Inseparable

Inseparable Book Two, Chapter 1: Bleakley House

Daphne

“Yeah, so apparently, when that storm came through, it damaged all the pipes. The toilet has been bubbling up through the showers, and the water coming out of the taps is brown. They have to replace the whole septic system– and you know this building is like two hundred years old!”

“Oh, that sucks.” My sister-in-law said sympathetically from the screen of my laptop.

I continued moving around the dorm room, throwing my belongings into a cardboard file box I had swiped from the psych department. “Yeah, seriously. I’m just a few months from graduation, I really don’t need this kind of disruption in my life right now.”

“You know, your brothers–”

“I know, I know,” I rolled my eyes. “My brothers would happily buy me a penthouse apartment, provide me with a car and driver, a seven-man security detail to follow me around, and a nanny to wipe my butt every time I go to the bathroom. Thanks, but no thanks.”

Bella smiled, “They love you Daphne. They just want you to be safe and happy.”

Bella was mated to my twin alpha brothers. Yes, both of them. And trust me, it wasn’t as weird as it sounded.

“And I just want to fit in,” I told her bluntly.

I adored my brothers. They’d all but raised me since our parents died when I was a teenager. But I was attending a mainstream human university. I’d made it almost six years without blowing my cover or revealing my secret werewolf identity. I wasn’t about to step out of that particular closet now. I liked my double life just fine.

“Anyway, the university has already made arrangements for everyone in the dormitory. I’m headed for the Bleakley House.” I wasn’t familiar with that particular building, but I considered myself lucky to have been assigned to a house. My poor roommate was being moved back into the freshman dorm.

“Do you need any help moving things?” Bella asked.

I laughed at her. Bella probably weighed a hundred pounds, soaking wet. She was strong, but I doubted my brothers would approve of her hauling my boxes across campus. “Nah, I got it. Everything’s already loaded into the car. I just have a couple of odds and ends left to pack.”

“Okay,” Bella let it go reluctantly. “I miss you like crazy.” She blew me a kiss, and I returned the gesture. Having a sister-in-law who was also my best friend was a wonderful thing.

“I’ll see you in a few weeks,” I cut the video call and folded up my laptop. I took one last look around the empty room to make sure I hadn't missed anything, stashed my computer in it's case, and grabbed my keys.

Bleakley House was located off the main campus in the historical district of town. The old house was built in th early 1800s. The university had bought and carefully restored the building and maintained it with fresh paint and a new roof. It still looked kind of drab in the melting snow. I parked in an empty space in front of the yard and walked up the walkway to the massive door.

I knocked and rocked on the balls of my feet while I waited for someone to open the door. I was expecting a girl - or at least a young woman. I was a bit taken aback when the door was yanked open by a guy.

Not just any guy, but a big one. Given that my brothers are Alphas, I was kind of an authority on big guys.

“Hi,” I said, forcing my eyes from his broad chest to his face. His features were both handsome and intimidating at the same time. His brown hair was cut in a military style, and his plain blue t-shirt was stretched across a strong, muscular chest. He stared at me with a grim expression, and made no attempt to smile or return my greeting.

“Um, I’m Daphne. I’m supposed to have a room here?” I hated the incertitude in my voice.

“You are D. Redhawk?” He asked abruptly.

“Yes," I nodded. "D for Daphne."

He sighed like I was really putting him out, and stepped aside to let me in. As I brushed past him, I noticed his scent. He was definitely human, but unlike most human men, he had a spicy scent that didn’t come from his deodorant or his laundry detergent. It was like cinnamon or nutmeg. Something yummy.

That was weird. Most humans just stink like stale sweat and chemical cologne.

“It’s this way,” he explained gruffly. We passed through a sitting room, which was crammed full of mismatched couches arranged in front of a fireplace that was no longer functional. A large screen TV hung over the mantle. The room was empty, except for one gangly, pimply-faced guy with a peach-fuzz beard that seemed to be sleeping off a hangover on a plaid love seat.

The big guy led me around a corner to a wide staircase. The old wooden steps groaned under his weight as he began to climb. I followed his broad back down the hall to a battered-looking wooden door. The man, who had yet to introduce himself, turned the handle and pushed it open.

There were two beds in the room, one pushed against each wall. The room was divided by a big window in the center of the rear wall. One bed was clearly occupied, but the other one held only a bare and slightly stained mattress.

Gross. I didn't even want to speculate where those stains came from.

“Um,” I said, spying the very large pair of men’s athletic shoes peaking out from under the occupied bed, “I didn’t realize that Bleakley was a co-ed house.”

The man gave me a bland look. “It is now.”