Kari's stomach hurt by the end of the meeting. She had chosen a small breakfast with her father in the office after realizing Evan had gone to the dining hall. She didn’t want to be anywhere near him, especially not after last night. She’d tossed and turned endlessly, unable to stop imagining the feel of his lips on her neck and face.
As if that wasn’t enough, when she finally managed to fall asleep, she awoke in a panic. It took her a moment to realize it wasn’t her own fear, but Evan’s. The intensity of it radiated through the mate bond, compelling her to rush to his room. The door was locked. She stood outside for several minutes, torn about what to do, before she felt him calm and finally returned to her own bed.
As soon as Mia opened the office door, Kari caught the sharp, earthy sc
