I looked up at him and almost felt a smile on my lips. Almost.
“Then we just tell the faerie court no?” Chase asked. It sounded as crazy as it was.
No one said no to the faerie queen of the Unseelie court, who was the one who had sent the hunter after me four years ago. I wondered if she was crueler that the Seelie queen, or if she was just more honest about it. Either way, all I knew was that if I was taken back there, I’d be worked to death.
Seth exhaled and pinched the bridge of his nose. “No. We need to deal with this delicately,” He said. “I’ll go see the Headmistress and find out what she thinks.”
“I’m going with you.” I bolted into a standing position and instantly regretted it. A jolt of pain shot up my leg.
“You’re injured,” Seth said. “You should rest.”
“I’m not going to miss the meeting that decides my fate,” I argued. “I’m coming.”
Seth looked at Maddox who shook his head and stood up.
“Fine, I’ll carry her.” Maddox let me climb up onto him piggy-back style, with my arms around his shoulder and my legs hooked under his arms.
Seth pointed at the other two shifters. “As for you two,” He said, sounding more like an alpha than ever before. “You need to check the perimeter for weaknesses. Bring one of the faculty warlocks with you.”
“Yes sir,” Chase said with a nod.
Maddox carried me upstairs to the top floor without even breaking a sweat.
Seth knocked on the Headmistress’ door.
“Come in,” She called.
Headmistress Gertie was sitting at her desk. Her room was even messier than I remembered. She had a paper in her hand, stamped with an official-looking seal.
“We’re here,” Seth announced. “Luna wanted to hear what has happened as well,” He explained as the headmistress glanced at me.
“I see,” She said.
Maddox set me down in a chair and then sat beside me.
“Where is the rest of the pack?” The headmistress asked.
“Scouting the grounds,” Seth said. He remained standing with his hands clasped behind his back. He looked stunningly handsome in his slim-fitting button up shirt.
“Excellent,” Headmistress Gertie said with a nod. She held up the letter. “This is what I called you about.” Her hand was shaking slightly, the movement emphasized by the rustling paper.
Seth took the letter from her hand, his eyes flew back and forth as he read it. “The faerie queen has given us two days to release her from Woodlock’s, or else she will take further action.” He wrinkled his nose at the stuffy, legal-sounding words. “Why so formal?”
“Because even she cannot step foot on the grounds,” The headmistress explained. “The perimeter is defended by underground iron spikes.”
“So, she’s powerless to enforce this?” Seth asked.
My heart jumped with hope. I hadn’t sensed the iron, as a changeling I was immune to the typical faerie weaknesses.
“Weak, yes. Powerless? Not so much,” The headmistress sighed. “She can find a way to get Luna into her claws if we do not comply.”
Maddox growled and jumped to his feet. “Why the hell does the faerie queen care about one changeling so much?” He glanced at me. “No offense.”
I shrugged it off. “Because faeries don’t lose,” I said quietly. “I’ve been evading the hunters for years. Changelings never escape her clutches. It was a miracle that I dropped off their radar after being put in foster care. She will not stop until I’m dead.”
The room went silent as the others realized the severity of my words.
Seth cleared his throat. “Right now, you’re safe. We will have to figure out what to do from there.”
The headmistress glanced up at him. “Seth, you know I appreciate the work that you and your pack does for me. If it were not for you and our private donors, I know that Woodlock’s would have closed a long time ago.” She took a breath. “We cannot risk everyone for the sake of one person. No matter how hard of a choice that is. If the faerie queen comes knocking, I will not give up my home.”
Seth opened his mouth to protest, thought better of it, and went silent. He clenched his hands tightly. “I will find a way,” He vowed. “I won’t let any harm befall this school.” His eyes flicked down to the letter, reading the instructions silently.
The headmistress looked at me.
I looked away. I was nothing but trouble, and I knew it. I didn’t need her disapproving glance to remind me. She had been kind to me, given me a place to stay, but deep down I knew it wouldn’t last.
Maddox gently picked me up and followed Seth out of the office.
I didn’t cry, even as we made our way back to the pack’s apartment. I had no reason to cry, because I knew this was all too good to be true. It was a rude awakening, but expected, nonetheless.
“What do we do now?” Maddox asked. His voice was softer as he asked the alpha for guidance.
“I need time to think,” Seth said.
I looked up at him from my spot on the sofa. “Seth, please, you can’t put this school in jeopardy,” I said. Sure, everyone had been a dick to me, but I couldn’t let everyone take the fall for me. “I have to go. It’s the only way.”
“No!” Seth growled.
I shrank back from the fire in his eyes.
“I’m not going to let you out of my sight, Luna,” Seth said. “As the alpha, it’s my duty to make sure everyone is safe.” He held my shoulders and looked me right in the eye. “I promise, we will find a way to make this work.”
SEVENTEEN
————————————
LUNA
“You’re mine tonight, little morsel,” Seth growled. “I said I wasn’t going to let you out of my sight and I never break promises.” He kissed the soft skin of my neck, down to my collarbone and back up.
I shivered, naked in his bed with his body pressed against mine. He was the alpha and quick to pull rank when it came to time with me, not that I minded. I laid there while he worshiped every inch of my body, trailing kisses all over my skin, massaging and rubbing my body in all the right places.
A candle flickered on the bedside table, the only light in the room, casting long shadows across our naked bodies.
“I’m so proud of you,” Seth said, working my sensitive nub until it was throbbing and aching in the best possible way.
“Why?” I flinched as the jolt of pleasure shook me.
“Because you’ve become such an amazing woman. Since we’ve met you’ve really come into your own. You’re confident, you’re sexy, and you’re not ashamed of your sexuality anymore,” Seth said, propping himself up on one elbow to face me better.
I smiled. He was right. I felt all those ways and more. With the pack, I felt like I had somewhere to belong. I was loved by four amazing shifters who treated me like a queen, even Maddox had come around after playing hard to get. “I feel like I belong here.”
“Because you do,” Seth agreed. “You’re a feisty one. I knew from the start that you had a fire in you. Except, I didn’t want to tame that fire. I wanted to channel it and bring out its true potential.”
“Oh yeah?” I smirked. I swung my leg over and hovered over top of him, gently pushing him back down into the pillows. “I think you succeeded. I’m a girl who knows what she wants now.”
“And what is that?” He asked, his eyes growing wide with anticipation.
I splayed my hands across his tanned chest. I wanted every inch of him to be inside me. I wanted to fuse with him and never let this end. I didn’t tell him, instead, I showed him by lowering myself down on his throbbing cock until my pelvis touched his.
Seth moaned. “Oh, fuck,” He locked eyes with me. “Yes, take control of your alpha. Do what you want with me.”
I moved my hips up and down, rocking on him slowly and building up the pace. I pushed down hard, my clit brushing his pubic area. His abs clenched as I ran my fingertips down his tors
o. I held onto him, rubbing myself on him, working myself into a frenzy.
Although he was naturally dominate, Seth didn’t stop me. He let me ride out an enormous orgasm that shook my entire body and sent me reeling forwards. He held me as I shuddered and moaned into his chest. “How was that?” He asked, a teasing look in his eyes.
“Amazing,” I gasped. “What have you done to me?”
“Found your potential,” Seth sat up and kissed me, moving inside me slowly until I was ready to take another round.
I found myself beneath him.
Seth held my legs up to my chest and pushed inside of me. I was tight, but ready for more. He kept my legs up, working himself in and out with quick hard jerks. He couldn’t help himself from grunting with every stroke.
I watch a bead of sweat roll down his chest and towards his navel. “I could let you do that all night,” I sighed. I basked in the pleasure, closing my eyes, and stifling a moan against my hand.
Seth pumped harder, locking my legs in an “X” over his shoulders and bearing down on me. He rutted me into the bed, fucking me like the beast he was. “You’re perfect. You’re beautiful,” He growled against my cheek. He slapped my ass hard enough that the sound echoed in the room.
I shrieked. The spark of pain made the pleasure that much sweeter.
Seth missed my cheek, his teeth scraping over my skin. He was pumping hard and fast, reaching his climax with breakneck speed. “Let’s finish together,” He growled. He threw back his head and groaned, his body became rigid as he emptied himself inside of me.
The feeling of his hot seed made me spasm against him. I pressed my body against his until the aftershocks subsided.
Seth pulled me under the sheets and kissed my forehead. “I’m so proud of you, Luna.”
“Proud?” I repeated. “Why?”
Seth grinned. “Because you’ve come into your own. You’ve embraced your sexuality in such a short time. It’s inspiring.” He kissed me again.
I didn’t argue, losing myself in a slow kiss. Maybe it was inspiring? But to me, the real miracle was finding someplace that finally felt like home.
***
I woke up a while later, very thirsty. After untangling myself quietly from Seth, I threw on my leggings and tank top before padding softly into the main area of the apartment. I heard the blender and peeked into the kitchen.
Maddox was in there, mixing a smoothie. He looked up. “I didn’t wake you, did I?” He asked.
“No, I’m just thirsty,” I said.
In a flash, Maddox had a glass of water for me. He pushed it to my side of the kitchen island.
“Thanks,” I said and drank deeply. “What are you doing up so late?”
“Don’t you mean early?” He chuckled, nodding towards the clock. It was five in the morning. “Just about to get ready for my morning jog. Got to stay fit if I’m expected to chase delinquent kids all over the place.” He turned off the blender and drank directly from the jar.
The thought of waking up before dawn to go for a run seemed like a nightmare. “What is that?” I asked.
“Mango, strawberry, and banana. I like fruit smoothies. I like them just like I like my women,” He teased.
“How’s that?” I asked, tipping my head, and tucking my hair behind my ear.
“Sweet and pink,” Maddox glided to my side of the counter and kissed me, gently grabbing a handful of my hair.
I could taste the sweetness on his lips. My body surged with need. Hanging out with this pack had turned me into a certifiable nymphomaniac.
“You smell like Seth,” Maddox noted aloud as he pulled away from the kiss.
“Does that bother you?” I asked.
“Not at all. If anything, it turns me on. I’m really coming around to you being ours.” He pushed me against the counter and kissed me again.
I moaned into his lips.
“I’m wondering if you can keep up,” Maddox said with a smirk. “Do you think you can manage four shifters?”
My heart was pounding. “Of course, I can. I’ve proved myself to you by now, haven’t I?”
“You haven’t had me yet,” He chuckled.
“Why are you making me wait?” I breathed, cut off by another kiss. I parted my lips and felt his tongue push against mine. The hardness in his shorts was growing, pushing against my lower belly. I wanted Maddox to show me his sexual side, right here, right now in the kitchen.
“I want you,” I begged. “Please don’t make me wait any longer.”
Our next kiss was cut off by the sound of a phone ringing.
Maddox pulled away and snatched the receiver from where it hung near the kitchen island. “Hello?”
His eyes widened. “Good morning, headmistress. Yes, I’ll get him right away.” He slammed the receiver back down.
“What happened?” I asked.
Maddox glanced at me. “One sec,” He said. He ran off in the direction of Seth’s room.
In the time it took me to walk two steps, Seth and Maddox emerged.
“When did she call?” Seth demanded.
“Just now,” Maddox said. “Apparently the MCS is coming to do an audit, today.”
“Today?” Seth growled. “Fuck!” He slammed his fist down on the counter.
“The Magical Control Squad? Why?” I asked. I hadn’t run into them personally, but every self-respecting non-mundane person knew to steer clear. I had been put through the ringer in the human system, I didn’t even want to think about what the MCS might be capable of.
“I don’t know,” Seth admitted. “Woodlock’s is funded entirely by donors. We’re one of the few institutions that doesn’t depend on bureaucracy-fueled money.”
“So, they should have no power,” I said.
“If only that were true,” Seth sighed. “The MCS still audits us now and then, but they don’t normally bother with much because we’re not spending their money. Woodlock’s is normally forgotten about, until now.”
“The faerie queen,” I said.
Maddox pulled a face. “Since when do the fae get involved with the MCS?”
“Since when do they get involved with any of us?” Seth asked rhetorically. “They want Luna.”
EIGHTEEN
————————————
LUNA
In order to avoid any attention, I used my glamor to turn my hair dark. I dressed in my uniform as if it were any other day. None of the other students had been informed of the audit, I was sure, so I had to go along with the rest of them.
“Oh look, she finally ditched the clown hair,” Someone whispered as I walked into the dining room for breakfast.
I ignored them, wishing I could have hidden in the pack’s apartment all day instead.
Time passed slowly. I couldn’t concentrate during my therapy session. Ms. Lowe tried to shake some answers out of me, and I failed.
As I was walking downstairs for lunch, I felt the energy inside the manor shift. A ripple flowed through me and my mouth went dry. I paused at the foot of the stairs, watching from behind the banister as Hobbs answered the door.
A tall man with a thick red beard stepped over the threshold, dressed in a long black trench coat, and holding a briefcase in one of his massive fists. He was a giant compared to poor Hobbs.
“Hello,” Hobbs said meekly.
The man cast a disgusted look in the warlock’s direction, although he was a warlock himself. “I trust the Headmistress has been notified of my arrival?”
Hobbs nodded.
I held my breath as the man walked into the lobby. His energy was darker than anything I head felt before.
The other students could feel it too. A few curious ones dared to emerge from the sitting rooms. A low murmur ran through the groups.
The man’s eyes snapped back to Hobbs. “You call the students down. All of them. There is something that I must attend to before speaking to the Headmistress.”
My mouth went dry. Fear prickled down my throat.
I waited for a few students to trickle down the stairs before I dared join them in the sitting room. I sat in a far corner, curled up in a floral-patterned chair. Fidgeting my fingers nervously, I watched the last few students file in. The cougar-shifting girl, Gemma, was amongst them. It looked like she had already made a friend or two.
Everyone looked very confused and a little scared.
The Headmistress was the last to arrive. She glanced around the silent room, her eyes only wavering on me for a single extra second.
I swallowed hard, using all my energy to muffle any sense of my Changeling identity.
“Looks like that’s everyone,” She said to the man. “I am Headmistress Gertie, I believe we spoke on the phone.”
“Yes.” The man cut her off and didn’t offer his name to us. “I am here under order to investigate a report that we have a student amongst us who does not belong here.”
I wished I could disappear right now. It took all my willpower not to look away from him. Anything that might be an admission of guilt was strictly not in the plan.
A low whisper traveled around the room.
“Yes, it seems that a young lady is here without permission,” He continued.
I wanted to sink into the chair and never be seen again. I prayed for a lighting strike, anything that would save me from this. What would happen now? Would this warlock take me back to the faerie kingdom? Or worse?
“Gemma Clarke,” The man said.
The shifter gasped and jumped to her feet. “No, no,” She whimpered.
“You are here without permission from your pack. I have been sent to retrieve you,” The man said with a voice as sharp as steel.
“What?” I whispered. That couldn’t be right.
“It seems Gemma was on the run,” The man said. He withdrew a black wand from his coat pocket and pointed at her. With a flick of her wrist, she was immobilized, standing like a statue. He pocketed the wand and looked at the Headmistress. “Were you aware of this?”
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