Imprint.

Twelve

Gage got out of the car and walked up to me. He raised an eyebrow at my anxious body language. My leg was shaking, my fingers were drumming on my knee, and I was biting my lip.

"What's up?"

"How was your first day?"

"Victoria."

"What?"

"Quit stalling. I know you have news."

"How do you know?"

"Carter called and asked if Evan and Noah could come over later."

"Oh."

He sat down beside me on the step. "You didn't answer my question."

I raised an eyebrow.

"Why are you so anxious?"

I felt like a bottle of soda with a Mentos in it, just ready to explode. "I wanted to ask you something but I don't think now's the best time."

"Talk to me, V."

"It's stupid."

"It's not if it's bothering you."

I hated that the imprint was making him care more. I didn't think he, or anyone else, would care if he weren't imprinted with me. "Did you ever have girls over? Before I came around?"

He grinned at me. "Why do you want to know?"

"I was talking to Dean and-"

"Dean has a new girl over all the time."

"I just wanted to know."

"I've never had a girl spend the night. Either here or back home."

I nodded and stood up. "Now that that's settled-"

"Victoria, are you jealous?"

I laughed. "Why would I be jealous? You said nothing happened."

He stood up and looked down at me. "You have nothing to be jealous of."

"Okay."

He pulled me up one step and kissed me. "I promise."

A truck pulled up and stopped beside us. Noah and Evan got out and a grin spread on Noah's face.

"Look at you lovebirds." Evan said, pulling me into his side for a hug.

Gage rolled his eyes.

"How's Bentley?" Noah asked, pulling his jacket off. He probably expected he'd have to phase which meant no clothing. I only hoped he waited until the right time to strip.

"He's not handling it well."

"And the kid he bit?"

"She is sleeping on the couch right now."

All three raised their eyes.

"He bit a girl?"

I nodded. "Carter's having a hard time getting anything out of him."

"I have to see this." Evan said. He ran up the steps and went inside. Noah followed shortly after.

Gage and I walked inside and Bentley was pacing the length of the living room. He wore only a pair of shorts. His eyes were red and puffy and his hands were shaking clasped behind his head. A young girl with dark hair was curled up on the couch, her hair covering her face. She had a green tank top on with shorts and flip flops on. I hated to see a girl so young brought into the werewolf world but I knew Bentley was going through something just as bad.

Carter walked over to me and pulled me into the kitchen. "I don't think you should stay here tonight."

"You're going to need my help-"

"V, it's not safe for you to be here. She's going to be scared and confused and there's no saying what she'll do."

"I can handle myself-"

"We're not debating this, V." Gage said.

I rolled my eyes. I knew Gage was only trying to protect me but it felt like he was just another annoying brother bossing me around.

"Stay at her house with her. We'll handle things here." Carter said to Gage.

"You can't kick me out."

"No, but I can kick Gage out and since he's not leaving without you, you have to go too."

I glared at him. "You're the worst."

"I'm sorry, V. I have to do what's best for the pack."

"What caused him to do this?" Gage asked, lowering his voice. Though he and Carter had super sensitive hearing, I didn't and I had to strain to hear them.

"He hasn't told me much. But he imprinted on her."

I looked at Bentley. He was still pacing with anxiety coursing through his body. Every now and then, he'd glance at the girl. It was the same look Gage gave me when he was worried. The same one he'd given me outside just moments before.