Page 52 of Zodiac Beasts

Not important.

She would be safe that way. This was fine. Marcus wouldn’t have expected I’d given her my back up protection charm. I was trying to assure she was safe from her Alpha mates when I gave it to her, but now that I knew she was a Beta, it would serve a different purpose.

What was I saying?

I wasn’t going to sleep with her. How’d I let him get in my head so badly, I was now approaching this inventory night shift like it was a date?

I clasped the remaining gems against my chest, then I shoved the stones in my pocket.

We were just friends. Just coworkers. Marcus wasn’t going to ruin that for me. I was perfectly capable of protecting her.

Chapter 29

The community kitchen in the women’s dorm filled with the scent of chocolate cake, while I was frantically whipping together some ganache frosting. I was neither the best baker nor the worst baker, but I wanted to make something to celebrate Ceto’s birthday. It always smelled a bit like chocolate chip cookies in the shop, so I hoped he liked fudgy cake. I’d never actually shared a meal with him, so I didn’t really know what he liked.

With my luck, I was probably about to find out he was celiac and allergic to cocoa.

I should have asked. I was always taught to get someone a gift that I would be happy receiving, but that seemed a bit childish in hindsight.

Well, chocolate would never go to waste on my watch. Worst case, I’d just eat it myself and order something he wanted from the nearby bakery.

Toast of the Magi, it was called. There was also a Roast of the Magi that served coffee. Weird theme. I wondered if all of those shops were run by important families in Graves. There were probably a few others I didn’t know about yet. It was probably some secret magical code or something.

The oven beeped, and I removed the cupcakes and set them aside to cool. I was rushing back to my ganache, when I heard the door.

“It smells like heaven in here.” Linda’s familiar voice filled the shared space. “Is that homemade ganache? Marcus is a lucky guy.” She said with a smile.

“It’s not for Marcus. It’s just for a friend.” I felt strangely nervous about that admission.

“Oh?” She walked over to the cooling cupcakes and inhaled the scent deeply. “I thought you two were mates. I noticed you share a mark now, and that strong, sage Alpha scent of his has had a hint of cinnamon lately, even when you’re not around.” She paused, as if it occurred to her that she’d said something wrong. “He’s in my creative writing class, so that’s the only reason why I’ve been around him. Nothing weird, I promise. That guy seems completely devoted to you.”

Why did that make me feel guilty? “No, you’re right. We completed the pact last month.” I rubbed the mark on my neck. “But this is for my coworker. I have a part time job at Threads of the Magi, and it’s his birthday tonight.”

Linda’s eyes widened. “You work with the Arya family?” She blinked several times, before she shook her head. “I didn’t know they hired outsiders… ever.” She continued to stare at me like I was crazy. “And you’re spending the full moon with a guy who isn’t your mate? And making him cupcakes?”

“Marcus knows.” My cheeks were red, like I was doing something wrong, and I suddenly had a need to explain myself. “It’s nothing weird with my coworker either. Marcus and I already spend every other day together, so I figured we could make an exception for a birthday.”

“On a full moon though?” She drew in a sharp breath and puckered her lips, the shock written in every movement. “I’ve never heard of Betas being polyamorous, but I’m not one to judge. Honestly, I love that for you. As an Omega, I can barely tolerate one man, so I’m always impressed when someone can put up with two.”

“No, no it’s not like that.” I shook my head more aggressively now. “He’s just a friend.”

She raised a brow, as her gaze drifted down to my wrist. I’d put on the bracelet Ceto had given me, while wearing the sundress he’d made me, and in hindsight, maybe that all seemed questionable. But Linda was cool, relaxing back into a grin. “Well, even if it’s ‘not like that,’” her tone was teasing and playful and definitely didn’t believe me, “your ‘friend’ still deserves an extra special cake on a night like tonight.” She walked over to the cupboards in the shared kitchen, then stood on her toes to grab a bottle form the back of the top shelf, tucked in behind some cans of tuna and Styrofoam ramen cups. She then turned and set a container filled with sprinkles beside me. “This is my secret stash. Don’t tell my trainer.” She whispered, while glancing around the kitchen skeptically as though her trainer might have hidden microphones somewhere. “I recommend the yellow ones. Geminis love that color.” She gave me a pat on the shoulder, before she grabbed a meal container from the fridge and headed out with a wave.

I picked up the sprinkle container that had six separate chambers of different styles and colors of sprinkles. The yellow were light sugar sprinkles that sparkled under the overhead lights. They were perfect.

I might have to accept that I really liked Linda at some point. My insecurities didn’t really mean much against her actual character.

I grinned silently to myself as I decorated my cupcakes. Maybe this world of beasts is where I’d always belonged.

“Happy Birthday!” I announced as I entered the shop, dressed in my new sundress, wearing his bracelet, and holding a small box of cupcakes.

Ceto, who’d been standing behind the counter, turned to face me. He opened his mouth to speak, but instead he just looked me up and down with something that could only be described as awe.

My whole face heated. The dress he’d made me was one of the prettiest and most flattering garments I’d ever owned. I’d cinched the waist snuggly to create a perfect hourglass, while the bodice was naturally boob lifting, and the flow of the skirt was so airy and feminine. I couldn’t remember a time I’d ever felt this pretty, and I appreciated Ceto’s skillful design sensibilities that did that for me.

“I made these for you.” I said next, setting the box down on the sales counter. “I didn’t know what you liked, so I just took a guess. We can order in if you prefer something else.”

He looked stunned. I guess no one had ever made something for him, as he just stared at me in disbelief.