Nyxeris
“Here, darlin’, have some strawberry pie.”
“She prefers chocolate. Here, Little Spark, have my pudding cup.”
For the love of…
I squeeze my eyes shut, sigh, and let my face fall into my hands.
It’s been just over a week of this now, either Zephyr or Erich showing me affection or offering some kind of gift, then the other trying to one-up him.
At lunch today, it had been iced sugar cookies, one pink, the other white. Breakfast, Zephyr had leaned his head on my shoulder and whispered loving words at me until Erich got so frustrated he pulled me into his lap and fed me pancakes.
They’re trying to plump me up.
“Trying to stop me from running away…”
“Did you say something, darlin’?”
Grumbling, I raise my head and stare at Zeph, lips flattened, eyes narrowed. “I don’t need more junk food.” I whip my head to the other side of the table where Erich sits. “From anyone.” I rise, my chair sliding out behind me, hold my hand out in a stop signal when they move to follow. “I’m spending time with Mira and Lowe. Alone.”
After dumping my trash and stacking my lunch tray, I send a desperate look at Mira, where she sits with her three Alphas. It’s Colt who directs her attention to me with a nudge. She blinks once, then presses her lips between her teeth to stifle a smile or a laugh or both before rising.
I take that as my cue to wait for her outside the cafeteria, where it only takes a minute for her to join me.
“You look…”
“Exasperated? Exhausted? Extra frustrated?”
She nearly snorts. “Not asecstaticas I thought you would.”
I huff with laughter as we make our way downstairs. “Did you see Arlowe today?”
Peering at me, she frowns. “I haven’t. But Colt tells me…” she trails, looks around us, then whispers, “Something is up with her. He respects her privacy, so it’s up to us to find out what’s going on.”
I knew Lowe had been in a bad mood lately, but I hate to admit that I’ve been too consumed in my own drama to press her about it.
“Let’s check Training Ground Eight.”
When we arrive outside Lowe’s favorite indoor facility hiding spot, one of the furthest from the main academy building, I spot that hulking Alpha across the walkway, staring at the building.His arms are crossed over his chest as he leans against a tree, expression severe.
Not far from him, on the same side of the walking path, is a very attractive man, a bit older than us. Maybe abound Laurant’s age. His blond hair is dark, short on the sides and long on top, styled in an impressive backward brush that doesn’t fall out of place as he moves about, forming the most beautiful translucent, glowing rainbow patterns all around him with the wave of his hands.
Huh. That looks familiar.
I turn my eyes on Mira and she’s frowning at the big guy, whose name I still don’t know. Then she bypasses him, and I follow her toward the rainbow-maker.
“Hey, Lucas,” she greets.
He startles, and all the colorful lights vanish as he sends a halfhearted smile her way. “Hello, Mira.”
“This is my friend, Nyx,” she tells him with a gesture toward me.
I nod at him. “Nice to meet you.”
“Likewise.” He clears his throat. “If you’re, ah… looking for Arlowe, she’s inside.”
I blink at him.
