Chapter 19
Volik
Ifollow the dean two steps down the hall, then fold my arms over my chest, keeping myself between him and the door behind me.
My mate is worked up and unsatisfied. I will not have her near another apex male. Even if he looks old. And is already mated.
For some, the dean’s six-and-a-half-foot height and thick frame would be a threat. But not to me.
Not before. And certainly not now.
“Volik.” He keeps his voice low, his bushy gray brows twitching as he takes me in. “I…” The corner of his mouth tips up. “Congratulations.”
I dip my chin.
I may not have known what would happen to me when I met my mate, but clearly this old wolf understands what’s going on.
“Mine wasn’t quite so… drastic. But it hasn’t been so long that I’ve forgotten what the aftermath was like.” He smirks. “So I get it. I do. But these kids…”
Someone steps into the hall behind me and hurries in the opposite direction.
I know it’s Nix. The footsteps came from her room, and I can smell her, but I still look over my shoulder.
Her bag is over her shoulder. Her head is down. Her strides are quick.
I drag my tongue down my fang.
She’s leaving.
My mate is leaving, right in front of me.
Henry clears his throat. “Just give me a moment, yeah? You’ll still catch up to her.”
I keep my eyes on Nix, watching her reach the end of the hall.
She pauses, her skirt flowing around her legs.
And… she looks back.
I uncross my arms and lay my hand over our shared pulse.
Her body sways toward me as the pull between us tries to stop her from leaving.
But then her eyes dart to the dean and widen as recognition makes our heartbeat jump.
Nix drops her gaze and rushes around the corner, disappearing from my view.
I take a step to follow.
“Volik, I must insist.”
Baring my teeth, I swing back to face him. “I resign.”
Henry sighs. “I’m not speaking as your boss. Not that you do any actual work here. I’m speaking as your friend.”
I did not know that we were friends. But he was right before. Even if she is trying to run away from what’s happening, I will catch her.
Nix is my mate. She cannot hide from this.
And if she’s running because she is afraid… She will learn.
My mate will learn that she is the only person on this planet who does not have to fear me.
I take a deep breath, filling my lungs with the lingering scent of orchids, and force our heart rate to slow.
“Fine.” I accept that I may want to hear what Henry has to say. “Speak.”