Winter Term

by J. J. Krzemien

  I studied her for a moment longer. When she didn’t say anything more, I slipped out to the patio and rejoined the guys.

  I sat across from my dad in the back seat of the limo. He’d fallen asleep about fifteen minutes into the drive, which left me with the next two hours to churn in my own head.

  Seeing Selena last night made one thing clear: I was not in love with Caprice. Mate-bonded, yes. Lust, hell yeah, but not love. I’d assumed that the mate-bond would only happen if a wolf was in love. But, it seemed that wasn’t the case. Dad said I’d fall in love with her eventually, after I gave in to the bond.

  This would all be so much easier if I gave in to those baser instincts and truly claimed Caprice. That thought sent a jolt straight to my groin. But, I didn’t want to fuck her and marry her when I didn’t love her. That wasn’t fair to either of us.

  I sighed in frustration. Gazing out the window, I watched vehicles speed by us on Interstate 5. The people along here drove like maniacs.

  The real problem here, was that I needed to get married. The succession wouldn’t happen if I wasn’t. I didn’t know exactly how long Dad had left, but it wasn’t a lot of time. If he passed and I wasn’t already in place as Alpha, that left a gap. Which technically meant my position could be challenged. There were probably several Betas in both the Pacific Pack, and the Gran Lobo Pack, who’d take an opportunity like that.

  I needed to get my shit together. I’d already branded Caprice as my mate with that bite. All the other wolves would know she was mine. Now I needed to follow through on the rest of it.

  By the time we rolled through Portland, I had convinced myself of a plan. I’d take the rest of this school year to get to know Caprice. We could spend some casual time together, and maybe I’d miraculously fall in love. Either way, we were getting married this summer. I’d propose to her at the end of next term. Would she even agree to marry me? I was asking a lot from her.

  How would the guys take it? Would Jaxon and Liam be on board with me marrying Caprice? Fuck. Fuckity-fuck.

  A darker thought occurred to me. Once she was mine in every way, would I be able to share her with my friends? I’d be her legal husband. With that came certain rights… What the fuck was I thinking?

  I was jolted out of my thoughts when the limo came to a stop. We were in front of Isabella’s quaint farmhouse. Since this meeting was unofficial, we were gathering at her place instead of the church in town.

  After taking a moment to refocus, I reached across and shook my dad’s knee. “Wake up. We’re here.”

  He nodded, not opening his eyes. “Give me a minute.”

  “Sure.” I opened the door and stepped out. The rare March sunlight warmed my shoulders. I didn’t know how to deal with my dad’s illness. Didn’t want to baby him. But I also didn’t want to neglect him.

  Isabella came out of the house, smiling. “Angel, good to see you.” She clapped my arm. “You go inside. I’ll help Diego.”

  “Thank you,” I said and meant it wholeheartedly. Inside, it looked like we were set up to meet in the living room which was directly to the right of the entry. I glanced around the cozy space. A fire crackled in the hearth and the scent of coffee drifted from the buffet. It was kind of weird how few times I’d been in this house, considering that Jaxon lived next door and I was there every summer.

  I held the front door as Isabella and my dad entered. She settled him in the large armchair and handed him a cup of coffee.

  “Do you drink coffee, Angel?” Isabella asked, hovering the pot over a third cup.

  “Yes, ma’am, thank you.”

  She took a seat on the sofa, setting two cups on the low table in front of her. I sat at the other end, picking up my coffee and taking a sip. It was hot and rich.

  Isabella didn’t waste any time. “I’m assuming you know why you’re here,” she said, gazing at me.

  “Yes. To make plans for assuming the Cortez Council seat.”

  “Correct. I was thinking spring break would be a good time, but I’d like to wrap up this quarter’s business with the existing Council before new initiations begin. How’s the last Saturday of the break?”

  “Perfect.” Even though she phrased it as a question, I figured that I couldn’t really say no.

  “That’s settled then.” Isabella sipped from her cup and glanced at my dad. “Will it be just the family or the whole Pack for the initiation ceremony?”

  “Just the family.” Dad smiled. “I don’t think you want that many werewolves around. Besides, they’ll need to gather for the Pack succession a couple of months later. Let’s keep the Council business simple. It’s going to be a busy few months.”

  “Yes it is,” Isabella said. She turned her attention to me. “We’ll have three changes in Council seats by this summer. A new generation is coming in early.”

  I nodded, unsure if asking questions was appropriate. I was one of those three changes for the Council. Another was most likely Jaxon officially stepping in. The third…was probably Mia Chang’s daughter Regina. She’d be graduating the Academy this summer. Though she was a bit young, unless something was going on with Mia that I didn’t know about. Which was more than possible. I wasn’t exactly in the inner circle with Council members.

  All of that was about to change.

  17

  Caprice

  Mr. Sharpe had a lot of errands for me to run as he jammed on getting all the mid-terms graded. As I sped around campus, delivering messages to reschedule all his appointments for this week, my mind kept slipping back to the library mystery. I’d drink May’s Revealing Potion tonight and solve the puzzle. I hoped.

  I was coming down the stairs from the third floor of Academy Hall when a familiar voice reached me from below. I smiled in anticipation of running into Liam. Then a second male voice, deep and low, made me halt. Something in his tone gave me pause.

  “Obviously, trying to get updates via phone isn’t working,” said the stranger’s voice. “You know how I hate having to come here.”

  “Yes, I know, Father,” Liam said. “Why don’t we talk in my apartment?”

  Liam’s father was here? Holy shit. I was torn between eavesdropping and intervening.

  “The hall is empty. It suits me fine.” Liam’s father was terse. “Now, have you or have you not succeeded with our plan?”

  “Your plan, Father, not mine.”

  “Do you need to be punished, boy?”

  “No, Father,” Liam said in a hushed voice.

  “Have you fucked her yet? If she’s a beast-shifter, then the mate-bond is our best hope for you.”

  “No, I haven’t.”

  “What are you waiting for?” Liam’s dad roared. In a quieter tone, he said, “Listen, one way or another, you are going to marry the Sorrentino heir. I’ll compel both of you if I have to. I’m this close—” he paused “—to getting this done myself. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, Father.”

  “You have until spring break. That should be enough time for even someone as pathetic as you to snag that girl.” His hard-soled shoes echoed on the floor. “Three weeks, that’s it,” he called back to his son.

  When the sound of his footsteps faded away, I stepped out from the stairwell. Liam turned, his eyes widening with a look of horror. I didn’t need to sense emotions to tell that I was the last person he would have wanted to overhear that conversation.

  He visibly swallowed. “Caprice, I—”

  “You’re not really with me because of him, are you?” I was pretty sure I knew the answer, but I had to check. Trusting people had never come easily for me.

  “No! Of course not.” He took a step toward me, lowering his voice. “He’s the reason we’re not closer. I want to be with you, Caprice, but if we’re mates I’m afraid of what he’ll do.”

  “He can’t do anything to me. I’m immune to compulsion, remember?”

  “Yes. But I’m not.” Liam stared at the floor.

  Realization dawned. Liam’s horrible
father could use my sweet fae to get to me. What would he make Liam do? From what May had told me of their childhood, I didn’t want to try to imagine it.

  I gritted my teeth. “May told me.”

  His head snapped up. “May told you...what?”

  “About your childhood. What your father used to do to the two of you. How he compelled May to break up with her boyfriend.” Fury pumped through me.

  “Oh.” Liam ran his hands over his face. “I’m afraid of him. Still. After all these years.” His voice was tight.

  “I don’t blame you.” I closed the distance between us. He didn’t seem upset about May telling me all of that. He seemed ashamed. I tentatively rested my hand on his arm.

  He stood still, gazing back at me. “I feel like a coward. I’ve never stood up to him, and now—I need to protect you, but I don’t know how.”

  “Liam,” I rubbed his arm, “why don’t you let me take care of myself. If we need to stand up to your father, we’ll do it together. Okay?”

  His jaw worked. “Thank you, but I need to figure this out on my own. I’m no good for you if I can’t stand up to him.” Liam peeled my hand off, then he turned and strode away.

  “Liam?” I called after him. He couldn’t just walk away from me and leave this hanging.

  He didn’t glance back.

  I sighed, resting my hands on my hips. Why were men so difficult?

  Shifting class ended, and my stomach clenched with excitement. I’d been waiting all day to get back to the library. Not telling anyone about it was hard.

  “You okay?” Lana asked as we left the classroom. “You’re like really distracted tonight.”

  I plastered a smile on my face. “Nope. I’m fine. Just need to get to the library.”

  “You know, I never thought you were a nerd, but you really are, aren’t you?”

  “Ah!” I said in mock indignation, elbowing her in the ribs.

  “Ouch. You bitch.”

  “What? I didn’t even use any real forc—”

  “Caprice!” called a familiar male voice.

  I turned as Angel jogged up to me. My stomach fluttered. I’d missed him so much it hurt.

  I wasn’t angry with him anymore, he’d been honest—which was a good thing. He had hurt my feelings, but I’d already forgiven him.

  “Can I talk with you?” he asked, with a quick glance at Lana.

  “Ah, yeah.” I turned to my friend. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Sure,” she said, openly checking out Angel before continuing on her way. The field was a bit crowded with everyone getting out of classes and either going to their dorms or finding an early dinner.

  I focused on Angel’s amber eyes. “What did you want to talk about?” I hoped he wanted to talk about us, but with him I could never be sure.

  He stepped closer, lowering his head to my ear so he wouldn’t be overheard. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking, and I’ll admit that what I said to you was true, but I would like to start over. I’d like to get to know you.” He drew back only far enough to study my face. “Will you come hang out with me tonight? We can talk. Get to know each other.”

  Hope blossomed in my chest. “Yeah, of course.”

  He looked relieved. “Great. Are you free right now?”

  I nodded. The library mystery could wait a little longer. “Where would you like to go?”

  “How about my place? Or is that too—”

  “No, that sounds good. I’ll drop off my backpack and meet you there.”

  “Okay.” Angel backed away a few steps before turning around. He strode across the grass, getting plenty of appreciative looks.

  I stopped by my room and quickly freshened up after a long day of classes. In ten minutes, I was out the door and hustling up to the second floor of Academy Hall. I’d waited so long for this chance with Angel. It seemed like he was finally coming around.

  Angel opened up with a brief smile. He still seemed either uncomfortable or feeling guilty—or both. Damn, he was so difficult to read. I sat on the daybed that served as a couch. Angel stood a few feet away, shoulders hunched and hands in his jeans pockets.

  “I am sorry for hurting your feelings,” he said, his gaze boring into mine. “I didn’t want that.”

  “I know.”

  “Can you forgive me?”

  I nodded. “I already have.”

  His shoulders marginally relaxed. He sat down at the far end of the daybed, appearing uncomfortable in his own home. He glanced around, as if seeking inspiration. When his gaze landed on me again, he gave a tight smile.

  Angel cleared his throat. “So, this is going to sound awful, but I don’t normally talk to women a whole lot. Especially ones I’m physically attracted to.”

  I lifted a brow at that. So he was a playboy after all. Interesting. “Oh? What do you normally do when a woman comes to your apartment?” I could guess, but with Angel being such a challenge to read, I wanted to be sure.

  A tell-tale deep crimson crept up his neck to his cheeks. “Well, ah, you know…things that don’t involve a lot of talking, but are more, ah, physical.”

  Remembering our physical encounter in the hallway, it was my turn to blush. That had been so freaking hot. Even the biting, though surprising and a bit painful, had me wanting more. Unconsciously, I rubbed the spot between my neck and shoulder where the scar was.

  Angel’s eyes blazed with a golden glow. He abruptly stood, pacing the length of the living room. “I don’t know if I can do this.” He glanced over at me. “My wolf wants you so much, I can hardly stand it. Being around you is painful.”

  “Maybe we should satisfy our beasts’ cravings? Then maybe this would be easier.” My voice came out thick with lust. Though for me, all of myself craved Angel, not just my dragon. I didn’t understand how he could be at such odds with himself. Maybe my dragon didn’t have the same kind of bonded mate impulse that his wolf did. Or, maybe she did, but with multiple mates, so it was different for me.

  Angel growled low. “Don’t even fucking tempt me.”

  A thrill ran through me as a jolt of heat shot between my legs.

  “Fuck,” Angel said. “I’m turning you on.”

  “How—?”

  “I can smell it. Your scent changes. It’s—” He stilled, his muscles tensing. “I’m sorry, but you need to leave.”

  “Angel—”

  He growled again. “Get out.”

  I stood, hastening to the door. His pained expression showed how hard this was for him. The last thing I wanted to do was force Angel into doing something that he didn’t want. I stepped into the hall, hoping that he wouldn’t run away from campus again. And feeling a blossoming pain of rejection.

  “You know we close in an hour?” Regina Chang said, handing me the pass card.

  I took it. “Yeah. That’s fine.”

  As I mounted the stairs, I fiddled with the potion vial in my jacket pocket. This wasn’t going to be a waste, was it?

  I entered the hidden room, making sure I was the only one in there. It was late enough that most students were in their dorms. That familiar tingling zipped through me, growing more intense as I approached the back wall. I went straight for the left side shelf.

  I morphed, and the sensation intensified some more. Pulling the vial from my pocket, I unstoppered it and upended the contents in my mouth. I really hoped this worked.

  The potion spread from my stomach out to every nerve ending like wildfire. My breath caught. I shuddered as my body adjusted to the heightened sensitivity. I didn’t know how long this stuff would last, so I reached out with my intention of finding the hidden section in the bookcase.

  A sense of confidence rushed to my chest. I crouched down, removing all of the books from that shelf. With one talon-tipped hand, I reached to the back part of the under shelf and pressed.

  In the rock wall, a small compartment popped open with a plume of dust. I gripped it, swinging it all the way open. It creaked on old metal hinges. The do
or was also made of metal, with a stone veneer that perfectly matched the wall.

  The night vision of my dragon-shifter eyes was superb. Inside the compartment were two books, a larger volume with a smaller book perched on top of it. I reached in, carefully removing one and then the other.

  The smaller one was bound in rough leather. The inside pages were hand-scrawled in an almost unreadable cursive style. The title page read: Journal of Marsilia Sorrentino.

  My breath hitched. Was this a freaking joke? I had more family that I didn’t know about. Who was she? Isabella’s mother, sister, cousin? Why had I never heard of her?

  Setting the small journal aside, I reached in for the larger book. It had a smooth, thick binding, and was rather hefty. There were no markings on the outside. The first page was titled Ex Codice Tromara.

  I almost dropped the book.

  Holy shit! I didn’t know exactly what that title meant, but it had something to do with the Tromara. Why would Marsilia Sorrentino’s journal be hidden with a book on the Tromara?

  I was itching to sneak these books out, but I hadn’t brought my backpack. I didn’t want to risk getting searched either, so maybe it was better if they stayed here.

  A quiet swishing sound caught my attention. The stone entry door was sliding open across the room. I shifted down to human form, then replaced the books as quickly as possible. I was shoving the rest of the volumes back in place on the shelf when Regina reached me.

  “Time’s up,” she said, eyeing the books on the floor. She frowned. “What happened here?”

  “Nothing,” I said too fast, cringing. “I was just putting these back.”

  Regina crouched next to me. “I’ll take care of them and clean up. You should head out.”

  I nodded, standing. “Cool. Thanks.” My pulse pounded in my ears.

  18

  Caprice

  The next night, I woke early to check the board in the Dean’s Hall. I scanned the names under that dreaded red line. Mine was third from the top. I let out a victory yelp. After finals, there was one more term to go, and I could get out of the Culling.