Chapter 92: _From The Shadows
Luther’s POV
*****
8:25Am, Female Dormitory.
When he got up this morning and decided to come to Celeste... He’d first run multiple possible scenarios in his mind.
He needed to actually talk to her and air out what he truly feels. Although Lysandra was there to ruin the mood before he showed up—he got close. Really close to getting a positive reaction from Celeste.
Sadly, Silas just had to come into the suite and distract her, forcing her to leave.
For several seconds, he stood in silence, blinking at the half-open door. His hands clenched into fists, jaw slackening with a brittle laugh.
"I should be patient," he muttered, finally swerving his head away from the door. "She deserves patience. I... Just need to view all this in a—bloody fuck!"
His right hand brushed through his messy blonde hair, the other hand resting on his waist.
She was slipping away. Scratch that... She’s long slipped away and now found her way into his brother’s waiting arms.
’Ahem!’ his wolf interjected just then. Always there with its horrible timing. ’Perfect timing, you mean. And I’m only here to remind you that Silas is also her mate.’
’And?’
’And he’s the only one who’s been vocal about his need for her.’ his wolf answered with a pause. ’Come on, Luther. If I’ve noticed it you should’ve as well.’
Rubbing his knuckles, Luther made his way to the door. An argument with his wolf wasn’t in his schedule this morning.
’What is then?’ the little beast mocked. ’Moping around and blaming your pitiful self while our mate moves on with another?’
’I thought you just reminded me that he’s hers as well.’ he got out of the room, locking the door with a click. Hopefully, she had her key card with her. ’Now you’re dragging me for—’
’I’m dragging you for being a wuss.’ his wolf sneered. ’You ain’t no wuss, Luther. Neither am I. Giving up isn’t an option here.’
Luther’s cheeks flushed at the scolding. He looked left and right, noting how the hallway was almost empty now.
’Regrouping and restrategizing IS our option here.’ his wolf growled a little too excited. ’When next we meet her, it’ll be with something so thoughtful and romantic that she’ll have no choice than running into our paws.’
That sounded possessive.
But Luther loved it.
Lifting his head, a sudden thought hit him.
’Celeste’s desires might’ve shifted during my stolen time with Lysandra,’ Luther pondered inwardly. ’Looks like I’ll have to meet the people she surrounded herself with during that gap.’
He smirked, striding down the hallway. ’And I know just who to start with...’
.
.
Bloodoak Academy Grand Library.
"Excuse me?" Atlas dropped the book he was skimming through, eyeing Luther after what he just told him.
The library was quiet as always. Almost empty too, sunlight from the rectangular-shaped high windows illuminating rows of shelves and the books they held.
Luther and Atlas sat on a semi-spherical black sofa around a wooden table, the former smiling despite the deep frown on the witch’s face.
"Come on, Atlas," Luther leaned across the table with a reassuring nod. "I believe each of us serves a purpose as Celeste’s mates." His voice lowered.
At the mention of "mates", Atlas wiggled his fingers. Magic resonated in the air around them, creating an invisible field Luther could only sense.
"Now even the walls can’t eavesdrop on us," Atlas’ arms folded, golden eyes pinned on Luther. "I still fail to understand why you thought meeting me for this was a good idea."
Luther’s head flung back for a heavy exhale.
Maybe the witch wasn’t the best option for a first meeting.
"Because," his fingers splayed across the desk, "while I’ve been under Lysandra’s spell, you’ve gotten close to our mate. Maybe closer than me."
A short laugh broke out of Atlas’ lips. "Aye. That’s a stretch, Luther," he shook his head. "Unlike you and the others, I haven’t been honoured to even grace her luscious lips with a kiss. Perhaps Azrael would’ve been the best fit for this enquiry of yours."
Merely hearing that name sent chills down Luther’s spine. "I’m pretty sure that man loathes me."
"Loathe?" Atlas repeated, eyes distant. "No. Disdain or an indifference one would bestow on an ant? Maybe."
Luther’s tongue clicked.
This wasn’t going the way he had hoped.
"Besides," Atlas’ gaze fell on his book again, throat clearing like his mind didn’t drift. "You and I were assigned to watch her. Stick close to her. You could use that opportunity to gain back stolen time and learn something new for yourself."
A bitter smile curved Luther’s lips. "Except the Dean stopped me from that and replaced me with Silas. Indefinitely."
Atlas froze, head rising to meet his gaze again. "What?"
"You heard me." The Alpha sighed. "I got a text last night. A bloody text. No explanations, no further directions... Nothing."
Silence dropped so loud he could pick up words from the few people scattered across the library.
Meanwhile, the witch straightened his sitting posture, brows knitting. "This is too much of a coincidence." He mumbled almost absentmindedly.
"What is?"
"Don’t you see?" Atlas waved at nothing in particular, glancing around even though his spell was active. "Dean Thorne tells you to stop watching Celeste. The same night we discover Lysandra’s spell and summoned that witch."
Luther squinted. "Are you... Are you suggesting he knows about it?"
"You told Blood Eye about the spell, didn’t you?" Atlas queried.
"H–How did you—"
"It doesn’t matter," the witch waved dismissively. "My point is, information flies. Fast. Not to mention the fact that other people from the Dean are still watching Celeste from the shadows."
The tension was so thick Luther had to sit back, air leaving his mouth in a breathless huff. "Why though?" He asked himself more than Atlas. "Why would the Dean suspend me from watching Celeste simply because he found out about the spell? Does he think I’m compromised?"
Anger swept through his mind. "Why the fuck is Lysandra not being punished?"
"Oh, she’s going to get her reckoning soon enough," Atlas blurted knowingly. "But your other questions... Still stands. And I fear the Dean might indeed be moving pieces from the sidelines."
Luther’s breath hitched, the corner of his eyes blurring.
All of a sudden, nowhere felt safe. Searching for a way to win Celeste’s heart just led to the discovery of something rotten in this academy...
