“I actually got a scholarship to Fenderman University. I’m going to get my associate’s in business and help my mom run the club books.”
Dakota nodded. “That’s a good plan. I still have another year before I get my bachelor’s, but I’m thinking of going to get my Master’s, too.”
“Wow, that’s great, Dakota.”
He didn’t say anything after that, but the way he watched her had Alexis shifting on her feet. “What?” She had known him her whole life, and turning her back on that kind of friendship because she knew Nico got jealous over other guys looking at her, talking to her, or just being around her, seemed stupid. Nico was certainly a bear shifter, and that was cemented by the fact he was possessive, territorial, and had this “don’t fuck with me” attitude. Dakota wasn’t drunk, but she could smell the alcohol on him and knew by the glossy look in his eyes that he wasn’t far from there.
He shook his head and grinned. “Nothing aside from the fact Nico keeps watching us like he thinks I’m going to pounce on you.”
She chuckled and glanced at Nico. Yup, her guy was glaring daggers at Dakota. “Don’t take it personally. He has a jealous streak with everyone.”
Dakota grinned. “I’m gonna get another beer. You want one?” Dakota asked.
She held up her still full cup. “I’m good, but thank you.”
He nodded, and then turned and headed toward the keg. She exhaled and turned to look at Tarren. She could have used her right then, because although people surrounded her she felt kind of lonely right now. Alexis finished off what was left in her cup, and set it on the small table beside her. This was her graduation party, so why the hell shouldn’t she enjoy herself?
“Here.” Dakota was back and handed her a beer. “I know you said you didn’t want one, but I saw that you finished yours and thought you could use another.”
She took it out of politeness, but was already feeling the last three beers working their way through her, and as more time passed that alcohol would be really making her inhibitions running wild and loose. Before she knew what was happening Dakota reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder. His palm was big and warm, and when he smoothed his fingers along the bare skin of her arm she took a step back. “Dakota, what are you doing?” Her bear didn’t sense anything of the sexual nature from him, but she knew that if anyone had seen the small, even innocent thing Dakota had just done, rumors would start.
“I’m sorry, it’s just…” He turned from her and cursed low under his breath. “Totally inappropriate for me to touch you, but I’m drunk and—”
The sound of something low and deep, and frighteningly animal-like came from right behind her, and then she saw Nico pulling her back behind him.
“You just couldn’t fucking back off, could you?” Nico said in a very Jagger-like menacing voice. He was perilously close to shifting, and the scent of his bear was close to the surface.
“Nico, please. Dakota didn’t do anything.” She placed her hand on the center of Nico’s back. “Ever since you have been able to shift you’ve been acting insane.” She hardened her voice, hoping to defuse the situation. She glanced at Dakota. “Maybe you should go.”
Tarren had moved up behind her. “Girl, this is going to end really, really badly if he doesn’t leave and the parents have to come out here.”
Yeah, and that was so not what Alexis wanted. Her heart raced, and shit was about to hit the fan if Nico couldn’t control himself and shifted. Dakota might be able to hold his own in a fight, but a human against a shifter was no match. Nico would tear him up, and because he was young he wouldn’t be able to hold himself back. Things could go from bad to a lot worse with Dakota seriously injured.
Nico took a step forward, and she saw the way his muscles grew, how his t-shirt stretched wide around his growing body. He kept clenching and unclenching his hands into fists at his sides. She scented his bear so close to the surface, saw the way he was growing bigger, stronger, right before her eyes. His grizzly bear was pushing forward, and the low, deadly growl that left Nico proved that point even more.
“I could fuck you up right now, just tear you apart before any of The Grizzlies came out here and stopped me,” Nico growled out. Lucas stepped up beside Nico.
“Brother, calm down before shit gets real and out of hand,” Lucas said.
“Nico, please. You’re acting ridiculous,” she said and applied pressure on his back with her hand.
Nico looked at her over his shoulder. “I’m not overreacting, Alexis. He touched you earlier today, and it was your dad stopping me from going over there and kicking his ass.” Nico took another step forward, but even with the threat of Nico shifting and delivering on that promise Dakota held his ground and didn’t look at all threatened by what Nico said.