Lucy's mood was drier than the Sahara. Her thoughts drifted like dust in the wind, unanchored, directionless. She had no idea what her life was turning into anymore. The only thing she was certain of was that she was Kyle’s mate. And even that felt like a cruel joke.

"Hey, champ... you good?" Jeremy asked, brows knit tight with worry.

Lucy exhaled a breath that sounded more like surrender. "Yeah. Just life."

He chuckled softly. "Nah. I think you're missing the professor. What's going on? Why haven’t you been going to class?"

She sighed again, this time like it hurt to breathe. "He doesn’t want to see me."

Jeremy raised...