Lucien sat on the edge of his bed, a book open in his lap.
He tried to read.
He really did.
But all he could see were Yvaine's eyes...those frustrated, stubborn eyes, flashing through his head like a broken spell loop.
Damn it, Theolux.
Why was it bothering him so much? He'd never cared about those he hurt. He doesn't.
He'd only just begun with her and she was already haunting him?
He slammed the book shut and tossed it aside.
He was Lucien Lioréan. He was the haunter. Not the haunted.
She was just some little unworthy thing...
That you think is pretty, his subconscious jeered.
He rolled his eyes.
She's not that pretty. No special look about her. All common wolves looked the same to him. Pathetic. Weak.
But you didn't fail to notice her dark eyes… her perfectly small lips… the length of her hair…
"Agh! Shut up."
His wolf laughed in his head. Loudly.
Great. Now both his subconscious and his wolf were tag teaming him. Over her.
The door slammed open.
He didn't even flinch.
"Why didn't you refuse to be paired with that girl, huh?" Valtira's voice was the last thing he needed to hear right now.
She walked in..her silver hair swaying behind her.
He made a mental note to cast a sealing spell next time. That would keep out crazy.
He didn't look up. Just picked another book.
Valtira stormed closer and yanked the book from his hand. "Lucien, I am talking to you. Why did you agree to dance with her? Why didn't you choose me?"
He tutted. "Tira, I'm in no mood for this, okay? Just leave me alone."
"I won't let you dance with her," she snapped. "It should be me. I'm your mate."
That was it.
He snapped.
He grabbed her hand, fast. Firm.
"You're not my mate."
Valtira stared at him. He was way taller than she was. She had fear in her eyes.
"But we were going to change that," she said. Her voice cracked. "On the next full moon. You said we could change our fates. Tie it together."
He let go.
"If you want to be my mate, stop acting up."
She opened her mouth to argue, but winced.
He was suppressing her.
And he wasn't even trying hard.
Even other Silverwolves couldn't handle his suppression. She knew that. He knew that.
She held her head and staggered backwards.
"Do you understand?" He asked.
She nods and then he releases her.
"Fine," she muttered. "I get it. I just… I just want to be sure. I love you."
He stared at her.
Love.
Interesting.
He was the next Alpha. Being with Valtira made sense. She was a Silverwolf. It would be perfect, on paper.
But love?
That wasn't what this was.
And besides… the curse.
He had the no-mate curse. He couldn't even feel that kind of bond. Not truly.
"Can you leave now?" he said. "So I can read in peace?"
Valtira stood there for a second, like she might cry or scream or both.
Then she said, "Okay. But I'll be back."
She left.
He got up, shut the door, and muttered the sealing spell.
"Claudere porta."
The lock shimmered with quiet magic.
He sighed, fell back on the bed, and stared up at the ceiling for a moment.
Now, where was he?
Ah, yes.
Theolux.
_________
Nyx sat back in the chair beside the bed. "How are you holding up?"
Yvaine tried to sit up but winced. Her lower back screamed.
"Damnit," she muttered. "This would've been the perfect time to have fast wolf healing."
"Easy there now, Yvie," Zully said, coming to her side. "Don't stress too much. Gods, Lucien is a sick bastard."
Yvaine let out a low breath. "I thought I didn't know why he was haunting me. That first night of resumption... I walked into him getting a blowjob. From some Ember Wolf... or maybe it was a Bloodhound. He used his powers to suppress the memory."
Zully's face twisted. "He's such a dirty ass jerk. I want to cast a spell on him so bad, but I'm not strong enough to affect a Silverwolf."
Nyx opened her jacket and revealed the small knives strapped inside. "Pick one. I'll fillet his ass for you. He knows better than to cross me."
Yvaine gave a weak smile. "Don't worry. I'm fine. I just want these wounds gone before visiting day."
Zully stood. "I'll try looking for some healing potions to brew."
There was a knock on the door.
"Must be the boys," Zully said. She went to open it. Caelan stood there with a small box in his hands.
"Hi, Zully. Is Yvaine awake now?"
Zully nodded and stepped aside to let him in.
"Hi, Nyxara," Caelan said.
He looked at Yvaine. She managed a smile.
Zully grabbed Nyx's arm. "We'll be outside."
"Thank you," Yvaine said quietly.
Caelan came closer and sat next to her. "How are you doing?"
Yvaine laughed, dry and soft. "I'm alive."
He handed her the box.
She opened it. Different berries. Fresh.
"I, uh... I handpicked them. Thought to bring them to you," he said.
Yvaine's heart fluttered. She didn't know if it was from his sweet gesture, or the fact that his scent was filling the room. Or that he was next to her.
"Thanks," she said, trying not to smile too hard. "But you really didn't have to."
"I wanted to," Caelan said.
He leaned forward and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear.
Her heart raced. Too close. She pulled back a little.
"Sorry," he said quickly. Then he looked at her again. "Yvaine, I don't know what's going on. I thought we had some sort of connection... That kiss..."
No. Not that kiss.
She didn't want to go there. Not after she heard him with that girl in his dorm.
"It was a mistake," she cut him off.
He frowned, tried to say something.
"I don't want to talk about that now, Caelan," she said. "I'm trying to recover."
Caelan pressed his lips together. "Right."
"I'm sorry," she added.
"No, it's fine... it's just... never mind."
He paused. "My sister's coming for visiting day. If you'd like to sit with us..."
Yvaine blinked. "Thank you. I'd love to meet her."
A knock came again.
"Come in," Yvaine said.
Ed entered.
Caelan stood up. Ed gave him a nod. "Hi, Caelan."
Caelan nodded back.
Ed turned to Yvaine. "You ready for your walk, Yvie?"
Yvaine smiled. "Yeah."
He helped her get up gently.
Yvaine looked at Caelan. "You can come with us..."
Caelan shook his head with a smile. "Nah. I'll just run along now. Be good, Pup."
He walked out.
Yvaine let out a breath.
"You okay?" Ed asked.
"Yeah... let's go," she said.
_____
"I thought there was something between us, Zayven." Caelan paced around his dorm room. The ice on the wall crept higher, reacting to his feelings.
Zayven sighs. " Maybe you caught the wrong connection?"
Caelan sat on his bed. " No... I knew I felt it. She's pushing me away.
"Perhaps she has something or someone else keeping her busy."
Ed... The way he'd looked at her when he entered. It was obvious. He had something for her.
And that something, made him feel like freezing Ed up.
"If it's meant to be, it'll happen. That's one thing with mates. How are you sure she's your mate?"
"I mean...there's been no markings or words from my wolf, but my wolf seems to like her and enjoys being around her. And I think I like her too."
"If she likes you too, you both can tie your fates and become mates. "
Yeah...but the thing is...Does Yvaine like him in anyway?
Or was he going to suffer this no mate curse forever?