Page 61 of The Stone Initiation
Cameron locks gazes with me and her skin flushes. The metallic scent of danger spikes with a sweet undertone, and now I need to cross the room for an altogether different reason.
The cuff on my ankle heats and tightens as it attempts to mute my susceptibility to her pheromones, but it barely takes the edge off.
Selas is still speaking, but I scarcely register her words. I’m locked in a battle with my primal self because my prize is so close. So fucking close.
“Get off the mat, Miss Walker.” Selas blocks my view of Cameron and the hold on me relaxes. I exhale and take a step back to compose myself.
I’m an elite. A leader. An example.
Cameron joins her friends, and Selas turns to the Mason boy. “Hello, Curi,” she says softly.
He’s gone still and silent. Staring, simply staring at his cousin.
Selas smiles, but with her milky white eyes, it looks more like a threat. “There’s a technique to taking down an opponent larger than you. As a female gargoyle it’s one I’ve honed to perfection. And now, with the help of my lovely assistant, I will demonstrate how.” She cants her head. “So, Curi, are you ready to attack me?”
His fists clench. “No.”
Murmurs skim over the gathered. They’ll think him weak. A coward. But I doubt he cares.
He has his reasons for not laying hands on Selas, and she knows it. She’s made him small without landing a single punch.
“I concede.” Curi kneels and bows his head. “I wouldn’t dream of challenging an elite.”
“Get up you fool,” Farnell snaps. “You’ll challenge whomever we tell you to if you wish to stay in this program.”
Curi’s jaw flexes. He stands abruptly.
“Cam!” Someone cries.
This time I can’t hold back.
I’m across the room in a flash.
Cameron is unconscious in the female gargoyle’s arms. I reach for her but the gargoyle steps away from me, cradling Cameron to her chest while shooting me a warning glare.
“We’ve got her,” she grits out.
My instinct is to take my mate from her, but Selas is beside me, her hand on my arm, drawing me back, reminding me of what I can’t have.
“Take her to the infirmary,” Selas says. “The rest of you have a demonstration to watch.” She looks up at me. “Let’s teach the next generation.”
You can’t go after her. You can’t be with her.
Focus.
I bare my teeth. “I won’t make it easy for you, Selas.”
“Do you ever?”
The double entendre makes me smile, but when I look up, I catch the Mason boy staring, a look of hopelessness in his eyes.
I remind myself that he’s a cadet. Young and foolish, that this is a training facility, and that Cameron will be in several situations where she might get hurt.
But it isn’t normal for a male gargoyle’s mate to be in danger.
Our mates are usually omegas who are coveted and kept safe in their dens.
This…There is nothing normal about this, and it will take every ounce of my will to keep my primal nature under control.
