He Will Be Mine

Chapter 55: Back to School

*** Alyssa's POV ***

I'm bent over my duffel bag, tucking the last bit of my clean underwear into the side pocket, when I feel fingers feathering over my hip. I assume it's Tyler, but when I straighten and turn around to place a kiss on the culprit, I am surprised once again that it's Matt. I have a lot of regrets at my young age, but inviting this guy to shower with me the other night is definitely not one of them.

It started out awkward and tense for him, but I spent a lot of time kissing and touching everywhere I could see and reach. I knew he wasn't ready to take things too far, but my goal was to get him more used to being naked with me. I wouldn't let him shut off the water and flee from me until he relaxed and got more comfortable touching and being touched. And when in doubt, I pulled his hair to help him get out of his head. That drives him wild, and I love him wild. In the end, he emerged as a version of himself that has been more comfortable in his skin and bolder about initiating moments like this, so I consider it a monumental success.

"Hey, trouble," I tease, pecking his lips. "I have to pack like three more things and then this one is ready to go with the others."

"Okay. Mine are already in the hall, and I got Tyler's together too. Want me to work on packing up your computer?"

"Yes, please. Why are you packing Tyler's things though?"

"I didn't pack them. He did and then left them by the closet, but your mom said they have to be in the hallway. He saw that little brunette girl struggling with something down the hall and went to help her."

"Oh. I didn't even notice he left," I frown, but turn back to scooping my freshly folded clothes into my bag.

We're almost packed and ready to head back to school. I have mixed feelings about it, of course. I'm excited to be going back to see Ronnie, Trevor, and Meredith, especially since we never got to visit Matt's friends while we were in Wisconsin. But I'm also dreading going back to sleeping alone in my single bed in the dorm. I've been spoiled by having both my mates with me for almost a month.

A few minutes later, Matt has my computer all packed up and I've finished with my other belongings, so we deposit them in the hallway outside my bedroom door and then head off together to find Tyler. It's easy since I can scent him now.

Matt notices me sniffing the air and smirks at me in amusement. "What are you doing?"

"Following his scent," I tell him as though it is the most obvious thing in the world.

"Oh, right. The mate scent thing." He reaches for my hand absentmindedly, which makes me smile. I love that he does it like it's second nature to him now.

We find Tyler in the kitchen with Henny, being loaded up with to-go bags of all sorts of snacks and treats. She has always had a soft spot for me, but I think she likes Tyler even more. If it means more snacks, then I'm not complaining.

Dad comes into the kitchen and makes a beeline for me, scooping me up into a tight hug and burying his face in my hair.

"I hope you guys will consider coming here for spring break," he says, which is his version of telling us he'll miss us.

"Depends. How many bikini-clad hotties can we expect to find around here then?" Tyler jokes.

Dad glares at him and I mimic the glare and smack his arm, but he did make me laugh. Matt just looks embarrassed and uncomfortable, probably wondering how many seconds until my dad rips Tyler apart for that remark.

"I think you're getting a little too comfortable here," Dad says, and then squeezes Tyler's bicep. I would say it looks affectionate, but it actually looks like it's meant to be uncomfortable.