Page 10 of Enticing Monsters

No, not mate.

Mates.

Plural.

A giddy thrill shoots through me at the reminder that these men…are mine. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of hearing that. They were quite literally made for me, crafted from the universe itself to be the missing pieces of my puzzle. My appreciation only grows when I take in Xander’s soft smile…and his delectable ass encased in dress pants when he briefly turns away from me to open a door.

As soon as I’m close enough, Xander wraps his fingers around my wrist and pulls me forward until we’re away from a still-sleeping Kian.

Xander’s office consists of two rooms—one is where his desk is and the other is a sort of sitting room, where two armchairs dominate the space. It’s there Xander leads me, pulling out a chair and gesturing for me to sit.

Only when I’m comfortably situated does Xander perch opposite me, crossing his legs and clasping his hands together. Despite his feigned nonchalance, tension lines his shoulders and brackets the skin around his lips. A muscle in his jaw begins to twitch, even as his eyes remain utterly impassive.

Instantly, I’m on alert, my fingers moving to the bracelet on my wrist that can transform into a blade at the drop of a hat.

“What’s going on?” I ask warily. “Is this about what happened with Foster? I always heard he had a temper, but I guess I didn’t really believe it. He’s always so gentle with me?—”

“No,” Xander interrupts, his lips pressing together and pursing slightly. “This isn’t about Foster.”

“Is this about what happened with Kian?”

Because if it is, I wouldn’t have an explanation for him. I honestly don’t know what I did. I just knew Kian was terrified to use his powers, and I wanted to ease the burden for him, to gift him some of my strength. And…it worked. I think.Somethinghappened.

Xander frowns. “No…but I do think we need to discuss that, after we gather more information. This is about something else.”

I rack my brain for what he could be referring to. Perhaps I could just ask him, but he doesn’t seem to be overly forthcoming with answers at the moment.

“Is this about…us?” The last word scorches my throat, burning like acid. “Because you’re my teacher and mate?”

Oh god. Does he not want to be my mate? Is that even a thing? Will he get in trouble for being with me? I’m technically eighteen, but I’m still in high school, and he’s still my teacher. Maybe I’m not worth the trouble. Maybe he has decided to…deny the mate bond or whatever. Maybe?—

Xander’s eyes widen nearly imperceptibly. Before I can work myself into a panic, dark shadows whip forward and caress my skin, their touch feather-soft and eliciting goose bumps on both of my arms. A moan lodges in my throat when one of the whips inches underneath my skirt and brushes against my panties.

“I can assure you, Ms. Jenkins, that you being my student does not matter in the fae world.” Xander’s voice takes on a low and seductive purr that makes the fine hairs on the back of my neck turn to spikes.

Another wave of goose pimples ripples across my skin, and I shiver, desperately rubbing my thighs against each other, trying to trap his shadow whip to me.

“You are a consenting adult. I am a consenting adult. And, more than any of that, you are my mate.”

Mate.

Squeal.

When will I ever get tired of hearing that one word?

It’s funny. I didn’t even know what a mate was a week ago. Sure, I heard about it in the objective sense, but I never expected to have one of my own, let alone multiple. Now, I’m surrounded by more cocks than I know how to deal with, and it’s the best fucking feeling in the world. An all-you-can-eat buffet.

My good mood takes a leaping nosedive off the nearest cliff when Xander pulls his shadows back into himself and heaves out a tired breath. His gaze tracks to the far wall, where a huge black curtain hangs, obscuring something from view.

Curiosity propels me off the seat.

“What’s this?” I ask, tugging at the bottom of the curtain.

I glance over my shoulder at Xander, one eyebrow arched. He blows out another breath but nods, wordlessly encouraging me to continue my exploration.

I pull.

The curtain flutters to the ground, revealing a board with numerous pictures and newspaper articles taped to it. Strings of yarn connect one to another. I didn’t think anyone actually did this in real life, only in movies and television shows.

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