“Be patient and believe in yourself. I have no doubt you’ll master it soon.”
“Thanks, um, I’ve been meaning to ask…” Wren spoke in a soft voice, tucking a piece of her long hair behind her ear as she sat down on the couch. “Last week, when I hurt Mirella, why did you step out?”
Guilt seeped into my veins, and I frowned as I took the seat beside her. “I’m so sorry, my sweet ruby. I will never step foot outside of my classroom while you’re in it again.”
With a sharp intake of breath, she shook her head. “Alister, you have nothing to apologize for. I just never had a chance to ask.”
But I did. I should’ve known better.
I reached out and grabbed her hand, lacing our fingers together on her lap. “Rhett told me that there was another specimen caught on campus. He wanted to make sure you were okay and that I knew. Norman was able to capture it.”
Her lips parted for a moment before she pressed them together. “Rowan didn’t tell me that.”
I could see the frustration in the way her brows pinched together, and she let out a small growl.
“He’s been incredibly overworked, sweet ruby.” I squeezed her hand.
It wasn’t a lie. I wasn’t sure why Rowan hadn’t told her about it, but maybe it slipped his mind. He’d been so caught up with making sure Norman had everything he needed to do his research on the specimen, gathering data on the other supernatural territories, monitoring the dragon cult and the news, assisting Blair and Tabitha when he was able, and trying to remember to eat. The man didn’t know how to relax or take a break.
“He’s always busy,” she murmured, and her eyes glistened. She wrung her hands in front of her. “I understand he has responsibilities, but I worry about him.”
My other hand cupped her cheek, and she turned her head to face me. Her skin was so soft. “He loves you. Everything at the academy has been chaotic, to say the least. I’ve known Rowan for thirty-two years—”
“Thirty-two years?” she squeaked.
I chuckled, swiping my thumb over her blushing cheek. “You do know I’m a vampire, yes?”
“Well, yes, but I assumed you were like twenty-nine or around that age.”
I inched closer, my fangs tingling as her mouthwatering scent surrounded me. “I’m eighty.”
“Eighty? Wow! You look so good for eighty,” she blurted, her eyes dilating. “I mean, not that you wouldn’t look good at eighty. It’s just that vampire aging is so much slower than shifters, so I was like, wow. When I’m eighty, I’ll be wrinkly and old—”
“No, you won’t.” Another chuckle left my lips as I leaned back to give her space. “You know how mates take on the life expectancy of whichever would live the longest? The same goes for aging. Thankfully, the Fates aren’t that cruel.”
“Oh, thank Kalista for that.” She leaned into my hand, placing hers over mine. “I would hate to be old while you and Rowan still look like you’re in your prime.”
I couldn’t believe the village or her guardian hadn’t even taught her the basics.
“Thankfully, that won’t happen.” A smirk tugged at my lips as I pulled away to grab the medium-sized box that sat on the wooden coffee table in front of us.
“What’s that?” She scooted closer until her thigh pressed against mine.
“A gift.” I placed it in her lap. She reeled back, blinking at it as if she didn’t know what to do with it. “You’re supposed to open it,” I teased.
Tears trickled down her cheeks and hit the box, sounding like raindrops on a roof.
My heart clenched, and I moved forward to take the box away and have her in my arms, but she pulled it into her chest and shook her head.
“I’m sorry. I’ve just… never had a gift given to me in a box like this.” She traced the red ribbon slowly with trembling fingers.
A steady rage crackled inside of me, but I doused it. She was mine now, and I’d make sure that she’d have gifts to open on every occasion.
She pulled at the ribbon until it came undone, and she slowly removed the top before letting out a surprised gasp. “Alister!”
“You said Damien kept stealing them, so I bought you two pairs of the same design. My guess is if he steals one, he won’t steal the same one twice?”
The red-lace lingerie would look delectable on her.
