I'm not sure if that's a compliment or an observation, but I'll take it.
"You may go," he continues, already turning to his bookshelves. "I've already submitted the pack's paperwork, but it might take a while to hear back."
"Thank you so much," I say, breathing a sigh. "Do you need me to do anything over the weekend?"
"Not this time," he answers, straightening his tie and swallowing another cough. "Same time Monday. We'll begin with the department's research archives—I have a project that could use your particular skill set."
I don't ask what skill set he means. I'm not sure Iwantto know.
"Monday at eight," I confirm, gathering my things.
The walk back to the house feels lighter than this morning. The sun is starting to set, and lit up like this in pinks and purples, the campus looks even more magical. The occasional bursts of glittery magic from first-years in the courtyard trying to get laid help with that. Students mill about the campus, heading to dinner or study groups or whatever activities fill their evenings.
I survived my first day.
I actually enjoyed parts of it.
And now I get to go home to four alpha wolves who've probably been driving each other crazy all day with their worry.
The thought makes me smile.
I pick up my pace, suddenly eager to be surrounded by them. To feel their arms around me, their presences brushing against mine through the bond. To eat whatever chaos they've made for dinner and listen to them bicker about whose turn it is to pickthe movie, even if it's guaranteed to be something corny and terrible.
I'm starting to love this weird little life I've carved out for myself, chaotic though it may be.
But I can't get the way Villeneuve looked in his office when he thought no one was watching out of my head.
Is he sick?
Maybe the vial contained medication of some sort.
Or maybe I happened to get a glimpse of his magical vice. He wouldn't be the first practitioner to make use of less than illicit substances to fuel his magic, but there's no point in jumping to conclusions without more evidence.
And if there's one thing this job is good for, it's keeping an eye on him.
Something tells me he hired me so he could do the same.
Chapter 21
SEAN
I'm gonnafucking lose it if I have to watch Regina walk around in that same pair of jeans for one more day.
Don't get me wrong, her ass looks fucking fantastic in them. But our mate deserves a proper wardrobe, not the sad collection of basics she managed to grab when fleeing dickwad Kyle and his coven full of magical assholes.
Now that it's just the two of us in the living room, since everyone else is busy with weekend activities, I know it's the perfect time to strike.
"Shopping," I announce, tossing my controller aside and vaulting over the back of the couch. I almost launch her into the ceiling. "We're going shopping. Right now."
Regina looks up from the grimoire she almost dumped onto the floor, eyebrow arched in that way that makes my dick twitch. "We are?"
"Yep." I'm already grabbing my keys from the hook by the door. "Now that we're all officially bonded and you can leave campus,you need clothes. Real clothes. Not the three shirts, two dresses, and two pairs of jeans you've been rotating since you got here. No matter how amazing your tits look in that green one."
She shuts her book with a snap. "I'm fine with what I have."
"You're not, though." I lean against the doorframe, studying her. "And if you don't come pick stuff out yourself, I'm just gonna buy whatever I think looks hot. And trust me, you donotwant that."
Her eyes narrow, but I can see the corner of her mouth fighting a smile. "Are youthreateningme? With a shopping spree?"
