15. TEN

TEN

Wren

Anincessantalarmscreeching from everyone’s tablets echoed off the classroom walls, much like it did the day that the dragons and humans announced war—but instead of the dread that coated my stomach that day, the only thing I felt was irritation.

I ran my tongue lightly over Kian’s mark on the inside of my cheek and inhaled a long breath as Kian stiffened beside me. I knew he could feel my magic pushing on his from tonguing his mark, and I loved the way it made him squirm. He was adorable.

“They abolished the hierarchy list!” one of the students exclaimed, and unrest sparked among the rest of the room.

There were a lot of supernaturals speaking out against the decision. One girl that I recognized from a class I had with her last term, who was fairly new, stood up and objected loudly.

I rolled my eyes while Thorn and Kian stiffened beside me.

“There’s a reason we have a hierarchy! It’s worked for so long, it’s natural selection simplified! We don’t need anything new.” Fury simmered in her gaze as she balled her hands into fists beside her.

“What even are you?” Skip, the guy who had been publicly apologetic about treating me badly the first couple of terms, scoffed.

She clicked her tongue, but before she could reply, I let out an exaggerated sigh, propping my elbow on the desk and leaning against my hand. “Why should the hierarchy even matter? The strongest are going to win regardless, and the strongest sometimes don’t make sense with the hierarchy. The supernaturals of Kalista are so far up their own asses that they don’t care about the strength of the individuals—just the species. It’s really disappointing that you’re so close-minded. It’s also a bit embarrassing that you’re pissed off about the obvious attempt for equality for all of our species, and that says more about you than anything.”

She reeled back and blinked at me before her eyes narrowed into thin slits. “The dragons—”

“If you’re about to use the dragons as a supportive argument, then why are you at this academy? We’re at war with them too because just like you, they are all about being top of the hierarchy. Why don’t you go see if they’ll take you in? I’m sure they’ll try to inject you with dragon DNA, but I’m also pretty sure you’ll die.”

Her jaw went slack as she sputtered.

Professor Cunningham’s mouth dropped. “Wren.” She placed her hand on her chest. “While I do agree with you that the hierarchy being abolished is a good thing, maybe we can educate those opposed to it in a gentler manner.”

“With all due respect, we are at war, Professor.” My gaze swept from the close-minded supernatural girl to the professor again. “How can we educate about how much better Kalista would be without the hierarchy when we are at war with two different entities that want control?”

“Is your mate okay?” Skip whispered to Thorn, who narrowed his gaze.

“My mate is fine, thanks.”

I snorted, standing up as I felt Rowan approaching through the bond. “Anyway, that’s my cue. Don’t be a jerk, and this decision with the hierarchy shouldn’t affect you.”

“It affects everybody!” the same girl shouted, but the ones who were agreeing with her previously had backed off.

I tilted my head as my shadow started to emerge and flick around in front of me. She wasn’t really that important, was she? I mean, with her ideals, she could’ve been a threat to our cause in the future.

A deep urge to slice her head clear off her shoulders throbbed inside of me just as the door banged open, and Rowan stood in the doorway with his arms crossed.

“Headmaster Barrington.” Professor Cunningham bowed her head in respect, as most of the students did the same, including the girl.

“Professor Cunningham, I am here to speak with my mate.”

The girl’s eyes widened, and she sat down.

“Funny how those who want the hierarchy intact are too scared to stand in front of those higher than you in the hierarchy.” My lips curled into a smirk. “How does it feel to be weak? I mean, that’s your fear, right? To be weak? Without hierarchy, you don’t hold power over those who are lower on the scale. Well, how does it feel to be on the other side? Rowan is definitely stronger than you. To go along with Professor Cunningham’s suggestion to educate, remember the feeling you have in front of him. That’s how those lower to you feel on a daily basis with more supernaturals to watch out for. It’s not right. You get that now, right?”

If not, would her death really matter? No one would miss her, probably.

She lowered her head and refused to meet my gaze, and I sighed.

“Kit, you can’t think like that.”

Rowan took a sharp gasp. “Fledgling, come here. We’re going.”

“Rowan, I already told you that I wanted to go to class.”

“And you did.” His muscles strained against his shirt as he flexed them, frustration leaking down the bond.

I nibbled on my bottom lip. “I mean, yeah, I guess I did, but I didn’t say that I wanted you to come get me.”

Gasps rang out in the classroom, and Thorn gripped my hand at the same time Kian did.

“I already missed Simmons’ class. Why can’t I take this one?”

“You know why.” Rowan dropped his voice before letting out a growl, and smoke blew out of his nose as he fought against his anger. “Let’s go.” He walked over, and Thorn let go of my hand before moving out of the way.

Rowan bent down and grabbed me, throwing me over his shoulder. Kian had let go of my hand as soon as he did, traitor.

The room was tense, and I felt the gazes of my classmates burning into me as I maneuvered down his chest and wrapped my arms around his neck. “Come on, Rowan. This isn’t gonna work.” I planted a kiss on the stubble on his cheek. “You need to learn to listen to me more.”

My magic exploded as I became incorporeal and floated down to the ground before skipping out of the room, leaving behind a ton of whispers and a very angry firedrake mate.

Iwanderedintothe Bestial forest, looking at the beautiful herbs spread about everywhere.

Summer had to be the most inconvenient season to my arctic traits, but it did wonders for the herbs and greenery. Rosemary, thyme, cilantro, and more herbs were all over this forest, and I didn’t let it pass my mind how enchanted the forest was. It was amazing to me that all seasonal herbs and flowers could grow and produce within this forest. Being mated to Rowan meant unlimited access to this place for the rest of my life.

Excitement thrummed through my chest at being alone in the forest again. With all of the looming threats lately, one of my mates had been with me at all times, and it got exhausting—as much as I loved them.

A hand landed on my shoulder, disrupting my peace, and I pivoted to see Grayson as my form flickered back to corporeal. Dark magic was irritating. If I was incorporeal, I didn’t want to be bothered, but Grayson’s life goal was to bother me.

“How are you liking the dark magic?” His voice dripped with evil intent, and I shrugged his hand off.

“I don’t really notice much of a difference.”

He reached down and gripped my hand, threading his fingers through mine. “You can teleport with the dark magic, you know.”

I pulled my hand away from him and furrowed my brows. “Maybe one day I’ll learn, but that’s not today. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

He let out a defeated sigh before dropping into a puddle of goo as I made myself incorporeal and went back to Rowan’s office.

When I stepped inside, Rowan stood in front of his desk with his arms crossed as Damien, Rhett, and Alister stood next to him, all with their arms crossed over their chests and frowns on their lips.

Seeing the four of them looking so angry was kind of attractive.

I materialized in front of them with my hands on my hips and smirked. “Do you have something to say to me?”

They each glared at me.

“Never seen you four look at me like that before.” I giggled. “Anyway, Grayson just talked to me in the woods and told me that I can teleport with dark magic, which is kind of cool, but I told him I didn’t feel like it and left.”

“You talked to Grayson without us?” Rowan growled, flames licking up his arms.

“Yeah, but it was fine.” I waved off his unneeded concern.

Alister shook his head, his fangs pressing into his bottom lip. “What has gotten into you?”

Rhett ran a hand down his face. “Dark magic. Isn’t it obvious?”

“She’s still my little bird.” Damien tilted his head, and his gaze raked up and down my body before lingering on my arm.

“Yes, there’s dark magic inside of me, but guess what? I’m still me. I still love you, and I still want you. All of you. Inside of me. Having you inside of me would be a blessing right now.” I untied my tie and stripped out of my clothes until I was bare in front of them.

Rowan growled, his body visibly tense. “Not a good idea.”

“Why? I’m still your fledgling.” I moved toward him and pressed my palm over his chest as he growled. “I want all of you, can’t you smell that? If you’re going to say no, that’s fine, but I don’t want to waste my efforts if you’re not going to reciprocate.”

“Fuck it.” Damien broke first, his shadows slipping around my waist and yanking me into his arms before capturing my lips and sliding his tongue into my mouth.

I used my shadow to tighten around his neck until he could barely breathe, and he moaned loudly. “Fuck me, little bird.” He broke the kiss.

“That’s the plan,” I purred before a hint of something slammed into me, and my chest ached. “Damien… I’m sorry. I stabbed you, oh my Fates, I stabbed you.”

“I’m sorry I cut into your arm.” He cupped my face and kissed my nose.

“It’s okay. You were only trying to help.” I pressed my lips softly against his.

“Keep going,” Alister murmured behind me as he moved my hair from my neck and dragged his fangs against his mark, sending chills down me. “Seems like we’re getting a little bit of our compassionate Wren back.”

“Compassionate? When have I not been compassionate?” I turned to look at him.

His red eyes flickered with contemplation.

“Do you remember class?” Rowan asked, stepping forward.

Rhett’s tail flicked back and forth, and his horns emerged from his skull. “There’s already talk on campus about what you said and how you fought for the hierarchy being abolished.”

“The hierarchy is just an excuse for the higher supernaturals to bully the lower,” I said breathlessly.

“Yes, but you’ve never been so outspoken about it before,” Rhett explained.

I nodded, tightening my arms around Damien’s neck as I dropped the shadow. “Yeah, you’re right. It must be the dark—“

Fangs pierced into my neck, and Alister’s venom flooded me, cutting off my train of thought.

Damien’s telekinesis tore their clothes until they were all bare.

“Are you sure you want this right now, Wren?” Rowan asked, grabbing my chin and making me look at him.

“There’s not really a time when I don’t want you guys. You are my mates, and I think I need you now to keep me grounded,” I told him as warmth swirled in my belly at the thought of them.

They made a humming noise of approval.

“Okay.” The corners of his mouth turned up.

I wanted to claim all of them in any way I could.

Damien’s shadows snaked around us, and we ended up in Rowan’s bed.

“Little warning next time,” Rhett muttered, shifting his naked body up as Alister re-clamped his mouth over my neck and continued to suck the blood from my system.

“Is that safe for you to do?” I murmured, pleasure buzzing through me and wetting my thighs from their scents around me in the bed.

Alister growled, not removing his fangs from my neck.

“He already tried to extract the dark magic from you. I don’t think it’s going to affect him. And if it does, we’ll deal with it then.” Rhett’s finger trailed down my arm on the other side of my body.

Damien chuckled, his shadows slipping over my breasts slowly. “As if he’d say no to indulging in her blood.”

“She’s our weakness.” Rowan hummed, the fire in his gaze burning me as he raked it across my body.

“I’m sorry I ran out on you in the class.” I slurred my words, his venom making me woozy in the best kind of way.

Alister pulled his fangs out and lapped at the wound. “I don’t feel any different.”

“Good.” I turned and kissed him deeply, a metallic taste coating my tongue as it slid over his.

I broke the kiss and shifted forward and gripped Rowan’s shoulders, pushing him on the bed and straddling his waist. His erection slipped between my legs, and Alister hissed.

“Don’t know how you manage that, sweet ruby.”

“Right, it’s fucking huge,” Damien muttered as he stroked himself.

My shadow darted out and wrapped tight around Damien’s neck again, and I grabbed Rowan’s heated shaft and slowly pushed myself down on it, adjusting to his girth until he was seated fully inside of me.

“Good girl,” Rhett rasped, his pheromones slipping over my body, making my need for them palpable in the bonds.

Damien’s eyes flashed silver, taking out all the discomfort from Rowan’s size, leaving only the pleasure.

My back bowed as Alister and Rhett swooped forward and clamped their mouths over my nipples. I cried out, and Damien allowed my shadow to stay wrapped around his neck as he moved behind me and kissed my neck.

I rocked, taking Rowan deeper and loving the feeling. The sensation of Rhett and Alister’s tongues rasping over the budded nubs of my breasts shot unfettered need to the throbbing clit between my legs.

“More,” I panted, and Rhett’s tail slipped down my stomach and put pressure on my clit as I rode Rowan, loving the fullness of him inside of me.

“Such a good girl,” Damien muttered in my ear as he clasped my hips, pausing me from my movements as he entered from behind.

A scream tore from my throat, and my body clamped down on both of them. “Damien! Rowan! Oh, Fates! So much.”

“And you’re taking them both.” Rhett hummed before blowing over my nipple and gripping my breast.

“Her pleasure is drowning the bond.” Alister moaned, suckling at the bud as he massaged the breast he was focused on.

Damien and Rowan started to move in a rhythm, and I clenched and rippled around them both.

A whine escaped my throat as I leaned my head back on Damien’s shoulder, letting them thrust into me and take all the pleasure my mates were giving me.

My release exploded, and my pheromones thickened in the room. I lost myself to the pleasure, not focusing on anything but the way Rhett’s pheromones danced over my skin. The feeling of both Rowan and Damien inside of me, Rhett’s tail pressing against the nub between my thighs as he played with a breast, and Alister fangs slicing into my other nipple before lapping the blood from it all sent me into sensation overdrive.

My pheromones swirled around all of us, and our magic linked before we imploded together. Orgasms came in one brutal gust, and my body shook with tremors as their seed filled me and coated me.

“Oh, Fates, thank you.” I slumped down on Rowan with a pleasured but clear mind.

Damien slipped out from behind me, but Rowan stayed inside of me as the others collapsed on the bed.

“It’s just nice to know we still have our sweet mate in there.” Rowan kissed my head, his dick throbbing with heat inside of me.

“The dark magic is tempting, but I’ll always be here. It hasn’t completely taken over, and I think being with you all has helped me fight it from taking over,” I murmured.

“Then we’ll be with you as long as it takes until we can rid that from you,” Alister promised, and the guys said their agreements.

The dark magic worried me, but I had to stay grounded with my mates to fight it.