The Silver Dagger

Exams

Nothing like a grueling exam to take your thoughts off the fact that your childhood friend and ex-mate might be taking his dying breath at any moment. Except it wasn't, not really. She realized she was just staring at the paper again. Ten more questions. Five more minutes. Calm, be calm. Thank goodness they were multiple-choice. 

"Pencils down! Collect your things and bring your exams to the front."

So this was what happened when you were one of the last people in the room. 

"How'd you do?" Kobe asked way too enthusiastically the moment she stepped in the hall.

"I don't want to talk about it."

Nate pushed away from the wall on the other side of the hall, his eyes full of concern.  She looked away instead of falling into his arms like she wanted to.  Kobe had already claimed a spot by her side and either didn't notice or didn't care that Nate was behind them as they moved down the hall toward the door. "So what are you doing tonight? You're all done with exams too, right? We should celebrate. We're now officially vet students!"

"I just want to lay down and sleep." And cry, she thought. Two weeks ago she was well on her way to a 4.0 and had reconciled herself to being single the rest of her life. Now she may very well have flunked two exams, had a crazy man trying to kill her, and a potential mate she really liked who probably wasn't her mate at all. 

"I know what you mean," Kobe sighed. "I feel like I haven't slept in a week. Maybe we can do something tomorrow."

"Maybe. I'm too tired to think about it right now."

He peered up into her face with a concerned frown. "You do look tired. How about I escort you to your dorm? Can't be too careful now-a-days."

"That won't be necessary," Nate said behind them. "We've got a ride coming."

"Oh? Where are you going?" He tried to make it sound like he was just curious, but she detected jealously in Kobe's tone. Great. By hanging out with Nate and Cliff she was probably alienating her only wolf friend in the vet program. She looked up and down the hall, then said in a low voice, "Cliff was attacked last night. Someone injected silver into his neck. We think it was the same person who killed Nate's cousin and attacked me."

"Cliff - the dark-haired wolf who was guarding you yesterday."

"Yes."

"He's still alive?"

"I don't know. We're going to find out."

"Text me when you do. He seemed like a nice guy."

Really? Cliff had been surly to everyone she'd introduced him to. Kobe must have him mixed up with someone else. "Sure."

"Mom's outside," Nate said, sliding the new phone his mother had handed him yesterday into his pocket.

"See you later, Kobe."

"I'll be waiting for that text, Aiyana. Don't forget."

Nate opened the front door of the SUV for her, but Aiyana shook her head and opened the back door for herself. "Your legs are longer than mine."

He didn't argue, but he looked sad. She didn't like seeing him down, but he was much bigger than her and he had a mate, a real mate. It was better if they treated each other like friends.

"How were your exams, dear?" Nate's mom glanced over her shoulder. Her smile seemed to stretch as her eyes dropped to the wolf head Aiyana had been wearing since Tuesday.