Destiny (The Academy Series Book 1)

by D. D. Larsen

  Liam puts his hand on mine, slowly stroking it with his fingers.

  Neither of us is in the mood to go out, so Liam drives us back to his house. I’m still so upset, the second we walk inside, I crawl on the couch, pulling a fuzzy blanket around myself.

  From the other room, I hear Liam on the phone, ordering pizza. He is being patient, waiting for me. I’ll discuss it in a little while, but for now I want to forget it.

  My phone rings in my pocket and dings with texts, and I know my disappearance has been noted. I’m right down the street, inside Liam’s house. What is going to hurt me here?

  I turn my phone to silent and close my eyes. Before I know it, I drift off.

  “She doesn’t want to see you.”

  “I don’t care what she wants. I’m here to make sure she is safe.”

  “Why wouldn’t she be safe? She told me about her illness and about her father. I think she just needs a little time to process everything.”

  “She told you about that?”

  “Yes.”

  “Tell her to call me back when she wakes up.”

  I hear the crunch of gravel as a new car arrives. Then footsteps, followed by, “Pizza delivery for Liam.”

  Liam responds, “That would be for me, thank you. Keep the change.” More crunching of gravel and then the sound of tires pulling out.

  Liam speaks again. “Wren, I don’t know what all is going on with her, but she came to me for comfort and to get away from The Academy. She needs time. I will keep an eye on her. I love her; I won’t let anything bad happen to her.”

  There are those words again, I love you.

  He really does care about me.

  I must drift off because I wake to a hand, smoothing my hair. My eyes open slowly. Liam is squatting in front of me.

  “Hey babe, how are you feeling? The pizza’s here if you would like some.”

  The argument I heard comes back. “Is Wren here?”

  He shakes his head. “He stopped by to check on you, but he is gone now. I told him you needed some time. I thought he was going to rip my head off at first.”

  I knew he would be angry that I left, but I just needed to get away. Andre’s words keep circling in my brain, bind me to Wren, if I don’t change, I will die.

  I need to talk to Edward and get answers. And I will. Just not tonight. Tonight, I am going to enjoy a ordinary night on the couch with my boyfriend, eating pizza, and watching a movie.

  “Yes, pizza sounds nice. Could we eat it in here and watch a movie?”

  “Yeah, that sounds great. Let me grab the box and some drinks.”

  As he walks away, I settle in, determined to have a nice night. As I am flipping through channels, Liam comes back with the pizza. He sets it down on the ottoman and hands me a plate. “So, what are we watching?”

  “I saw Pitch Perfect just started. You okay with that?”

  “I’m okay with whatever you want. I just like being here with you.”

  This moment is so normal, so perfect. I wish I could just freeze time.

  Chapter 35:

  My calm is destroyed as I open my eyes to the sound of my phone ringing. I thought I’d turned it to silent.

  The bed is so warm and cozy, I roll over and groan, hoping to enjoy the peace for a few more minutes.

  The ringing starts again, and I know my time is up. Throwing the blankets off, I put my feet on the cold ground and search for the ringing phone.

  Liam isn’t in bed, but I didn’t expect him to be. From the way the light filters in the window, I would guess it is probably almost noon. Grabbing the throw from the end of the bed, I wrap it around my shoulders.

  Since I was scratched, I never seem to feel warm. I felt like I was burning alive for weeks, so it makes sense that my temperature gauge is a little off.

  Going to the couch where we watched all three Pitch Perfect movies yesterday, I locate my phone. It’s dead. Then I hear the ringing again and follow it to the kitchen.

  It’s coming from the landline on the counter. I pick it up and answer.

  “Hello?” There is heavy breathing on the other end of the line and I instantly know it’s Wren.

  How did he get this number?

  “Jamie, thank god. I was so worried. I have been calling your phone all morning and you didn’t answer.”

  I decide to not tell him it is dead. Let him think I was ignoring him. He deserves it for thinking I can just belong to him so easily.

  “Wren, how did you get this number?”

  “That’s not important. What’s important is that you are safe.”

  “Yes, Wren, I am fine. I was sleeping. You just woke me up.”

  “There was another attack, Jamie. On the guys patrolling the forest around Liam’s house last night. They were able to hold him off with only minor injuries, but I haven’t been able to get ahold of you or Liam. I promised him I would give you space, but I needed to make sure you were okay.”

  Attacked? Guarding the house? Is my selfishness putting others in danger?

  “Physically, I’m fine, Wren, but mentally, not so much. I need to know what is going on. The whole story. Not just the abridged, we-don’t-want-to-hurt-her-feelings story. I need all the gory details.”

  He lets out a frustrated sigh. “No, Jamie. I can’t. Not yet.”

  “Then I’m not coming back to you.”

  He growls, “You are in danger; serious danger and you can’t just go running off. You scared the shit out of me yesterday. What were you thinking? Wait, don’t answer that. You weren’t thinking, which is the problem. I know all of this is a lot and it’s new, I get it, but if I can’t trust you to stay where you are safe then we will lock you up.”

  He wouldn’t dare. I know I have been pushing the boundaries, but that’s a little much, even for Wren.

  “I want to talk to Edward. After I do that, we can discuss what will happen next.”

  “Fine. I will be there in an hour.” Before I can say anything else, he hangs up. As frustrated as ever, I slump into one of the kitchen chairs.

  Maybe once I know all the information, they will stop treating me like a child. Jamie, if you want them to stop treating you like a child, stop acting like one.

  Liam walks into the kitchen. “Hey babe, how do you feel this morning?”

  I was feeling better until I talked to Wren. Even when I agree with him, I can’t help from letting him under my skin.

  I reply, “Better. Wren will be here in an hour. It’s time I talked to Edward and get all the details. Thank you for being so supportive last night. It meant the world to me.”

  “Of course, whatever you need. Are you hungry?”

  “Yeah. I need to go take a shower really quick and then I’ll help you make something.” Liam may be great at a lot of things, but cooking is not one of them.

  Showered and dressed in some of the clothes that I left here the last time I stayed, I walk into the kitchen to the smell of bacon and coffee. On cue, my stomach rumbles.

  I find Liam at the stove, flipping bacon, and a plate of croissants on the table. He hands me a coffee and I take a sip. It’s exactly the way I like it.

  Setting the mug down, I walk up and hug him from behind. He is tall, so my face only comes to between his shoulder blades. “Liam, this smells amazing. I didn’t know you knew how to cook.”

  He spins around and smiles down at me. “There are a lot of things you don’t know about me. Plus, I wouldn’t go that far. I can cook bacon and pasta, but that’s about it.”

  I grab my coffee and sit in one of the chairs on the island to watch Liam cook.

  When I was younger, I always fantasized about relationships; imagining fancy dinners, gifts, huge houses with white picket fences. But at this moment, I could care less about any of that. What is important is this connection. This domestic activity together. The simplicity of making and eating breakfast together.

  As Liam pulls the bacon off the stove and comes to sit next to me, I can’t help but
smile. This is nice. Really nice.

  But too soon, there’s a knock on the door, dragging me out of my normal life. Wren is here to pop my perfect bubble. I kiss Liam goodbye, desperately hoping I will see him again. I know this conversation is going to change everything.

  I walk with Wren to his Jeep. We drive in silence and I feel as if I am going to my execution.

  As he marches me through the doorway of The Academy, I feel the pressure return to my shoulders. I didn’t realize the effect this building had on me until I was out of it.

  I follow Wren to Edward’s office, feeling as if every person I pass has their eyes on me. Is this what it feels like being a celebrity? Never being able to have any private life? Always being on display?

  Relief settles in when we enter an empty hallway. About halfway down, Wren opens a door and motions me inside an office. The walls are lined with bookshelves towering up to the vaulted ceiling. Everything is dark wood and manly. I feel as if I have just walked into an old library.

  A large desk dominates the room with an arched window behind it. Edward is standing in the light of the window, black against white. He turns and motions me to a chair, and I sit. “Hello darling, thank you for coming by. I know this whole situation has been difficult and for that I am sorry, but what I am about to tell you isn’t going to make it better. Which is why we have been waiting to tell you. We wanted to give you some time to get used to who you are.” He pauses. “Would you like something to drink before we get started?”

  I nod yes, knowing I am going to need something strong to get through this.

  Edward goes to a bar in the corner of the room and pours three glasses of amber liquid. Handing one to each of us, he motions to the couches near the fireplace.

  Under different circumstances, I would love this room. Curled up on this couch in front of the fire with a book on a snowy day seems perfect.

  Wren sits down and I choose the chair across from him so that he won’t be able to touch me. I don’t need anything distracting me.

  I take a sip, and the liquid burns down my throat and settles into my stomach. Edward paces in front of the fireplace.

  “Wren filled you in on how the Wolf Warriors came to be and the prophecy a few weeks ago. But a few years after the lady that lived in the woods moved into town, she had another vision. Due to the actions of the eldest brother, the wolf spirits became angry. This was a gift and it was never intended to be used in the way he was using it. He had tainted the spirit inside him and they wanted him gone.

  “The second prophecy stated, Magic is a gift. When used correctly, it is incredible, but once tainted, it runs black. On the spring solstice of the white wolf’s 26th year, she is to be bound to her lover. This union will destroy the evil. He will lurk where you least expect it, don’t lose sight of the end. Death will follow, good or evil, if the choice is not made.

  “Jamie, if I am correct, your birthday is in a month, so the spring solstice of next year is the one referenced in the prophecy. You have been destined to bind yourself to Wren since before you were born. This will bring the two wolf spirit lines together and cause those who have become tainted to escape from their captors.

  “If the ceremony happens, the eldest brother and all the evil he created will die. If it doesn’t, both our line and Wren’s line will die, as they will wipe out all those who house the wolf spirit. It wasn’t used as they intended, and this is their way of gaining a fresh slate, for lack of a better term.”

  Finally, he stops and both of them stare at me to see my reaction.

  How is anyone supposed to react to something like this?

  If I am not bound to Wren, then I die. What kind of choice is this? I have never been someone who likes being told what to do. Maybe that was the wolf spirit inside me rebelling since she knew I didn’t have a choice.

  Maybe I still do?

  “You said I had to be bound to Wren. I’m not going to let everyone die, so of course I will, but that doesn’t mean I have to be part of this world, right? Could we do the ceremony and I go on with my life like nothing has changed? I would have the traditional life that I want.”

  I look up and see Wren’s face. The guilt instantly hits me. He looks devastated.

  Edward takes a drink then looks at me. “Jamie, I know you were raised by your mother and were taught to have a strong will. While that is something I admire about you, there is something called duty, and this is your duty to your people. You have had 25 years to live your life as you please. And live you have; I have always kept track of you and your activities.”

  Blush creeps into my cheeks and I wonder how much he knows about Liam. How he knows, I’m not sure, but I have a feeling nothing happens without him being aware. I have seen a very calm, nice side of Edward, but I have a feeling he is in charge for a reason.

  “Jamie, all I am asking is you give it a try. We are not evil and forcing you to your death. This community is very close and enjoyable. I know you have never handled change well, but please, for me, for Wren, for yourself. Give all this a chance.” With his hands, he motions to The Academy.

  I feel guilty again. I have been trying so hard to rebel, maybe I haven’t given anything a chance. Looking at Edward and then Wren, I say, “Fine. I promise to try, but can you do something for me in exchange?”

  Edward nods.

  “Please look into the details of the prophecy. As open minded as I am trying to be, I just hate the idea of needing to be bound to someone.”

  “We have been doing research on it for years, but I will. All right, I must get downstairs to teach a class. You guys are free to stay here as long as you would like.”

  There is a click as the door closes behind Edward. I know he left us alone on purpose. We need to talk, and I guess now is as good of time as any.

  Wren starts to speak and I stop him. “Wren, please let me say this and then you can talk. I know it feels like all my hesitance is directed at you but it’s not. I like you and I think we have become good friends. And maybe we will become more than that, but I don’t want some mystical prophecy to be the reason why. That is no reason to be in a relationship.

  “It is almost September which means we have seven months until the spring solstice. For just a little while, let’s try to push the prophecy aside and be friends. Do things friends would do? I feel like half the time we are together, we are arguing or you are yelling at me.

  “Let’s start over, okay? Hello, my name is Jamie. Recently, my whole life got turned upside down and I am handling it as best as I can.”

  I look over at Wren and he is smirking. It is always a shock to see his face hold an expression other than his typical scowl.

  “Hello, Jamie, my name is Wren. My life has been crazy since birth, so sometimes I forget how it would seem to someone who is new to this world. You appear nice and I think I would enjoy being your friend. I can’t promise to not get angry at you, but I will try as long as you actually follow precautions to keep yourself safe.”

  I smile back at him. We can do this; I can do this. Edward is right, I never gave it a chance. I have been fighting against it since day one, even if I didn’t realize what I was fighting against at the time.

  For the next hour, I talk with Wren and he answers all the questions I have. I ask him about the possibility of me never changing, and while he looks worried, he tells me it is my choice. Then he explains the feeling of running through the forest with the breeze on your face. I tell him I will think about it, but for the time being, I want to learn how to fight and protect myself without claws.

  We decide to keep the conversation going over lunch. Wren opens the door for me, and not paying attention, I walk straight into someone.

  I look up and freeze.

  Green eyes. Red hair. He is older than I remember, but it’s been fifteen years.

  My brother. He is here and he is alive.

  “Jacob,” his name comes out as barely a whisper.

  “Hey, Jamie.”

 
What the fuck is going on?

  THE END

  Book 2:

  Journey Avaible July 2021, Preorder now!

  More by D. D. Larsen:

  Perfect. (Perfect Series)

  Imperfect. (Perfect Series)

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  Thank you, lovelies!

  Xoxo, D.