Chapter 99: _Grand Plan
Luther’s POV
*****
7:12 pm, Moonwood Pavilion Restaurant.
He stood several meters in front of the restaurant’s entrance. Silently lurking and watching as students either trooped into it in groups or came out laughing and chattering.
Most of today had been spent doing absolutely nothing.
Earlier he’d told himself he wished to get a hold of the people closest to Celeste and question them. Get to know her better through their lenses.
But after just one meeting with Atlas—he realised his mate was still in active danger.
And one of those dangers might be the very academy system meant to protect her and everyone else.
However, this realisation didn’t hold him back from his goal. It spurred it. He needed to be by her side to protect her and to do that he needed her trust.
Silas might have something weird going on with her right now but—
"I’ve never seen you so focused on doing nothing," a snigger behind him made him spin around neck-first. "Good evening, Lulu."
For the love of everything good... Lysandra!
Why?! Why the bloody hell did it have to be her?
Barely sweeping his eyes from her head to toes, he grunted, turning back to the restaurant. "What I do and don’t do is no longer your business, Lysandra. In fact—it never was."
He heard the shift in her heartbeat, as well as the way her breathing stalled.
’We can help her halt both permanently by ripping out her heart.’ his wolf hit him with a storm of violent emotions. ’We’ll frame it as self-defence. OR... Take her to the forest, pretending we want to reconnect.’
Dark. Tempting.
But—
’I’m not soiling my hands with her blood, thank you.’ he thought even as she drew closer to him.
As she stood beside him with a wry smile, his wolf added with a huff. ’Then at least howl crazily to get her away. I don’t trust this bitch. Not one bit.’
’Neither do I.’
’You aren’t showing it enough!’
"Haven’t you mistreated me enough?" She had the sudden audacity to ask.
Luther blinked once, angling his head just to look at her directly.
His original mission here can wait.
Staring into his eyes, she continued. "You’ve made your point. I fucked up," her lips pursed. "And now the Dean called my father and sanctioned my use of magic within Academy grounds for a week. A whole week, Luther."
Hmph.
Those were extremely tame "punishments" if you asked him.
"Now I can’t do classes that need magic properly," Lysandra grabbed his arm, desperate. "As if that wasn’t enough, my father called me a disappointment. Said he’s cutting my allowances, halfing my... My feeding..."
A smirk finally curved Luther’s lips.
Maybe Papa Carrington’s discipline game wasn’t so bad.
"So?" He faked a cough, gently pulling his arm out of her grip. "Why are you telling me all this? Do you want money? Because Silas is in charge of most of our finances and—"
Her cheeks reddened as she shook her head. "N–No! Not your money, Luther. I want you back."
For a few seconds, he didn’t make a reaction. His breathing remained the same, eyes settling on the glass walls of the Moonwood Pavilion.
Then—
He laughed. A dry, condescending sound that barely left his chest. "You want me back." He echoed, side eyeing her. "Your audacity must’ve been recycled so much it’s become sad rather than bold."
Embarrassment flickered past her face. But that didn’t stop him.
A few students who walked past them threw glances but their existence was meaningless now.
"You NEVER had me, Lysandra," he intoned coldly. "Ever. You stole me from my girlfriend. From the first woman I’ve ever loved in years."
Lysandra parted her lips but one icy gaze from him killed her words in a heartbeat.
His fists balled, eyes narrowing to slits. "What we had never existed. Because it was never real nor will it ever be real." Then his voice lowered. "My heart belongs to Celeste alone... Deal with it or jump off a fucking cliff."
Those final words cut enough to make Lysandra whimper. Her eyes watered but she didn’t let the tears fall, turning on her heels and fleeing the scene.
Luther watched her with a satisfaction he never expected.
’Now imagine the relief if you pushed her off an actual cliff.’ his wolf chuckled.
The latter shook his head, bringing his gaze back to the restaurant.
Almost immediately, he witnessed his target stepping out. Short blonde hair, blue denim jacket over black jean trousers—and fierce green eyes already locked on him with suspicion.
Willow.
She approached with a frown, noticing he had his eyes on her as well. "Uhm..." Her grip on her takeout bag slacked when she got to him. "Can I help you with something?"
Luther smiled.
At least, she didn’t seem hostile. Perhaps she saw the news from Blood Eye and believed the story of Lysandra casting a spell on him.
"Willow, I’m sorry for this impromptu meeting." He began cautiously. "It’s... It’s about Cel—"
"The next word out of that mouth better be ’cellphone’." She cut in, tone chillier than ice. "You don’t get to call her name. Not after all you did."
Every rehearsed sentence he had memorised dissipated into the wind. "I... Willow, it wasn’t my fault. It was—"
"Yeah, Lysandra’s ’spell’," Willow air-quoted with a scoff. "Right. I’m guessing you’re the one who sold Blood Eye that story after seeing Celeste finally finding happiness with your brother."
Silence.
Confusion creased Luther’s brows. "M–My brother and her—"
"You haven’t heard yet?" Willow smirked proudly. "They’re official. The latest and soon-to-be hottest couple in Bloodoak Academy."
His heart beat slowed, and a lump formed in his throat. Tension shook his fingers, making him tighten them until nails bit skin.
Official. Couple?
Sighing with satisfaction, Willow proceeded to walk to his side. "Stay away from her. You have no idea how it feels to watch your best friend break because of another person. Next time?"
She whispered into his ear. "I’ll make sure I break you. Piece by piece. Far worse than whatever you do to her."
When she intentionally brushed past his shoulder while moving, Luther nearly slumped. His whole world spun, several emotions coiling in his chest like a vice.
He raised his head to the night sky, jaw tightening as he stared at the waning moon.
After what felt like eternity, he mumbled. "Moon goddess... Is this still part of your grand plan for me? For us?"
And just like other nights where he’s sought her face and divine mercy... He got nothing. Just silence from the vast emptiness of space that mirrored his heart.
