17. Knox
Chapter seventeen
Since arriving yesterday, my hound has been at the edge of my mind. He is so close to the surface, trying to find the source of the scent. The thought of his mate being this close makes him crazy, which is making me crazy, since I have to be the rational one. He wants to take over, so he can run around basking in her smell, signaling our presence. Every fiber of us knows that whoever that smell belongs to is our mate. He wants to track her down and claim her. We want everyone to know that she is ours.
When Gage sat down, her scent covered him. Her blood is still on his knuckles. I barely held myself back. I felt practically feral. For the rest of lunch, I force myself to breathe through my mouth to stop smelling her. I am trying to act normal, but my whole body is tense, and I can’t calm it down. I don’t want to say anything yet. The first person who should know I am her mate is Salem. Saying her name even in my head has a shiver pass through me.
As much as I want to force a meeting between us, I know the gods or stars will allow us to meet when the time is right. I have to be patient and hope she feels it as strongly as I do. Why does that very thought fill me with dread? I dread the thought of her not feeling this mate bond.
My parents made me attend this Academy before giving me my inheritance. Atticus, Gage and I want to create a nightclub bar that attaches to the Hell’s Gate casino. That was the plan before I purchased the land across the street from the casino. I couldn’t let the land pass by or somehow get picked up by someone else. It pretty well cleaned out my bank account, which was funded by the Underworld fights. It was worth every penny and gave me something to look forward to. My parents wanted to repay me for the purchase, but I refused. I am trying to show my seriousness about this dream. My parents promise to help fund the construction costs.
My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I see it’s my mother. My jaw ticks with annoyance. It’s not that I don’t love my mother because I do. With my hound being this close to the surface, it has left me with little patience. My mood is foul, and I don’t want to take it out on my mother accidentally. Part of me wants to push the ignore button, but my dad would kick my ass for it unless I had a good excuse. As I lay on my dorm couch, I have no legitimate reason, and a shitty mood doesn’t count. “Hi, Mom.”
“Knox, are you and Atticus settling in, okay?” I close my eyes and run my hand through my hair. I attempt to relax before I speak. The woman knows I hate small talk, yet she does it anyway.
“Yes, Mom. It’s not our first year.” I tell her, trying to keep the annoyance out of my voice.
“Yeah, as much as I love to see you both at the Academy making memories, I am glad it’s your last year. I am getting too old for this work.” She sounds tired. “When the first break happens, I need you and Atticus home for it. I know it’s your last year, but the fucking Ministry is breathing down our necks again.”
That has me sitting up. I have too much of my dad in me, wanting to take over and fight her problems for her. As much as I don’t like to admit it, I am a bit of a mama’s boy. When Atticus and I are home, we rarely leave the casino grounds. “Do I need to come home this weekend?”
“No.” She hesitates; something about her tone puts me on edge. “Stay alert, though. Going to have some extra ears added in Underworld. Those beautiful degenerates are the biggest gossips in the world.” She says with affection in her tone. Those are her people. They would do anything for her. She provides a haven for people, along with a spot to help with their nefarious business dealings.
I shake my head and laugh. “And you are basically a mama bear to all of them.” It’s true. Mom has a way with the deviant members of the Underworld. She and my dad started with fighting rings. It has grown into something much more. They are both completely self-made. The two of them came from nothing, and they still remember their roots. My mom is a badass, and she owns it. “Not having any issues, right?”
“None that your father and I can’t handle. Just stay out of trouble, and that goes double for Atticus.” She laughs at the last part, knowing Atticus makes it his job to find trouble. After all, that’s where the best secrets come from.
“Just say the word, and he can come watch from the veil.”
“You know I don’t like that! It makes me feel like I am under a microscope. You know damn well that I can handle myself. I’ve done it for years now. I want to keep you in the loop, as you always say you want to be.”
“Yeah, a vague loop, but still the loop either way.” I laugh, and Atticus comes into the room. “Love you, Mom.”
When I hang up, Atticus looks seconds away from jumping into the veil. His devotion to my family is nothing short of loyal. He loves them and feels like he owes my parents everything since they took him in when he had nothing and nobody. The only thing he has of a blood family is one close cousin with whom he is still close. He is my brother. “Everything’s fine. We have to go home for fall break, though. Might have to plan a trip home before that, though.”
His hands flex into fists before his knuckles turn white. His green eyes practically glow as he is fighting the urge to go. “Should I just pop over to make sure?”
I shake my head, but I know the man spends most of his time in the veil. If he could, he would practically live there. “I asked, and she said no. I am sure it’s fine and that you have enough on your plate.”
“Family is more important than what I got going on. I think I will pop over just to check in.” He hesitates. “Don’t tell her.” He knows how she feels about it. However, I also know his fear of losing anyone will outweigh it.
“Don’t stay long.” He nods before disappearing from where he was standing in an instant. It makes me feel better because Atticus will make sure nothing out of the ordinary is happening. I trust him to keep our family safe. Maybe by fall break, I will bring Salem along to meet my family. That thought makes me smile as I wonder what my little mate is currently up to.