Bloodbound to the Witch Heir: Claimed By Four

Celeste’s POV

*****

"Is something wrong, dear?" My mother asked while I shakily got off the bed, eyes still glued to my phone.

Barely glancing at her, I shook my head. "N–Nothing, mom. Just a text."

The text in question was simple and short:

"Meet me at my suite, little miss. I have things to share. About the Dean."

That’s it.

I never had Azrael’s number but that annoyingly endearing term... Little miss. That made me know right away it was him.

And I hated it. So fucking much.

"He could’ve told me on text," I whispered, lowering my phone and biting my bottom lip. "Gods—"

"He?" Mom repeated, finally catching my attention enough to make me turn my head to her. And that smug smirk on her face. "My daughter finally enters the dating pool and doesn’t even want to share it with me."

Heat flushed my cheeks. "M–Mom, it’s not my boyfriend. I—"

"Yet you’re redder than a blood moon," she chuckled, shaking her head as she walked to me. Her palm rested on my cheek, gentle and grounding. "If you wish to see... Whoever that is. Go."

There was a hint of disappointment. Probably because our meeting was short.

But she hid it perfectly behind her radiant smile. "I should take my leave. Maybe check on Caelum for a bit." Her hand left my cheek, eyes glinting with warmth. "Follow your heart, Celeste. Everything will work out just fine in the end."

For the first time since she dropped by tonight—I smiled. It wasn’t forced or faint. It was so wide my cheeks hurt, dampness stinging the edges of my vision.

She was about to turn away when I grabbed her, pulling her into a hug. "Gods, mom..." I sniffled, burying my face in her hair.

Mom didn’t move or touch me for a good couple of seconds, obviously stunned. But that didn’t last long, her arms wrapping around me in an even tighter embrace.

"I’m sure you’ll make the right choice, Celeste." She mumbled, brushing a hand down my hair. "I know you will. Just be careful, okay?"

If only she knew how much I needed those words.

We stayed that way for gods knows how long, her warmth and presence calming me.

DING!

Another notification from my phone forced me to pull away. "What the...?"

Mother giggled. "Looks like this mysterious person who’s certainly NOT your boyfriend really wants your attention." She winked mischievously. "As for your actual boyfriend, tell him I’d like to see him. Someday. Maybe your father and I will treat you two to a stay in one of the beach houses."

Images of my parents in nothing but swimsuits flashed through my mind, sending chills down my spine.

Hard pass.

"Will do, mom." I waved while lifting my phone to my face.

The sender this time wasn’t Azrael though.

It was... Atlas?

"Luther wants to talk but says you blocked him everywhere. Can you undo that? Or should I let him call you here?"

I blinked, lips parting.

This—

"Hey, Celeste." The door swung open before my mother got to it, Willow peeping her head. "The craziest thing happened earlier and I just—oh, my."

Her words ceased, eyes widening as she took in my mother. "I... Mrs. Bloodoak. I mean... Luna Queen Odessa.... I mean, y–your majesty." She bowed. "I didn’t know you were here. I—"

"Young woman, relax." My mother chuckled, tapping her shoulder. "You must be Willow. I’ve heard my daughter mention you. Her best friend and roommate."

She glanced over her shoulder, eyes settling on me. "Maybe she can come visit us during the holidays one of these days."

That’s the last thing she said before moving, walking out of the room and leaving Willow standing there like a petrified statue. When she regained herself, she shut the door.

"Girl, why didn’t you give me a heads-up that your mother’s here?" She nearly yelled, exhaling through her mouth. "By Selene, I stuttered like a fool. That was NOT a good first impression."

I rolled my eyes. "And you swear I’m the dramatic one." As I said that, my gaze flicked to my phone for a beat. And the two messages on the screen. "Were you going to tell me something?"

She finally sighed, stepping further into the bedroom. "It’s your ex."

My pulse stuttered while she went on.

"Luther cornered me outside the Moonwood Pavilion. He was trying to ask something about you but I shut that shit down fast."

I gawked, unable to believe her. "You... You did what?"

"Cel, don’t give me that look." She scolded. "What? You believing that Blood Eye story of him being under a spell? All he did seemed too precise to be—"

I didn’t know when I pushed past her, opening the door and bursting into the hallway.

"Celeste?!" Willow called. "Where are you going? Are you angry at what I did?"

I kept on running, dialling Atlas’ number. The hallway was still alight with bright white lights, and a couple of students were leaning against the walls.

They threw stunned glances at me as I darted past them.

Atlas was taking too long to answer, making me grunt with frustration.

Whatever Luther wanted to find out. Whatever he wanted to tell me—I wanted to hear it. And then there was Azrael... Fuck, my mates were literally pulling me apart.

I rushed down the stairs, sparing my hands from the metal railings. As I did, I scrolled through my contacts and went to the blocked ones.

There were only two.

One of my father’s pack elders who always pressured me with questions about my wolf side. And—

Luther Hale.

After hesitating for a moment, I clicked the unblock button.

By this time, I’d gotten to the ground floor.

I slowed my pace, marching toward the exit.

However, when I got outside, I’d barely walked down two steps when I paused. My eyes locked on two people already waiting underneath the stairs.

Azrael and Luther.

Both men came from opposite directions. They stared at each other, tension sizzling through the night wind. Atlas lingered behind Luther.

Then—all three of them swung their necks to me simultaneously.

Intimidating. Yearning. Questioning.

Well, fuck me...