Page 21 of Twilight of Embers
“You, too.” Maddox’s brows furrowed as his large hand engulfed mine.
The second our palms touched, it was as if lightning shot through me. That same phantom wave as when Knox had touched me the first time. My vision tunneled, and darkness tried to swallow me whole.
11
MADDOX
The girl’s eyes flared as the violet in her gaze flashed molten.
Holy hell.
The mate bond sang through my nerve endings, leaving behind third-degree burns I’d take over and over again. The inferno sparked a mixture of lust and protectiveness and knowing.
How many times had I heard the true-mate bond described? More than I could count. From my own parents and from the elders in our horde. But all their stories paled in comparison to what I felt now.
I wanted to scoop up Hayden in my arms and carry her back to our den. All I could see were a million potential dangers around us. Things I had to protect her from.
Hayden’s eyes fluttered, and she began to list sideways. I quickly dropped her hand and moved to steady her.
Knox rushed to her other side. “Shit. Hayden, are you okay?”
She blinked rapidly, coming back to herself. “Sorry. I don’t know—that’s the second time that’s happened today. Maybe I should go to the health center.”
I dropped my hand from her shoulder as though the contact scalded me. Health center. Hayden was a student.
I gritted my teeth. My mate was over a decade younger than me and so beyond off-limits, it wasn’t even funny. The university had strict rules about fraternizing with students. I’d always thought it was a good rule. Until now.
“I think you just need to eat a little something. You probably have low blood sugar,” Knox couched, moving a sandwich closer to her.
“Yeah, maybe.” Hayden unwrapped the meal, her long, delicate fingers moving in graceful motions.
She glanced up at me, a gorgeous blush staining her pale cheeks. “Sorry about that. Not the greatest first impression.”
God, I wanted to touch her. To hold her in my arms and assure her that there wasn’t a damn thing she could do that would make me love her any less.
“No problem.” My voice was deeper than normal, raspier. “But you should make sure you’re getting enough to eat.”
A million questions swam through my brain. Did she have enough to eat? Was she warm enough? Was she happy?
Amusement lightened those violet eyes. “You guys have a real thing about food.”
Knox grunted.
Understatement of the century. When our kind found their mate, they had a deeply ingrained need to make sure their mate was safe and cared for. To provide for them in every way imaginable. Food was just the tip of the iceberg.
Hayden took a small bite of her sandwich. Watching her mouth move was a recipe for disaster. I had to force my gaze back to her eyes. “You’re a freshman this year?”
She nodded, swallowing and taking a sip of the soda Knox handed her. “Yes. And you’re…”
Her words trailed off as if confused.
My lips twitched. “I’m a professor here.”
Hayden’s brow furrowed as she glanced at Knox. “You called him your brother.”
Knox grinned. “Not by blood. More by choice. There are five of us that live together. Old family friends. You’ll meet them all.”
I could barely swallow my groan. Our bond was going to eat this girl alive. She was tiny and delicate, with clearly no idea of what we were or what she was. How was that possible?
