The Professor's Second Chance Mate

Chapter 20a

***Lara ***

After he left for work, I dragged myself out of bed and shuffled toward the shower. The desire to stay cocooned in his lingering scent and relive the memories of the night before tugged at me. Maya seemed to echo that sentiment, yearning to immerse herself in his intoxicating aroma, to roll and frolic in it like a Labrador in the snow. A soft chuckle escaped me as I entertained the playful image. We would need to go for a run soon to satisfy her restless spirit. I’m sure Knight feels the same as she does.

Kelton had thoughtfully left out a towel for me, and my mind, ever the traitor, ventured into wild imaginings of us sharing the shower… steam swirling around us as our bodies intertwined. Yum.

The mere thought sent a shiver down my spine, a delightful anticipation that danced through my veins. Though I knew I’d see him again soon, it didn’t feel soon enough.

Oh, girl, you’ve got it bad, Maya sung.

I don’t need an I told you so, but yes, you were right. I replied with a smile. It felt like my whole body was humming with happiness. I was thoroughly glad I’d let her talk me into giving him a chance.

As I stood under the water, my body relaxing in its warmth, I couldn’t help but notice the delicious soreness that permeated my body, inside and out. It was a pleasant reminder of our passionate connection. Each ache seemed to whisper fragments of memory, igniting a smile upon my lips.

Yet, despite the intimacy we had shared, I couldn’t shake off a lingering sense of awkwardness in his home alone. The truth was, I had never stayed with a man before. In fact, I had never stayed anywhere other than my own room- well, excluding that awful cabin. I mean, I’d never been invited to a sleepover. In fact, since my 9th birthday I haven’t been invited anywhere. If my family traveled, they did so without me. I’d be left in the care of the beta or someone else. I actually felt more at home, more relaxed when the three of them were gone. If they left Kiren behind though, it sucked. He pretty much had free reign to do as he pleased.

This unfamiliarity of being in someone else’s home gnawed at me, casting a shadow of uncertainty. Questions swirled in my mind like a whirlwind. What was the protocol when I left? Should I leave a note? Should I express thanks? No, that seemed strange, too formal and weird. Lost in this sea of uncertainty, I busied myself by making the bed, lingering a moment longer to inhale his scent one last time. It was like a d**g, addicting and alluring, filling me with a longing for another hit.

With a heavy sigh, I reluctantly stepped away from the bed, leaving behind the memories of our shared night. As I ventured out into the day, the remnants of his presence clung to me, whispering promises of future encounters. That magnetic pull drawing me to him since I met him had always been undeniable. Now that we’d claimed each other fully, the bond felt stronger, I felt stronger. I felt whole. In his embrace, I found solace and passion, a combination that awakened dormant parts of myself.

As I closed the door, I glanced around, not wanting to be spotted.

—————

Once dressed, I headed to class. All afternoon my mind was shattered by various thoughts. Kelton mind linked me to make sure I was OK. He also offered for me to spend the night with him again. I wanted to. I missed him already. But I wouldn’t risk him getting into trouble if people noticed me coming and going from his home. Besides, I needed to think. Not about him. My mind was clearly made up on that front. But I needed to think about how this, us, might work. Would dating him be ok once I’m no longer in his class? Or should I quit school and take online classes?

Despite my concerns about getting him fired if he were caught having an affair with a student, I also had another, bigger, concern. What was I going to do about these shadow monster thingys? I racked my brain, wondering who else I could ask about them. Kelton had already questioned his contacts. I didn’t want to worry him anymore than he already was. I considered reaching out to my dad, but I didn’t really want to. I could just imagine my b!tchy mother maliciously hoping they would get me. The fact was, I didn't really have any contacts. I’d never attended the mate balls at other packs, I’d never traveled with my parents. I didn’t know anyone really. And if I did reach out to any of the people that had visited our packs they’d probably tell my dad, then he’d tell Kelton, and it would be a whole big thing.

Then it hit me. I could contact my aunt. My aunt, my dad’s sister, visited occasionally and had always been supportive of me. She’s married to a beta in another pack. Oh, my Goddess. She’s married to Kelton’s beta. How had I not put that together until now? I hadn’t seen her in years, and my mother liked to keep me away from visitors as much as possible, unless it was necessary to act like the perfect family. But still, now it seemed so obvious. If I called her, not that I have her number, would she tell her mate? He would feel obligated to tell Kelton. Suddenly this all seemed too much, too confusing.

Maybe I could contact the royals. Kelton had said he wanted to explore every possibility before he involved them. I felt a little guilty about even thinking about going around him, but if I could solve this problem without putting him in further danger, that would be best. I love that Kelton is there for me. I know deep in my soul that he would die for me, he would move heaven and hell to protect me. I’d never had that kind of love from anyone. I desperately want to keep it, to keep him. And if that meant making a possible stupid choice to keep him safe, I felt like I could justify that.

The royals mostly keep to themselves. They’re not even wolf shifters, they’re jaguars. But somehow, somewhere along the line, they became royalty over all shifters. Wolves are the most populous shifter, but there are also some cats, bears and a few others as well, though they are far more rare. Alpha’s send reports to the shifter king in Brazil and typically travel there every few years, but as I said, the royals mostly stay out of pack business. It is, however, a requirement for all packs to keep the royals informed of any incidents, such as rogue attacks, leadership changes, or, hopefully, weird-a*s shadow creatures.

I drafted a vague email and hit send before I could change my mind. Done.