Page 41 of Volik

“Mine wasn’t quite so… drastic. But it hasn’t been so long that I’ve forgotten what the aftermath was like.” He smirks. “So I get it. I do. But these kids…”

Someone steps into the hall behind me and hurries in the opposite direction.

I know it’s Nix. The footsteps came from her room, and I can smell her, but I still look over my shoulder.

Her bag is over her shoulder. Her head is down. Her strides are quick.

I drag my tongue down my fang.

She’s leaving.

My mate is leaving, right in front of me.

Henry clears his throat. “Just give me a moment, yeah? You’ll still catch up to her.”

I keep my eyes on Nix, watching her reach the end of the hall.

She pauses, her skirt flowing around her legs.

And… she looks back.

I uncross my arms and lay my hand over our shared pulse.

Her body sways toward me as the pull between us tries to stop her from leaving.

But then her eyes dart to the dean and widen as recognition makes our heartbeat jump.

Nix drops her gaze and rushes around the corner, disappearing from my view.

I take a step to follow.

“Volik, I must insist.”

Baring my teeth, I swing back to face him. “I resign.”

Henry sighs. “I’m not speaking as your boss. Not that you do any actual work here. I’m speaking as your friend.”

I did not know that we were friends. But he was right before. Even if she is trying to run away from what’s happening, I will catch her.

Nix is my mate. She cannot hide from this.

And if she’s running because she is afraid… She will learn.

My mate will learn that she is the only person on this planet who does not have to fear me.

I take a deep breath, filling my lungs with the lingering scent of orchids, and force our heart rate to slow.

“Fine.” I accept that I may want to hear what Henry has to say. “Speak.”

Chapter 20

Nix

That was the dean.

Volik was standing in the hallway. Nearly naked. Gigantic dick practically hanging out of his pants. Talking to the dean of the university.

My boss.