Chapter 46

Anila’s POV

My alarm went off way too early, waking me from my sleep.

Fuck, I’m exhausted.

My muscles ached, and the drowsiness clinging to my head had me in a death grip. Yet even with these pains and aches, my body was thrumming. Humming delightedly as my heartbeat quickly, and butterflies fluttered in my stomach.

I had another of those dreams.

Vivid and sexy, surrounded by handsome men that I just… can’t bring myself to get closer to. Not when Xaden had devoted his everything to me. What kind of person would I be to even entertain thoughts about my dream? Let alone the four individuals that took part in it, Xaden included.

I groggily shuffled to my closet, grabbing a clean uniform and undergarments.

Today was my advanced magic class and I couldn’t help the nervous feeling in the pit of my stomach.

I also had both my werewolf and werebear courses today. They mentioned last class that were going to be doing some physical activity in the wolf history course, but I don’t think it’s supposed to be as physical as the werebear history course. They didn’t say anything about weights being involved.

Grabbing my backpack, I slung it around my shoulder and walked out of my room. Penny’s door was still closed tight, probably grabbing as much sleep as possible before her own day finally started. I gave a half-smile at her door, before snatching a pen and post-it from the counter and writing a cheerful note to stick to her door.

Have a good day today! With a crudely drawn heart for the dot of the exclamation point. I shook my head, smiling to myself before making my way into the hallway, and sealing the door behind me.

“Good morning, little mate.”

Such a soft greeting, one that made my insides feel warm. I turned around to see Xaden, his black hair lying on his head casually, rather than the slick-back I so often saw. His green eyes searched my face for something I was uncertain of.

When I smiled broadly at him, my face lit up as I greeted him warmly. His hand found mine, gripping it tightly as I placed a quick kiss on his cheek.

“Good morning!”

We walked together down the steps and toward the elevator across the living space.

I gripped the straps of my backpack tightly, trying to chase away the memories of my dream.

I had to remind myself that it didn’t actually happen. But the fact that I have dreamt about all four of them again makes me nervous. Even the mysterious man who has yet to reveal himself to me. Always watching, but never present.

Who was that?

But worse of all… Was there some subconscious part of me that desired all of them? That desired Xaden’s doting, and loving words. Craved Zach's devastating kisses, and hot touches. Yearning for Harley’s body heat, and the strength of his hold. Even Damien—the want to see that cold, collected mask melt in pleasure as he cries my—

Jesus Anila! I shook my head, squeezing my eyes tight. It was just a dream. Just a dream.

Just. A. dream.

But as I thought less about the dream, I started to think more about Xaden’s departure last night. I wanted to ask him where he had gone and why he didn’t call me when he got back.

“Anila?” Xaden’s words were soft and concerned, and when I met his gaze, there was a frown on his face. “Were you listening to me?”

My shoulders deflated, and a flash of guilt ran through my body like lightning.

“No, I’m sorry Xaden… I’ve… got a lot on my mind, I guess.” It was a lame, half-assed excuse, but certainly not a lie.

He gave my hand a light squeeze, his eyes searched my face for any sign of what I could be thinking, but I kept it clear. I definitely didn’t want him to know what was happening in my head.

“It’s alright, I understand. I asked how your bear-shifting class went yesterday? We didn’t really get a chance to talk about it.”

“Oh! Yes, it was fine. Harley was there to help me out with stuff.”

Xaden didn’t look surprised to hear that news, and I figured that was why he was asking about that specific class because he knew Harley was the teacher’s aide. Something was telling me that he didn’t know Zach was my combat partner though and something else was telling me to keep it that way for now.

“I’m glad Harley was able to assist you. It’s important that you work on your strength,” he said, and there didn’t seem to be any ounce of jealousy in his voice. “So, I’m going to be the TA in your werewolf history class.”

I raised my brows, looking up at him.

“You are? Why?” I asked.

He shrugged.

“Professor Santina asked, and I agreed,” he replied. “Besides, something is telling me my presence will be needed.”

I didn’t know what that meant, but I was glad that I was going to have Xaden in my werewolf history class.

“Well, aren’t I just the luckiest?” I giggled and nestled myself closer to his side as the elevator doors opened.

He draped a protective arm around my shoulders as we walked outside and across campus to the academic center.

“Where did you end up going last night?” I found myself asking; peeking up at him, I noticed his smile faltering slightly.

“I left campus,” he told me and from his tone, I knew he didn’t want to talk about it.

“And you went…?” I pried.

He sighed.

“I went to see my aunt,” he answered, surprising me. “My father’s sister. She own the bakery in town.”

“Oh,” I said, raising my brows. “Any particular reason why you went to see her.”

He stopped outside of my classroom, and he turned to face me, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me close to him.

“She’s a witch, and I just had some questions,” he explained. “I would like to take you to see her at some point though. She might be able to answer whatever questions you might have.”

I smiled thoughtfully at that idea. He wanted to introduce me to his aunt?”

“I’d love that,” I told him.

He kissed me gently on the lips before releasing me.

“We will talk more later. I’ll see you after class,” he told me, giving me another kiss and sending butterflies across my belly.

He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear before kissing my forehead gently. On that note, he turned and left for his own class while I stepped into Professor Tilly’s classroom.

As soon as I stepped inside, my eyes found Harley’s. He looked at me with indifference on his face and my heart tugged. I thought about what Damien was saying to Alfred in the library about connected dreams and for a split second, I wondered if they all had the same dreams as me.

My cheeks flushed at the very thought and then I shook my head, trying to get the thought out of my head so I could concentrate on class.

I took a lot of notes in the history portion of the class and by the strength training portion, Harley was by my side just as he was last night. Except this time, he seemed even closer.

“Make sure you keep your back straight as you lift,” Harley said as I lowered myself to grab the weight on the ground. “If you lift wrong, you could hurt yourself.”

I placed my hands on both sides of the weight, and I was about to start lifting, but then I felt the warm touch of Harley’s big hand on my lower back and his other hand on my side. Heat coursed through my body, and it sent my heart into complete turmoil.

My breathing hitched from his touch, and it took everything I had not to lean into him. From his tense body, I knew he felt it too. It’s not that I didn’t want him to touch me, it was the fact that I did. There was no denying these strings that tethered us together. I looked up at him, his face only inches from mine and his honey-colored eyes poured into my grey ones.

He opened his mouth like he wanted to say something; like he was just as stunned as I was from this strong connection that suddenly formed between us. He visibly and audibly swallowed the lump in his throat, his Adam's apple bobbing.

He brushed a strand of hair out of my face; a piece of hair that fell from my ponytail and layered with my sweat. His fingers brushed across my cheek as he tucked the hair behind my ear.

His gaze shifted to my lips; the want in his eyes was almost too much because I knew it reflected in mine too.

“Harley…” I whispered, not sure what I wanted to say but then his hand dropped from my face, and he quickly stood as if I had just burned him.

“Sorry,” he murmured, running his fingers through his orange hair. “Just keep your back straight when you lift.” His voice turned almost cold, throwing me off guard.

I was completely frozen, and I knew my face gave away just how flustered I was. I swallowed the lump in my own throat, and I nodded shakily. My entire body was trembling as I gripped the weight and straightened my form.

It was as if a bucket of ice water was poured on me leaving me feeling cold and consumed with guilt as the thought of Xaden slammed into my mind.

“Good job,” he said, clearing his throat. “I’m going to see if anyone else needs help.”

Before I could say anything, he was walking away from me and toward someone else. I was left staring after him with my mouth hanging open, unsure of what had just happened.

“You are doing very well, Anila,” Professor Tilly said with a fond smile. I hadn’t realized she was standing there until that moment, and I nearly dropped the weight from shock.

“Oh, hello Professor,” I replied. “Thank you.”

“Most bears have trained their whole lives to be able to lift the amount that you can lift,” she went on to say. “I’m impressed with you; I’m going to speak with Principal Rapport and give him my report.”

Before she could walk away, I asked, “He’s keeping tabs on me?”

She paused and studied me for a moment.

“Well, of course he is. It’s hard to ignore the kind of power and strength you have, Anila. Once you are fully shifted, you will only get more powerful and more strong. There’s a reason they put you in advanced classes.”

I raised my brows at her, unsure of what she meant.

“What reason would that be?” I found myself asking.

“The challenges of course,” she said like I should have known this already, but before I could ask any more questions, another student caught her attention and she left without another word.

By the Werewolf History class, I was relieved to see Xaden standing in the classroom when I got there. It took everything I had not to run to him and throw my arms around him. I had all this pent-up frustration and I felt like I was going to explode at any moment. I needed to tell him what had happened with Harley in my last class; it was the right thing to do. I couldn’t continue to let this guilt consume me, but it had to wait until later.

I took my seat in the middle of the room while Xaden spoke to Professor Santina. He glanced in my direction and winked at me, making me flush.

Then the door of the classroom swung open, and nothing could have prepared me for who walked into the room.

Zach entered the room and paused as he looked around. His eyes found Xaden and I heard a low growl emerge from Zach’s throat, making Professor Santina tense and clench her fists like she was seconds away from breaking up a fight.

Xaden only rolled his eyes.

My eyes were glued on Zach though. He wasn’t in this class yesterday. What was he doing here now?

Zach stepped further into the room; most eyes fixed on him. Then his eyes found mine and they widened in shock for only a moment before he gave me a sly and incredibly sexy grin. Without a single word, he threw his bag down on the desk next to mine and sunk into the seat, his eyes still on me, burning a hole in the side of my face.

My heart was pounding in my chest, sweat formed at the base of my spine, and my eyes trapped on him like they had been caught in a snare.

“See something you like, Love?” Zach asked, a knowing look evident in his eyes.

“The exact opposite,” I said sarcastically. “I thought you were a second year. Why are you here?”

I kept my focus on my materials as I tucked my backpack under my seat.

Zach snorted.

“I failed,” he muttered. “Principal Rapport is forcing me to retake the class.”

Oh. That was a reasonable answer. I didn’t know what I was expecting, but it wasn’t something so… normal.

“It happens,” I commented.

I met Xaden’s eyes, and he was glaring at Zach, his fists clenched, and his knuckles grew white. Zach scoffed as he glanced at Xaden and then Zach looked at me, giving me a knowing look with a grin as if saying, “Things just got interesting.”