Bloodbound to the Witch Heir: Claimed By Four

Celeste’s POV

*****

The meeting eventually ended after ten more minutes. Nothing much was said other than what to expect in the competitions and the preparations being made.

Also, we were given the rest of the day off from classes.

As students trooped out of the hall orderly, I remained sitting, fingers digging into my palms. Eyes locked on Dean Thorne and the professors who were still on the stage.

"So, girl," Willow poked me with a finger just then. "I think it’s important you train more these next few days. I’m not exactly sure who White Flame’s competitors are going to be, but from what we saw last year, they’re no pushovers."

She kept on talking, probably not noticing how distant I was. Angry even.

I still couldn’t believe the academy’s decision. Or the fact that Lysandra suggested ME as her replacement and they just went with it.

Heck, I could count at least two other hybrids in this academy better than me in every sense of the word.

Nah. This had to be a setup.

"Cel?" Willow grabbed my shoulder, finally getting me to turn to her. "Are you good? Since we have the rest of today free to ourselves I was thinking I could tutor you on—"

"Hold that thought, Willow." I got on my feet, unable to take it anymore.

With students clearing off the rows of seats, I was able to spot Luther standing tens of chairs to my left. He was speaking to some senior year students, including Alpha Damien. Silas sat close to his brother, arms folded and expression detached.

At another corner, Caelum had his eyes on his phone while a group of guys and girls lingered around him like humble bees.

I didn’t bother searching for Azrael or Atlas, brushing back a stray strand of my hair.

Walking down the steps, I kept my focus on the Dean.

He had a lot of explaining to do. He and the rest of the academy’s board.

"Dean Thorne?" I called when I got to the court below the seats, pushing past some girls in my way. "Sir?!"

That got his attention. He swerved his head to me, squinting as I approached the stage.

Not waiting for him to speak, I continued. "Sir, I don’t understand the academy’s decision."

Professor Amelia turned to face me as well, lips parting like she wanted to say something. But Thorne raised a hand as he trailed down the stairs.

"What decision?"

"Picking me to compete," I stood my ground, voice firm. "Sir, do I really need to explain all the reasons why picking me is a disastrous idea? Come on, your professors must be whispering the same thing."

Most of the professors looked down at me from the stage. Their eyes glinted with a variety of things—mostly pity.

I ignored that, watching as the Dean finally got below the stage.

"Let me guess." Thorne’s face was plain. "You think you’re too weak or unfit to compete. Because of your lack of a wolf and... Other factors."

The suggestiveness in his voice made it clear he was referring to the mate bonds and my weird connection to Vein beasts. No one but me caught that. I think.

"Aren’t I unfit?" I queried. "Caelum is THE star student. In comparison I’m—"

"Still a hybrid with untapped potential." Thorne cut me short, tone clipped. "The academy has decided, and so have I. Trust me, Miss Bloodoak... Participating will be in your best interests."

My eyes twitched with frustration.

What does any of that even mean?

Thorne didn’t bother giving more explanations. He walked past me, gesturing at his professors to follow. As they made their way out of the hall, I stood still, shoulders slouching.

This couldn’t be happening.

"Celeste?" Caelum’s quiet voice behind me took me by surprise. I pivoted only to see him walking toward me, eyes filled with concern. "Sis, you avoided all my calls yesterday. I... I talked to the Dean, and he said Mom called."

While he spoke, my gaze wandered. To someone stepping down the seats and into the court, hands in his pocket and a smile on his face.

Luther.

I don’t know what happened. One second I was listening to my brother trying to make peace with me or whatever. The next? I strutted past him, gaze pinned on my shameless ex.

"Luther!" I shouted, ignoring the stares from the few students still in the hall. He whipped his neck to me, brows furrowing with surprise.

"C–Celeste?" He mumbled. "What’s the matter? Why are you—"

SMACK!

The sound of the slap on his face cracked through the almost empty hall like thunder. His head shifted to the side, mouth ajar with shock.

"When will you and your doll leave my life?!" I screamed, chest heaving. "You two set this up. Didn’t you? B–Because you know I’d get close to you during the competition and she knows I’ll humiliate myself."

All eyes in the hall were on us.

He finally brought his gaze back to me, face twisted with confusion. "I... Celeste, what are you talking about?"

"Don’t play dumb, Luther." I scoffed, shaking my head. "You’ve been trying to use every means possible to get close. Despite how many times I say I don’t want you. First it was—"

"Celeste!" He snapped, shoulders squaring. "Professor Amelia spoke no lies. Don’t take my word for it—but Lysandra genuinely woke up this morning with poisoning from a Vein beast."

Pfft. Genuine and Lysandra in the same sentence.

It must be raining snakes somewhere.

Neither of us spoke for several seconds, the air thick with tension. My right hand—the one I used to slap him—stung, making me realise I might’ve overreacted.

No.

Luther deserved that. Maybe now he would stop trying to use the excuse of being my bodyguard to get close to me.

With a final shaky breath, I made to leave the hall entirely. Yet before I could take two steps, his strong grip around my wrist kept me rooted there.

"Hey!" I spat, glaring daggers at him. Was he seeking an apology? Fine! "Listen... I’m sorry about the slap, okay? I—"

"Forget about that." He stepped close, voice lowering. "Celeste. Please. Can you just give me this chance? Let’s... Let’s talk."

Words failed me. A tightening knot in my chest made me struggle to breathe.

Several paces behind Luther, Silas stood. Watching. Hazel eyes gleaming with calm and restraint.

Behind me, I could feel my brother lingering as well.

But why did Luther’s words just now feel vulnerable?

Sweat dripped down my forehead, my gaze settling on his sharp blue eyes. Staring at me now with an emotion I never expected.

Regret.

Could... Could he—

"That’s enough, Casanova." Willow grabbed me from behind, pulling me out of Luther’s grip. "She doesn’t need you stressing her out right now. Don’t you have a girlfriend somewhere to attend to?"

As she whisked me away from him, Luther’s jaw tightened. He didn’t say or do anything else, only watching as I slipped from his hold.

For the first time ever, I felt torn at the idea of leaving him behind.

Gods, what has he done to me?! This isn’t me. This... This is—

"Little miss." A deep, reverberating voice, one that I least expected, echoed.

Fuck, I should’ve run out of the hall when I had the chance.

Slowly, I turned, stiffening when I saw Azrael approaching.

"... I believe I need to tell you something." He remarked, stretching out his right hand. Barely registering Willow or anyone else’s presence. "Walk with me?"