Page 6 of Monster's Melody

I just raised my eyebrows at her.

“Well, those arewilddragons!Have you seen their teeth?”

I snickered.“I’m pretty sure Elliot’s teeth are bigger.”

“Yeah, but he’s my mate.He’s not going to drop me or bite off my arm or light me on fire.”

“Right.”I laughed.“So, in other words, freaking out is still on the agenda this semester.”

“Whatever.”Mikaela rolled her eyes.“So, how was your break?”

“Boring, as usual.”

“You should have come with us,” Mikaela said.

“And crash your first holiday together as mates?Worse, crash the meet-the-parents holiday?No, thank you.”

We both giggled.

“In other news,” I said, “I’m officially on the market again.”

“What?”Mikaela exclaimed.“Oh, wait.Are you talking about the gorgon?”Without even waiting for a reply, she added, “Hold on.Does that mean you’ve given up on him?”

“It does.”

“Finally!”Mikaela gave a little dance of joy.“I’m so excited.I no longer have to worry about my best friend mating a bunch of creepy snakes.”

I rolled my eyes.Mikaela could be so damn dramatic.“Give me a break.I would have mated the gorgon, not his serpents.”

“Oh, like they’re not one and the same.Kasi didn’t just mate Jahrdran, the man.She also mated his beast.And I didn’t just mate Elliot.I also mated hisdragon.”

“Well, whatever.I’m not mating Vorzak, the manorthe serpents.”

“And I am thrilled to hear that news.Have youseenthose things?”

“They’re not things.They’re sweet and adorable and I’m devastated they’re not mine, after all.”

Mikaela sighed.“Okay, fine.I want you to know, this is me being the best friend you could ever hope for, considering how much I loathe snakes, but are you sure?I mean, you were pretty convinced the gorgon was your mate.”

“I’m sure,” I said glumly, then told her about the scene I’d witnessed on the docks.

“Okay, let me get this straight.You no longer think he’s your mate because his snakes were nice to another woman?”

“They weren’t just nice to her.They were petting her and fawning all over her.She was clearly special and it just made me realize I’m not.”

“Of course, you’re special, Jasmine!”

“Not to him, not tothem, not if they could wave at some other woman the same way they used to wave to me.Obviously, I was deluding myself.”

“Maybe she’s a relative or a really good friend.Just because they like her doesn’t mean she’s his mate or anything.”

“I know.It’s just, seeing him like that, seeingthemlike that, made me face reality.All these years we’ve been at the Academy and he hasn’t noticed me even once.Not once.Sure, we don’t have any classes together, but I’ve noticed him.From afar, when we’re in the same hallway, across the cafeteria, on the grounds.Yet he’s been oblivious.Obviously, it’s time for me to move on.Besides, as long as I’m focused on him, I’m not giving anyone else a chance.”

“Well, that’s a good point,” Mikaela said.

“I know, so I’ve decided to ignore Vorzak and instead?—”

The door burst open and Kasi stalked in, Shadow at her side.