TBD
Astrid’s POV
We were still gathered together, eating and talking as though the world outside didn’t exist. I wouldn’t be surprised if Archie actually took Odin up on that ridiculous date he mentioned earlier—he hadn’t let the joke die down all afternoon.
Killian’s arms were draped lazily across my shoulders, his chin brushing against my hair whenever he leaned closer. I tore off a piece of bagel and fed it to him, rolling my eyes when he made a satisfied hum, like it was the best thing he’d ever eaten. Jason, meanwhile, was sprawled across my thighs as if he hadn’t a care in the world. He didn’t seem interested in food at all—just in staying exactly where he was, warm and comfortable.
I raised the bagel toward my own mouth, only for Jason to part his lips expectantly. Before I could react, Hera’s voice cut in.
“I thought you said you weren’t going to eat anything,” she teased him, brows arched.
Jason smirked. “Why wouldn’t I?” he replied with that lazy, smug tone that made Hera roll her eyes.
Laughter rippled through the group, easy and unrestrained. Conversation carried us along, each topic rolling into the next. We talked about the academy—our grueling trainings, the stolen kisses, and, of course, Archie’s unfortunate habit of walking in on Headmaster Donovan and his wife in… compromising situations.
“What exactly are you even looking for in his office?” I asked Archie, amused and a little horrified.
“Important documents!” Archie insisted with mock seriousness. “Not… that.”
The laughter grew louder, echoing across the meadow.
“Speaking of documents and gossip,” Odin suddenly cut in, lowering his cup, “did any of you hear about this new academy? Something called TBD?”
My head tilted. “What’s that?” I asked, still chewing.
“Never heard of it,” Zora said, sipping casually from her cup.
Damon smirked when he caught sight of the crimson liquid. “Why did you even bring cranberry juice to a picnic?” he asked.
Zora arched a brow, not missing a beat. “For some sweet pussy, obviously.”
That earned a roar of laughter from everyone, especially when Dove chimed in, sticking her tongue out and wiggling it in the air like she was licking something invisible.
“You two are disgusting,” I laughed, covering my face.
“Anyway!” Killian cut in, dragging the conversation back. “About that academy—what exactly is it?”
Everyone went quiet for a beat. Odin glanced around before answering. “I heard from a couple of students… that it’s supposed to be some kind of supernatural academy. Not confirmed yet, though.”
The words seemed to hang heavy in the air. We all exchanged uncertain glances.
“Another supernatural academy besides Velmora?” Elsie’s voice was small, almost unsure.
“Maybe it’s just rumors,” she added quickly, as though to reassure herself.
My stomach knotted. “But if it isn’t—does that mean there are other supernaturals out there besides us? Living outside of Velmora?”
Jason shrugged from where his head rested on my lap. “Could be possible.”
A collective groan rose from everyone, and Damon leaned forward, rubbing a hand over his jaw. “If that academy really exists, it’s not just trouble—it’s work.”
Archie frowned. “Work? What do you mean?”
“They could be inexperienced,” Damon explained. “New to their powers, confused about what they are. If they’re living out there with humans without guidance, it could get… messy.”
Zora sighed, shoulders slumping. “Messy as in harmful. For both them and the humans around them.”
“Exactly,” I said softly. “That’s the point.”
“Let’s just hope it’s not the case,” Elsie murmured, fiddling with the rim of her cup.
“But Donovan did say we’ll be spending a few weeks among the humans soon,” I reminded them. “If there’s anything strange going on, we’ll notice. And we’ll handle it.”
Everyone nodded, some with more confidence than others.
“It’s going to be nothing new,” Hera shrugged, though Odin immediately shot her a look that made us all snort with laughter.
“Nothing new?” he repeated, shaking his head. “Girl, this is definitely new.”
The way he said it—serious but exasperated—sent us all into another round of laughter. For now, at least, the shadows of uncertainty were kept at bay by the warmth of the picnic, the food, and the comfort of being together. Later, I will think about this TBD of an academy, and as well confirm from the headmaster.
Killian POV
The picnic had melted into a blur of laughter, full stomachs, and easy joy. By the time we got back to our suite, Astrid was humming softly, already slipping into that dreamy, tired state that always came after long days with the group. Now, the three of us were in the bathtub together, the warm water steaming gently, candles flickering on the tiled edges.
Jason sat behind her, his arm steady around her waist, the sponge gliding over her back in slow circles. I knelt at the edge of the tub, my fingers working through her damp hair as I massaged in the lavender-scented soap.
“You’ve gotten used to your powers so quickly,” Jason murmured, his voice low near her ear. “Back then, you used to panic whenever they surged through you. Now… it’s like you’ve been this way your whole life.”
Astrid leaned into his touch, her eyes slipping closed as I worked the soap down to her scalp. “Crazy, isn’t it?” she whispered. “It feels natural, but sometimes I wonder if it’s supposed to be. Especially my vampire side. I don’t even crave blood like I should. No thirst, no… hunger. Just this calm.”
“That’s not a weakness,” Jason said immediately, his tone firm. “It’s balance. You’re both sides at once, Astrid. Maybe that’s your strength—being able to control what others would drown in.”
I rinsed her hair gently, watching the soap swirl away in milky spirals. “Jason’s right. Some would kill to have your restraint. It doesn’t make you less—it makes you dangerous in the best way.”
Her lips curved into a faint smile. “Dangerous, huh?”
I smirked back. “Terrifying. Especially to anyone dumb enough to stand against you.”
Jason chuckled. “Like Odin when you hit him with that blast last week. He couldn’t stop whining for days.”
Astrid laughed, the sound echoing against the tiled walls, and leaned back against Jason’s chest.
After a moment of quiet, I spoke. “What if we go for a run tonight?”
Her eyes fluttered open, catching mine. “A run?”
“Yeah,” I said, rinsing the last of the suds from her hair. “Through the woods. Just us. No duties, no academy noise. Just the freedom of running, shifting if we want, feeling the earth beneath us. We’re wolves, Astrid—we should breathe like it sometimes.”
Jason tilted his head, considering. “We could bring some of the pack along too, make it a real night run—”
I cut him off with a shake of my head. “No. Not this time. Just us three. I want it to be… ours.”
Astrid’s lips parted slightly, her gaze softening. Jason gave a small shrug, conceding. “Fine. Just us.”
I leaned forward then, cupping Astrid’s face with my wet hands, pressing my mouth against hers in a slow kiss. Jason’s hand slipped lower in the water, tracing her waist and hips, making her shiver. When I finally pulled back, she gasped softly and turned her eyes between us.
“Isn’t it time,” she said quietly, “for me to meet your dad?”
Jason groaned under his breath, rolling his eyes as though the subject had been waiting in the shadows. “Astrid…”
I couldn’t help but laugh, the sound deep and unbothered. “Our father doesn’t want anything to do with this world anymore. He lives far from here, tucked away like a human. After losing our mother, he… shut himself out. We’re the ones carrying the legacy now.”
Astrid’s brow furrowed slightly, but I kissed the frown from her forehead, murmuring against her skin, “When the time is right, maybe. But for now—it’s us. You, me, and Jason. That’s enough.”
Jason’s hand tightened around her waist, his chin resting on her shoulder. “More than enough,” he added softly, and for that moment, the world outside didn’t matter.