Bloodbound to the Witch Heir: Claimed By Four

Celeste’s POV

*****

12:55 pm, General Meeting Hall, Bloodoak Academy.

Arriving late was one of my many problems.

But I didn’t today.

Why?

Well, to maybe get a chance to see Azrael and confront him about last night.

One problem with that though—

"You’ve got to be fucking kidding me," I mumbled to myself when I walked into the hall, eyes landing on the rows of audience seats.

The place was already filled with students struggling to either get the best seats at the front or make their way to the back, trying to avoid attention from the Dean or some professors.

Guess the seats most fought for.

Around me was a large hall that also served as a basketball court. Except the ceilings were arched with moonstone beams, sigils etched into each.

At the centre of the court was a stage where a few professors already stood waiting.

"Hey, Celeste!" Willow’s voice managed to pierce through every other, making me whip my head in her direction with my heart in my throat.

She sat somewhere in the middle—of course, she did. Gods, I needed those back seats just in case I could get a hold of Azrael.

At least, we’d be able to talk while the meeting was ongoing.

Speaking of my mates—

"Well, look who decided to join the party." Another voice chirped just then. I froze. It was a senior male student, not someone I recognised.

He sat at the front, flanked by some senior girls who instantly took over with the jeers.

"Which guy are you shagging today, diva?" One of them asked, smacking bubble gum. Making sure everyone heard.

"Has anyone seen the other guy?" One with braids glanced behind herself. "I heard he—"

"For the goddess’ sake!" Willow yelled, putting an end to most of the murmuring. "Can you all just give it a rest? And so what if she was kissing another guy? What are you girls? Jealous she didn’t do that to one of you instead?"

My jaw dropped, fingers tightening around each other.

Bubble gum girl gasped like she just heard blasphemy, swerving back to find Willow. "You little—I’m not gay! I—"

"It’s okay, temu mona Lisa," Willow didn’t let her finish. "It’s the twenty fifties. We’re way past judging you for that shit."

If this went on, best believe a fight would break out. And Willow would be the first to bring out claws.

Fortunately, one of the professors on stage, a witch, placed a finger on her throat. "Quiet down!" Her voice was magically augmented, echoing through the hall like a siren.

I used the distraction as cover, climbing up the seats until I got to one beside Willow. She gave me a wink when I sat, forcing me to shake my head.

"Temu mona Lisa?" I repeated the insult.

She shrugged. "I mean—look at her. She kinda looks like a distorted rendering of the painting. Or am I the only one seeing it?"

"Yes, Willow."

We giggled but I genuinely felt relieved.

Now I had the chance to focus.

On finding my mates.

Closing my eyes, I concentrated. Or tried to. On the bonds. On the emotions thrumming through each of them and their individual connection to each other.

Surprisingly, it didn’t take long to sense them.

Luther was somewhere at the far end of the hall—perfect distance away from me. Silas was close to him... Now that I think about it, I haven’t seen him since he said he wanted to "check on Luther".

The same Luther who went out with Lysandra last night.

Sucking in a breath, I mentally searched for the rest. If I had a wolf, this could’ve been done in a couple of seconds max.

Atlas is somewhere behind me. Probably trying to dull out the noise and chattering and keep to himself. And also quietly observing me too.

Why didn’t he speak out for me? Did he feel like I could handle myself or—

"Good afternoon, Bloodoak students." The Dean’s thundering voice made me jolt, eyes opening immediately.

I swerved my head to the entrance at my right. The man walked in graciously, flanked by Professor Amelia and many other important professors.

Yet as imposing as they all were, my attention didn’t last long on them.

Instead, my eyes flitted to the person who walked in behind them, like a shadow avoiding surveillance. Black coat, black pants and those damn sunglasses.

"Hey, look." Willow tapped my shoulder, pointing at him. "It’s Azrael."

No shit.

I couldn’t tell if he spotted me thanks to those glasses. But somehow I knew—he did. And did nothing, making his way up the seats closest to him.

Great.

Meanwhile, Dean Thorne mounted the stage with his entourage, clasping his hands in front of his chest. "Thank you all for showing up. There are a lot of preparations to be done so I’m going to make this quick."

After staring at Azrael and where he sat one last time, I sighed, whipping my neck to the stage.

Thorne continued once the hall was dead silent. "Perfect. Anyway, next week we’ll be expecting our years-long rivals from Europe. White Flame Academy. This year we’ll be hosting the Blood Trials in this very academy."

A few students cheered for that.

I stayed silent, leaning back lazily on my seat. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

"The Blood Trials are meant to test the limits of supernatural young adults," Thorne’s expression grew sterner. "Once you graduate you’ll be sent out into the world. The unforgiving, chaos-ridden world Vein beasts have terrorised for two decades now."

Chills crawled through my palms at the mention of Vein beasts. As someone who’s almost gotten killed by those things—twice—it was safe to say I didn’t want to face one again.

Maybe this academy wasn’t for me.

"Each ’Trial’ is designed to test the abilities of our four races..." The Dean’s tone shifted. "Wolves. Witches. Hunters. And hybrids." His eyes swept past me at the mention of that last word.

The look lingered half a second too long—long enough to feel deliberate.

I blinked, looking around. Because why the heck was he staring at me like I’m the only hybrid here?

"Two of our best students from each race will be selected for the trials." He stepped back, gesturing at Professor Amelia without another word.

With a broad smile, the professor moved forward, holding a microphone and a list. "Ahem!" She faked a cough, beaming brighter. "Without further ado, these are the students we’ve specially selected from each race. For the wolves... Luther Hale and Damien Wormwood."

Claps and cheers erupted from every corner.

Keeping my poker face was nigh impossible right now. Gods, if Luther was going to compete, he should at least get his ass handed to him.

"For the witches—Atlas Stormwood and Inari Kuroda. From the hunters, Johnathan Patel and Melissa Augustus. Finally... For the hybrids..."

Everyone seemed to hold their breath. Even I couldn’t help it, fists clenching on my legs.

"Oh, Caelum’s definitely going to be picked," Willow mumbled, raising her hands, ready to clap.

Professor Amelia was about to speak when the Dean stepped forward again, whispering something in her ear.

That made me frown.

What funny business was happening right now?

After a couple of seconds, Amelia’s expression changed, mouth forming an "o". "Dearie me," she muttered, tapping the mic. "For the hybrids, we were going to pick Caelum Bloodoak and Lysandra Carrington—but Miss Carrington is unfortunately down due to Vein beast poisoning."

Gasps rippled through the hall, followed by worried whispers.

"Yes!" Willow clapped, raising her hands like she won the lottery. And attracting shocked stares.

Silence.

Second-hand embarrassment hit me harder than ever in my life. I lowered my head while Willow stopped clapping.

Gaia, please open the earth—

"Anyway," Professor Amelia carried on. "At the request of Lysandra, the academy picked a replacement that... We think would be good enough to stand by Caelum’s side."

A bad feeling settled in my chest.

Fortunately, or not, she broke the ice after a short pause. "Competing beside Caelum for the Blood Trials will be none other than Celeste Bloodoak!"

My jaw slackened, my brain taking several seconds to register what she just said.

There’s no way. There just can’t be a way.

However, as hesitant claps filled the hall and Willow shook me with excitement—it hit me.

I’d just been given up into the greatest embarrassment of my life.