“I need a healer!”
Maverick snorted. “I’m busy teaching.”
The rest of the lesson passed without incident. Everyone ignored the groaning wolf lying on the mat, waiting for his bones to knit back together. From the pathetic whimpers and sniffles, it sounded like a painful process.
At least I hoped it was. I had no sympathy for the wolf. He’d tried to hurt my bear, and I wouldn’t forget that. Each time my gaze snagged on the pathetic wolf, my magic sizzled in anger, and a spark burst from my index finger.
I waited until people were busy clearing the mats away at the end of the lesson before exacting my revenge. The wolf had his eyes closed when I wandered over, but he’d rolled over onto his back now that his legs had mostly healed. I stared down in distaste.
Most wolves were decent looking, and this one was no exception. He had a strong jaw and an even stronger body. No doubt he thought all the females adored him. To be fair, they probably did. From what I’d observed, female shifters were very tactile and happy to get physical with any willing male.
Well this one would be out of action for a day or so. I summoned a spark of fire and directed it at the wolf’s crotch. He screamed in agony as my fire magic burned his dick, leaving a black scorched circle.
“That’s for trying to hurt my bear,” I whispered in a voice only the wolf could hear. “Try anything else and I’ll burn your dick so bad it won’t ever regenerate.”
A dark and vengeful power slithered through my veins, mixing with my fire magic. For a moment, shadows swirled around me, obscuring the gym and remaining students. I blinked in surprise.
What just happened? Then a large hand touched my wrist. I jumped in surprise.
“You okay?” Maverick’s honeyed voice pushed the darkness down, smothering the shadows in sunlight and warmth. “You looked a little strange for a moment.” He glanced down at the sobbing wolf. “Oops. Another magical accident? I guess I’d better write that one up. Come to my office, Miss Blackstone.”
“She fucking burned me!” the wolf cried.
My bear slammed on the brakes. “I can report her, but then I’d have to report your behavior as well. Your choice, wolf.”
That shut the wolf up. He knew damned well if Maverick made an official complaint, he’d be expelled and thrown in prison for attacking a faculty member.
“Fine! Just…leave me alone, witch!”
“No problem,” I beamed before my bear dragged me away for astern lecture.
“I’m sorry,” I said once Maverick’s office door closed behind us. The wolf continued howling as he dragged himself out through the exit. I half watched him stagger down the path toward the healer’s clinic in the main building, wondering what story he’d spin to explain his scorched penis. He didn’t strike me as a wolf with much imagination, so it would probably involve a scented candle and a bad date.
“I don’t need an apology,” Maverick growled. He pushed me against the wall, his powerful arms caging me in. “I’m fucking hard as steel for you right now.”
“You are?” I’ll admit it was a dumb thing to say when the evidence dug into my soft belly like a metal pipe.
“Yes. My bear loves that his mate punished a pathetic wolf on his behalf. He adores knowing his mate wants to hurt other males, even if he doesn’t need protecting.”
“Oh.” I blushed. I still wasn’t sure what had come over me. Yes, I hated the wolf for trying to kill my bear, but hurting people wasn’t in my nature. I preferred to talk about issues, not lash out and maim people.
Perhaps it was a hormones thing. I should probably visit the healers and get some calming herbs or something. Burning dicks was a psycho trait, and I would never forgive myself if I turned into a psycho witch mass-murderer.
“Do you have to write this up? I understand if so.” It wasn’t ideal, but Maverick had a job to do.
“No, my little witch. I have no intention of writing this up. You deserve a reward, not a punishment.”
28
Maverick
While my bear didn’t like our mate putting herself in danger unnecessarily, he loved the fact she’d hurt the dumb-as-fuck wolf shifter on our behalf. Seeing her best the pathetic shifter was proof we’d been blessed with a strong, brave mate. My bear loved it. He also loved her, which he wanted me to tell her, right after we mated her.
But Raven wasn’t ready to hear thosethree little words. She’d barely got used to the idea of having a soul-bonded mate, let alone a mate who loved her, despite knowing her for only a few weeks.
I’d tell her eventually, when the moment was right. Which wasn’t now, while we stood in a small room that stank of sweaty socks and animal musk.
The last coach had clearly had personal hygiene issues, and I still hadn’t eradicated the sweaty odor that clung to the cheap plastic furniture. I hoped Raven didn’t think it was me, but if she did, she was too polite to say so.
