Chapter 33

Anila’s POV

I was too exhausted to even touch dinner after the day I had just had. Not only was Harley the teacher's aide in my geography class, but Zach was my partner in my combat class. How was I going to survive this semester?

I played with the food on my plate as Penny talked our ears off about how incredible her night was and how excited she was for combat. Apparently, she really liked her partner.

I was glad that my roommate had a better day than I did; it’s not that my day was bad, I got to spend time with Xaden, and I enjoyed most of my classes. But I couldn’t believe what I was facing in these classes, not to mention my eyes turning purple.

I knew this school had a huge library though and Xaden promised we could check it out and see if we could find any information containing the purple eyes.

The next night went basically the same. I was able to get to the school store and got most of my books and supplies for each class.

After breakfast, we went to class, drowning myself in my first 3 classes before lunch.

By the time I got to the geography class, I noticed Harley wasn’t in the room. I frowned and looked around, but there was no sign of him. I couldn’t even feel his presence nearby. Instead, another person was standing with Professor Kai; someone I didn’t recognize.

“I’m afraid to say that Harley opted out of helping me this semester, so I brought in a new student aide. Say hello to Edmond Rivers. He excels in this course as well and would be happy to answer any questions you might have. Treat him with the same respect you treated Harley yesterday.”

Pain slammed into my chest, and it felt like someone had punched me.

Harley didn’t want to help out in this course, and I knew it was because of me. Guilt consumed me and I found myself sinking into my chair, unable to look at Professor Kai. I felt as if he knew the real reason behind Harley not wanting to be here.

Maybe it was for the best; I wouldn’t be able to concentrate with his eyes on me for the entire class anyway. Having Zach be my combat partner was bad enough.

After class, I met up with Xaden for our 2 am our training session.

“What’s on the schedule for today?” I asked Xaden’s back as we walked further into the forest and toward the open field that sat just past the clearing.

He doesn’t turn around as he says, “We are going to see if you can fly.”

I furrowed my brows but kept my questions to myself. When he came to a stop in front of me suddenly, I nearly lost my footing trying to halt myself.

“Just like yesterday,” His voice was stern, and I shook out my arms in an attempt to center myself. Just like before, I cleared my mind of all intrusive thoughts, and that familiar magic washed over me again.

My feet lifted, and I wiggled my fingers just to feel myself move under my own spell’s influence.

“How do I fly?” I asked, still hovering in the air. Xaden’s eyes were intently watching me, to the point I was growing nervous. “What is it?” I asked, hugging my chest in a moment of self-consciousness.

“I’m just impressed, is all my sweet. Most people can’t speak and float at the same time. Just… think about moving. It’ll come.”

Vague, with no real answers.

I let out a frustrated breath of air, and unfolded my arms, flapping them like a moron trying to move anywhere. But I stayed center like I was trapped in space.

“This isn’t working,” I gripped, and Xaden folded his own arms over his chest in annoyance.

“You haven’t even tried, Anila.”

My lips thinned, frustration creeping up my spine to the point my spell almost faltered. Almost. I managed to refocus before my feet touched the ground.

“I don’t have much motivation to go anywhere, I guess.”

Xaden’s sculpted lips turned into a handsome smirk, one that sparked my skin just looking at it.

“Is that so? I can give you motivation if you like.”

He stepped away from me, removing his shirt and tossing it to the ground, then he unbuckled his belt, and let his slacks and boxers fall into the grass. Turning to me, he said in a sultry voice, “If you can catch me, I’ll give you anything you want.”

I tilted my head, “Anything?”

“From food to clothes, to books. To sex. I’ll be yours to command, completely.” He smirked, and the idea was quite tempting.

Before I could ask what his plan was, he crouched and fur burst from his skin in seconds. Bones extended, and crunched and twisted, reshaping him into the form of his massive wolf as yellow overtook his eyes.

He gave a playful growl, and then sprinted into the field, fast. My heart fluttered, the thrill of chasing worming its way through my nervous system, and I moved.

It wasn’t even a conscious thought, just an action.

I wanted to catch him. I wanted to see all the tender parts of him he kept hidden, but more importantly, I wanted to succeed in this challenge. Xaden doesn’t seem like the kind of man to make such a deal like this easily.

Giving me command of him was something that made my body shudder with excitement.

I was flying.

Zipping through the air at speeds I didn’t know possible. I drew closer, hearing the deep breaths of his powerful lungs as I came close enough to touch him. My hand reached out, fur tickling the pads of my fingers, almost there…

He banked right, changing direction so fast I spun out of control in the air for a moment, my focus wavered. Gritting my teeth, a determination roaring in my belly, I pushed myself forward, faster this time. His paws dug into the dirt, tearing up mud and grass as he veered left.

I was hot on his trail.

“This is over, Xaden. You’re going to be all mine!” I giggled, my hand reaching out again. As he burst into the tree line, I had to spin my body to the left to avoid crashing into the bark. He weaved through the trees, trying to shake me off his trail, but all it did was spurn my enjoyment and I wanted to win.

No. I needed to win.

I weaved with him, dodging trunks and branches. His muzzled snout glanced back at me, yellow eyes piercing as he saw me drawing even closer. He banked towards the field again, but this time I was not caught off guard.

I chased him, power thrumming, body humming as magic oozed out of me and I willed myself to go even faster.

Just as he burst from the tree line, I am on him—tackling him into the grass. His fur was soft against my face, and for a second, I held my nose there, basking in the softness and warmth. It tickled my face as it receded, and the sound of flesh squelching caught my attention enough for me to look up and see Xaden’s green eyes, watching me with so much… appreciation.

“You really are an incredible Luna.” He whispered, and I tilted my head at the term unsure of the meaning.

“Done frolicking in the grass, are we?” A new voice, one that made Xaden’s back turn ridged, and I pulled my face from his sculpted chest to look up at Principal Rapport.

“Sir!” Xaden bumbled, looking around hastily for his discarded clothes. Principal Rapport chuckled, tossing the garments at his face.

“Don’t worry boy, I understand the need to be in the nude to shift.” He turned his aged gaze to me, eyes twinkling with humor. “Clothes are expensive.”

I chuckled too as Xaden hastily put his clothes on.

“They certainly are. Being a shifter must suck on the wallet,” I jested, and to my surprise, Principal Rapport laughed.

A hearty chuckle, one that was warm and genuine, and I found myself smiling with him.

“That is certainly true, Miss Montgomery,” he said thoughtfully before turning to Xaden. “How is training going, Mister Gresham?”

Xaden has managed to tuck his pants on before turning back towards Rapport, his hair escaping his signature slick back as he buttons his slacks.

“Better than expected. She just mastered body manipulation while levitating.”

“What does that mean?” I gawked, and Xaden gave me a quick glance.

“It means you’ve cast two spells simultaneously without losing focus of either one.”

My eyes bulge, that’s what I was doing? But it seemed so… easy. Just a thought, and nothing more.

“Impressive,” Rapport hummed. “Most students can’t multi-cast for at least a few months at first, and only the most talented can do so without losing focus on either one after a few minutes.” He turned his gaze to me. “This is your second day?”

I nod, unable to speak.

Did I do something wrong?

As I studied the principal’s aged eyes, I found there was a spark of amusement, and intrigue that left me… guarded. It seemed he was asking the same question I have been asking since I got here: What am I?

“I might need to reevaluate some of your classes. Come by my office, and we will get your schedule figured out.” He turned to leave, but my mouth moved before I had conscious thought.

“Wait, Principal Rapport. There’s more.” I swallowed the sudden knot that constricted my throat. What was I even doing? What if this caused more problems?

But what if I get answers?

“The morning of the full moon, I got a glimpse of my eye color.” Principal Rapport raised an eyebrow, but said nothing, waiting for me to continue. “I saw violet.”

Confusion overwrote his face as he chewed his cheek. “Violet?”

“Yessir,” Xaden answered for me.

He came to stand beside me, his fingers twining with mine in a show of support.

“Interesting. I’ll have to take a look and see if I can dig anything up on that. I’ll consider your inapt talent for magic, as well, Miss Montgomery.” He gave me a warm smile, “I know you don’t have any more classes today, so come by my office once you are cleaned up so we can talk properly.”