My Genius Mate

Chapter Two

Gabe sent me a friend request to Snapchat after he convinced me to download it and Instagram last night. While sitting in orientation, Katie looked over and saw my screen as I added him back. She raised a brow at me. "You two are getting along quite nicely and fast."

I smiled. She was right. Gabe and I clicked almost immediately after I let my guard down with Henry around. Between making fun of the two of them and just getting along, we were great friends from the start. "Yeah, well, when you're around the right people."

Gabe sent me a snap. When I opened it, I had to lean my face into Katie's arm to keep from laughing aloud. He sent me a picture of a box full of underwear and lingerie. Henry was holding a bright pink bra to his chest and posing with it. I took a screenshot of it and showed it to Katie, who nearly died laughing herself. I replied, "That is a mixture of both our things. Have fun deciding who is who."

That wasn't true; it was all Katie's, but I didn't want to embarrass her, "How do you think they're doing with everything else?"

"Eh, they're capable, mature, young wolves. . . They have already decided who can hold the couch up for the longest. Did that before we left."

We left the boys Katie's spare key and permitted them to come and go as they pleased, as long as they helped bring in our furniture and put it together since it would arrive while we had orientation. I heard some whispers and turned to see a few groups of people staring at me. Finally, someone turned and cleared his throat to get my attention. "Excuse me, are you Ali Baker?"

I eyed him up and down; my wolf was tense but not on alert. There wasn't anything weird about him other than knowing my name when I'm sure we've never met, "Depends. Who are you?"

He held his hand out to me. "I'm a literal no one; I've just heard so much about you. When you lived here before and were friends with Alpha Ronan. I'm pleased to welcome you back to the Chase Pack."

I took his hand, and he smiled with tinted pink cheeks; my wolf panted happily as someone finally said what I've wanted to hear since I moved away.

The orientation ended, and we got up to leave. Suddenly, a crowd surrounded me and asked me questions, wondering where I was staying on campus and why I had left. Some even said their sorries for my mother, who I gave an off look to. Who were these people, and why did they know so much about me? What happened while I was gone?

Someone came forward and asked if we were attending the beach party tonight. There was a gathering of students to party it up, drink, and be stupid before getting serious about college. I nodded, "Sounds cool. Can someone send me details?"

Multiple people pushed their phones in my face; I put them down and said my Instagram account name aloud for anyone to friend and message me. Katie looked at me weirdly as we got in the car and returned home. People still pointed at me and waved as I left the parking lot.

"Are you a celebrity around here?" Katie turned her body towards me from the passenger seat.

I held my hands out in confusion. "I have no fucking clue! I didn't even know any of those people!"

******

Back at the house, the guys were excited about the party. Henry wanted to show off his mate. They agreed to go after getting a bite to eat from Mr Lorenzo's Pizzaria. Orientation was boring, and I didn't get any sleep last night. I held my arms out to stretch while yawning. When the pizza was there, I ate a slice with my eyes barely open. Katie patted my back, seeing my tired eyes, and pulled me to her shoulder. I put my head on her shoulder and heard a click. I opened my eyes to see Henry taking my picture. He turned it around to show us. Katie and I were smiling, but my eyes closed, and I held her arm. "I'm posting it. You guys look cute."