“I’m your mate.”
He sounded so earnest, her lips curved into a smile. “Your name?”
“Oh, right. I’m Remy. Remington Fortier. I’m a wolf shifter and a junior here at Trifecta University.” He glanced around quickly. “I came as soon as I heard you were in trouble, but I don’t see anyone now. Do you know who was following you? Tell me the bastard’s name, and I will pound him into bone dust for you.”
That offer was sweet, but unfortunately, she couldn’t give him an answer. Instead, she asked, “How did you find me?”
“I got a message on my phone saying someone was following you and that I needed to come help you. At first, I thought it was some sort of sick joke, but then I realized it was real. It was weird since I have no idea how that app got on my phone or how they knew we were mates, but I’m glad they did. Sorry I keep staring, but wow, you are seriously beautiful. I mean, like, absolutely stunning. I can’t believe you’re really mine.”
He winced.
“Shit, I don’t mean that in a creepy caveman way. I never expected to meet my mate like this, so I’m kind of at a loss of what to say. I just—this is like a dream come true.”
She liked how he spoke with a quick, rambling sort of cadence that sounded like music to her ears. She wanted to listen to him talk more, but she was running out of time before she passed out.
“A dream…” she agreed in a weak slur of words. “Sorry, Remy. I think I’ve been drugged. Can you take me home?”
Starla heard him curse as she closed her eyes. He was her mate and her magical helper, so she had no doubt she could trust him to take care of her. Whether it was fate or some strange sort of coincidence that had brought him to her, she wasn’t sure.
She just knew that she was grateful he had found her.
Remy let out a vicious curse as his mate passed out. Cradling her closer against his chest, he scanned the surrounding area as if there were armed combatants waiting to jump out and attackthem. He opened his mouth in a silent snarl when he heard a noise behind him, then relaxed again when he saw his friends sprinting toward him.
“What the hell is going on?” Anton demanded. “And who is that?”
“My mate,” Remy said, aware that there was a reverence in his tone that he’d never heard himself use before.
Kyler’s eyes widened. “Your what? And you just…found her here in the middle of the street?”
“Someone drugged her,” Remy growled.
Anton pressed his fist against the palm of his other hand. “Give us the name, and we will take care of it.”
“Don’t know yet, but I will find out,” Remy swore.
Without another word, Remy tapped into the well of magic inside of him and teleported all of them back to the inner courtyard of their apartment complex. At this point, he didn’t give a damn if anyone saw them. The only thing that mattered was getting Starla the help she needed.
Teleporting on campus in a restricted zone should have been impossible, but he was able to pull it off. Ever since his magical upgrade, Remy had been able to do some pretty advanced magic with ease. He’d been told it was probably since he came from an alpha line, and he’d never been more grateful for that fact than he was now.
The apartment complex where they lived was set up like a square with a large courtyard including a swimming pool, an outdoor kitchen, and a garden in the center. Balconies ran the entire length of all five floors, and strings of fairy lights were wrapped around the wrought iron railings. Some of the residents could usually be found in the courtyard at all hours of the day and night since it was a favorite spot to hang out and be social, but at the moment, it was strangely empty.
“Damien!” Remy bellowed, not caring if he disturbed anyone. Most of the residents were probably at the party anyway, but there was a chance a few strays stayed behind.
Damien Carver was the powerful demon who owned the apartment complex they lived in. They didn’t know much about him, but Remy considered him a friend rather than a mere landlord. Even so, their friendship came with boundaries he didn’t dare cross.
Although no one knew exactly how old he was, there were rumors that he might actually be one of the original founders of Trifecta University, though he had never confirmed or denied the claim. Based on the demon’s mysterious background and considerable influence, Remy suspected the stories were probably true.
Most people tended to be wary of Damien, intimidated by his dark presence and formidable reputation. There was even speculation that he might be a ruthless mob boss running some sort of nefarious empire, but the truth was he actually ran several legitimate businesses, including a successful chain of steakhouses called Carvers.
Despite his shadowy reputation, Damien had quietly assisted countless individuals over the years. Although he liked to be discreet, his good deeds had earned him a devoted group of loyal followers who currently helped manage his various businesses. His private army was steadfast in their allegiance to him, and the speed and precision in which they handled any problems that came their way was one of the main reasons why people them.
“I’ll call him,” Kyler offered, pulling out his phone.
“No need. I’m already here, and you better have a damn good reason for summoning me like that.”
The deep voice echoed through the courtyard, then a heartbeat later, Damien Carver strode out of the shadows. Impeccably dressed in his signature black suit with a matchingdress shirt, the demon looked like the wealthy businessman he was. His black hair was slicked back, and his dark eyes held a hint of irritation in them. Remy winced. He knew better than to disrespect the demon, but worry for his mate had overridden common sense.
“Hudson is sleeping, so keep it down,” Damien ordered, mentioning a medical resident who lived in the apartment complex. “And I just brought Cassandra home after an incident at Carvers tonight. She needs peace and quiet.”
