My hands clutched my chest as pain exploded from my heart.
Grayson’s fists hit the ground in front of him as his body shook. “You should be careful hanging around the forest alone,” he gritted out. “You could fall prey to humans just like your parents. You’re worth a bit more than they were being the last of your kind and being branded with a Fate Hollow mark. Maybe they’ll keep you in a zoo or have fun with you.”
The pain from his words and the bond zapped through me, and a cry ripped through my lips at the same moment Lachlan barreled forward from the thick of the forest and punched Grayson in the face, breaking whatever the bond had been putting us through.
“What kind of fucking wolf says something like that to someone the Fates deemed worthy of being your mate? You’re a coward. A pathetic excuse of an alpha wolf, and I swear if I ever hear you speak to Wren again, I’ll—”
“You’ll what?” Grayson let out a ragged breath, wiping the blood trickling from his nose as he laid on the ground beneath Lachlan. “Have the demon take another finger of mine?”
“No,” Lachlan growled. “I’ll kill you, and then I’ll have my necromancer friend bring your body back so I don’t get any consequences for killing you.”
Grayson’s eyes found mine, where I was still on the ground behind Lachlan, and he sneered. “You aren’t worth all this.” He shifted into his wolf and hackled his fur with a growl.
“I’ll let Damien know about this visit too,” Lachlan warned him as Grayson ran off in the other direction.
“Shit.” Lachlan ran a hand through his fluffy hair and turned to me with soft eyes. “I’m so glad Damien told me to watch out for you while he did something for the headmaster.”
My heart was racing in my chest, and I let out a defeated breath as my muscles relaxed. The farther away Grayson got, the less I felt the bond.
Panic flitted through me as I remembered the bat. I scrambled over toward it on my hands and knees as the sticks and rocks sliced my knees.
The tiny bat was lying on its side with its eyes closed and breathing labored. I carefully reached out and scooped it up in my hands before running a gentle finger down its body.
It didn’t wince until I hit its wing, and then it let out a small squeak.
“Oh, sweetheart,” I cooed, feeling the hotness of the tears gathering in my eyes. “I’m so sorry.”
“What happened?” Lachlan bent down next to me as he stared at the bat.
“It attacked Grayson when we were talking, and he smacked it into the tree. I think it was trying to protect me.” I sniffled. “Sorry, that sounds a bit stupid.”
“No, it doesn’t.” Lachlan’s hand rested on my back, and the pain from the bond with Grayson was forced away. “Let’s get you back to the dorm. I’ll let your professor know you’ll miss class today.”
“Thanks.” I smiled up at him before looking worriedly at the bat in my hands again.
Lachlan walked me back to my dorm room and left after I assured him I’d be safe in my dorm. He’d tried to stay with me, but I didn’t want him missing any classes because of me.
“Let’s get that wing healed up, sweetheart,” I murmured, placing the bat on my pillow before digging through my bag for a healing cream.
I pulled the blue jar out and opened it.
“I’m sorry you got hurt because of me.” Dipping a finger in the cool cream, I slathered it on the bat’s wing and leaned forward to blow a bit more of my magic essence over it.
The bat squeaked a more energetic squeak before nuzzling its face against my palm.
A small scent of cherries accompanied the bat, and I smiled as I laid my head down on the pillow next to it. “I hope this helps heal you quickly.”
I let out a yawn as my eyes fluttered shut.
Any time I spent around Grayson seemed to drain my body and my magic. The Fates were clearly displeased that we rejected the bond. I hadn’t actually heard of anyone rejecting their Fate chosen mate, but that was something I needed to look more into.
“Mmm.” My body was cocooned in warmth, and my blood was scorching my veins and making me sweat.
A guttural growl resounded through the room and I lifted my head up off a very toned, very naked, male chest.
I jolted upward and noticed Damien in full demon form with his shadows curling around him in front of my open door.
Kian was standing behind him with the most confused look on his face, and I turned my head to the man in my bed.
