Page 101 of A Blackened Bond

I open the kitchen door, hoping to grab something quick to eat, and then head to the academy to get some fresh clothes. Except I’m met with two grey-blue eyes watching me as I enter the room.

Mallyn sits up straighter, a spoonful of cereal in one hand and a book opened in the other.

My eyes widen as they trail up and down him, a more relaxed feeling seeping from him as his eyes flit my way. He’s wearing a plain white shirt, the fit a little looser as he turns slightly toward me. His hoody is gone from his shoulders, thrown casually around the back of his chair, and no longer hiding his sculpted features and toned figure. His white hair is styled to one side with slight flecks of silver running through it, making him look even more captivating.

Gods was he gorgeous.And just as breath-taking after he had shifted in front of me.

My eyes fall down his front, remembering each hard muscle and ab, my gaze drifting lower toward—I drag my eyes back up toward his face, a heat marring my cheeks with the memory of him…on top of me during the night the academy was attacked.

“Morning.” He calls, breaking the awkward silence between us as he puts his book down. And I flick my gaze toward the book, now wondering what he enjoyed reading.

My stomach chooses only then to remind me that it's feeding time, a growl ringing out around me and telling Mallyn, too.

I give him a sheepish smile as he grins and points toward the cereal box on the counter.

“I wouldn’t be much better than Annex when it comes to cooking.”

I make my way over to the counter and begin to help myself. “This is perfect. I wanted something quick anyway.”

“Why?” he asks, taking another spoonful of his own cereal as I head to the fridge and grab the milk.

“I need to go to the academy and grab a change of clothes. And then maybe I’ll head to ‘Elles’. The gift Annex and Ezra bought me was damaged during the night of the attack, and I’d like to see if the blacksmith there can fix it for me.” A frown pulls at my lips as I grab the cocoa rice krispies and pour the milk on top before sitting beside him and digging in.

He nods thoughtfully. “I’ll take you.”

A raise a brow. “You will?”

A smile that could make me melt stretches Mallyn’s lips.

“Those two won’t be up for another couple of hours.” He glances at the clock on the wall.7.35 am.“They’re not early risers. And after last night, they probably won’t wake until at least noon.”

“I wish I could stay in bed that long.” I muse, taking another spoon of cereal into my mouth and enjoying its chocolatey goodness.

He gives a small grunt in response, and I peer his way.

“Why are you up so early?” I ask, wondering why he was alone here and not a late riser like Annex and Ezra.

“My beast. He doesn’t exactly likeresting.” His lips pull down into a slight frown as creases form near his eyes.

There seems to be a lot more to Mallyn and his beast than the typical shifter dynamic. Their relationship or connection seems complicated.

I finish my cereal as Mallyn puts his bowl in the sink and I quickly follow suit.

I peek down at the clothes I’m wearing as we head out of the kitchen. “I’ll just…change quickly.”

He grabs a pen and some paper from a drawer. “I’ll leave a note for the others as well. Just in case.” He calls as I nod and run up to change.

I grab my clothes quickly, moving as stealthy as a mouse through the room so as not to wake Ezra and Annex, and make my way back down to him in record time.

“You don’t mind riding on the back of my bike, right?” He calls as I make my way down the stairs toward him, and we head past the kitchen and to another metallic-looking door. He opens it and flicks on a light, illuminating the room and all its objects.

It looked like a decked-out garage, holding Annex and Mallyn’s red and silver Ducati bikes, Creed’s black Dodge Charger, and Ezra’s blue Maserati. Some equipment was in the back, and another vehicle was covered by a large black tarp in the corner.

Mallyn calls me, pulling me from my wandering thoughts. We head toward his silver Ducati. He then throws me a black helmet before putting his own on, helping me fasten it before moving toward the bike.

He gets on, and I throw my leg over behind him. An excitement bubbles up inside me with the memory of riding with Annex on his bike. But I don’t think Mallyn would let me take the reins with his so easily.

“Hold on tight. I like to ride a little rougher than Annex.”

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