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Lukas’s jaw muscle shifted, and he looked at Blaire, who was talking to Riley about his birthday. It was the only sign he understood. His best friend knew him. He knew when to wait.

His fingers dug into his eyes, and he forced down another bite of salad. The lasagna sat heavy in his gut, like the cheese had curdled in the stomach acid churning there. This could not all be from being away from her. He never heard of separation bringing this level of physical torment.

“I think we can save the birthday talk for later,” Seth said, leaning in to get a better look at Aiden’s face. “You need to see someone. You’re sweating bullets.”

Riley jerked her head around to look at Aiden, and the way her eyes softened and filled with worry hurt him. He didn’t want to upset his little sister.

Blaire’s hand rested on Riley’s shoulder in a comforting gesture. “He’s gonna go see someone. Don’t worry.” She gave him a sharp look.

Sighing, he stood. “I’ll take care of it.”

He couldn’t go to the health department. If he went and told them the truth, the domino effect would rock the school, throwing everyone’s life into disarray. They were only now coming down from the chaos Blaire’s arrival brought, and even then, they still faced issues because of a human Korrena. Charlotte also awakening as one, without the magical blood Blaire possessed, would be another situation where others would want to experiment.

He would be damned if he let anyone put their hands on Charlotte.

Suppressing the growl that rose in his chest, he picked up his tray. “I’ll talk to you later,” he said, looking at Lukas.

“Sure, man. I’ll come by your room later and check on you.”

“Me too,” Riley said.

Seth shook his head. “I think he needs rest.”

Lines settled between Riley’s eyebrows, and she frowned at her Korrena. “Lukas is stopping by. Why can’t I?”

“You can do whatever you want, but if you go, you’ll hang out forever yapping your brother’s ear off. If Lukas goes, he’ll check on him and leave.”

“Okay. Yeah. That’s fair.”

Layla laughed, and Dominic smoothed a hand over his mouth to hide his amusement.

“Let me know if it gets worse or you need anything,” his sister said, looking up at him with a serious look on her face that looked out of place there. She must really be worried.

He didn’t answer. He couldn’t lie to her.

Stalking across the cafeteria, he disposed of his trash.

It felt wrong to be the weak one. He always supported the group. Always ensured everyone was okay and well. When something went wrong, he stepped up to either figure out the problem or solve the problem if it was known. It threw him off balance to not be in control of the situation.

The darkness of his dorm helped ease the prickly feeling skittering over his skin like insects.

He collapsed on his bed and reached beneath his pillow, pulling out the baggy T-shirt he’d stolen from Charlotte. She wore it the night he noticed his mark on her. When she threw it into the hamper the next morning, he snatched it out and hid it.

If he had to go back to the academy without her, he would take a piece of her with him. A piece that held her natural scent. It also held the sweet pineapple upside down cake scent that made his mouth water. He now knew the smell to be the pheromone unique to her, that only he could smell as her Korrena. No wonder he became addicted to the smell while living with her in Athens.

He lifted the shirt to his face and breathed her in.

The potent scent of her arousal still clung to the fabric, and it made his cock stir in his jeans.

He eased his shirt up over his abs and worked open the button and zipper on his jeans, freeing his thick length. He gripped it tight in his hand. The relief he felt when the sourness in his stomach receded was startling. The combination of her scent and the pleasure he derived from it made him feel better.

Lifting his hand to his mouth, he spit into his palm before grasping his shaft again and working himself in slow, long strokes. He twisted his hand at the head, making his toes curl in his boots.

His other hand held her shirt close to his nose as he took another hit of her scent. His cock jerked in his hand, balls tightening in response.

He wondered if she was thinking of him. If she touched herself thinking of him while they were apart.

Squeezing his eyes shut, he arched his neck as he let the mental image wash over him of Charlotte lying in bed naked, toying with her ample breasts, working her hand between her legs, bringing herself pleasure while thinking of him. He shuddered.