As always, this is based on a series of books written by Nalini Singh.

Caroline noticed after her shower.

Klaus had been called away leaving her to nap a little longer on his bed, comforted by the scent of him. With the jagged edge of need eased, her wolf let her rest. Clear eyed for the first time in days, she slipped back through the halls to her room and just, processed.

Rubbing a towel through her hair, Caroline froze when she caught a familiar scent. Dropping the towel, she brought her wrist to her nose and breathed deep. Part of her hoping, part of her terrified.

Klaus clung to her skin.

Heat flushed through her, the full body blush mingled with amusement from her wolf. To wear Klaus so tightly, it meant that on some level her wolf had accepted the connection between them. Okay. That was fine. She'd just never been so close to a lover - another changeling - that he lingered on her skin before. Catching her lip between nervous teeth, Caroline stared at her reflection of dripping hair and wide eyes.

She couldn't say that she didn't want him. Because she did. Lingering panic and unease aside, if she could have stayed and rolled in his scent all day she would've. If she'd just had a little more of the old Caroline back, she'd have dragged him up to her mouth and rolled him beneath her after he'd licked her to such lovely pleasure.

Twisting her hair into a bun, Caroline considered that thought. Maybe she'd never get all those pieces back, but for the first time she was okay with that. Maybe it was time to find a new her.

So with a little bounce to her step she headed to the infirmary for her shift to help Kol. Between her classes she was expected to pitch in and work to find her place within the hierarchy. The White Zone was her favorite, but Kol was a hoot to spend the afternoon with.

"We'll look who decided to join us."

Caroline looked at the clock and rolled her eyes. "I'm early."

Kol opened his mouth, but paused, brows bunched together. "Well, I suppose congratulations are in order."

Caroline arched both brows. "For what?"

"For finally snaring Klaus. I'd applaud you, but between him and Enzo, my alcohol stash is completely wiped out."

"Snaring?" Caroline repeated slowly. "Kol, I realize I'm carrying his scent, but that's not quite the same as…"

"Ah," Kol says, looking little alarmed as her eyes narrowed, face flushing with temper. "I take it you didn't know."

"I'll be right back," Caroline said before stalking out if the infirmary.

"Did you know?"

Klaus looked up, eyes sparkling as she stormed into his office. Caroline supposed it was best that he was alone, not that it would've stopped her. Agitated, temper leaving her flushed, she glared at him as her wolf bristled.

Klaus leaned back, head canted to the side and watched her with covetous eyes. "Can you elaborate, love?"

"Kol just congratulated me on snaring you," Caroline growled.

Klaus smiled, a slow curving of his lips that made her heart jump. "Did he now?"

"Klaus, are we in the Mating Dance?"

"It kicked in this morning," Klaus said as he stood. He made to move around the desk, only paused when her scowl darkened. Both brows arched, something like amused affection darkened his eyes. "Caroline…"

"When were you going to mention it?"

"I figured you'd notice once the bond kicked in," Klaus drawled. "Sweetheart, no sane male gives a dominate female the chance to avoid him."

Air hissed between her teeth, and she propped her hands on her hips. "You cannot have expected this!"

"I've known since the first time I saw you," Klaus replied, voice velvet against her senses. "The moment our eyes met, my world changed."

Caroline shook her head, hands curling. "There's no guarantee…"

What happened had left scars. She hadn't even managed to tell Kol yet, the extent of her damage. And now this man, her Alpha, was watching her iron and tenderness in his eyes.

The Mating Dance.

"Caroline," Klaus started but she held up a hand, spine straightening. Eyes narrowed, she scowled at him. This was her choice, there was never a guarantee, even with the dance a tug between them. Sometimes, a wolf never lowered its guard. The mating bond was a vulnerability, a terrible and beautiful thing that she craved, but wasn't sure she was strong enough for.

"I haven't accepted you, and my wolf might not," Caroline warned. Those gorgeous eyes bled into his wolf, cheekbones sharp as he watched her. The full impact of man and wolf made her pulse jump, and the lazily dimpled smile was all kinds of challenging.

"And what if you do?"

Caroline arched one brow, let the faintest hint of a challenge curl her lips. Klaus went so still under her look, hands pressing white against his desk. "Well, I suppose you better make it worth my while."

Spinning on her heel, she exited without letting him reply. The rumbling growl of his wolf followed her, much to the obvious delight of the wolves in the hall. Caroline ignored it, smile growing as she heard him snarl at someone behind her.

She was in the Mating Dance. With Klaus.

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