"Let's just say I have an interest in seeing exceptional talents properly cultivated." He turns back to Regina. "The position comes with a stipend, of course. And academic credit toward any graduate program you might wish to pursue."
"I..." Regina shakes her head, clearly struggling to process. She's always had a hard time accepting people doing nice things for her, and unlike with our pack, she has reason to be wary right now. "This is more than I expected."
"Take some time to consider the offer. But I do hope you'll think carefully about the opportunity."
My wolf is snarling inside my skull. Every instinct I possess screams that something is wrong here. Wrong, wrong,wrong.
Villeneuve doesn't do charity.
Villeneuve doesn't offer help without expecting something in return.
And reading between the lines, it's clear what he's asking. Because I'mwaytoo fucking cynical to believe he just caressomuch about her academic potential. About her being his TA.
More like herT and A.
Or her magic.
Then again, she's got a hell of a lot of both.
"Thank you. We'll discuss it with the pack," Regina says finally. "And I'll get back to you."
"Of course." Villeneuve inclines his head, the picture of graciousness. "I'll have the sponsorship paperwork filed with the Dean's office by end of day. Consider it done."
Regina thanks him again, her voice steady despite the utterly bewildered confusion I can feel churning through our bond. We make our way out of his study, through his pretentious house, back into the morning air that suddenly feels colder than before.
The whole walk to the property line, I can feel his eyes on us.
Watching us.
Menacingly.
Before we walked in here, I thought this fucker had designs on our mate.
Now I'msureof it.
Chapter 16
REGINA
The house iswaytooquiet without Killian and Sean.
I'm curled up in the nest with one of Eliza's journals, trying to focus on her notes about energy management in shifter-witch bonds, but my attention keeps drifting. The words blur together, and I realize I've read the same paragraph countless times without absorbing a single word.
Micah sits across from me, supposedly studying for his anatomy exam, but I can feel his restlessness through our bond.
Rowan's in the kitchen, reorganizing the pantry for the second time this week. The clink of jars and rustle of packages has become background noise, punctuated by occasional muttered curses when something doesn't fit the way he wants it to.
"Where's Killian?" I ask finally, setting the journal aside.
Micah looks up from his textbook. "Probably still making the rounds. Trying to convince anyone with a pulse and a faculty ID to sponsor us."
"Even though Villeneuve already agreed?"
"Especially because Villeneuve agreed." He closes his book with a sigh. "Killian's convinced there has to be another option. Someone less..." He trails off, searching for the right word.
"Suspicious?" I offer.
"Terrifying," he corrects. "The man freezes four alpha wolves with a gesture and drives a car fit for a supervillain. That's not normal professor behavior."
