Chapter 98: _Slipping
Celeste’s POV
*****
7:12 pm, Atlas’ Suite
"So your magic just... Froze the water in the bathroom?" He asked, walking out of the dining room with two glasses of magically brewed cocktails. "And the wards reacted to your presence?"
Silas and I sat on a sofa facing the large purple lava lamp at the centre of the living room. After Lysandra’s meltdown last night, it was surprising to see that Atlas already had the place fixed.
Last night, the thing had almost collapsed in on itself; while the ground around it was blackened with ash.
Anyway, I took one of the cocktails from Atlas, nodding. "Exactly what happened. It... It felt like I was losing control of myself. Of my magic." I let the glass rest between both hands. "I’ve never felt anything like this."
"Not even during that outburst at the hybrid trial?" Silas questioned, taking his drink from Atlas before inching closer. He wrapped an arm around my shoulders, mouth brushing my ear. "Let’s not... Get too worked up about this—"
"How?" I nearly shifted away, swinging my head to him. "How do you suggest I don’t get worked up? First, it started with the incident when I knocked down Lysandra and her lackeys. Then the hybrid trial madness. Now... Now this."
Fear gripped my chest like a boa constrictor. "Tomorrow I’ll probably send the entire academy into its own mini ice age. Or worse—hurt someone I care about."
When I said that last part, I shuddered.
I hastily took a large gulp from my cocktail, letting the sweetness followed by the sharp sting settle behind my throat.
Gods, at this rate I might become an alcoholic.
"Your fears are... Valid, Celeste." Atlas who’d been standing a few meters in front of us murmured. "But you need to remember you’re a hybrid. Unstable magic is a key aspect of your physiology. One that you must tame with time."
A dry laugh cracked from me. "A hybrid? I don’t have a fucking wolf! My magic has been negligible at best... Until the mate bonds..."
I frowned, eyes swatting between Silas and Atlas. Both men exchanged glances as well, clearly confused about what I’d just come up with.
Well, "Could it be the mate bonds?" I questioned myself more than them. "The Dean did mention my proximity to you guys might be what influences my beacon curse to Vein beasts."
Atlas shook his head. "Even if that’s the case... You were somehow able to summon the beasts all the way from another dimension last night. I’m not certain but maybe all the bonds did was awaken something in you. Something that has always been there."
Now I felt like clawing my hair off my scalp.
With a groan, I flung my neck back, resting it on the sofa’s edge. My gaze was fixed on the ceiling. And the small chandeliers glimmering like stars.
"Each new incident makes me feel Dean Thorne knows something we don’t," I said in a low voice. "By the way, have either of you heard anything from Azrael?"
They both shook their heads, causing me to rub mine.
I haven’t heard from Azrael all day. Atlas had told me earlier, through a telepathic message, that the man planned to spy on the Dean.
THE DEAN.
Same guy who was a witch of unknown power and who my mother personally picked to lead the academy for over a decade now.
Speaking of my mother—
"My mom’s coming any minute by the way," I lifted my eyes to Atlas. "She... Doesn’t know about the mate bonds. Doesn’t even know about my current relationship life."
Atlas folded his arms in front of his chest. He didn’t say anything for some seconds, eyes lingering on Silas’ arm on my shoulders before fleeting to my face.
He hadn’t asked anything. At all.
But for some reason, I feel he already knew what was happening between us. He just didn’t wish to pry.
"Very well." He finally shrugged. "But out of curiosity... What is your current relationship life, little fire?"
That took me off guard.
I blinked, swerving my head to Silas.
His mouth curved in a broad smile but he didn’t say a word, staring at me instead.
By the moon, how do I even begin to explain to one mate that I was in an exclusive relationship with another now?
"I..." I began with a cough. "Actually, Silas and I are now—"
My phone’s loud ringtone made me freeze. I drew it out in a flash, giving Atlas an apologetic smile before getting up.
The contact name on the screen spiked my anxiety.
Mom.
"G–Good evening, mom," I brushed back my hair, pressing the phone against my ear. "I was just about to text if—"
"I’m at the gate, sweetheart." Imagining the radiant smile on her face was easy. "Surprisingly, Dean Thorne is already here to see me. Did you inform anyone that I was coming?"
I was speechless, turning back to Silas.
He’s the only one I told. He and Willow.
Meanwhile, Silas’s brows furrowed with concern when he caught me staring.
"Then again," Mom chimed, "the academy wards probably alerted him. Anyway, come see me outside. You can take me to your room from there."
She hung up almost instantly, leaving me in a brief silence.
First off, was the Dean there to see her simply because of her status? Or for damage control?
Secondly—this was really happening! I haven’t seen Mom since the Lupine mating ball. And even then we didn’t get to talk after I stormed out.
"Cel?" Silas called, pulling me back to reality. "If you want me to come with you, I won’t mind."
My lips thinned.
As sweet as that sounded—maybe it wasn’t the best idea.
"I’ll be fine, Silas." I nodded reassuringly. "I can’t risk her noticing the bond. Not yet, at least."
After letting my eyes travel to Atlas as well, I heaved heavily. "I’ll go see her myself."
.
.
7:28 pm, Bloodoak Academy main gate.
The walk felt longer than it should have.
I approached the wrought iron gates, head held high even though sweat trickled down my face.
Two figures posed in front of the gate.
One was Dean Thorne. Tall and domineering as usual, donned in a crimson robe with the academy’s symbols stitched around it.
An official attire. Didn’t seem at all like something he wore last-minute. Unless he’s been wearing it before now.
Beside Thorne was none other than my mother.
Luna Queen Odessa Bloodoak.
She had her wavy blonde hair flowing down her shoulders, wearing a dazzling long-sleeved cream white gown. Her face had a warm smile when she spotted me.
I smiled back, breathing through my teeth when I got in front of them. "Mom. It’s so nice to—"
Without letting me finish, she pulled me into her arms, locking me in an embrace that disoriented me. My mouth fell open, eyes widened.
Her lavender perfume coiled around me, soothing and calming.
"My sweet girl," she hummed. "I can already feel the growth in you..."
Instead of hugging her back, unease numbed my insides.
Growth?
Was she... Did she know about my magic growing already?
