But I can feel the jealousy beneath his calm exterior. The desire to claim me just as publicly.
I'm sorry,I think through our bond.
Don't be,he thinks back.You needed this. I understand.
But understanding doesn't make it easier for him.
The rest of the day passes in a blur of stares and whispers. Professors who notice the claiming bite and quickly look away. Students who give me a wide berth. The constant awareness ofthe bond with Caspian, knowing he can feel me through it the same way I can feel him.
After classes, I know I should probably go see Caspian. The bond pulls at me, wanting to be near him. But I'm also drawn toward the faculty block, toward Julian. I want to talk to him and see him after everything that's happened.
I'm halfway there when movement near the training fields catches my eye. Knox. He's sitting alone on a stone bench, staring out at nothing. Something about his posture makes me change direction.
"Knox."
He looks up and his pale eyes immediately lock onto the claiming bite on my shoulder. His entire body goes rigid.
"Nova." My name comes out rough.
"I wanted to thank you again. For intercepting that wolf the other night. You didn't have to protect me."
"Yes, I did." He stands and takes a step closer. His eyes are locked on the bite mark and I can see the barely restrained hunger in his gaze. "Couldn't let that bastard hurt you."
His hand reaches out toward the mark. Without thinking, I grab his wrist.
"Don't."
He looks down at where my fingers wrap around his wrist, then back up at my face. Something flickers in his expression. Then he pushes out of my grip with effortless strength and his hand moves to the back of my neck.
"Knox, what are you..."
He pulls me toward him and crashes his mouth against mine.
The kiss is powerful and sudden, nothing like the gentle intimacy I shared with Caspian this morning or the skilled touch of Julian. This is raw and desperate and consuming. His mouth devours mine, tongue sliding past my lips to taste me. One handgrips the back of my neck while the other wraps around my waist, crushing me against him.
Sparks explode through my body. The incomplete bond between us roars to life, demanding completion. I can feel his wolf pushing at the surface, barely contained, wanting to claim and mark and possess.
My hands come up to his chest, not sure if I'm pushing him away or pulling him closer. He tastes like winter and danger and something wild I can't name.
Then as quickly as it started, he releases me and jumps back, putting several feet of distance between us.
"I shouldn't have done that," he says roughly.
"What if I wanted you to?"
His laugh is bitter. "Trust me, you don't. You don't want what I am. What I'd do to you."
"You don't get to decide that for me."
"Yeah, I do." He runs a hand through his dark hair. "Go play happy family with your Alpha and your professor. That's what you need. Not me. I'll destroy you."
He starts to turn away but hesitates, like he's about to say something else.
"Nova!"
I spin around. Caspian is walking toward us from the direction of the dorms.
When I turn back, Knox is gone. Disappeared into the shadows like he was never there.
