Chapter 26 Archer
Bechora was sporting a new mating mark. She was clearly trying to keep it hidden under makeup, but by the end of combat class, it was peeking through.
Jealousy twisted my gut, my inner wolf pressing against better sense, demanding I mark her as mine, too.
It took all my self-control not to give in.
We’d been spending time together, but it was always with the others.
She hadn’t had a chance to get to know me yet, and as much as I wanted to seal our bond, I knew she’d resent me if I pushed the issue before she was ready.
Instead, I found myself waiting outside the female locker room for her to emerge after class.
“You waited for me,” she smiled as she strolled out of the locker room and spotted me.
“Of course I did. I’d be a terrible mate if I didn’t walk you to your next class.
” I replied with a wink and offered her my arm.
She slipped hers through mine without hesitation, and my jealousy eased as we made our way from the arena.
“I was also hoping you’d agree to keep your evening free, for me to have you to myself for a little while. ”
“What did you have in mind?” she asked, genuine curiosity in her tone.
I turned slightly to bop the top of her nose without missing a step. “That’s a surprise.”
Bechora tilted her head back and laughed. The sound warmed my chest. “You’re something else,” she replied. “But, I’ll bite. I’ll ask Zypher and Gabriel to give us some space tonight. My place or yours?”
My inner beast preened at the easy acceptance.
“I was hoping yours,” I grimaced. “Versipellis House isn’t set up like Magus House. I’m practically sleeping on top of my roommate.”
“Mine works,” she shrugged. “Shadrie has plans tonight, anyway.”
“Perfect,” I said, an easy smile blooming on my face as we neared her next class. “You just be your gorgeous self, and I’ll handle the rest.”
“You’re incorrigible.” She laughed again, sliding her arm free of mine. “I’ll see you later.”
I watched her slip into her classroom before turning to head toward my own.
The rest of the day blurred into class after class.
My focus was shot to hell because all I could think about was finally having some time alone with my mate.
Part of me swelled with hope that our evening together would get me closer to her accepting me as hers.
My inner beast acted like it was already a done deal.
I didn’t bother with joining her and the others for dinner.
There was no way I could sit next to her, pretending I wasn’t counting down the minutes until we were alone.
Instead, I cut across campus to my dorm.
My roommate was nowhere in sight, but the scent of tiger shifter was fresh as if I’d just missed him.
Letting out a relieved sigh that I wouldn’t have to brush off yet another invitation to shift and run with him, I strode to my dresser and reached inside the top drawer.
I made quick work of gathering the candy, scented candles, and massage oil I’d stashed there, and tucked them inside my Academy-issued messenger bag before heading back across campus toward Magus House.
The weight of the bag bumped against my hip as I made my way along the cobblestone paths, my pace just slow enough to look like I wasn’t about to go sprinting around campus like a man possessed.
Didn’t mean I wasn’t considering it, though; each step closer had my wolf pressing forward with eager anticipation.
I was practically vibrating with it when I finally made it to her door.
I forced myself to take a deep, calming breath before knocking once and shoving my hands in my pockets to keep from letting myself in like I wanted to.
Footsteps sounded on the other side before the door opened, and she was standing in front of me, her fiery, red hair cascading over her shoulders like a living flame.
For a second, everything in me went still.
Then my gaze locked onto the mating mark on her shoulder, and my inner beast surged.
Claim. I dragged in a slow breath, forcing it down.
“Hi,” she said, a soft smile curving her lips.
“Hi,” I echoed, my voice rougher than I meant it to be.
She stepped back and motioned for me to come inside. “So, what’s the surprise?” she asked as the door clicked shut.
A genuine grin split my face, and I reached into my bag, pulling out the first thing I touched. Massage oil.
“Archer…”
“Pampering!” I cheered. “I thought you could use a decent massage, and we could talk. Just get to know each other a little better.”
Bechora tilted her head, studying me for a minute. “Okay,” she said finally. “But no funny business.”
“But I’m hilarious,” I pouted, intentionally misunderstanding her meaning.
She rolled her eyes and smiled. “Ridiculous.”
“I think you mean irresistible,” I grinned, waggling my brows.
She snorted, but there was no real bite to it as she moved toward the bed. “We’ll see.”
My wolf perked at that. Challenge accepted.
“I suppose the best place for this would be the floor or my bed,” she said, her brows dipping as she considered the options. “If you promise not to get handsy, we can use my bed.”
“Cross my heart,” I replied.
She shook her head and led me into her room.
I looked around, taking in the space while she slipped into her walk-in closet.
The room seemed fairly standard: a bed, a desk, a nightstand, but there weren’t any of the personal touches I’d expected.
Aside from her books and papers scattered on her desk, and very high-end, expensive-looking bedding, the room could have belonged to anyone.
She noticed the confusion on my face when she stepped back into the main room, with a towel wrapped around her chest.
“Caulder kind of brought me here against my will. I didn’t have anything except my work outfit in a duffle bag, when he did,” she said, correctly assuming the source of my confusion.
“We should fix that,” I said. “Don’t get me wrong, you in just that towel is fuel for fantasies, but you shouldn’t have to strip naked just to get a little rub down with some oil.”
“It’s just stuff,” she replied, shrugging one shoulder as she moved to lie on her stomach on thebed. “Besides, I believe you promised me a massage, and I intend to claim it. My muscles are screaming at me.”
“I did,” I said, my voice dropping slightly as I moved closer to the bed. “I’m honestly a little surprised you’re taking me up on it without a fight. I’d hoped, but still.”
She twisted her head to look at me over her shoulder. “My upper back is so tight from stress, I’m shocked my head hasn’t popped off like a bottle top. Besides, I trust you.”
Pride washed through me, and I stood a little straighter. Dropping the bottle of massage oil on the bed beside her, I dug into my bag and pulled out the candle and bag of candy.
“I brought snacks and ambiance,” I said as I set them on her nightstand and realized I didn’t have anything to light the candle with. “Shit!”
“What?” she asked, raising up slightly while keeping the towel pressed against her chest.
“I need fire,” I shrugged.
“Oh, I’ve got it.” She shifted carefully to keep herself covered and touched her finger to the candle wick.
Her brow furrowed in concentration before a flame sparked at her fingertip, lighting the candle.
She pulled her hand back with a smirk, blew out the flame on her finger, and winked before settling face down on the bed again.
“You’re incredible,” I breathed, gazing at her in awe.
She chuckled against the pillow under her head. “Chop, chop, wolf boy. Before I start thinking you just wanted to ogle my naked back.”
I shook my head with a laugh and positioned myself beside her.
Grabbing the massage oil, I popped the top and squirted a small amount into my palm, before flipping it closed and rubbing my hands together to warm it.
When I was satisfied it wasn’t going to make her flinch from the cold, I set to work.
A soft groan slipped out of her as I worked my thumbs into the tight muscles at the base of her neck.
“This is nice,” she admitted after a minute.
“Mm,” I hummed. “I noticed you don’t slow down enough to realize how much you need it.”
She didn’t respond, but I felt the way she relaxed further beneath me, her weight sinking into the mattress. I adjusted my pressure slightly, following the lines of strain down her back, working through each knot I found. She didn’t flinch. Didn’t pull away. If anything, she leaned into it more.
“You carry everything here,” I said quietly, pressing my thumb along her shoulder blade.
“And?” she mumbled.
“And it’s a lot.”
She huffed a soft breath, but didn’t argue. The quiet stretched around us as I worked my hands lower, careful to never cross the line I promised I wouldn’t. Her body grew more lax under my ministrations.
“How did you get your scar?” she asked, breaking the silence just as I was becoming convinced she’d fallen asleep.
“I was wondering if you’d ever ask me about it,” I chuckled, continuing to work my thumbs into the knotted muscles along her spine.
“I was fifteen, and thought I was hot shit and invincible. I’d just presented as an alpha, so I really thought I was something.
Anyway, I was at the local quarry with some other kids my age when I smelled something strange, and thought I’d be a hero.
Followed my nose around a corner and there it was, a basilisk, half asleep in the sun. ”
“Sounds dangerous,” she mumbled against her pillow.