Chapter 20

　　Alice

　　My lungs stopped functioning the moment my mate turned around. Magic is oozing around him—I suspect he has taken some substance to veil his true identity from the others.

　　But I specialize in potions and could see through this type of magic from a mile away. Besides, there is no escaping from the mate-bond once you face your special someone.

　　I wet my lips while my mate absorbs me from his imposing height. He is tall, and I'm suddenly speechless. He is handsome. His warm skin tone stands out against the pale color of most people this time of the year, me included. I'm embarrassingly porcelain, while my mate is a rich bronze with eyes so deep I could drown in them.

　　He isn't entirely flawless, though. His nose is slightly crooked, and his face lacks any sign of human emotions, but in my opinion, it gives him character.

　　This man is a mystery, and I wish to solve it—if only I weren't so nervous around him!