Andria's POV
Mates!. My breath caught in my throat.
The room around me faded. All I could hear was the pounding of my heart echoing in my ears like a war drum. He stood tall, commanding attention, eyes like burning coals that seemed to pierce straight into my soul.
The new duel master, and yes, he had the attention from the Trio squad of course.
"He was younger than I had expected him to be, probably the youngest duel instructor", Becca remarked approvingly.
I felt Athena stir wildly within me. "It's him", she whispered.
This mate bond felt different, like a solidifying glue keeping me in place. He shifted his gaze from me.
No. No way, he was the first mate the moon goddess gave to me that I approved at first bond.
He moved with calculated grace, his aura powerful and impossibly magnetic. His presence made the hairs on my arms rise, and Athena was practically whimpering in recognition and subtle submission.
"Mate!," Athena whispered again.
