The Alpha and His Vet

t h r e e

“Good morning. Did you enjoy last night as much as I did?” Kat greeted me, handing a cup of coffee the moment I got out of my room.

I shook my head. “No. I couldn’t sleep. There was so much howling last night.”

“Howling? What do you mean? I didn’t bring a boy back if that’s what you’re saying.” She defended looking rather proud of herself still. 

“No I meant real howling. Wolves.” I explained, sipping on my cup of coffee. It burned the roof of my mouth but I still groaned at the delicious taste. “You make good coffee.”

“I know.” Kat smiled, refilling my cup to the brim despite still having a lot. “There aren’t wolves in this part of the country. Not for years at least.”

I yawned, roughly wiping the sleep from my eyes. “Well, I heard it and it kept me up all night.” 

“Weird. Anyway, do you have classes this morning?” She excitedly asks. 

“I’m busy all morning but I can meet you for lunch?” I offer. Last year, we tried to meet up as much as possible for meals since Kat didn’t like anyone else and I didn’t particularly have any other friend. 

Kat scowls. “My lunch is at one.”

“Yikes.” 

She rolls her eyes in distaste. “Don’t mention it. I’m angry about that too but it’s a class I failed from last year. I have to retake it now. The only slot is literally at lunch.” 

“Okay... dinner?” I suggest. 

Kat nods, happy to have at least one meal together. “Yeah. Dinner is good for me.” 

I finish my cup of coffee and rinse it in our tiny kitchen... if we could call it a kitchen. “I’ll meet you at the square.” 

“Wear something cute!” She shouted just as I disappeared into my room. 

I pop my head back out. “Cute?” 

Kat wiggled her perfectly shaped eyebrows up and down. “I’m bringing Zack. He would not shut up about you yesterday.”

“Aw, Kat. I’m not really into him.” I admit, gathering stuff for my bath.

I hear her moving around in the living room. “Why not? He’s a babe. An eight or a nine. In fact, I prefer him over Kyle but Zack is a boyfriend to marry type and Kyle is like a casual fling which is what I need.” 

I go back to the living room and lean against the wall of my room. “I don’t know... I just don’t feel like dating anyone.” 

“Still, try him out. You’ll never know. He might be the one.” She smirked before shooing me away.

I knew for a fact that he wasn’t.

Without another word, I enter the bathroom and shower quickly. When I’m done, I pull on a pair of black leggings, my trusty sneakers, a thick white sweater and to top everything off, a dark green coat. I blow dry my hair just because it’s so cold outside and having wet hair would only cause me to be even more cold. Channeling my inner Kat, I apply a light layer of makeup and attempt to do her signature cat eyes with an eyeliner. Once I’m done, I rush to my room, grabbing my bag and books. 

“See you!” I call out to Kat who’s still in her pajamas enjoying morning cartoons.

More than anything I want to join her- I usually do but my first class is a major subject and I can’t risk getting on the bad side of the professor. 

“Come back to me after!” I hear Kat scream back as I close the door.

Around me other students are rushing out of their dormitories, looking hungover and headed for their classes. My arms were already shaking from my heavy books and bag but I continued on.

As I cross the main square, eyes on my watch, I crash into what seems to be a wall of concrete and I topple to the ground along with my books. 

“My bad. I’m sorry.” The wall said. 

I look up, the sun in my eyes and realize with a start that it wasn’t a wall but a guy... a guy I’ve never seen before. Tall, so much taller than me and eyes so blue it was almost shimmering at me. He has unruly dark chocolate brown hair which the wind blew into an even messier state. His skin is tanned yet silky looking. Altogether, a very handsome face. 

He smiled apologetically. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t see you there.” 

The guy offered his hand and I took it but pulled away immediately. My cut from last night reopened and was bleeding through my bandage. 

“Damn! Did I do that?” He panicked, squatting down to my level and took my hand in his. He started to run his finger on the palm of my hand.

I watched him, mouth agape and heart beating fast.

Did he just... sniff me and frown? 

“I just showered.” I informed him a little too roughly. 

He blinked, cheeks flushed. “Oh. No. I didn’t think you smelled bad.”

I shake my head. “You just sniffed me and was clearly frowning.” 

The guy looked equal parts shy and disappointed. “I thought... I thought you were something but I was wrong.” 

It was my turn to frown, thoroughly confused. “What?” 

“I’m sorry. Can we start over? I’m Ronan. Ronan Basco.” He picked up a fallen book and handed it to me.

I took it, glancing at him and his thin shirt in a weather that required at least a sweater. “Are you lost, Ronan? It’s cold and you’re only wearing a shirt.” 

Ronan looked down at himself and gave another sheepish smile.

“You’re not from here are you?” I ask, picking up the remaining books on the ground.

“I’m new-“ He paused before quickly adding. “To the school.”

I looked him up and down. “Oh, a freshman?” 

Ronan scratched the back of his head. “Uhm... transferee.” 

There was something about him that I couldn’t quite place. He was fairly well built... strangely better in built compared to our athletes like Zack and Kyle. He looked a little older too. Maybe in his early twenties and the fact that he didn’t look the least bit cold despite the coat worthy weather made him even more odd.

What’s more odd is that I felt comfortable with him, a complete stranger, as if he didn’t mean any harm. If I was even more honest, I was quite attracted to him.  Ronan looked like the type of guy you would take home to meet your parents. The one they’d love for their daughter. 

Realizing how awkward I was by just staring at him, I bend down to pick up the rest of my stuff. 

Seeing this, he leaned down and helped me. “What’s your name, girl that I sniffed?” 

“Lacey.” I answered trying not to stare at him more. It was very tempting to. 

“Can I take you to the pack doctor and have that fixed?” He asked before freezing. 

I scrunch my nose up. “What are you saying?”

He closed his eyes and muttered a quiet ‘i***t’. “I meant... the infirmary.” 

“The nurse’s office.” I mused, brushing off his odd behavior. “It’s alright. I can take care of it. My bag has a few things that can handle this.”

Ronan’s gaze falls on my bag that had a plethora of medical supplies spilling out of it. “Are you studying to be a doctor?” 

“Something like that.” I started vaguely but seeing his confused reaction, I explained further. “A doctor for animals.”

“A Veterinarian.” He concluded, eyes wide. “I would never have guessed that.”

“Why is that?” I ask, heading for my building with him following closely. He must have a class there as well. 

Ronan looked at me then, really looked. It was as if he was staring into my soul. “You look like those students for fashion, dancing or something like that.” 

“Flattery will not make me forget your odd sniffing.” I tease, entering the building. Several people turned to stare at Ronan, the surprise clear on their faces. I couldn’t blame them. He was good enough to stare at... maybe even drool over though I would never admit to it.

Ronan didn’t seem to notice them and kept his eyes on me. “I’m sorry, Lacey. I don’t know how to explain what I just did.”

“It’s lavender.” I told him after a while. 

He titled his head to the side, confused. “What’s lavender?”

“My soap. If you were wondering.” I smiled, stopping to point at my room. “This is me. I guess I’ll see you later.”

“I certainly will.” He assured with a smile of his own. 

Ronan waited until I was inside my class before walking away, whistling as he did. 

“What a strange guy.”