Chapter 42: Who's The Lucky Guy?

Caph stepped backwards. 'Not now, Nusha. I'm busy.'
She stepped up to him firmly. 'I dropped out of Middleton University.'
He stuffed his hands into his jean pockets and let out a sigh. 'I guessed that much. You're here in the middle of the semester after all.'
Middleton University was a prestigious one, difficult for humans to get into—even worse for werewolves.
'What did your parents say?' he asked.
Nusha shook her head and stepped forward again, snaking her arms around his neck. 'That doesn't matter, Caph. I'm telling you that I'm home for good. I quit school so that I can be by your side.' She hugged him tight and whispered, 'Will Ran do that for you?'
Caph unravelled her arms and put them back by her side. 'She doesn't have to. You don't have to either.'
Nusha interlaced her fingers with his, her yellow eyes running across his skin sensuously. 'I know I don't. But I did it because that's how much I want you. I will wait for you, Caph.' She tilted her head. 'I will always be be here for you. Unlike her, I will never look at anyone else.'
Caph's eyes narrowed slightly. Had she seen Ran and Fang together?
Nusha squeezed his hands and captured his gaze. He searched her yellow eyes.
No, she hadn't seen them.
She was just referring to what happened at the Gathering.
He had to get Nusha back to The Citadel before she sees Ran and Fang together.
Without warning, she tip-toed and kissed him on the lips.
He let her.
Until, at the edge of his consciousnesss, he sensed Ran approaching the bus stop.
Dread surged through his body and he pulled away from Nusha.
She anticipated this reaction and flung her arms around his neck, clinging to him like a koala. She tangled her fingers in his hair and deepened the kiss.
Nusha hadn't seen Ran yet. He had to—
The plastic bag Ran held in one hand slipped out of her fingers.
Starbucks coffee and ice spilled everywhere.
Bystanders squealed, jumping out of the way.
Nusha pulled back from Caph on her own reluctantly, to see what's going on. She looked at the spilled coffee, then at Ran, lazy satisfaction in her eyes, her lips glistening.
'Hello,' she greeted the Beta of Eridanus. 'Are you out on a date too? Who's the lucky guy?'
Anger lit up Ran's coal eyes. She lunged almost instinctively, one hand balled into a fist, the other reaching out for Nusha's collar.
Caph intervened, catching Ran's punch with his hand, standing in the way so her fingers closed around his shirt instead. His other arm wrapped around her as she fell into him. Electricity crackled as they collided and heat rushed painfully where they touched, burning both of them with each other's fury and emotions.
'Let go!' she spat, coal eyes blazing.
Caph let go.
Ran wrenched herself from him and stormed away, crushing the now-empty Starbucks cup underfoot.
Caph frowned at Nusha. 'Why did you instigate her?'
Nusha snorted and folded her arms across her chest. 'She's cheating on you. Don't pretend you're okay with that. What's wrong with giving her a taste of her own medicine?'
Caph picked up the half-crushed plastic cup from its puddle of coffee and planted it in Nusha's hands. He pointed at his name scribbled on it in marker along with the words 'caramel mocha frapp'.
'Don't jump to conclusions, we were on a date together,' he said, voice laced with annoyance.
The bus arrived.
Nusha threw the filthy cup into the trash.
'You're not going after her?' she asked him.
He half-smirked and followed her up the bus. 'Is that something you should be saying after deliberately causing a misunderstanding between us?'
Nusha smiled to herself. Caph had seen through her and didn't want her anywhere near Ran. He knew that if he chased after her, she would follow.
Because of this, he had fallen for her ruse hook, line and sinker.
The bus doors hissed and closed with a thud, then the vehicle lurched forward, taking Caph away from New City.
Nusha swallowed the laughter that threatened to erupt from her throat.
Meanwhile, Ran found herself in front of the metal tower at New City Central once more when her anger subsided somewhat. There was nowhere else for her to go.
The crowds that filled every inch of the street was disorienting. With glassy skyscrapers looming over her and animated advertisements shifting across large billboard-sized screens on every solid surface, Ran felt like a caged hamster.
She took a deep breath to get herself together.
There was just too many things to process at once.
Celphus killed her father. Why? Did her uncle know? Was her betrothal to Caph intentional or a coincidence?
Also, Nusha kissed Caph. Why? And why did Caph come to New City? Did he know what his father was up to?
Was he a part of it now?
Ran crossed her arms. He would catch up to her soon.
And then she could demand answers.
Someone yanked her by the arm from behind. 'Caph—' She fell into his hard chest and glared into chocolate brown eyes.
Not Caph.
Fingers dug into her neck just below her jaw.
Pain blossomed and her vision blurred.
(Just before she blacked out, she managed to knee her attacker between the legs. He groaned.)