Page 5 of The Fate of Eternity

Taking a deep breath again, it seems to take root this time, and the tension bunching my muscles together eases just an inch.

“You have the gift of the gab,” I reply, a real smile tilting the corner of my mouth. “I thought you would be all over this like a pro.”

Brody smirks at me, the knowing glint in his eyes like always. “Please, of course I am. It’s grumpy assholes one and two over there who should be concerned,” he states, pointing at Cassian and Raiden.

Cassian glares back at Brody from his spot a few steps ahead of us, while Raiden turns to give him his full attention.

“I’m a vampire. I know how to lead a crowd.” He stands taller, fixing the sleeves of his suit jacket even though there’s nothing wrong with them.

“Sure you do,” Brody retorts with too much humor for my vampire, who rolls his eyes in response.

Their bickering should be a distraction, but among the chaos, it feels more comfortable, calming my breaths and easing my racing heart.

A moment later, the door opens in the far corner of the room and Professor Fairbourne fills the space. He doesn’t cast his gaze in my direction. Instead, he reads out a list of names, causing a slight panic among the students. My breath stutters when the final name he calls is Kryll.

My fingers tighten around his as he offers me a soft and reassuring smile. Wordlessly, he leans closer, staring deep into my eyes before he eliminates the distance between us and crushes his lips to mine. It’s too short but oh-so-sweet, and then he’s gone.

I press the pads of my fingertips to my mouth, eager to recall his touch, but the remnants of his lips against mine are dimmed when the door closes behind the named students.

“Well, this just got real,” Flora muses, filling the empty spot where Kryll had stood a moment ago, and I nod. “What are you going to say?” she asks, and I stare at her, trying to find the right answer, but I still come up empty.

“I don’t know,” I admit again. I’m trying, I’m really fucking trying, but it’s not easy. My brain is processing words, but none of them are sticking.

“Are you okay?” she asks, concern crinkling the corners of her eyes.

“I’m good.”

“You can say if you’re not, you know,” she murmurs, squeezing my arm in comfort, and I try to smile at her.

“I know.”

I also know that the possibility others may overhear my vulnerability exists in this room of diverse origins, and I’d rather not reveal that if I can help it.

A shadow casts over me, drawing my attention forward, where I find Cassian looming over me. Brody’s hand draws circles on the small of my back while Raiden watches from a step away, and the attention from all of them threatens to leave me breathless.

“Cassian?” I question when he doesn’t initially speak.

He stares at me, like really stares, slipping deep into my eyes and searching my damn soul. For what, I don’t know, but it’s consuming nonetheless. Inching closer, he presses his lips against my ear, his words barely more than a whisper.

“You are hands down the most stunning wolf I have ever seen in my life.” I shiver against him, his words heating my veins, and I’m almost certain I can feel my wolf inside of me. I can’t explain it. It’s euphoric and amazing, leaving goosebumps along my skin. “You’re also my mate, Alpha. My. Mate. I won’t let anything happen to you.” He leans back, his gaze still consuming mine as I gape at him in wonder.

“I didn’t think you would,” I muse, tingles running through me, and he nods.

“Yeah, now the impulse is worse.” His jaw ticks as he strokes his thumb over my cheek.

Before another word can be spoken between us, the door opens again, Fairbourne stepping back into the room as he starts calling out names. Panic clings to me once again when Cassian, Brody, and Arlo are called out.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

Cassian’s grip on my chin tightens a fraction before his lips capture mine in a searing touch that reignites the ghost of Kryll’s kiss earlier. I pout the moment he takes a step back, tearing his lips from mine as Brody shifts his hand from my back to my waist and pulls me in close. Smothering my pout, it wanes under the swipe of his tongue as he delves into my mouth like a starved man.

Just as quickly as he obliterates me, he takes an unwanted step back before following the others through the door.

“Girl, you are so done for,” Flora says with a snicker, pulling me from my longing thoughts as I turn to face her with a raised eyebrow.

“What?”

She matches my stance, cocking her brow at me as she nods toward the closed door. I sense Raiden move toward my right, his presence sending tingles down my spine as I try to focus on my friend.

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