Page 20 of Stone Crest: Rise of a Raven
I shrug. “Yeah. It’s still daylight. I hike in places like this all the time.”
I feel him tense, before he recovers.
“We will discuss your irresponsible behavior later. Right now, I’m taking you to the house. No more discussion.”
I spent the next fifteen minutes in complete silence, brooding, while he carried me to his house, holding me close to his firm chest, completely ignoring me.
Chapter fourteen
Locke
I’m angry. Not at Raven, but at myself. I knew she was close. I could sense her the second she stepped foot on my property. I was careless. I just wanted a glimpse of her and I fucked up. I scared her, and now she’s hurt. My arms clutch her small body to my chest, the scent of something sweet flowing off of her skin masked with something like peppermint. I inhale, and my wolf howls inside my head. He’s practically strutting around, celebrating being this close to her. He needed to cut that shit out. I’m just being nice. She’s a wounded student.
And our mate.
I almost trip over my own feet at his declaration, but instead I deposit Raven onto the back patio.
“Thanks," she says dryly as I stalk past her.
She’s not my mate. She can’t be. It’s impossible. I accepted the fact years ago. When I was cursed to a life of damnation.
I open the patio door, leading Raven into the sitting room, and through the formal living area.
“Wow.” She says. “Very…. modern… vintage.”
“Yeah. Declan was in charge of decorating.” I step past the twelve-seat dining table and into the kitchen.
“I’ll be right back,” I call out over my shoulder.
I reach the half bath and grab the first aid kit. I don’t even know why we really have this. Wolves and vampires heal extremely fast. Sirens as well. We rarely have open wounds that last longer than a few hours. Callum is the only one we’ve used it for. That incident almost caused Hendrix to relapse. He was just getting stable not having human blood. It was ugly.
Taking a deep breath, I head back into the kitchen where Raven is clasping her bleeding arm.
Placing the kit on the counter, I grip her hips, lifting her body to place her where I can have better access.
“Hey!” She shrieks. “You don’t have to man handle me.”
She glares, blood still dripping down her arm and she’s still the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. Which again, makes me furious.
“Give me your arm,” I instruct.
“Are you always this pleasant or am I just special?” She deadpans.
She holds out her arm, while I use the towel by the sink to clear away the blood.
“You bring it out in me.” I shake my head. “This may sting.”
I continue to clean the cut, glancing up every few seconds to find her watching me closely.
“This is a big place.” She drops her eyes to my lips. “You live here alone, professor?”
“Locke.” We are in my home. As much as I need to be reminded that she's my student, right now, the need to take care of her is taking liberty. “You can call me Locke.”
I meet her eyes, and she asses mine carefully.
“I didn’t take you for a man who was indecisive.”
I ignore that. “I don’t live here alone.”
