“Obviously it was to subdue you.”
His gaze flicked down my body, and his grin turned wicked. “Guess I’ll have to start returning the favor.”
Slater’s voice piped up instantly. “Oh myFates, please let me fight her next!”
Pops’s voice cracked like a whip. “Stop it right now!”
Slater only grinned. “Please, soon-to-be-Pops-by-mating?”
Zuko leaned back in his chair. “I think I should be her partner next.”
“No,” Pops snapped. “Rune already won. Enough. All of you. Slater and Lorian, you’re up.”
slater
. . .
“He’s so fuckingserious about our studies.” I yawned as I sprawled out over my bed, patting the mattress beside me to invite Rune to come sit.
She rolled her pretty golden eyes, kicking my door shut before strolling over and lying down next to me. “He means well, I’m sure. Besides, we had to finish the historical reconstruction essay tonight.”
“Sure,” I agreed, not really wanting to discuss Dimitri and his perfectionist behavior when it came to studies. I wanted to discussher.Not just her, but me and her—us.
Her head shared a pillow with mine, and her midnight orchid scent swallowed me.
I inhaled it deeply before blurting out, “I like you.”
Her lips curved before a giggle bubbled out of her. “Really, Havoc baby? I couldn’t tell.”
A low growl seeped out of my throat as I moved, turning sideways to stare at her and propping myself up on my elbow. I pinned a serious look on her. “I’m serious. I like you a lot, Rune. I like you more than I’ve liked anyone. Fates, venom baby, you drive me crazy. You are constantly on my mind, under myskin, and I’ve learned to fucking covet your scent because of how happy and at peace it makes me.”
Her pupils dilated, and her lips made a little ‘o’ shape. “Slater…I don’t even know what to say to that. I mean, I?—”
“Do you like me?” I asked her, point-blank.
“Yes,” she answered, turning on her side to face me. “Liking you is a given, but it’s notjustyou that I like.”
“I know.” I smirked, my cock thickening as I thought about it. “I could tell by how loud Zuko made you scream last night.”
She bit down on her lip. “So you know that I like him?”
I chuckled.How cute. She was worried.“Yeah, I know. I wasn’t kidding when I told you he was my brother-mate. Koa and that agent, Jesper, too. Fates, even you and Dimitri have that sexual tension brewing.”
She stared at me, wide-eyed, but she didn’t deny it. “Are you okay with that?”
“Venom baby, how many times do I have to tell you that you’re my mate?” I asked her, trying to be patient. Wasn’t I clear enough with my feelings? “I don’t mind sharing you in the slightest if they’re your other mates.”
“And if they’re not?”
A growl tore from my throat as my demon form emerged, chaos magic simmering through my blood at the thought. “You willnotbe attracted to anyone who isn’t your mate.”
She let out a sad sigh. “If only that were true.”
“You hadn’t met your mates yet. Now, you have,” I assured her, knowing she was thinking of her past relationship. “Once our bond snaps in place, you’ll know.”
“I know I can’t be attracted to anyone but my fated mates after a fated matebond snaps in place, but?—”
“But nothing,” I cut her off. “Once you mate one of your fated mates and you’re still attracted to us, you’ll know I’m telling youthe truth. I believe in the Fates, and I know they sent me you as a mate.”
