Radiant Shadows (Dark Shifter Academy #4)

Chapter 2 Ashlyn

Tonight was the big night, and every girl in the school was busy getting ready for the New Year’s Eve Ball—every girl except for me.

No, I was using the better part of my day training in the gym. I didn’t have a date or any major reason to doll myself up outside of bringing in the new year with some class, so I opted for the low-key approach. I’d get a good sweat on, then throw on a killer dress and some makeup at the last minute.

I hadn’t realized Jackson was also in the gym until after I’d finished my third set.

He had a thin, black headband in his hair to keep it out of his face, and the way the sweat made his shirtless, muscular chest glisten definitely had me appreciating his physique. When he caught me staring, he flashed me a smug smirk right before I averted my gaze and went on about my routine as if I hadn’t noticed him at all.

While our date hadn’t been a complete disaster, I was still pretty adamant about keeping whatever this was platonic. Playing pool with him had been surprisingly fun, and his were friends weren’t as crazy as I had expected. Most of them had grown up like me, kids from the wrong side of the track, the product of absent and neglectful parents.

Though Jackson was a bit of an exception—he came from a long line of weres, passing the bite down from generation to generation—he still fit the bill. Apparently, his family was affiliated with the mafia in some way.

I definitely didn’t need that in my life.

He kept his distance, but he also wouldn't stop giving me the side-eye and occasional sexy chin jut. And I was pretty sure the show he was putting on of curling his rather impressive biceps was for my benefit.

It might have been working, which made it hard for me to focus on my workout reps. Especially when he started doing pull-ups, his abs rippling in all their glistening glory.

Stop ogling him; that’s what he wants!

As I grabbed my water bottle and towel to leave, he jogged up to catch me.

“Hey, you looked great out there doing your little workout reps.”

I wasn’t sure he knew how offensive he sounded. “Little? I would murder you in there.”

“I’ll take that challenge,” he said with a wink.

I rolled my eyes, mainly to keep them off his lickable chest.

“Yeah, sorry. Gotta get ready for the ball.” I didn't intend to bring up the ball, but there it was.

“Oh? Who’s the lucky guy?” Even though his eyes were roaming up and down my body in a gesture that said he wanted to eat me like Red Riding Hood, there was a vulnerability in them that was very slightly endearing.

“I don't have one.”

His confident smile returned in full force. It kind of annoyed me, but at the same time, the smolder he was giving off made my cheeks—and my core—heat. By the way he took a step closer, I figured it was written all over my face.

“Do you want one?” he asked, looming over me in a way that made me feel like prey.

I swallowed. “Not really.”

His eyes narrowed as his smile widened. “That’s not what your scent tells me.”

My heart stuttered in my chest. My scent? Did I smell bad? “What are you talking about?”

He scraped his teeth over his bottom lip. “Didn’t you know that hounds are known for their acute sense of smell? We can tell your emotions just by your scent. And yours is telling me that you’re more into me than you want to admit.”

I scoffed and folded my arms around myself even as my breaths came faster and shallower. “Don’t flatter yourself.”

He chuckled, a sexy, deep rumbling sound. “I’ll meet you in front of your common room at six.”

I took a slow breath to calm my escalating heart rate, injecting as much sass and resilience as I could into my expression. “And what if I’m not there?”

He shrugged. “I guess we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.” Then he curled his finger under my chin in a teasing gesture before stepping around me and heading toward the showers.

All I could do was stand there for several seconds, unsure of exactly what to think or how to feel. Judging by the moist warmth between my legs that had nothing to do with my workout, my body had its own opinion.

Cold shower. I needed a cold shower.

And then a dress that would put Jackson into cardiac arrest— if I decided to take him up on his offer.

Oh, who was I kidding? Of course, I would.

* * *

After a much necessary and reluctantly brief shower that chilled even my fire, I shoveled through my closet for the perfect ensemble. Now my burgundy, lace, tea-length dress flowed around me, a thin black studded belt cinching my waist. My bright orange hair was pin-straight—thanks to the help of a flat iron I’d never used before—and a thin braid crown woven with a black ribbon circled my head like a headband.

I paired my dress with all-black jewelry: a choker, long earrings that almost reached my shoulders, and wrap-around bracelets that covered both of my wrists. Smoky eyeliner lined my eyes so thickly that it made their yellow-green color even more piercing. I completed the look with black Mary-Jane wedges that made me about three inches taller—but still short enough for Jackson to look down at me.

Deciding I was just as hot outside as I was inside, I left my room with my head held high. Voices were spilling down the hall, and when I entered the common room, I couldn’t help but admire how beautiful everyone looked.

“Damn, Ash!” Arya exclaimed as she came up to me. “You look like you could set the room on fire. But really, don't do that.”

I laughed, quickly sobering as I took in her stunning appearance. “Me? Look at you!”

She looked like a goddess right out of an old Greek myth, in a slinky, white silk gown that hugged her petite frame like a glove only to flare out at her hips to pour like a waterfall over her legs down to the floor. Her hair was in a half-up-half-down style, the blue strands in the front loose and curling into ringlets at the ends.

Arya smiled and shrugged off the compliment. “You want to be my date? Apparently, Tobias is going to be occupied by his parents most of the night.”

I frowned. “Oh, um, actually, I’m going with Jackson.”

Earnest surprise lifted her brows. “Oh. I didn’t think you liked him.”

My frown deepened, and it was my turn to shrug. “I don’t. I mean, not like that. Or maybe like that, but not like that .”

She bit her lips in amusement at my description.

“Ugh, I’m just going with him because he asked me, and I figured, why not?” I amended.

She nodded, her smirk saying she wasn’t convinced. “And this has nothing to do with the fact that Niko will be there?”

His name stabbed into my chest, flooding self-consciousness through me. “What?”

Her brows pinched slightly, dulling her mirth. “Yeah, Tobias’s dad is going to be there, so I just assumed Niko would be, too.”

“Oh,” I said.

Figures. When I finally had a day free of thinking about him and was sincerely at least attempting something less than platonic with another guy, of course, he would make an appearance to ruin my night.

Arya’s hand rose and fluttered between us in a placating gesture. “You know what, don’t even worry about that. Just have fun with Jackson. I’m sure you won’t even notice Niko. And maybe he won’t even be there.”

“Right,” I half-heartedly agreed. “Well, I’m just gonna go find Jackson.”

I turned the corner just outside of the common room and almost crashed into Jackson. He leaned against the wall, his hands in his pockets. His hair was slicked back, which really opened up his face, putting his rugged features on display. He had on an all-black tux with a black button-down shirt that wasn't buttoned all the way up. He’d never looked so clean-cut.

I knew I was staring, but his eyes moved down my body, doing the same thing. He looked devilishly handsome, and I thought maybe I wouldn't mind his lack of personal space so much.

“Wow. You look...ravishing.” He closed the space between us and took my hand, lifting it to brush a kiss on the top of my knuckles.

The gesture was so foreign to his usual manner that my eyelids fluttered, but I wouldn't give him the pleasure of a full-on swoon. “You don't look so bad yourself. Did you have to go to a groomer for that hairdo?”

Jackson barked a laugh, then laced his fingers with mine as he led me down the corridor toward the Great Hall. The walk was quiet, which was weird for Jackson. Was he actually nervous? I mean, I was, but not because of him.

The second we walked through the archway, my breath hitched. The Great Hall had been transformed into an all-white winter wonderland, complete with fake falling snow and an elegance that only Mr. Inari could put together. It looked like something out of a dream.

“Whoa,” I whispered.

“Yeah, it’s nice,” Jackson agreed. “But not as nice as how you look. Now that is whoa. ”

I shook my head but couldn’t stifle my snicker. “You're killing me here.”

“Oh, I know. I like seeing your cheeks get red. It’s kind of my favorite thing about you.” He playfully winked at me, then pulled me closer as we walked through the ballroom.

My gaze roamed the large room as he guided me to the seemingly endless table at the back that was covered with food and various beverages. It wasn’t until my eyes found their target that I realized who I’d been looking for.

Niko stood at the opposite end of the Great Hall, wearing a fake smile as the general regaled him and Lady Dracul with some story he apparently thought was highly entertaining. My chest squeezed with a forgotten and uninvited longing at how handsome he looked, dressed in a regal navy blue suit that hugged his warrior-like figure so perfectly.

His eyes landed on me, his laugh immediately sputtering out, and I spun to face Jackson so quickly that I tripped on my wedges and fell against Jackson’s chest.

“Whoa, easy there,” he said with a chuckle after he caught me, holding my upper arms with a steadying grip. “Did you pre-game?”

“Huh?” I asked before his meaning registered. “Oh, no, I didn’t. But that probably would’ve been smart.”

“Do you want to?” He reached into his suit jacket and flashed the top of a flask for me to see.

I only hesitated for half a second. “You know what, hit me.”

His smile widened. “That a girl.”

Pouring me a stupidly fancy goblet of punch, he discreetly slipped a little of whatever was in his flask into it before handing it to me. I took it and lifted it to my mouth, then paused.

“If you ruffied this, I swear I will burn you alive,” I warned.

“I may be a hound, but I’m not an animal,” he said with an arched eyebrow. Then he poured himself a drink and looked me in the eye as he took a slow gulp.

“Good,” I said, then tossed back the contents of my drink.

Jackson put his hand on my waist and pulled in close so that his mouth was next to my ear. “Besides, I don’t need some drug to make you want me. I’ll have you begging by the end of the night.”

I squeezed my thighs together as the thrill of his declaration shot through me, the buzz of alcohol doing nothing to dull its potency.

I pulled away from him just enough to look him in the eye. “Shut up and dance with me.”

He let out a low chuckle as I tugged him onto the dancefloor, where several students were already twirling to a modernized remake of a classic symphony—it sounded like Lindsey Sterling but wasn’t one I recognized.

Once we got to an open spot, Jackson surprised me by immediately taking my hand and waist in a waltz position.

“Oh,” I gasped.

“Surprised to find I have some class?” he purred teasingly, guiding me through the steps.

“Actually, yes,” I admitted, struggling to follow along without stepping on his feet. “I, for one, don’t really know how to dance like this. I know this is supposed to be a ‘ball,’ but I wish they played something less…”

“Formal?” Jackson supplied with a grin.

“Exactly,” I agreed.

After a few minutes, I adjusted to the tempo and was able to let him lead me without tripping. How anyone could find this style of dance fun was beyond me. How was I supposed to forget about Niko with this shit?

The song ended, and I practically jumped in relief when the next one was a Lindsey Sterling song I knew—Crystalize, which I had actually spent months creating a dance routine to.

“It’s my turn to lead,” I said to Jackson with an impish smile.

“What—” he started to ask, but I threw myself into the song, twirling around him, pressing against him, and sliding down him in time with the electric beat.

He caught on quickly, spinning me and dipping me when my movements suggested. I was on fire as we danced, exhilarated by the scream of the violin and rapid thrum of the drums. I didn’t even mind when he threw off my routine by picking me up at the song’s climax because the feeling of being weightless was the most thrilling of all.

When the song ended, the dancers around us applauded, alerting me with stunned humility that we’d had an audience. I laughed, breathless and sweating, tugging Jackson away from the spotlight because I had no desire to be the center of attention.

“You were pretty great out there,” Jackson said, pouring himself another drink with a slip of his flask.

“You weren’t so bad yourself,” I said. “You catch on pretty quickly.”

He leaned in for a moment. “You haven’t even seen the best of my moves.” He winked.

My core clenched again, my already hot body flashing with warmth.

“Do you want another drink?” he asked, wiggling his flask in the shadow of his jacket.

“Definitely. But I need to use the ladies’ room. Don’t go anywhere.”

“Trust me, I’ll wait for you all night,” he said with another wink.

I slipped through the dancers toward the bathroom, glad I wore such a short, pliable dress because it made my trip quick and hassle-free.

When I emerged, Niko was standing in the hall, his expression stony and seemingly devoid of emotion.

“That was quite the show,” he said, a note of irritation darkening his voice.

I came to a sudden stop, surprised by his appearance. “Thanks,” I said, even though I knew it wasn’t a compliment.

“Did you two practice that little routine?”

I gave a casual shrug. “Nope. It just kinda happened. I guess we have good chemistry.”

The tick of his jaw was the only sign of emotional reaction I received, and he nodded once.

“Good for you. I hope you enjoy being his chew toy,” he ground out before spinning on his heel and marching away.

Anger flooded through me. That pompous asshole! Just because he’s the general’s coffee boy, he thought he was better than everyone else? Well, he could go fuck himself. And I was going to do the same.

I made a beeline for Jackson, my wedges clacking with each stomp of my feet. I grabbed him by the lapels of his jacket, my confidence and rage behind the wheel now.

“Let’s get out of here,” I demanded.

His eyes lit up. “Absolutely.”

He abandoned his drink on the table and let me drag him out of the Great Hall and toward the were dorms. The best way to get over a guy was to get under a new one, and I was going to do it as many times as it took to erase Niko from my mind—and my heart.