Page 27 of A Curse So Cruel (Fated Mates of Shadowbone Academy #1)

“Now, that doesn’t make sense. Why would you carry me when you have a perfectly good shadow creature who can do the job?

” Seriously, I can’t wait to bond with my own creature.

I’ll make that beastie carry me everywhere, and I’ll give it whatever treats it wants.

I pause my train of thought. “Wait. Do shadow creatures like treats?” I ask Thane before waving my hand.

“Anyway, it doesn’t matter now, but I really don’t get why you think running is so important. ”

Irritation passes over Thane’s face again, but instead of replying, he lunges forward.

One moment I’m on the dirt, peacefully enjoying my view of the world, and the next, strong arms are lifting me into the air.

I squeak as Thane slings me over his shoulder, so my ass is near his face, and my head is down near his back.

I breathe in, and holy hell , the man has an intoxicating wild, earthy smell, and my body reacts, everything inside me telling me that this man is mine.

My mind races as I imagine him carrying me off into the surrounding trees like a caveman and having his way with me.

I hear him suck in a long breath, and his large hand brushes over my ass. The touch is so light I almost don’t feel it, but the sensation of fire and ice prickles along my skin.

“You sure you don’t want to run, cub?”

“Not this time, daddy,” I say, continuing to tease him with the nickname.

I think I’ve gotten away with it until his palm cracks against my backside. I’m so surprised another squeak comes out of me, even as he rubs my cheeks, the pain quickly fading.

“Don’t call me that,” he says gruffly. “I told you. I’m not your daddy.”

I have to bite my tongue to stop myself from responding to that, because even though heat is racing through me, the smack was hard enough to make me hesitate.

“Hold on,” he says. “We’ll be back with the others soon.”

I’m tempted to point out that he’s the one holding me while all I can do is go along for the ride, but I don’t.

The man picks up speed, and soon he’s running along the dirt path, the ground rushing by beneath us as we wind through the trees of the forest. I’m worried my position will make me hurl, but the man runs surprisingly smoothly, without jostling me around too much.

I swear I see eyes watching us from the trees, but he’s moving so fast it’s hard to make sense of the shapes around us.

Considering how far ahead the others are, I think it’ll take a while before we’re back with them, but it feels like it takes no time at all and we’re approaching the group.

Kenzie’s mouth drops open when she sees me, and I give her a beaming smile. Most of the other students look bewildered when we pass them, but Satine outright glares at me as she clamps her mouth shut and grinds her teeth.

Thane brings me to the front of the group and starts leading the students again. Despite the weird position, I find it oddly comfortable up here, and I become accustomed to Thane’s loping rhythm.

The professor runs for a while longer, and I’m caught off guard when he suddenly stops and swings me down, setting me on my feet. The ground feels odd beneath me, and I almost topple, but Thane’s hand on my shoulder keeps me steady.

“No more short cuts,” he growls, and the warmth that was in his voice earlier is now completely gone as he releases me. “Keep up with the group.” It’s not a suggestion. It’s a warning. A threat.

Okay, then.

Without another word, he turns and starts jogging away. The students stream past, and Satine and her friends snicker as they run by me. One of them bumps into my shoulder and almost makes me fall, but I manage to stay upright.

Kenzie, who was at the back of the group, smiles when she reaches me. “Come on,” she urges, and I force my legs to work, trying my best to keep pace with her after my little rest.

“How did you get that to happen?” she asks quietly, her breathing rapid now that she’s been jogging for some time.

“Get what to happen?”

“How did you convince Professor Thane to carry you,” she clarifies, her gaze straying to the large man at the head of our group.

“I haven’t seen him give anyone that treatment.

When I first started, a few students collapsed, but he still pushed them onward, keeping us all out here until everyone had finished the run. ”

I try not to read into her words. “I’m guessing it was pity,” I reply simply, though I’m not so sure. My ass still tingles from Thane’s slap.

“I don’t know,” Kenzie says slowly like she doesn’t believe me. “The professor takes our physical training very seriously.”

“What can I say?” I joke. “Maybe it helps that I’m small and pathetic?”

She still doesn’t look convinced.

“Doesn’t matter anyway, because I’m jogging again,” I point out, my breathing becoming labored.

“Well, whatever that was,” Kenzie says, “you’d better be careful. Satine won’t like the idea that you’re gaining the professor’s attention.”

She’s probably right, but I decide that’s something I can worry about later. First, I have to survive this run.