Bloodbound to the Witch Heir: Claimed By Four

Chapter 43: _Uncertain

Luther’s POV

*****

7:55pm, Blood Oak Academy Main Gate

"Home sweet academy." Lysandra let out a heavy breath when the Rolls-Royce stopped in front of the academy’s wrought iron gates.

She stepped out first, not waiting for Luther as she walked toward the gates.

"Do take care of Miss Carrington." The driver didn’t glance back at Luther when he spoke. "And yourself, of course."

Luther barely managed a smile. He stepped out of the car, shutting the door behind him. His neck whipped to Lysandra who was already before the main gates.

The academy’s emblem was etched at the centre of the gate. Runic symbols ran across the twelve-foot-high stone walls, each pulsing with magic he couldn’t feel.

No sentinels or security officers opened the gates for them. Instead, they opened by themselves and scanned Luther and Lysandra.

As the car drove away, the Alpha huffed. "Lysandra?"

She’d already gotten a few steps past the gates but still turned back slightly.

Night birds and crickets chirped and cried in the surrounding forest. Vein Beasts were lurking in the shadows, unseen—but felt.

"You haven’t spoken since we left the manor," Luther continued, hands in his pockets as he walked toward her. "Is there... Is there anything—"

"What am I supposed to say?" Lysandra shrugged with a dry chuckle. "I just hope you at least enjoyed the food as much as my father enjoyed showing just how much you ’care’ about me."

’Give me a break...’ Luther’s wolf spoke with so much sarcasm he could almost imagine the eye roll. ’Forget gaslighting, she’s burning down the whole fuel station.’

Luther tried ignoring it, fists curling in his pockets when she kept on moving.

"Lysan—" just when he was about to run after her, his phone buzzed with a notification. He frowned, slowing his walking pace as he brought it out.

However, his jaw tensed when he saw what it was.

Multiple posts across different social media platforms. All discussing the same thing, but in different forms and with a variety of hashtags.

Celeste and Azrael.

>#CelestexAzrael. It sounds poetic. Light and darkness. Life and death. Heaven and... Hell?<

>If she’s moving on with a new boyfriend already, what about her brother? What’s his love life like?<

>Alpha Luther must feel so stupid right now.<

Those were just the few post headlines he let himself skim through. If he went any further he feared he would fling his phone into the forest.

"Fuck," he hissed, raising his head when he stepped into the compound. "This whole thing has gone on too far."

The gates creaked shut behind him, locks placing themselves magically and wards activating.

He’d managed to catch up with Lysandra now, moving side by side.

Up ahead was the academy’s administrative section. It was lined with the admission building, visitors’ hall, staff offices, and Dean’s residence—

—An empty feeling in his right hand snapped his mind back to reality. He blinked, eyes falling on his palm.

His phone.

"What are you so focused on?" Lysandra queried, quickening her pace as she looked through his phone. "Wow. Of course." She sniggered, arching a brow. "What? Are you searching for new angles of the kiss? Or are these posts hitting too close to home?"

It happened so fast. One second, the phone was in his grasp, the next, Lysandra had it and was interrogating him.

’And you’re letting it happen!’ his wolf snarled. ’Take it back.’

He reached out to grab the phone, but Lysandra side-stepped, eyeing him with contempt. "Are you hiding something Luther?"

"You have no right, Lysandra!" He growled, attempting to grab it again. "That—"

"Oh, spare me!" She snapped back, voice echoing into the night.

A few professors, who were discussing close to the staff quarters, turned their heads to them. Curious.

But Lysandra had her back facing the buildings, squinting at Luther. "Just look at you, mate. Here scrolling away pathetically at pictures of your ex and her new man—"

"My MATE, Lysandra." His tone became deep. Guttural. "Don’t forget that. And I did nothing other than check out some posts. What the heck is this?!"

He felt like he was about to lose his bloody mind.

’I believe you already have.’ his wolf mocked.

"Luther," Lysandra’s eyes flickered with something rare. Hesitation. "Was my father right about you?"

Luther’s frown deepened. "About what?"

"Your uncertainty." She whispered, voice tense. "Between... Between Celeste and me."

Silence.

His lips parted, shoulders dropping.

How does he answer that? How does he tell her he wasn’t even sure if he ever made a "choice" to begin with? How does he handle this without losing his mind?

’Good thing about technology these days.’ his wolf snorted. ’Just send her a breakup text and get done with it. But first... Get that phone back.’

Just when Luther thought he was going to answer Lysandra... A scent caught his attention. One that made his body stiffen, stomach swirling with heat and something more.

Spring. Vanilla, lilies and something spicy.

A scent he’s been close to for almost a year—and that has avoided him for days now.

’Mate!’ his wolf got excited all of a sudden, forcing him to turn his head in the direction the scent came from. ’It’s her. She’s close by! Or she’s been around here recently.’

Luther bit his bottom lip, eyes sliding from Lysandra’s waiting gaze to the Dean’s manor. That’s where the scent was coming from.

’And that’s where you’ve got to go!’ his wolf nearly ripped his insides trying to push him. ’Go! Go now... The scent is getting weak!’

"Luther?" Lysandra waved a hand in front of his face. "Hello? Really? You’re just going to—"

"Mr Hale." A domineering voice ahead of them cut Lysandra off.

They both turned just in time to see Dean Thorne walking toward them, robes flowing behind him. The witch’s sharp eyes locked on Luther specifically, making the latter self-conscious.

Goddess, did something happen to Celeste?

"Right," Lysandra whipped her neck back to him, a fake smile curving her lips. "I’m guessing this has to do with you being that mutt’s personal guard." Her voice was low as she pressed his phone on his chest. "Wouldn’t want to distract you from your glorious purpose."

Before he could say anything she spun, hips swaying gracefully as she strutted away. She greeted the Dean when they crossed paths, glaring back at Luther one last time. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com

When Thorne finally got in front of Luther, he cleared his throat. "Well. Looks like you had fun tonight."

It depends on whether the definition of ’fun’ has changed overnight.

"Not... Exactly, sir." Luther laughed dryly. "It was just dinner with my girlfriend’s father."

Even calling Lysandra his girlfriend left a bad aftertaste he couldn’t ignore.

Dean Thorne didn’t seem impressed. "Of course. Meanwhile, you left Miss Bloodoak here. In the academy. The same woman I told you to watch in case anything happens."

Luther’s fists tightened so hard his bones snapped. Thorne didn’t notice—or simply chose to disregard it.

"Atlas did a good job being at her side. At least, for today." The Dean took another step closer, voice lowering. "And you? My birds tell me you barely interacted with her today."

That was the final trigger. "Sir," Luther mumbled. "She didn’t want me close to her. At all. I... I had to respect that decision—"

"You’re her mate." Thorne placed his arms behind himself. "Are you not?"

"Y–Yes. But—"

"But nothing." The Dean lifted a finger. "That’s why I assigned you to her. Not to mention you dated for almost a year until... You, kids, split up for whatever reason."

Every word felt like a different blade poking an open wound. Over and over again.

Rubbing his jaw, the Dean’s expression became calmer. More controlled. "Next week is the Blood Trials against White Flame Academy. I assigned you and Atlas to watch her for a reason..." He stretched his hand, gesturing for a handshake.

Hesitantly, Luther took the hand. Thorne pulled closer, whispering. "Don’t disappoint. Or I’ll replace you with Mr Vaelmont. Maybe that’ll be preferable to you."

Shivers ran through every cell and nerve ending when Luther heard those last words.

The mere thought of Celeste getting remotely closer and warmer with Azrael almost made him lose it. Whether the Dean knew it or not.

Without another word, Thorne shifted, heading to a different direction like he hadn’t just offset Luther’s brain chemistry.

’You’re letting our mate slip out of your fingers,’ his wolf chimed. ’And trust me... It won’t be pretty if we lose her completely.’

.

.

On getting to the residential section, it didn’t take long for him to spot Lysandra waiting in front of one of the girls’ dormitory buildings. A few other students lingered around as well.

She brushed fingers down her hair, surrounded by her... Minions.

They seemed to be discussing something serious but after the brief talk with Thorne, Luther needed a distraction.

’So you seek the girl who has a father that doesn’t even get why you’re together.’ His wolf’s frustration nearly mixed with his. ’You’re unbelievable...’

"Wait a second," Lysandra shook her head, back facing Luther. "He did what?"

Natasha nodded. "I’m telling you, girl. It was scary—and he wasn’t even doing anything. He just... Warned us."

Hmm. freewebnoveℓ.com

Who or what were they talking about?

"I swear to Selene!" Mia was way louder, eyes widened. "Maybe it was those sunglasses but he scared the shit out of me. And those words? Telling us there won’t be a warning?"

Luther had gotten really close now but he couldn’t help himself from slowing down.

Sunglasses...?

"I’m kinda regretting sending that picture to Blood Eye," Kiara said meekly. "Do... Do you think he—"

"What was that?!" Luther’s expression twisted instantly when he heard that.

Pictures. To Blood Eye?!

So they were behind that?

Lysandra’s friends shrunk back when they saw him—but her? She just turned around lazily, looking down the steps as he ascended them.

"Done with your security duties already?" Lysandra smiled sarcastically, unshaken even when he got in front of her. "What do you want now?"

Was she freaking serious?!

Almost stuttering, Luther scowled. "I heard that, Lysandra!"

"Heard what?"

"What she said!" He pointed at Kiara who quickly hid behind Natasha. "You girls planned it? You took that picture and... And you—"

"And so what, Luther?!" Lysandra flung her arms into the air, nostrils flaring. "And so fucking what? Who gives a fuck even if I sent her bloody nudes to the BBC?"

His eyes twitched, fingers itching.

At this point holding his wolf from going feral was a chore.

A cold breeze blew past. Neither said anything for several seconds. The few students loitering around looked their way, some already whispering.

Then—

Lysandra scoffed. "Word of advice, my Alpha." Her hand trailed up his right arm, resting on his shoulder. "Turn that uncertainty into crystal clear certainty. We don’t want you getting caught in the crossfire of anything... Do we?"

Leaning in, she kissed his cheek. And that was it.

As Lysandra and her friends moved into their dormitory building together, Luther stayed standing. Like a puppy following two masters—until he had none. All alone.

’Pfft. You’re pathetic.’ his wolf didn’t even sound judgemental. Just disappointed.

For once... Luther agreed.

He was pathetic.

And deep down he knew if he didn’t stop being uncertain. If he didn’t make a choice. Someone else will.