Fester blushed and bit down on his bottom lip.
“Itisbetter this way, Fester,” Jenni told him firmly.
Fester exhaled shakily. “Yeah. I know.”
“Uh, I’m Brimsworth,” the man Fester called James introduced himself. “What exactly happened?”
“We were just telling Fester that Nightwind is dead.” Jenni gestured toward Fester.
“Good.” Brimsworth sneered immediately. “Nightwind was scum. Fester deserves better.”
“He does.” I smiled faintly, watching the protectiveness in Brimsworth. His soul lit up around Fester. Italmostappeared that they were mates. In fact, I would bet on it. I wondered why the bond hadn’t snapped in place yet, though.
I knew my matebonds didn’t form immediately because my magical reserves hadn’t been full enough to connect the bonds, but I also heard the rumors. Evidently, matebonds hadn’t been forming immediately like they used to for supernaturals. The decline in immediate matebonds has been a growing concern in the past decade, according to the news.
Even in cases without trauma.
A lot of scholars are blaming the fae, but I couldn’t find a valid reason why.
“I have something to show you,” Brimsworth murmured to Fester before he glanced over at us again. “Thanks for making him stop running so I could catch up.”
“Have fun.” Jenni waved to them.
“I intend to.” Brimsworth grinned before they waved their goodbyes and walked away.
We continued our way toward the dorms after that.
As we neared my room, Jenni’s tablet buzzed. She glanced down, smirking at the screen. “It’s Daryl. He’s waiting for me outside, and he sounds rather impatient.”
“Tell him I said hi.” I grinned, gesturing for her to go meet with him.
“Of course I will.”
We hugged, pulled apart, and I slipped inside of my room.
“It’s rather odd seeing your best friend be mates with your dad,” Nebula commented thoughtfully.
I shrugged, pulling him out of my bag and placing him on the nightstand. “I kind of like it. I don’t have to worry if he’s found the right one because, well, they’re mates. Also, she’s lovely so she’s good for him.”
“Valid point,” Nebula whispered.
Bram was on the bed, glaring at his tablet. The tension in his shoulders was visible, and he hadn’t even looked up since I entered the room.
“Hey,” I murmured, sitting next to him. “What’s going on?”
“Sorry, Pandora. My head’s filled with all kinds of shit right now.” He sighed, forcing a smile as he stared at me. I felt his stress through the bond, and it made concern fill my heart. “Can you come with me to Slater’s next weekend?”
“Of course,” I agreed, frowning and moving closer until his spicy bourbon scent filled my senses. “What happened?”
He tilted his tablet screen so I could see screenshots of messages. “These are messages from my father to Slater and Melinda.”
My eyes widened as I read the cold, biting words on the screen.
Harry Hemlock
Melinda, babe, please. Just talk to me.
I know I was wrong.
