Page 111 of My Summer Girl

My mouth practically waters at the smell. It’s divine, sweet, and the best thing I’ve ever inhaled. Sinclair and Dulce are going back and forth, chatting, but I can’t hear anything.

All that consumes me is instinct. Take her. Hide her. Claim her.

The voice in my head is mine, yet it’s not. It’s demanding and dark. Dangerous. Not calm or in control.

“Dulce,” I grunt, and it’s so monstrous sounding, like I’m a beast unraveling and not the queen of a realm.

“Ver?” she questions, shortening my name in a way I want her to repeat forever.

“Need. To. Leave.”

My body pulses with an unfounded sharpness, like needles beneath my skin. Something is wrong with me.

She nods and heavily avoids Sinclair’s frame, grabbing my hand and dragging me with her. Almost understanding me more than my own brain can comprehend, she weaves us through patrons, not touching any of them.

Such a good and thoughtful princess. I’ll reward you.

She doesn’t speak a single word to anyone, not even me, and my chest rises with pride. So good for me. I’m lost to the fog, unsure of why this is happening. My nan never told me of hidden traits of Solerans. Is this normal or am I somehow going feral... Is that a thing?

Her eyes peer back and meet mine several times, just little glances. In our bond, I can feel Vex and Raev, and they offer comfort. The castle walls pass me by as we trail each hallway until we make it to my room.

“Leave,” I hiss at Alessand, seeing him stand guard. He raises an eyebrow but doesn’t argue. His nose moves as if he scents my mate and I roar at him. “Away!”

Dulce shoos him and then grips my face. “Your eyes are massive, Ver.”

“Touch,” I whine, her skin soothing me.

“Touch what?” she attempts to soothe. When I don’t—no, can’t respond—she reaches for my face. “What is happening?” Her concern etches across her pinched brows and through the bond we share.

“Mate.”

“Yes, mate,” she confirms, nodding. Her soft eyes are unbearably worried. “My mate.”

“Bed.”

“Bed?” Realization dawns on her and has her pausing at the door. “I don’t think—”

I lift her body and her legs automatically wrap around my hips as if they’re consciously choosing me. “Need my Dulce.”

My brain is working too hard and I don’t understand it. This isn’t me. This has never happened.

“Okay, mi corazoncito,” she confirms, not fighting me. “Whatever you need. I’m yours.”

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