“I think we should leave bullshit family politics at home where they belong, don’t you? We’re just two college students right now. I swear I’m not going to hurt you.” He drew in a deep breath through his nose. “Are you a panther?”

She still couldn’t talk around the lump balled inside her throat. She shook her head instead. Her books felt extremely heavy clutched in front of her chest to shield her heart if he decided to suddenly claw it out.

“I’m not familiar with your scent.”

She cleared her throat. It took long seconds to work up the nerve to speak as she fought her instincts to flee. “I’m half human, half spotted leopard.”

He grinned. “Really? I bet you’re pretty when you shift. I mean,” his smile faded, “you’re pretty as a human but…you know what I mean.”

“I can’t shift.” She wanted to kick herself for admitting that but her brain refused to work right. Terror made her blurt stupid things.

“Too human?”

“Please don’t hurt me. I’ll leave. I’ll go to my dorm and can be gone in less than an hour. I don’t own much so it won’t take me long to pack.”

“Aw, damn.” His voice turned gruff. “Don’t do that. What can I say or do to assure you that I’m no threat? I just waited around to make that clear and, um, I kind of hoped I could buy you coffee.”

She gawked at him again.

“I’m used to being with a pack.” A sheepish look crossed his features and he sighed, meeting her gaze again. “I’m lonely. We’re surrounded by humans and I miss talking without always having to watch what I say. I was hoping we could hang out. I found a great spot where humans don’t go. I guess if you can’t shift you wouldn’t want to go running with me though.”

He looked sincere and it stunned her. “I love to run anyway.”

His expression brightened. “That’s great. We could go together. Hell, I’m always worried about someone spotting me and calling animal control. They’d just think you were a woman out jogging with your big dog if you were with me.” He laughed. “A really big dog that resembles a wolf but most humans mistake me for a German Shepherd from a distance.”

Charma started to relax. He wasn’t growling at her or making threats. She still breathed. All those things surprised her. “I haven’t run into any other shifters.”

“Most of us don’t seem to go to college.”

“True.”

“I’m the only one in the history of my family. What about you?”

“The same.”

“I really didn’t mean to scare you. May I buy you coffee or dinner to make up for it? We should stick together. I bet you miss your pride.”

She didn’t dispute his assumption, though she disagreed. “You seriously want to spend time with me?”

“Yes.” He moved slowly. “Those books look heavy. You’re such a little thing. Allow me.”

She didn’t want to release them but she didn’t have a choice when he gently pried them from her desperate hold. He watched her from his towering height.

“See? It’s okay. I’m tame. Think of me as a big puppy.”

He has to be kidding. The guy was a werewolf, one of the most feared shifter breeds ever born, and the enemy. He offered her his arm next.

“It’s okay. I’m Brand Harris. What’s your name?”

“Ch-Charma Heller.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Charma. There’s a cafe around the corner. Lots of humans will be there if that makes you feel safer. It’s okay.” He held her gaze. “Really. I’m just lonely and thrilled to find someone else special I can talk to. I’d never hurt you.”

“But we’re natural enemies,” she blurted, still not taking his arm.

“Says our parents.” He made a point of peering around them. “I don’t see them. Do you?” He flashed a friendly grin that once again made her notice his good looks. “I won’t tell if you don’t.”

Indecision nagged at her but she reached for his arm. Her fingertips brushed warm, firm, tan skin. He didn’t snarl or jerk away. She curled her fingers around his forearm as they walked together.

“It’s a beautiful day, isn’t it? I just arrived here after transferring from another school. It didn’t work out there. I’m afraid a wolf running around California didn’t go over well. I knew I had to take off when they started to pass out flyers to warn the students of a wild wolf.”

A laugh escaped her. “Really?”

He actually blushed, his cheeks turning a rosy hue. “I messed up. Man, was my uncle pissed. How long have you been here?”

“This is my second year.”

“What’s your major?”

“I want to be a veterinarian.”

He nodded. “I’m going for a business degree. So you got stuck with history too. Is that guy always so boring?”

“It was a required class, and yes, I’m afraid so. I play music inside my head just to stay awake.” She completely relaxed…

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Brand pulled her back to the present when he stepped into the bedroom with a towel slung low around his hips. He regarded Charma. “Did you take your pills?”

She crawled off the bed. “I’ll do it now.” She tried to pass him but his hand shot out to curl around her upper arm. She refused to look at him.

“I love you and I know you love me too. I don’t care how our families will react. I want to spend my life with you. I thought we started one together when we moved out of the dorms and rented this house. We’re happy when we’re not stressed about our future.”

Charma turned her head to peer up at him. “I told you. My family made a bargain with the pride leader. I’m promised as mate to someone else and they paid for college in exchange.”

“I’ll pay back every dime. My family has money.”

“It’s not that. It’s about a promise.”

“Paying for college wasn’t worth signing your life over to someone else.” Anger deepened his voice into a snarl. “You don’t want that jerk. You love me.”

“I do.” She turned into him, pressed her nose against his chest and inhaled his wonderful scent. “I love you so much.” Her hot tears mingled with the chilled water droplets that remained on his skin from his cold shower. “I didn’t have a choice. I would have been ordered to mate whomever the pride leader chose. But this way I was able to postpone it and get an education first. He allowed it because they need a vet.”