Bloodbound to the Witch Heir: Claimed By Four

Celeste’s POV

*****

"S–Silas," I backed away from Luther, gawking at his brother with an awkward smile. "I... It’s not what it looks like. Luther was only here to..."

My brain lagged before I could gather words to speak.

Meanwhile, Silas only stood by the door, not stepping in and not closing it either. His hazel eyes squinted, taking in Luther from head to toes first. Then they slid to me.

"You don’t have to explain anything, love." He murmured, the corner of his lips lifting slightly. "I understand perfectly. Luther is... Still important to you."

The hesitation made me understand he was going to point out that Luther was also my mate. But he didn’t since he was still lingering in the hallway.

Raising a hand, I tried explaining. "Silas, you’re... You’re important to me too. Very much. We were just talking. Nothing at all was—"

"Celeste, stop." Silas insisted, tone calm. "I’m assuring you now that it’s fine. I’m not jealous and I understand the pull perfectly. Regardless of which of them you see beside me."

I’m sure anyone walking past and hearing him would think he was either a simp I had around my fingers or that he’d removed all the importance he placed on me.

Or—perhaps those were just my own thoughts.

"Brother," Luther turned, joining the conversation. "You don’t have to say any of that. I was just leaving."

Silas’ smile didn’t falter. His eyes fixed on me, a second too long, flashing with an intensity that almost made my knees buckle.

The tension in this room was sharp enough to cut.

"There’s no need for that." Silas withdrew his hand from the doorknob, stepping back into the hallway. "I’ll catch you later, Celeste."

It was when he began moving down the corridor that a thought registered in my mind, hard and urgent. I didn’t want him to leave.

"Silas!" I called out, glancing briefly at Luther. A hint of disappointment glowed in his eyes, making guilt bloom in my stomach. "We’ll... We’ll have this conversation again, Luther." After telling him that, I bolted out of the room, forgetting to shut the door.

Hopefully, he remembers to do that before leaving.

"Silas!" My voice carried through the corridor, attracting the stares and whispers of a few girls either locking their doors or rushing past. I ignored them all, focusing on the suited back of the man ahead.

He paused in his tracks, shoulders relaxing.

Yet he said nothing until I got to his side, panting through my mouth. "By Selene, you walk fast."

His head angled to meet my gaze better. "I felt the atmosphere when I stepped in there. I didn’t want to be the one who ruined the moment—not for you or my brother."

I shook my head, grabbing his left wrist with both hands. I held his gaze as I said. "You didn’t ruin anything, Silas. Never have and hopefully never will."

A smirk played on his lips. "You can never be so sure, love."

The clear-as-day jealousy he tried hiding behind his calm facade made me feel guilty and also brought a blush to my cheeks.

I shouldn’t be thinking this but handling multiple mates at once really was hectic. And I was only actively sleeping with one!

Imagine getting entangled with all of them. Azrael—

"I suggest you get some rest." He coughed, about to push my hands away from his wrist.

But I kept them locked around it, keeping my chin high. "And I suggest you stop hiding your true feelings from me." I didn’t back down. After looking around us, I whispered. "Tell me—what was your original reason for coming to my suite this morning?"

Surprise stretched his lips wider. "Someone’s more confident today."

"And someone is being a little unfair." My voice softened, fingers rubbing his wrist tenderly. "Come on, Silas. Don’t—"

"A date." He opened up, posture straightening into something confident. "I was going to take you out on a date. Since you’re on a break from classes today."

A few seconds passed before the words loaded completely in my mind. Still, I was a bit taken aback.

"A... Date?" I echoed, pressing my lips together to hide my blush. Probably too late judging from Silas’ smug grin. "But... Don’t you have classes? You didn’t compete yesterday—"

"My classes today aren’t very important," he pulled his wrist off my grip only to rub that hand down my arm. "It’s nothing much but a meal at the Moonwood Pavilion Restaurant shouldn’t be bad for an official first date, no?"

Moonwood Pavilion...

Our school’s popular restaurant is located on the far east wall. I haven’t been there throughout this semester.

Willow either went there to order takeout or we cooked with the ingredients my dad always sends in once a month. Going there for a date didn’t sound bad at all.

"Did you hear that?" A girl who brushed past me asked her friend. "He asked her out on a date."

"Shut up." The friend nearly squealed. "Oh my gods. It’s happening. They’re going to be official."

"After Lysandra and Luther broke up too." Another voice joined them.

At this point, turning into a spider and crawling into a crack in the wall felt appeasing. "Are we going now?" I questioned awkwardly, fingers fiddling with anxiety I could barely hide.

Silas took my hand, nodding. "I thought it would take more talking. But of course, love."

Well, I was going to argue that I subconsciously saw our wine and mangoes hangout at the Alphas Heirs Haven as a date. But that would steal the moment and make us stand longer in this hallway.

As we strutted hand in hand, I felt protected. Momentarily, other thoughts left my mind other than the blissful idea of letting myself date after... Luther.

Unfortunately, that bliss was temporary.

My phone buzzed with a notification as we approached the stairs but I signalled to him that we could continue walking.

When I slipped out the flat screen, I blinked-squinted at the message icon. And the contact it was attached to.

Mom.

"Good morning, honey. I heard about your win at the Blood Trials yesterday. Congrats. (Blushing face emoji).

Expect me at the academy tonight. We need to discuss something and I figured it’s better we do that in person. Take care. I love you. (Heart emoji)"

Chills spread through both my arms, causing my hairs to stand.

You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.