That fae was going to cause problems. I knew it deep in my bones.
Nate was a threat, but I wasn’t sure why or how yet. I’d have to bring his name to Rowan or Blair when I had time, but for now, I had to prepare for Wren to come for her first session.
I closed Nate’s file and put it to the side before grabbing Wren’s and slapping it down in front of me.
The sweet, naïve arctic fox shifter with beautiful white hair and innocent blue eyes. I’d thought everything about her was a ploy, but when she’d nursed my wing in my bat form without knowing I wasn’t an actual bat, I knew she was kind, if nothing else.
Her touch was gentle. She wasn’t aggressive like all the others I’d interacted with before. She was warm, and her soul called out to mine in a small but powerful way.
I didn’t want to let my guard down around her, but she had something about her that made me consider it.
Knock knock.
“Come in,” I rasped before clearing my throat.
The door opened, and Wren stepped inside and shut the door softly behind her. “I’m sorry. I’m a little early.”
I glanced at my clock and chuckled. She was five minutes early. “Go ahead and take a seat.”
She hesitated, running her hand down the length of her hair, and went to sit in the chair. Sitting on the edge, she crossed her legs and gave me a wary smile. “I’d like to apologize.”
My brows bumped together as I grabbed the pen. “What for?”
She sucked in a breath before speaking. “For what you saw in the forest and for taking you to my room without your consent.” Her cheeks tinged a dusty pink as she ducked her head down. “It was wrong to have put you in my bed.”
I froze, and the pen fell from my hand and hit the desk with a thud.
Did she actually apologize for bringing me into her bed? I’d never had anyone do something even remotely like that. If anything, women were eager to get me into their beds, no matter what I thought about it.
“Oh, Kalista,” Wren breathed, her hands tucked between her legs as she kept her head down. “I’m so sorry. I swear, I didn’t know it was you. I thought it was just some cute little bat who tried to save me from an insolent wolf. I didn’t know it was you. Although, I totally would have nursed your wing as well, but I wouldn’t have put you in my bed or slept next to you. Oh my gosh. I’m embarrassing myself so I’m just going to stop.” She clamped her lips together.
I smirked. The rambling was honestly adorable.
“Wren,” I said, and her head snapped up as her gaze met mine. “It’s okay. I appreciate you healing my wing. Whatever you used worked like a charm.”
Her face stayed red, but her lips tugged up in a smile. “Still, I am sorry. I’m glad you liked the healing cream, though.”
Stretching my arm out, I wiggled my fingers. The pain was gone by the time I’d shifted back to my regular form. That cream was better than what the healer at the academy used. I’d given Finch, our academy healer, Wren’s name for the future since she’d have her in class next term.
“Thank you for your apology, and you are fully forgiven.” I rested my elbows on the desk and leaned forward as I stared at her. She squirmed under my gaze, and I chuckled. “How’re you doing at the academy?”
“Oh, you know, I’m doing good. Everyone’s been really kind... mostly.”
“Mostly?” I arched a brow, and she shrugged.
“Yeah. I mean... you heard everything between Grayson and me. And his new girlfriend isn’t very nice.” She wrinkled her nose before her eyes widened and she threw her hands up in front of her. “Oh! But I don’t mean that in a bad way... Well, yes, I do, but I mean, I can handle myself.”
“I’m sure you’re fully capable. Care to tell me more about Grayson?”
Her spine straightened as she fumbled with her fingers in her lap. “The day before I came here, the bond snapped in place between us. He rejected me because I’m a fox shifter and he didn’t want toshareme since fox shifters mate more than once. He said some really hurtful things about my parents... My father was a fox shifter and my mother was a wolf shifter. Both arctic. I just…” She took in a shaky breath as tears welled up in her eyes, and my chest squeezed.
“You just what?”
“I…” She shook her head, and her shoulders trembled. “I just wish the Fates hadn’t chosen him for me.”
My fingers twitched. I’d never wanted to comfort a woman so badly in my entire life. “Surely if the Fates put you through a rejection, they’ll have something greater than you could possibly think of waiting for you.”
“But that’s just it.” Her fists tightened in her lap. “Theydidn’t put me through it. He rejected me. I rejected him back. But... the bond is still very much there when we’re close. It’s physically painful and draining to be around him.”
