Chapter 12 #5
My face heated as I started processing what that would mean. I went to go say something, needing more answers, but not knowing where to start… but then Aanya was there. My gaze flickered up to someone that was with her. Someone that legitimately surprised me.
“Mom and Dad don’t care,” Aanya insisted as I felt my pulse pick up at a very familiar pair of burnt-orange eyes.
I froze completely despite Dakota’s arm wrapping around my waist as he pulled me onto his lap.
My breathing went rough, my body exploding in flames, as I realized just how hard my mate was underneath me.
I looked down at him, his smile amused and heated, before I flicked my gaze back up at Ryder.
My professor. Ryder Bosu. Oh man, I really felt like there was something I was missing when it came to this man. I think the feeling was mutual because upon seeing me, he stilled, a small, odd noise breaking from his lips.
If Aanya noticed, she didn’t comment on it while sitting down, flashing me a smile. “Oh, this is my brother, Ryder, by the way. He teaches on campus.”
“Yeah, I’m in his class,” I murmured. She looked at me with slight interest, only distracted by her phone ringing.
She groaned and hopped up to go somewhere to talk as Ryder somewhat stiffly sat down in her seat across from us.
Dakota, oddly, didn’t comment on his presence, his lips pressed to my shoulder in a soft touch.
“How was your second class?” Ryder asked, his eyes darting over my shoulder curiously. I could tell he wanted to say something else. I wasn’t positive what, but it was for sure something.
“Good,” I answered honestly. “It was Shifter History and Groupings. That’s where I met your sister.”
“What are you doing here, Ryder?” Dakota mused, sounding as if he was laughing. I had a feeling that he was more filled in with how I knew Ryder and what had happened in class than he was letting on. At least to some extent. Did the blood-bonded pack have a way of communicating with one another?
I nearly face-palmed myself for that one. Phones, Effie… they had phones.
“I wanted to make sure my sister had a ride back to the dorms before I left,” he answered somewhat dismissively, as if it didn’t matter now. Little did he know, I actually found it rather endearing and sweet. “Are you feeling better from earlier?”
“Are you not feeling well?” Dakota asked, his fingers brushing my jaw so I would look up at him, once again getting the feeling he didn’t like to not have my attention. My fingers ran over his neck and into his hair as I offered him a small, unsure shrug.
“I am somewhat—”
“Caedmon said she was feeling overwhelmed. Her energy is all over the place. Even I can feel her wolf,” Ryder interrupted, causing my brows to arch.
“You can feel my wolf? Julian said he could as well. Is that normal?”
“No,” Ryder murmured. “It is not normal.”
“Wonderful,” Dakota inhaled, chucking softly. “This doesn’t even surprise me.”
“What?” I frowned, confused fully now.
“Kitten, I need an answer. Are you feeling better?” Ryder leaned forward, his muscular arms crossed, as my pulse jumped at the command in his voice.
How did I answer? Did I feel better? Also, why did he call me a kitten?
More so, was I actually okay? I had been, but now I felt more confused than ever.
My answer seemed extremely important to him though, as if he couldn’t manage to let it go.
“No.” I exhaled and then tilted my head. “Yes… Actually, I honestly don’t know.”
Dakota froze slightly, his phone buzzing and causing a vibration to roll over me, as I tried to not let that affect my body.
Was I really at that point? That worked up?
Clearly. He gently shifted me from his lap as he offered Ryder a look and stepped away, kissing the top of my head and going towards the nearby railing that looked down on the basement floor of the library.
I looked back at Ryder, who was staring at me expectantly.
I didn’t know why, but I felt the need to give Ryder what he wanted.
I didn’t want him to think my answers were inadequate or stupid.
Nor did I want him thinking that I was somehow incapable of handling my emotions.
Yet I couldn’t get my words out. Was it him, or had it just been too much today?
“Give me your hand.” His voice was soft and compelling as my hand twitched, immediately moving forward to do just that. It was shaking slightly, but I didn’t question his action, gasping slightly as his warm, rough hand clasped mine.
I jumped as a weird surge traveled between us, a burning feeling making a whimper break through my lips as it sizzled on the inside of my wrist. Ryder’s jaw clenched and gaze flared as something like realization and somewhat horror dawned on his face.
He immediately flipped over my hand and pushed up my shirt sleeve, and I was suddenly thankful that it was on the opposite side of my bruises. Especially since now there was a stunning mark on my skin, a circle with nine flames that seemed to flicker in tones of orange and purple.
Ryder let out a pained noise as my throat thickened with emotion I didn’t understand. I looked up at the man, whose eyes were now black as he dropped my hand as if it was on fire or poisonous.
“Fuck.” He snarled and ran a hand over his face. “Fuck, fuck, fuck.”
“What?” I voiced weakly as he stood up, his chair falling back as he strode away. I blinked, unable to follow as a comfortable haze surrounded me, flames flickering on the edge of my vision as I shook slightly.
Dakota was there then, gently lifting my wrist before snapping his head around to watch the odd man stride away. Was I the only one confused on what had just occurred?