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"Fuck it, then" I declared, holding out my pinkie finger. "Let's be crazy cat ladies together."

"Meow," Melody agreed, wrapping her pinkie around mine. Our laughter echoed through the room, sealing our pact and deepening the friendship.

Chapter 20

Griffin Talesmen

Isat in Professor King's class, my body present but my mind a million miles away. All I could think about was Harper - her long black hair and those piercing green eyes that seemed to see right through me. Was she my mate? I didn't know for sure, but something deep inside told me it was possible.

"Mr. Talesmen," Professor King called out, snapping me back to reality. "Can you tell me the first step in harnessing your powers for dream walking?"

"Uh..." I stammered, realising I hadn't been paying attention. Fuck, I had no clue what the answer was. "I don't know, Professor."

"Is there something else on your mind today, Mr Talesmen?" She asked, her eyebrows raised in mild annoyance.

Desperate for answers, I blurted out, "How do you know if you've met your mate or not?"

The room fell silent, and I could feel everyone's eyes on me. Well, shit. That was smooth, Griffin.

"Ah," Professor King said, trying to hide her surprise. "Well, that's a subject more for Professor Witshore who runs Basics 101, but I can give you a rundown."

The whole class perked up, suddenly interested in the conversation. I guess they all wanted some juicy gossip, or maybe they were just as curious about this stuff as I was.

"Sometimes people never know," Professor King began, "They can meet their mate and no signs will show until they actually bond. Bonding is more than just sex; it's allowing your powers to reach out and merge with someone you're intimate with..."

The class laughs and giggles at that comment, a few males wolf whistle.

"Alright settle down, anyway, as I was saying," Professor King continued with a smile, "bonding involves allowing your powers to reach out and merge with someone you're intimate with. It's a deeper connection than just sex."

I leaned forward, my elbows on the desk, and listened intently. This was the kind of information I needed right now. The more I knew about this mate thing, the better.

"However," she went on, "there are others, especially shifters, who will know straight away if they've met their mate. When in their animal form, their senses are heightened, and their instincts will let them know. Then there's the drawing – a constant pull towards your potential mate. Your body craves their touch, reacts to it, and sometimes even feels discomfort until the bond is formed."

The sensation from touching Harper at lunch was still there, like a fucking wildfire in my veins. I couldn't shake it off, no matter how hard I tried. My fingers tingled with the need to touch her again, and my chest felt tight just thinking about her.

"Damn it," I muttered under my breath, trying to focus on anything other than the confusing mess of feelings coursing through me. The professor's words echoed in my mind - the drawing, the craving for touch... It all seemed too coincidental to ignore.

But something didn't sit right with me. Harper had this air of mystery like she was hiding something just beneath the surface. What if that secret turned out to be something that would tear us all apart? The thought made my stomach twist uncomfortably. Could I give her a chance, even though we barely knew her?

As the class came to an end, I gathered my belongings while trying to shake the thoughts of Harper from my mind. I needed to focus on dream walking and harnessing my powers, not some girl who might or might not be my mate. But damn, it was difficult.

"Mr. Talesmen, you may leave now," Professor King announced, snapping me out of my thoughts. I nodded, as I stepped into the bustling hallway. The scent of magic hung heavy in the air, a mixture of raw power and potential that always made me feel alive.

"Griffin!" A familiar voice called out just as I began to make my way through the crowd. I turned to see Jessica striding towards me, her long blonde hair cascading down her back like a golden waterfall. She reached for me, attempting to pull me into a hug and plant a kiss on my lips, but I pushed her away instantly.

"What the hell are you doing?" I asked, frowning at her.

"Nothing, just saying hi," she replied, batting her eyelashes innocently.

"Okay, say it with words, don't kiss me."

Jessica's face fell, and she frowned at me. "Why not? You like my mouth."

"Yer, on my cock, not my mouth," I shot back, irritation flaring. "We're not in a relationship, Jessica, and never will be. Your powers are too low, and I don't like you like that. You know this. Why are you attacking me like a leech?"

Tears filled her eyes, making them glisten like tiny pools of water. "We could be great together, and you know it."

"Look, I told you from the start I didn't like you like that, and you said it was okay," I said, exasperated. "Now you're saying it's not?"

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