Bloodbound to the Witch Heir: Claimed By Four

Luther’s POV

*****

Six days later. 8:05 am. Lysandra’s suite.

"Luther," Lysandra coughed weakly from her bed, struggling to get up. "Please, come help me up."

He’d been standing close to the balcony of the pink-themed space when she called out.

Blinking, he turned to her. She had her arms stretched, clinging hard to her plush pillows. Her face was pale, her nose runny and sometimes black veins popped across her eyeballs.

A Vein beast poison.

If he was being honest, he didn’t believe it at first when Natasha and Lysandra’s other friends told him. He thought it was a tactic to get him to come to her and apologise after their heated argument the other night.

That was until he actually saw her.

The wound was on her right ankle, swollen and pulsing black like it was going to explode and leave her limbless. Before his eyes, he watched her try using magic to heal herself. Even the academy’s medics were only able to stop the venom from spreading.

And how did it happen? Apparently, she wandered into Pisgah National Forest the night of their argument and got attacked by an insect-like beast—barely fighting it off with her life intact. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

"Ouch." Lysandra’s gasp snapped Luther out of his thoughts as he helped her off the bed. "C–Careful... Please." She heaved, biting her bottom lip. "Gods, my legs."

When her feet touched the ground, she let out a heavy sigh, keeping her arm around Luther’s shoulders.

Meanwhile, Luther was dressed in the academy’s official uniform. A crimson blazer with a white shirt underneath having two buttons open. Form-fitting pants of the same colour. And then polished black shoes.

Every other student was required to wear the uniform proudly today.

The day of the Blood Trials.

"Are you sure you’ll be able to go out there today?" He couldn’t help but ask Lysandra, who was still in her pajamas. "You barely attended classes this past week. M–Maybe you—"

"No." Her voice was sharp, almost too hasty. "I’ll be alright. Just... Just help me get ready. We need to be outside before the Hunters kick start the competition and begin their trials."

Not to mention Luther had to be out there on time since he was one of the competitors...

But he didn’t voice that out.

While he helped Lysandra toward the bathroom, his mind went through everything that happened this past week.

Starting with his encounter with Celeste at the general meeting hall.

She slapped him. Hard, if he must add.

At that moment, he couldn’t even react, let alone retaliate. A weird, confused part of himself kept saying he deserved it—

’And that part of yourself is me, twat.’ his wolf scorned. ’You’ve disappointed me for days now with how you’ve treated our mate.’

After a short pause, it added. ’So you better give them your all today. Show White Flame Academy and everyone else that you aren’t that much of a clueless pushover.’

Sigh...

Today’s going to be a long one.

.

.

All around the academy, preparations were set for the incoming guests.

The Academy’s emblem flew high from flags at the highest buildings. From the residential sections. The academic buildings. Even the Dean’s building.

Students walked around in groups, laughing and gossiping excitedly about the students from White Flame and what to expect today.

Luther paid little attention to the conversations as he, Lysandra, her friends and Silas moved together toward the back gates.

"I heard Rebecca Whiteflame will be participating this year." A guy mumbled to his friends.

"No way!" Another exclaimed, nearly tripping mid walk. "As in... Daughter of Europe’s Lupine sovereigns? Luna Queen Janelle’s prodigy?"

Breathing became tedious for Luther.

Luna Queen Janelle.

As an European Alpha, he answered to the continent’s Luna Queen and Alpha King. As it has been for centuries.

If the rumours he’s heard about the Whiteflame bloodline were true... Representing the wolves in the trials was going to be harder than he thought.

"Did anyone else notice Caelum training with his sister these past few days?" Natasha was the one who spoke this time, a mocking grin curving her lips. "As if that’s supposed to make a difference."

Kiara and Mia chuckled at that, almost too loudly.

Luther glanced at Silas.

His brother strutted a few paces ahead of them, not even bothering to make a comment. They’ve been distant throughout this week.

Plus, Luther wasn’t blind. He’d noticed how close Celeste was getting with Silas.

And he loathed it.

"Girls, come on." Lysandra cleared her throat just then, fingers tightening on Luther’s shoulder. "Let’s not be like that. I chose Celeste as my replacement for a reason. I’m sure she... Won’t disappoint."

Whether she meant it or not, that sounded condescending.

Her friends smirked amongst themselves but didn’t say anything else, instead shifting to new gossip material.

Eventually, they got to their destination.

A large field outside the academy, surrounded by trees and centuries-old monuments.

The Crimson Expanse.

Tall iron gates ushered them into the open space. Stone pillars with runes carved into them stood tall on both sides of the gate.

Ash and red sand filled the ground, leaving nowhere for flora to flourish. Around the edges of the expanse, spectator zones elevated on stone ridges lined the perimeter evenly.

Today was one of the only times of the year when this place was open to students. At other points? It was forbidden, especially to year ones.

Close to one of the spectator zones was a high table which some senior year students already placed finishing touches on.

"Yo, Luther!" A cocky voice behind him made him pause. When a firm hand grabbed the part of his back Lysandra’s paw wasn’t on, he turned. Alpha Damien. "You ready for today? Just like we practised, eh?"

He wanted to respond when Silas broke out of the group, a small smile settling on his face—hazel eyes pinned on someone ahead of them. Someone who made Luther’s wolf bristle with instant need.

Celeste.

To Luther’s agitation, Silas embraced her, giving a curt nod to Willow and Caelum who lingered nearby. He peeped at Atlas at a corner as well.

"What are you...?" Damien followed his gaze, almost immediately witnessing the scene. "Ouch. I didn’t realise Silas would settle for just any girl these days. Your ex, nonetheless."

Luther barely heard him, fists clenching beside him.

If Silas didn’t—

"Students of Bloodoak Academy!" Professor Amelia’s thrilled voice echoed through the field thanks to a microphone. She stood close to the high table, a hand gesturing at the gates. "At any second now we’ll be receiving our guests. And rivals. So, please—take your seats."

Students who loitered around the open field quickly went to the spectator zones. Lysandra and her friends did the same, the former pressing a kiss on Luther’s forehead.

"Knock them out, my Alpha." She adjusted his collar, patting his cheek.

As the field emptied, Professor Amelia continued. "All competitors should wait behind for a brief opening speech. The Blood Trials are about to officially kick off!"

This is it.

Unable to help himself, Luther slowly bent his head in Celeste’s direction.

Surprisingly, she raised her head, glancing at him as well. Their eyes locked across the field, sparking something in Luther’s chest.

He swallowed.

Because the girl standing across the Crimson Expanse didn’t look like someone about to fail.