. Oh

didn’t do this, Lex. I…fuck. It was Callum. I can smell him on her. Shit, he gave her his venom. She’s gonna change. No. Fuck no.”

“This wasn’t meant to happen… I don’t know how to help her. How do we stop this?” Raff called out. Her breathing was so shallow. I reached over and placed my hand on her chest to feel for it. “God, Lexi. Breathe, babe.” Just survive this. I can’t live without you. “I…I think I can save her,” Galen spoke up.

“Because I wanted to eat my piece of cake, too.” He chuckled at her, smiled, then made a pained groan. We all froze. Lexi moved in, Ranger and Raff holding her, and she swept back the curls on Galen’s face and pressed her lips softly to his. “I love you, Galen,” she whispered. “How did I taste?”

Galen chuckled and took her hand in his. “Lexi, you tasted just like…heaven.”