Bloodbound to the Witch Heir: Claimed By Four

Chapter 35: _Protection

Celeste’s POV

*****

Eventually, we all left the Alpha Heirs Haven, gathering discreetly outside the academic buildings. Okay, fine—there wasn’t anything remotely "discreet" about the school’s princess surrounded by three hot men.

"So, what’s the plan now?" I asked, hugging myself while scanning my eyes around for two reasons.

First one... I didn’t get the chance to freshen up properly after what Silas and I did back there. And neither did he. Just towels and the burning aftertaste of vodka.

Meaning we both had our scents coiled together in the most nauseatingly intimate way possible.

And that was a beacon for any wolf or hybrid hundreds of yards away to smell us out.

Secondly, I really couldn’t let myself be seen surrounded by all three of them. Not with the rumours going around that I have four mates. Which wasn’t a rumour...

"There is no plan for now," Atlas responded, rubbing his sapphire necklace for a moment. He kept his tone low, eyes focused on me. "My cloaking spells on the body should keep it perfectly hidden in Azrael’s suite for three days."

I blinked, gaze fleeting between all three of them. "Uhm... And?" I asked. "That’s it? We’ll pretend like there isn’t a body rotting away in there?"

"You said it yourself, love." Silas sighed beside me, arms folded as well. "Informing the school authorities might prove detrimental. So, for now, we need to keep this locked and sealed. Until we can figure something out."

Gods, I think I’m going to be sick.

Rubbing a hand over my eyes, I looked at the clouds. Dusk was already fast approaching. The time when the world slept and beasts from the Vein left the shadows.

To hunt.

It’s been that way for twenty years since the war ended. Yet for the first time ever, the enemy felt beyond a mere beast. Beyond supernatural understanding even.

"Celeste?" Atlas’ voice snapped me out of my spiral. "I’ll need to go make some investigations. To confirm if Miss Benedicta was truly buried."

Azrael—who’s been still and silent all this while—questioned. "Do you think there’s a possibility of this body being... Cloned?"

I whipped my head to him, blinking slowly. Now that was a crazy theory.

But at this point was anything really "crazy"?

"I can’t say for now," Atlas was grim. "In the meantime everyone, be on the lookout. For anything suspicious at all. Spirits forbid our killer comes for one of us next..."

A spine-snapping chill crawled through me, making my fingers tighten around my arms.

Atlas adjusted his outfit, walking past the group without another word. I let out a silent huff, eyes trailing to Azrael. Telling if he was staring was hard with those sunglasses on.

However, just when I thought I saw his eyes glint beneath the shades—

A hand grabbed my shoulder softly, making me spin around. Atlas.

His eyes flickered with hesitation, lips parting and closing repeatedly. He tried keeping his gaze on me as he twisted his wrist.

Golden light flashed on his palm, a small bracelet of the same colour appearing within a couple of seconds.

"Here," he handed it to me while I gawked cluelessly. "It’s a summoning trinket. Anytime you’re in danger or if you need me... You rub it three times." He paused, folding my fingers over it, a warm smile stretching his lips. "That way I can continue fulfilling my task of protecting you."

The bracelet was cold in my palm.

Heat swelled in my chest, but before I could say a word or even show gratitude, he withdrew his hands, strutting away with purpose.

I stayed staring at his retreating form, eyes occasionally falling on the bracelet on my hand.

"That looks beautiful," Silas muttered beside me, not sounding even slightly jealous. I turned to him just in time to see his smile, a hand resting just right above my waist. "I need to leave too. Luther and I haven’t spoken all day and—"

Hearing that name blew away whatever warm feeling I had faster than a tumbleweed in a sandstorm.

I recoiled, lowering my palm and pivoting so Silas’ hand left my waist. "Luther?" I repeated, brows furrowing. "Meeting him for what?"

Silas blinked, hazel eyes flashing with confusion. "He’s... My brother? And I—"

"I know that," I didn’t back down. "But he’s also an asshole whom I can’t trust with anything. Including what Atlas and Azrael revealed to us. Mate bond be damned to Hades."

Fuck, the fact that I couldn’t just reject his bond due to my Alpha King bloodline made me sick to my bones. I hate him—I believe that can’t be overstated enough.

And the fact that he was trying to use the Dean’s orders to get close to me while still being with Lysandra? I couldn’t be any more disgusted by a man in my life.

"Pause," Silas raised a hand, tenderly placing it on my shoulder. He pulled me close by a few inches, lowering his head. "You think I’m going to tell him what we discussed here? Or anything that happened?"

He shook his head, thumb rubbing my shoulder. "Of course, I won’t. Celeste, I’m only going to check on him because, despite him being a ’bonehead’ like you once said... He’s still my brother. And I care."

The sincerity in his voice and eyes made me melt instantly, my anger simmering away. It will always feel like a miracle how different Silas was to me compared to other people.

How he always felt the need to explain himself.

Am I allowed to feel this way when the bond only awakened two nights ago?

"I’ll see you later, okay?" Silas’s hand left my shoulder, caressing my cheek one last time. He looked at Azrael for a beat before leaving, a hand in his pocket and the other typing on his phone.

Silence.

Fortunately, there was no one outside to witness any of that. Most students were either cooped up in classes or done for the day, probably in the dorms, up to some shenanigans.

Which means—

"Can we talk?" My breath shook when I spun on my feet, facing Azrael. To my surprise, he held out a book to my face.

One that made my cheeks flush with embarrassment.

Because I took it from the main library and forgot it at the Alpha Heirs Haven:

Mating For Mates.

"I..." Words failed me. "How did you—"

"Picked it up before we left and figured it was yours," Azrael explained plainly, gesturing for me to take it. "It still has your scent on it... And that witch’s."

Despite the book hovering inches away from my face, I hesitated.

On one hand, I was grateful I didn’t have to face questioning from the librarian if I "lost" the book. On the other hand, however, there was something odd about a WITCH talking about "scents". fгeewebnovёl.com

Eventually, I grabbed the book, masking my nervousness behind a smile. "T–Thank you."

His lips quirked, body moving away from me. About to leave.

But then I felt the urge to look into his eyes. His face was stoic so maybe I could see something in his eyes that showed he cared. That would explain why he left me after our first kiss.

Just one problem with that.

"Your sunglasses." I pointed, almost regretting it a second later.

His brows arched. "What about them?"

Dear Selene, this was actually happening...

"You’re always wearing them," I persisted, taking a step forward. "I’ve only seen you out of them once or twice and—"

"Is that what you want to talk about now?" His head tilted. freewebnovёl.ƈom

My fists curled beside me. "So you’re going to evade my question like before?"

"Evade?" He shook his head. "Little miss... You’ve seen my eyes."

"Exactly my point."

"You won’t understand the chaos letting them out in the open for long can cause." He didn’t snap but his tone was firm. "I keep them hidden to protect people from that chaos. It’s best that way."

A brittle laugh left me—not to mock him. But because I really couldn’t understand. "You’re doing it again, Azrael."

"Doing what?"

"Trying to be mysterious."

He said nothing for a few seconds, swiping his head left and right. Then, "You call it being mysterious. I call it protection."

"Protection from what?" I didn’t know when I grabbed his arm. He jolted, almost pulling away. But he didn’t, lowering his head as I went on. "Who or what do you need protection from?"

Time froze.

This didn’t make any sense. That night in the forest, two weeks ago—I saw them. His eyes. Fiery coal red. Dangerous. Eerie looking, sure.

But they were also beautiful. They made me feel at home. Safe.

Dozens of supernaturals have unnatural eye colours. Why is his any different?

Finally, after what should have been at least a minute, he opened his mouth. "It’s the people around me who need protecting. Especially you, little miss."

Something didn’t sit right with the way he said that. Or the way I felt like I’d stepped into a fire knowing damn well I could get burned.

My hand didn’t leave his arm though. If anything, it clung tighter. Deep down, I didn’t want to see him walk away from me again.

Sadly—

"Cel?" A voice, feminine, familiar and relieved, echoed from one of the academic buildings behind me. "Thank the moon you’re here, girl. I need to vent before I faint."

Wind blew my hair over my face, followed by a sudden emptiness that made me blink.

Azrael.

One second I held him the next he... disappeared. Just like that.

My shoulders dropped.

"Uhm..." Willow finally tapped me from behind, making me turn. She seemed exhausted but her green eyes shone with excitement. "Are you okay?"

Welp, she didn’t even see him. How fast could that man teleport? Or whatever it is he does.

"Y–Yeah," I forced a smile. "Yeah, just... Nerves. Today’s been a rollercoaster."

Behind her, more year two wolves trooped out of the same academic building, most seeming like they’d escaped hell.

Willow smiled, rolling her eyes. "Ugh, tell me about it! Professor Amelia pulled that test out of her ass. Cause tell me why I couldn’t recognise most of the questions—and get this. Everyone complained about the same thing."

I stayed mute, subconsciously staring at the spot Azrael had been standing on seconds ago.

’When will you stop hiding?’ The thought settled heavily.

"Anyways," Willow wrapped an arm around my shoulders. "Enough about my horrific academic life. How was your day?" She winked, nose already sniffling. "Give me all the tea and—"

The notification sounds from both our phones made her stop. I frowned, bringing out mine first. She pulled away, doing the same.

"It’s... A headline from Blood Eye." Willow remarked. "That’s surprising. They haven’t gotten any juicy gossip since the semester began."

Blood Eye was our academy’s independent news and gossip app. They were always ready with the latest gossip in school—except all their stuff was backed with PROOF.

And the headline glaring at me right now? Oh, it had bone-chilling proof.

"Gods above..." The world spun under my feet when I confirmed my brain wasn’t playing tricks.

Shining on my screen was a picture. Of Azrael and me.

Kissing!