Bloodbound to the Witch Heir: Claimed By Four

Chapter 61: _Before The Howl

Celeste’s POV

*****

11:30 am, Crimson Expanse.

The break after the witch trials was a long one. Well deserved since—from what I hear—the Wolf and Hybrid would be the longest. And probably the most challenging.

Talk about Lupine bias.

Willow and I took a slow walk down the field, boots crunching on the crimson and ash dust. "Mm–Hm." I moaned with relief after taking a sip from the yoghurt we got. "I need more of these. Maybe some shawarma too."

"What you need is a breather." Willow laughed, pushing me slightly with her elbow. "I can smell your anxiety from miles away. Perhaps other wolves can..."

I noticed the stress on the word ’other’. And knew why.

All around the field, students loitered and moved around, giggling to themselves, staring at their phones and throwing around a plethora of mixed gossip.

But four people stood out amongst all of them to me—

Silas and Luther stood across the field, perhaps making plans for the wolf trials. Silas had a hand on his brother’s shoulder. Silent comfort.

Seeing that made me smile—even though Luther was part of the equation.

The whole school was blown away by his public break with Lysandra. It might as well be a full breakup at this rate.

Meanwhile, Atlas sat somewhere in the audience section. Arms splayed on his legs, face clouded with exhaustion and something else.

Still recovering from the witch trial.

In contrast, not so far away from him sat Azrael. He’d barely moved throughout the trials so far, arms folded and back straight. His sunglasses refracted the sunlight, making me squint trying to take in his face.

Four mates. All within walking distance from me.

Gods, just thinking about the possibility of them being close and triggering something made me shiver. My fingers gripped the yoghurt cup tightly.

"I’m... holding on," I murmured to Willow, letting out a heavy breath. "I feel like I’m being... pulled from every direction. You know?"

She nodded with a blink, taking a long sip from her yoghurt.

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"The hybrid trial," I began. "Whatever happened between Luther and Lysandra. The... bonds. It’s just a lot of things for me to handle." I sighed heavily. "Maybe I should’ve run the second they picked me as Lysandra’s replacement."

A long pause stretched between us after that. Our steps slowed while I tried calming my heartbeat to no avail.

I’m fucking freaking out.

"As bitchy as she is," Willow turned to me again. "Lysandra did say you can step down and hand the spot to her. There’s absolutely nothing to be ashamed of and—"

"You really believed a word from that succubus?" I snorted. "She knows the Dean might not even allow it. If her fake ass poisoning is real and something happens during the trial—even the academy won’t want to have problems with Alpha King Maddox. Or draw my parents’ attention in the process."

"Then the academy should place another hybrid."

"No, Willow." My voice was shaky but final. "I need to do this. On my own," Pausing for a bit, I held her arm gently. "She did make one point. The bullying, scorn and social embarrassment quitting in the middle of the Blood Trials will bring... it’ll just be too much to handle."

Her eyes finally shifted with guilt and understanding. "Goddess, I wish things didn’t have to be this way. You deserve so much better, girl."

Before I could respond, a familiar hum rolled through the Crimson Expanse.

One that demanded attention.

Professor Amelia stepped forward onto the High Table once more, her presence alone enough to quiet the lingering chatter. Even the students glued to their phones paused, heads lifting in anticipation.

"It’s time," she announced, voice amplified magically across the field. "Wolves of Bloodoak Academy and White Flame Academy—prepare yourselves."

A ripple of excitement surged through the stands.

"The Wolf Trials are about to begin."

Cheers erupted instantly, sharp howls joining in from different corners of the Expanse. My chest tightened as the sound washed over me, primal and electric.

Willow tugged my sleeve. "Time to head to our seats, I guess."

We moved quickly, slipping back into the audience section just as the centre of the field cleared. My pulse refused to slow, every sense heightened in a way I couldn’t ignore.

As I sat, I felt it before I saw it.

A gaze.

My head lifted on instinct—and there he was again.

Azrael.

He hadn’t changed position, but something about him felt... closer. Like a taut string stretched too tight. His head was angled slightly in my direction, jaw clenched, posture rigid.

For half a second I thought he might stand. Walk over and say something. Anything.

But he didn’t.

The moment passed. His attention snapped back to the field, sunglasses masking whatever storm brewed beneath.

Sigh.

"Figures," I muttered under my breath.

Professor Amelia continued, unaware of the silent currents running through the expanse.

"The Wolf Trial is not about brute strength alone," she said. "It is about unity. Instinct. And hierarchy."

My stomach dropped.

"Representatives, step forward."

From Bloodoak’s side, two figures emerged.

Alpha Luther and Alpha Damien.

A murmur swept through the crowd. Damien moved with easy confidence, dark hair tied back, shoulders squared like this was his natural element. Luther... looked oddly different.

Clearer.

Still tense—but present.

My eyes followed him despite myself.

From White Flame’s side, Rebecca stepped forward, silver hair catching the light. Beside her was a tall male wolf with brown skin and storm-grey eyes, his expression unreadable.

Four high-ranking wolves.

Professor Amelia gestured toward the glowing portal forming on the field. "Inside awaits a pocket dimension—a valley designed to test coordination under pressure."

She paused deliberately.

"The rules are simple. You will operate as a single team."

A stir of surprise rippled through the stands.

"Each member will be judged individually," Amelia continued, "but your success depends on how well you function together."

My breath caught.

"And immediately upon entering the dimension, you must choose one Alpha to lead."

The air suddenly felt heavier.

"The chosen Alpha will receive a five-point advantage."

Five points.

That wasn’t just a bonus. That was dominance.

I glanced between the four wolves. Luther’s jaw tightened. Rebecca’s lips curved faintly, already calculating. Damien looked amused. The White Flame male said nothing.

Professor Amelia lifted her hand. "You may enter when ready."

For a heartbeat, no one moved.

Then—howls. Deep, thunderous howls.

The sound tore through the Crimson Expanse as all four wolves threw their heads back, voices merging into a single, bone-rattling chorus.

My pulse slammed against my ribs.

And with that—

They charged.

One after the other, they leapt into the portal, bodies swallowed by shimmering light.

The Wolf Trials had begun.