Bloodbound to the Witch Heir: Claimed By Four

Luther’s POV

*****

4:00 pm, outside Bloodoak Academy’s main library.

"Luther?" Lysandra called angrily behind him when he walked out of the archway. "Luther? I’m talking to you!"

Maybe if he ignores long enough she’d leave him be for just a bloody second.

However, when he walked down the steps and was about to keep moving, he paused in his tracks. An invisible wall stopped him from moving further. His fists clenched.

Fuck.

"Aren’t you tired, Lysandra?" He spun around finally, eyes glued on the queen bee as she strutted down those steps. "After your little stunt in the library, Atlas slipped away and—"

"And WHAT, Luther?" She sneered, all up on his face. "Went after your little coward princess? Chased after your ’fated’ mate?"

Luther’s jaw tightened.

Earlier today, when Dean Thorne assigned him and Atlas to watch Celeste closely, he didn’t let himself think too much about it. Or at least, that’s what he kept telling himself.

More and more, he could feel his restraint waning. His wolf growled repeatedly in his mind with desires. Unbound feelings that consumed him harder than he’d like to admit.

So when he got to the library earlier and saw Atlas so close to Celeste—he couldn’t control himself. Yes, he dumped her. Yes, he cheated and was dating the girl he did that with.

But—but fuck! She’s still his mate! He couldn’t even reject her if he tried.

When his eyes met Lysandra’s piercing gaze again, he was firm. "You should know how strong the pull of the bond is. Plus, it’s not what you think."

Her head tilted, lips curving in a mocking smile. "It’s not what I think it is?" She repeated, chuckling humourlessly. "Who do you think I am? Your rejected mutt?"

’This is the part where you spit on her face and walk away forever.’ his wolf howled internally. ’Do it, Luther. For fuck’s sake... Do. It.’

His knuckles curled so hard that nails bit into flesh. He glared into those icy eyes. Deep down, he wanted to. Deep down, he wanted to say this whole thing was a mistake from the beginning, and they would never work out.

Yet before he could make a choice—

—Lysandra pulled closer, placing her hand on his chest. He stiffened, nostrils flaring as she brought her lips inches away from his right ear.

"Your hesitation tells me all I need to know, Lulu." She whispered so confidently. Like this was a game she knew she’d win. "And I’m aware she’s not just mated to your brother. The whole school is already noticing it. That new guy, Azrael, has been all over her. Natasha saw them at the memorial..."

He looked away from her, trying to control himself. But she grabbed his jaw softly, forcing him to look into her eyes again.

"And then a little birdie told me Atlas Stormwood might be part of it too," she smirked, eyes wandering to his lips. "You didn’t say a word about it to me. But I know. Everyone is getting an idea of what’s happening—a wolfless hybrid with four men. And the doting ex...?"

The pause she made was diabolical. Clinical. Luther already felt a knot in his throat before she said anything.

"... He’s discarded." Lysandra dropped the words with a light chuckle. "Do you know how pathetic that sounds?"

Grunting, Luther backed away from her. "You’re an Alpha King’s daughter. You should know people born with an Alpha king’s bloodline can’t get rejected by their mates and vice versa."

"And?" She shrugged, expression stiff. "What’s that supposed to mean to me?"

"That Celeste and I are bound for life!" His voice rose a bit.

Lysandra didn’t flinch.

There were barely any people around for several yards around them. Only a shy year two wolf boy walking out of the library beside them, his head lowered but eyes sharp with curiosity.

"Life," Lysandra muttered, her tone teasing. "You’re bound for life. Unless—"

"Are you really about to suggest I kill her?!" He snapped. "That’s—"

"Don’t be dumb, Luther." Lysandra giggled, fingers brushing his shoulder. "No, no... That’ll be too extreme. I’m saying you should start acting like what you are..." When she drew close again, her scent suddenly filled his senses.

He froze, lips parting as her mouth brushed his cheek. "... An Alpha. Not a wimp graveling over a mutt already claimed by others."

’Are you really going to let her insult you?’ his wolf pushed mentally.

Grabbing her wrist, he sneered. "I do not... Gravel."

She gasped, eyes fleeting from his grip to his face. Just for a few seconds. Then her lips curved into something sinister. "You don’t even sound sure of yourself." She laughed at his expense. "But don’t worry. You’ll see what I see and get back to your senses eventually."

Closing her eyes, she kissed him. It wasn’t needy in any way. It was brief and felt final, leaving Luther’s mind dazed when she stepped away.

"You know where to find me when you do." She winked, walking past him without another word.

Luther stood there, brows furrowing. He caught himself genuinely thinking through everything she said.

’Because you’re an idiot,’ his wolf scolded. ’Seriously, what has Lysandra done to you to make you... Well, like this?’

He ignored the beast, thinking deeply.

Even if by some miracle Celeste takes him back and forgives him—what then? Would he have to stick around the other mates? Share her in everything including in bed?

Just thinking about it made his stomach twist.

’How’s she going to notice you when you’re being a total dick?!’ his wolf snarled. ’For the goddess’s sake, dump Lysandra. That’s your first step before anything.’

He exhaled heavily, brushing his hand through his hair. Then his phone beeped. Frowning, he brought it out.

A message.

From Lysandra.

"What does she...?" He skimmed through the text at first. Until he read it all.

>My father is still in Asheville. I told him we’re dating and he wants to see you. For dinner. Tonight by seven. Prepare, my Alpha.<

The little blush emoji beside the text felt like the final knot restraining him.

Lysandra’s father. Alpha King Maddox Carrington.

"This..." He blinked at the phone, speechless. "Dinner with an Alpha King..."

For a moment, he thought about how that could’ve been him with Celeste’s family. About how even her brother probably hated him now.

And yet—

The bond stirred.

Faint. Distant. But unmistakable.

Warmth brushed against his senses, followed by a sensation that made his breath hitch—soft, breathless, intimate. And not his.

Luther stiffened.

His wolf went deadly silent.

Whoever Celeste was with right now... she wasn’t alone.

His jaw clenched as his fingers curled around his phone.

Seven p.m. dinner with an Alpha King.

And somewhere across the academy, his mate was slipping further out of his reach.