Page 226 of Volik

He lets out a rumble. “I will go to the bakery.”

My brows lift. “The one where I, well, we, got my birthday cupcake?”

“Da.”

I look back at Jenny. “Anything in particular you like from Abigail’s Bakery?”

“Oh, you don’t have to get me anything.”

“Nonsense. Volik is paying.” I grin. “Plus, we’re celebrating.”

“What are you celebrating?” Volik asks seriously.

I smile at him. “Friday.”

His brows furrow. “You are celebrating that today is Friday?”

“Da.” I turn back to Jenny.

“They do make pretty amazing blondies.”

“Blondies,” Volik repeats.

Jenny nods. “Yep. You should probably get one for Nix too.”

I grin as I start to close the door. “Tell the dean we say hi.” I hold up the bag. “Thanks for lunch.”

“And blondies!” Jenny adds.

Volik still looks a little upset about us being separated for a meal, so I wink at him. “Love you.” Then I push the door closed.

His immediate smile has me grinning as I make my way around to Jenny’s side of the desk.

“Using the L-word, huh?”

I drop into the extra chair. “Seems crazy fast, I know.”

Jenny huffs. “Girl, there’s no rule book for this. And if I had a man that doted on me like that, I’d be declaring my love by the third week too.”

I snort. “Strangest month of my life.”

“No shit.” Jenny snorts.

“Speaking of doting men… How was your date last night?” I pull the large salad containers out of the bag as Jenny tells me about her lackluster dinner.

Stabbing my fork through some spinach and cheese, I admit that Volik was right; this isn’t enough sustenance for me anymore. Or at least not right now.

Last weekend was mostly just speculation. But Uncle Frio thinks my current level of hunger is due to the changes my body is going through, and that it will taper down as I get used to the new magic in my blood.

Without elaborating too much, I told them that I feel heavier and that my senses have gotten better. Such as being able to see in the dark now.

Barth thinks the intensity of my changes could be in correlation with Volik’s strength.

The hulking out part of mating is apparently normal for all vampires. But the level of growth, both in size and power, depends on the individual’s original power. But even with Volik being one of the strongest living vampires, the family was still surprised to see how much more powerful he’s become.

Volik was surprised by all of it too. And I know he wants to find his brother because he cares about him. But I also think he’s excited to be bigger than his older brother when they finally see each other again.

For Volik’s sake, I hope he finds him before his brother finds his mate, because from the stories I’ve heard, I have a feeling Volik will go back to being the little brother after that.