Chapter 8

Anila POV

The air in that room changed quickly; from harsh bickering to paralyzed tension in seconds.

Zach’s hand moved up to my neck and rested on my jaw. “I’ll do it before you ever have the chance.” He repeated his threat, and it caused me to stiffen beneath his touch, despite the warm vibrations running along my skin.

He placed his lips on my neck, giving it a small kiss. Goosebumps attacked my skin from the sensation, and I found myself closing my eyes and leaning into the touch.

He opened his mouth slightly and I felt his teeth grazing my flesh and a bolt of electricity ran down my spine, settling between my legs.

I wanted to moan as he applied just a little bit of pressure, but I kept the sound in my mouth.

Harley shifted towards me, face knotted with angst, but when his honey-colored eyes fell on Xaden, he froze.

Xaden kept his face still, not revealing any emotions. But I could feel through our bond that he was horrifically anxious and deadly furious.

He raised his hands in surrender.

“Calm down, Zach. She has no idea what that entails, and if she resists during the marking, both of you could be in danger.” He took a slow step towards his half-brother and me, “Use that brain of yours.”

Zach’s hold on me was steady, but his hand had stopped exploring my skin, his eyes flicking to his brothers in thought.

I, however, focused on something else. Like how this mark was something that could endanger my life.

I swallowed a knot in my throat, what does it even entail? Teeth? Do they have to bite me?

I fight a shudder.

What kind of romantic mark required teeth and threatened life? My eyes cut to Xaden, whose forest-colored gaze remained on his brother.

Why hadn’t he told me of such risks?

“Look, Zach. Let’s make a deal.”

Zach growls behind my head as Xaden continues.

“I know you have enough women contending for your attention as it is. You don’t really want Anila.”

Ouch.

His words gutted me.

“How would you know what I want?” Zach was quick to counter.

“Because I know what you're really after,” Xaden said, straightening, his eyes leveling with his younger brother. “I’ll give you control of one of my main werewolf armies. You get to be general like you want, and I won’t interfere, ever.”

I caught Harley stiffening, just as Zach did behind my back. I can see the surprise knitted in his features from my peripheral. But it faded into something cruel. “You aren’t serious. You would do that for this girl?”

This time, Xaden’s eyes met mine and they softened.

“I would do anything for her.”

“But to make me general of your main army? You were dead set against that in the past,” Zach quipped. “Are you saying all it took was for a mate?”

“Stop this nonsense, Zach.” Xaden’s voice became throaty, and deep, “Just fucking answer me, do we have a deal?”

Despite Zach’s hold on me tightening, I never once felt like I was truly in danger. I could practically feel his internal battle as he thought about Xaden’s proposition.

“Yeah, we have a deal.” Zach’s voice was calm and smooth, like velvet in my ears. Then he shoved me away from him, hard, and I stumble towards Harley before my feet tangled together, and I fell.

But the Bear-shifter was swift, his large arms caught my shoulders before my face ever had the chance to hit the hardwood. He lifted me with ease, the overwhelming heat of his touch made the stirring bond in my chest ache with need.

With how fast he released me, and took several steps away, I could tell he felt it too. Our eyes met only briefly before I straightened, brushing invisible dust from my pants, and turned back to the brothers.

I don’t like the fact that I was treated like such an object.

Yet, having Xaden save me from whatever fate being marked by giving something rather important has a flutter of gratitude swelling in my chest. From their reactions, Xaden offered something major in exchange for me.

My brows scrunched together at the thought, that’s so not the point.

Principal Rapport clears his throat.

“Now that’s dealt with, and Xaden is Anila’s official, and only, mate.” My heart pounds at the prospect, but it freezes when the old man turns his face to me. “Let’s go so we can get you officially enrolled in the school.”

“I’ll excuse myself then, Principal Rapport,” Harley stated in a kind voice, his eyes moving to me briefly. “It was nice to meet you, Anila.” Before I could return the goodbye, he left.

Zach stretched his hands over his head as if bored with the whole ordeal.

“I’ll skip out too, then,” He said before slinking his way back over to me. The smile that spread on his face made him look mischievous. I swallowed; hard. When he spoke next, his voice was low, and I knew his words for my ears alone. “I felt you shuddering against me Anila. Tell me you didn’t enjoy my touch.”

My face warmed at his words, and I hated how right he was. But I refuse to allow him to think such a thing.

I mustered a saccharine tone as I stated, “Tell me, does forcing a woman into things she has no idea about make you feel strong? Do you feel proud about having to take things by force?”

Zach’s face darkened, his strikingly blue eyes falling a few shades darker as he took a step toward me, causing me to bristle. “The fuck did you say to me?” His voice is dripping with malice.

Before he could get closer to me, Xaden was in front of me. I’m not even sure how he got there so fast but I was grateful he did.

“Back off, Zach,” He growled. “Our deal is done. She is mine.”

I found myself recoiling into Xaden, his warmth comforting as I shot a glare at his younger brother, whose half smile made him look as dangerous as he was sexy.

“Oh please, Xaden. Did you think it would be that easy?” He scoffed. “Buying me off with just one army?” He shook his head, taking a step closer. “I just won’t mark her right now. But eventually, she will find herself screaming my name in my bed.”

I feel Xaden bristle beneath my touch.

“That is enough, Zach.” Principal Rapport's tone was booming, reminding us that we are not alone. “You made an agreement, now honor it.”

Zach’s eyes shifted to mine, holding them for far too long before his lips pursed, and he shouldered past Xaden.

Principal Rapport rubbed his forehead in annoyance.

“Follow me.” He stated with an exasperated sigh. Xaden’s hand found mine, our fingers interlaced as I felt that familiar tickle rush across my skin. I fought the urge to push up further into him, just to help alleviate the obvious anger making his jaw tick.

We followed Principal Rapport out of the auditorium and into the cool night air. It felt good to be outside where I didn’t feel so suffocated. I took a deep breath, basking in not only the scent of my mate walking beside me but the smell of the pine from the nearby forest and the salt from the ocean that was just beyond my sight.

“Before we do the enrollment, I’m taking you to see Professor Howl,” Principal Rapport explained over his shoulder as we walked toward a very tall building just beside the archway that led to the castle.

“Professor Howl?” I asked.

“One of the most brilliant professors at this school,” Xaden explained. “Certain magics can only be practiced by humans. Things like scrying, divination, clairvoyance. Professor Howl is an expert in Clairvoyance, which is being able to see the past and future. He should help us figure out what abilities you have.”

My stomach clenched.

“He’s even better at it than me, and that’s quite the feet. With a crystal ball, he can project images into other minds. That alone is phenomenal.” The principal spoke with such pride in his teachers, and I couldn’t help but feel a little more excited to meet him.

When we entered through the door of the tall building, we went toward a staircase and began to walk up the large steps. The stairs corkscrewed around and around like we were advancing up a tower.

Once we reached the top, the first thing I noticed was the heavy red drapes that were peeled open by a beautiful mosaic glass design. Colors streamed in from the setting sun, yellows, blues, whites, reds, and pinks. All mingled together along the desks and wooden floors.

The second thing I noticed was the décor. Bones and talismans hung in front of the windows and above doorways. Sigils and Runes were etched into some wooden planks on each wall, and a small silver bell hung in each corner.

The third thing was the professor. His eyes were white and his fingertips were placed onto a large crystal ball. I fought the urge to snort; I never expected such a thing to actually serve a purpose besides robbing people of money during fairs and festivals.

Principal Rapport cleared his throat, and I watched as the professor blinked a few times, the white clouds clearing and revealing violet eyes that looked dazed, before focusing on the three of us. Thick glasses rested on his nose, and a long blue cloak wrapped around his small frame as he rose to his feet.

“Is this the girl you told me about?” He asked, gesturing to me.

“I’m the girl.” I offered, and I relaxed when I saw a smile spread on his face.

He sat back down, gesturing for us to draw closer.

When we are all standing around his circular table, the large crystal ball in the center, his fingertips touch the quartz.

Fog built within, shifting and swirling. I was fascinated, but when I glanced at the three men beside me, I frowned.

Each one had a look of disappointment and confusion.

Uh oh.