Obsession: A Rejected Mate Shifter Romance (The Mate Games #1)(13)

Moira shook her head, hands on her hips as she followed me inside. “I didn’t do this. Do you really think I would treat vintage Chanel like this?”

I stared her down, the argument on my lips before she finished.

She had the grace to look embarrassed. “Except for that first day. That doesn’t count.”

“And who are you?” I jerked my chin toward the Viking man leaning against the open door.

Smirking in a way that made his ice-blue eyes sparkle, he said, “Alek Nordson. And you’re the famous Sunday Fallon. You’ve got the whole university buzzing, you know?”

His accent was hard to place. It sounded British, but with occasionally clipped words that reminded me of the time a Norwegian shifter pack came to my grandfather’s house for a visit.

“Nordson? Scandinavian?”

That smirk widened. “Novasgardian.”

Interesting. Very interesting. I’d heard of them. Norse gods came from Novasgard, but they didn’t leave. They kept to themselves for the most part. If Alek was here, making contacts, learning to be an ambassador, that meant things were shifting. The thought of Norse gods joining our world, taking a more active role, made me nervous. There was already plenty of supernatural dick swinging going on between the vampires, shifters, witches, and fae. We didn’t need to add gods to the mix.

“Don’t tell me you’re the God of Thunder.”

Laughter rumbled from deep in his chest, making me feel foolish immediately. “Not thunder, no.”

“Wait, are you a god of something?”

“I suppose you’ll have to figure that out on your own, won’t you, Sunny?”

Moira tossed a shoe at him, missing by about a mile. “Leave her alone, Alek.” She turned her gaze on me. “I’m glad you’re not kidnapped. When we came home and saw the place was ransacked, I freaked.”

“Aw, you worried? You do care after all,” I teased.

She pretended to be unaffected, but couldn’t hide her grin. “It’s bad luck to be the one with the murdered roomie.”

I held out my hands. “Not murdered.”

“So where were you?”

“In a creepy vampire’s lair.”

Alek’s brows rose. “By choice?”

“Apparently he found me unconscious in the forest.” My voice was low as I fought the mortification of admitting I’d been asleep in the woods—and not on purpose.

“Oh, you can’t be serious. Sleepwalking wasn’t one of the categories I checked when selecting my roommate.” Moira flopped down on her clothes-covered bed.

“Well, smart-ass wasn’t one of the ones I checked, so it looks like we’re even,” I shot back.

“Do you two want me to leave you alone to fight it out, or . . .” Alek offered.

“Wait,” I said. “I thought you were into girls.” I locked my gaze on Moira.

Moira nodded. “I am.”

“But you’re out with this guy all night?”

“I’m an equal opportunity companion. Have you taken a good look at him?”

Alek crossed his arms over his broad chest and snickered as I let my gaze drift over his form. He was handsome as hell. They grew them strong and beautiful in Novasgard.

Moira laughed. “We aren’t together. Alek and I are training. Late-night hand-to-hand combat. He’s a warrior. I’m failing weapons and defense already, and we’re only a month into the year.”

“Fighting comes naturally. It’s in my blood,” Alek offered, then he shoved off the doorframe and strode closer to where I stood. “I could help you, if you need it.”

I swallowed hard and had to work to keep my heart rate even. “I’m good. Thanks.”

“Let me know if you change your mind. I’m available.”

“Alek, stop flirting. She’s too sweet for you. She wouldn’t know what to do with you.”

That got my back up a bit. “I’m not that sweet.”

“I’d like the chance to find out just how sweet you are,” he said.

“Don’t get your hopes up. She’s already been claimed by Kingston.”

My chest tightened. “No, I haven’t. No one has or will be doing any claiming. I’m not here for that.”

“We’ll see,” Alek murmured before heading for the door. “See you around, Sunny. I’m sure of it.”

Moira shook her head and tossed an arm over her eyes. “Get out of here, Viking. Some of us need sleep before we head to class.”

Alek licked his lips before cocking his head at me. “Don’t be shy, little fighter. If you need a real challenge, you know where to find me.”

I couldn’t help myself. I watched him leave, and my stupid heart fluttered when he winked—he fucking winked—as he closed the door behind him.

Moira snorted.

“What?”

“Apparently, your milkshake brings all the supernatural boys to the yard, Sunday. But which one gets the cherry?”

“None of them.” Even as I said it, thoughts of four very different men ran through my mind. Each image more scandalous and tantalizing than the last. I knew Moira noticed the little shiver my mental peepshow caused because she snorted again.