I carefully extracted my arm from his grip, knowing there was only one thing to do. And the quicker I got it done, the better.
“You want to go on a date right now?” I asked, flashing him a charming smile.
He nearly melted into a puddle on the spot. “Uh-huh,” he nodded dumbly. “Anywhere you want.”
I hooked my arm through his, pulling him down the corridor toward the exit. “Just follow me. I know the perfect place.”
I led the enchanted werewolf across campus, walking briskly as the evening shadows lengthened around us. He followed like a lovesick puppy, occasionally letting out small whimpers of delight when our shoulders brushed. Every few steps, he tried to lean closer, inhale my scent, or touch my hair. I kept a measureddistance between us while maintaining the illusion that I was interested.
“Where are we going?” he asked, his voice dreamy and distant. “I know this amazing little coffee shop in the next town over if you want to get out of here. We could teleport?—”
“No need,” I interrupted, steering him toward the health center. “I have something much better in mind.”
The infirmary building loomed ahead, its windows glowing with warm light against the darkening sky. I’d never been more grateful for its existence. Nurse O’Malley was known for her discretion and experience with magical accidents. And this definitely qualified.
“The health center?” His brow furrowed in confusion, but the dopey smile never left his face. “Are you feeling unwell? I could carry you...”
“I’m fine,” I said quickly, avoiding his attempted embrace. “There’s just something I want to show you first. Something special.”
As we approached the entrance, I felt a twinge of guilt. This poor guy hadn’t asked to be enchanted. He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time when my voice had somehow leaked through what should have been impenetrable soundproofing. But I couldn’t let him wander around campus in this state, professing his undying love to someone he’d never even met before tonight.
I pushed open the door to the health center, the familiar antiseptic smell greeting us as we entered. The waiting room was mercifully empty except for a young witch with what appeared to be tentacles sprouting from her ears. She glanced up briefly before returning to her magazine.
“Wait here,” I told the werewolf, gesturing to a chair. “I’ll be right back.”
“But—” he began, his eyes already filling with panic at the thought of separation.
“Just for a minute,” I promised, infusing my voice with just enough charm to make him comply without fully singing. “Count to sixty, and I’ll return.”
He nodded eagerly and began counting under his breath as I slipped through the inner door to find Nurse O’Malley. I found her organizing potions in a glass cabinet, her silver hair pulled back in a severe bun.
“Excuse me,” I said, clearing my throat. “I have a bit of a situation.”
She turned, her ancient eyes narrowing as she took me in. “Nerion,” she sighed. “Let me guess. Another victim of your voice?”
I winced at her bluntness. “It was an accident. I was in a soundproof practice room, but somehow he heard me through the walls. He’s completely enchanted. He thinks I’m his mate or something.”
Nurse O’Malley sighed, closing the cabinet with a decisive click. “I understand. However, you know the Dean will need to be informed.”
My stomach dropped. “Is that really necessary? I was being careful?—”
“Careful would have been not singing at all,” she interrupted, pulling a small blue bottle from her pocket. “But what’s done is done. Bring him in.”
I returned to the waiting room to find the werewolf still counting faithfully, his eyes lighting up when he saw me. “Fifty-eight, fifty-nine, sixty! You came back!”
“Of course I did,” I said, taking his hand to lead him to the examination room. “Come with me.”
He followed without question, practically vibrating with excitement. When we entered the room where Nurse O’Malleywaited, he didn’t even seem to notice her presence, his eyes fixed solely on me.
“Sit down, young man,” she instructed firmly.
To my relief, he complied, though his gaze never left my face. “Is this part of our date?” he asked hopefully.
“Not exactly,” I admitted, moving to stand beside Nurse O’Malley. “You’re under an enchantment. What you’re feeling isn’t real.”
His face crumpled in confusion. “That’s not true. I’ve never felt anything more real in my life. I love?—”
“That’s quite enough,” Nurse O’Malley interrupted, uncorking the blue bottle. “Drink this, please.”