Eve

I'm thankful when Ronny slips his earbuds into my ears, the base of "Poison" by Alice Cooper drowning out the chatter of students bustling around us. As for the smells, I take slower breaths, which thankfully knocks the edge off.

The soft squeeze to my good shoulder gives me enough confidence to make it through campus to the carpark where a dark blue Ford Fiesta waits. Inhaling the fresh air, I soak it up and release it slowly, savouring it. Sliding into the passenger seat, I set the earbuds in his cup holder, huddling in the comforts of the leather. Eyeing the seatbelt, I strap in, fidgeting when the material irritates my flaky skin. Bearing it, I concentrate on how Ronny starts the car and reverses out of the spot with precision, then sets off with care out of the campus.

"I'm sorry," I start, "this is going to get you in trouble with Mrs Mathias."

He offers me a smile and waves his hand before returning it to the steering wheel. "Say nothing, I'll say I had a family emergency I had to nip back for. I couldn't stand by and watch you go through this by yourself."

His words warm my chest, and my stomach flip flops before it coils with an audible grumble. Wrapping my arms around my midsection, I breathe in the cotton candy car freshener dangling from the rearview mirror.

"What's the matter with your stomach? Do you need me to pull over?"

I shake my head. "No. . . I've been having these weird cravings, and it feels like I'm starving all the time," I huff, moaning around another wave of the cramps. "It should pass."

Ronny shakes his head, indicating to go left. "If your body is telling you something, don't ignore it. At the moment, it's trying to prepare you for your shift. . ."

The rest of what he's explaining goes unheard as the word 'shift' catches my attention. Shift? As in change? Accustom?

There is no way in hell I'm going to change because of this. . . infection!

"What do you mean by 'shift'?" I urge, fearing my own conclusions. "I'm not. . ." I can't say it.

"I'm sure you're realising what it means, Eve," he replies, sympathy lacing every word. "Alpha will talk you through it, you have a while before the moon rises, so in that time, we need to get you strong. Right now, your body is telling you you're in need of food for energy." He side-eyes me wearily. "By my guess, you haven't been doing that."

I feel guilty, but how was I supposed to know? I never thought I was going to have these changes, let alone survive to see the next day. I expected to die in that alley, Kai would've remembered me for who I was, and I was going to be united with my family.

"Reach into the side pouch of my duffle," he instructs, tone soft as he picks up speed now the roads are clear of traffic. "I've got a meat sub you can have, and before you argue, I can grab another after dropping you off."

The grin Ronny shares keeps my mouth shut, but it doesn't ease the nerves accompanying my thoughts of being left alone. Although, I doubt he'll leave me stranded at a place that could be a potential danger. At least, I hope not.

Pushing the possible scenarios to the back of my mind, I do as I'm told and unclip myself to reach into the back seat for the bag where the sandwich should be. Sniffing it out, I drool once it's in my hand and I'm strapped in. I can smell the chicken, salami, turkey, bacon, lettuce, and chili sauce. Tracing my tongue over my teeth, I glance toward Ronny who, as if reading my mind, smiles and inclines his head to me.

"Don't worry about me, go ahead."

Shamefully attacking the meaty sub, I moan at the flavours dancing on my tongue, and nothing has ever tasted so good. Not even a minute passes and I've gulped every crumb of it down, the edge of the hunger satiated, but I could easily eat another ten of them.

"How are you feeling?" he offers, turning on the air conditioning.

Relishing the ventilation, a breathy sigh comes from me. "Better, thank you. I hope you know how grateful I am."

A bright smile stretches his lips. "I do, thank you. I'm happy to help." Eying me, his eyes soften. "Why don't you get some sleep? Not meaning to sound like an ass, but you look like you could do with a good rest."

My fingers automatically rise to my sunglasses, dusting over my eyelids instead.

I must've left them in class during my hasty getaway.

"I can't. . . I'd rather be awake," I mutter, knowing what awaits me every time I close my eyes.

His expression shows regret, and I'm embarrassed. "I'm sorry."

"Please don't apologise, it's not your fault," I return, touching his arm. "If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be getting help."

The sad lines on his face lighten up enough to know he's not having any negative thoughts about my situation, and it eases me as well. I want to sleep, but I know I won't get enough to make a dent in my fatigue.

Peering at the road, his brows crease for a moment, then a gentle smile graces his features. "It won't be long until we get there, how about a fifteen-minute power nap?"

Debating the risk, my eyes start to droop at the idea of a quick snooze. Yawning, I recline in the seat, inhaling the mix of cotton candy and citrus. "Are you sure? I don't want to be rude."

Ronny chuckles, waving his hand before manoeuvring the car around a tight bend in the road. "Nonsense, and it would be doing you some good. When healing, the best thing for the body is rest."

With a swift flick of a finger, the radio comes to life, and a soft melody comes through the speakers. Pushing everything to the back of my mind and throwing up a wall for as long as I can, I close my eyes and allow myself to sink into unconsciousness.

Ronny

Seeing Eve like that in the bathroom did a number on me. Whenever we pass each other on campus or when we collaborate in class, she's normally relaxed; anxious when the time comes to exchange notes with other members and present projects, but other than that, she tries to maintain a calm expression. I thought it strange when she hadn't appeared on Monday or the following days, but there had been a case of a stomach bug running around. I never thought it would be because she was attacked by one of us and suffering the change all by herself.

Rufus was concerned because he knows we can work well together and having experienced a close friend suffer from something similar in his past life, he feels protective.

"Alpha will take care of her," he assures, and I don't doubt it for a second.

"I know, but I think it will take her time to see that not all wolves are bad."

It doesn't take great imagination to guess what runs through her mind whenever the thought of sleep appears. If it were me, I would be traumatised too. I've seen Eve struggle in class, but whatever was thrown at her, she made sure to find a way around it. I know she can do it now, but it's going to depend on whether she can see it too.

"Alpha, may I speak with you?"

A beat later, his voice cuts through my mind. "What is it?"

Clearing my throat, I turn the station down, glancing toward Eve as I slow to take the turning on the right. "I have a female with me; she was attacked on Sunday night. No pack has claimed her, she's close to transitioning."

"Bring her to me."

There was never a trace of doubt in my mind if he would help, but I wasn't expecting him to be this demanding about it.

"Ronny, I think this is a different matter entirely," Rufus butts in.

Heeding the warning, I cautiously press his title when there's nothing else. "Alpha?"

There's a long pause, and I'm close to the entrance where those of us who drive enter for the sake of privacy from any hikers close to the town's perimeter. When the thought of him severing the connection crosses my mind, his voice returns clipped and low.

"She's my Mate, take care of her until I see you." Then I feel the connection end.