Chapter 7 Gabriel
Thrackborne had been nowhere to be found after breakfast, and much to Bechora’s displeasure, classes left no time to seek him out.
I hadn’t realized just how long we’d been cooped up in Abel’s archives until our schedules appeared in her room when we’d returned after trying to track down her wayward mate.
We’d had just enough time to compare before we had to dress and split up for our morning classes.
The moment my last class of the day let out, I zipped across campus to Noctus House.
I hadn’t been back to my own room since before the final trial last term, and I was anxious for any news from Rafe.
He’d promised he’d find a way to get our mother and sister to safety, the last time we’d spoken.
My bedroom door was barely closed behind me when I reached into my dresser and pulled out the hidden cellphone we used to communicate.
Rafe: Got them out. Mom and Dina are safe. Don’t answer this. I’ll reach out when I can.
The timestamp on the message was only a few days after the end of last term, and there weren’t any newer ones.
I slumped forward, putting my hand on the dresser to support my weight, as relief washed over me.
After taking a moment to compose myself, I gathered some of my belongings and packed them into my Academy-issued messenger bag to take with me back to Magus House.
We hadn’t discussed it, but after weeks of sharing Bechora’s bed, I wasn’t willing to go back to sleeping in my room alone.
Satisfied that I had everything I needed, I made my way across campus to the combat pitch to wait for Bechora.
I wasn’t waiting long when I spotted her strolling toward me.
Her face was pinched into a frown, and there was a male I didn’t recognize following along behind her.
I caught a hit of his scent as they drew near and tensed.
A wolf shifter was following my mate, seemingly unperturbed by her lack of attention.
“Bechora,” I called out, letting her know I was there.
Her frown eased into a soft smile when her eyes found me, and her pace picked up until she was within arm’s reach. The wolf shifter tagged along after her, stopping a few paces behind her.
“Oh, who’s this? He's pretty. Is he one of the claimed you mentioned?" the male asked.
I blinked once, then narrowed my eyes at him, taking in the scar that ran from his bottom lip to chin, and the different colored eyes, one blue, one brown.
“I am not pretty, and just who the fuck are you, anyway?” I hissed.
“I’m her mate,” he grinned, gesturing toward Bechora.
I snarled, gently moving her aside as I stepped toward him. I heard her let out a heavy sigh before she grabbed my arm to stop me.
“He’s telling the truth. Unfortunately,” she said, stopping me in my tracks. The wolf shifter’s grin grew wider. “Gabriel, this is Archer. Archer, one of my other mates, Gabriel.”
Archer cocked his head to the side, his eyes gleaming with mischief. “Part of our pack then.”
“We are not a pack,” I snapped.
“Somebody’s cranky,” Archer chuckled. “Okay, sunshine. If you don’t like the term ‘pack’, what do you vamps call it?”
“A brood,” I replied before I could stop myself.
“A brood…” Archer repeated as if testing the word. “Sounds too moody. We should stick with ‘pack’. It’s a much better term.
Bechora groaned, shutting her eyes as she tipped her head back. “Can we not do this right now? I’m starving, we still need to find Caulder, and I just can’t deal with the whole having yet another mate thing right now.”
“Oh, food. Food is good.” Archer said, slipping his arm through Bechora’s and tugging her in the direction of the dining hall.
I moved to catch up, noticing the annoyed and yet somehow defeated look on her face. I leaned over to whisper in her ear. “Say the word, and I can get rid of him.”
Her lips curved into a smile, and she turned her head to look at me. “No, he’s fine. It’s just a lot. He’s a lot. Like a freaking puppy with an insane amount of energy.”
“Hey, I can hear you two, ya know?” Archer interjected, but the look on his face told me he didn’t really mind.
“Where’s Zypher?” Bechora asked, changing the subject.
I shrugged. I hadn’t seen him since we split for our first class of the day, but that didn’t mean much. The demon would find his way to Bechora no matter where she was. As if summoned by my thoughts, I spotted his blond crop of hair moving toward us as we neared the dining hall.
“Ah, Dilectus,” he smiled, reaching out a hand for hers before his eyes slid to where Archer was attached to her other arm. “Who’s this?”
“Archer Vale, newest pack member,” Archer said, thrusting his free hand toward Zypher before Bechora could reply.
Zypher took the offered hand and shook it, his attention returning to Bechora. “You’ve found another. I assume, since Gabriel hasn’t ripped his hand off for touching you, you’re alright with this?”
“I’m not sure I have much choice in the matter,” she replied.
“You always have a choice, Dilectus,” Zypher replied, causing her posture to relax.
“It’s fine. I’m fine. Can we just…” She gestured toward the entrance to the dining hall. “I’m starving, and we still have to talk to Caulder, if we can track him down.”
“Of course, Dilectus. Shadrie and Miles are already at our table. We can discuss our newest bond mate while we eat.”
We made our way inside, leading Bechora to our usual table.
To my surprise, once she was settled in her seat, Archer followed behind Zypher and me to the buffet line.
I hadn’t been sure he would leave Bechora’s side even for food, with the way he’d attached himself to her on the walk over.
He filled several plates with all the enthusiasm of a child given free rein in a candy store, trotting along behind us as we made our way back to the table.
“Well, hello,” Shadrie grinned as Archer slid an overflowing plate in front of Bechora and claimed one of the empty seats beside her.
I slid into the empty seat on Bechora’s other side, while Zypher moved to sit across from her between Shadrie and Miles.
“So, this is the rest of the pack,” Archer said, gesturing toward Shadrie and Miles, who both froze mid-bite. “Now I see why you were so upset to find another mate. Your bonded group is on the large side for a mage.”
Shadrie immediately snorted so hard she almost fell out of her chair. “ What? Oh, no. No, no, no.” She waved a hand, giggling so hard she had to grab her napkin. “Absolutely not. I’m her best friend, and Miles is… Miles.”
“Rude,” Miles muttered, though he didn’t look all that offended.
Archer frowned slightly, as though he was genuinely trying to piece it together. “So, not mates?”
“Definitely not mates,” Shadrie said, wiping at her eyes. “Though, thank you for thinking I could handle sharing her. You’ve got guts, wolf boy.”
Archer’s mouth quirked. “So just friends, then.”
“The best ones she’s got,” Shadrie said brightly, kicking Bechora’s ankle under the table. “We’re the moral support squad.”
Bechora groaned softly. “Please stop talking.”
Archer frowned. “So, the demon, someone called Caulder, and Sunshine. Honestly, I expected more with the way you ranted during class.”
“Sunshine?” Shadrie asked, arching a brow.
“The brooding pretty boy,” Archer replied with a grin, before leaning around Bechora to wink at me.
“Stop calling me pretty, ” I hissed, my cheeks warming for reasons I refused to examine.
“Oh, that’s gold!” Shadrie laughed. “But, yes. Zypher and Gabriel are the ones you have to worry about competing for B’s time with.”
Archer turned his full attention back to me, grin widening as if Shadrie had just handed him a new toy.
“Oh, I’m supposed to be worried about him?
” he asked, eyes raking over me in a way that made my stomach do something deeply inconvenient.
“Because that doesn’t sound like a warning, sweetheart. That sounds like an invitation.”
I blinked. “It’s not.”
“You sure?” he teased, leaning his elbow on the table, chin resting in his hand as if we were already halfway through a date, instead of sitting at the most infuriating dinner I’d attended since leaving home for the Academy.
“Because the way you keep glaring at me looks a lot like you’re trying not to imagine something.”
“I’m imagining punching you,” I said flatly.
“Are you flirting with my mate? ” Bechora demanded, though I caught a hint of mischief in her tone.
Archer didn’t even look away from me when Bechora snapped at him. “He’s too pretty not to flirt with,” he said easily. “Besides, it’s pretty common for pack mates to become involved. Centers shouldn’t be expected to keep up with the needs of an entire pack on their own. That’s just ridiculous.”
I blinked, my face heating further. “Stop saying things.”
“Why?” he asked, all innocent curiosity. “It’s a compliment. You should take it, pretty boy.”
“I’m not—”
“Pretty,” Shadrie chimed in, barely containing a laugh. “We know, Gabe.”
Zypher’s laugh was low and genuinely entertained. “Well, this is new. I have never seen the vampire flustered before.”
“ I am not flustered! ” I bit out.
Archer leaned closer, smile sharp and entirely too pleased with himself. “You keep saying that like it’ll make it true.”
“Don’t encourage him,” Bechora muttered.
Zypher, of course, ignored her. He reached past her to grab a roll from one of the trays. “Encourage him? I like him.”
That made Archer pause mid-smirk, brows rising. “Do you now?”
“Indeed,” Zypher grinned back.
Bechora’s shoulders slumped. “I don’t know how I feel about this,” she said, pointing her fork toward Zypher, then Archer. “Something tells me you two are going to be a pain in my ass.”
Zypher threw his head back with a deep laugh. “No more than you can handle, Dilectus. Finding another of your mates is a good thing. Each one you claim will strengthen you.”
“I haven’t accepted a bond with him yet,” Bechora shot back. “I just met Archer. I’m not even sure I like him.”
“Details,” Zypher said with a dismissive wave, as if entire soul connections were just scheduling conflicts.
Archer grinned, propping his chin on his hand again. “You hear that, sweetheart? He’s already rooting for us. I’m starting to like the demon.”
“Please stop talking like this is a done deal,” Bechora groaned.
Archer only grinned wider. “Sorry, mate, force of habit. Pack life, you know? Everything’s communal. Conversations. Meals. Occasionally showers.”
I nearly inhaled my drink. “We are not discussing showers.”
Shadrie was practically crying from laughter now. “Oh, we absolutely are. This is glorious. ”
“Shadrie,” Bechora hissed.
“What? I’m supporting you,” she said between snorts. “Emotionally. Spiritually. Comedically.”
Miles sighed. “I miss the library,” he mumbled to himself.
Zypher looked like he’d never been happier. “I like him,” he said again, nodding toward Archer. “Finally, someone else who doesn’t look like they’re one bad day away from committing murder.”
Archer raised his mug. “Give me time.”
Bechora rubbed her temples. “You two are not allowed to be friends.”
“Oh, we’re going to be great friends,” Zypher said, flashing his fangs in a grin. “He’s got a good read on you already. You both just need a little time.”
Archer winked. “I’ll take that as permission.”
“It’s not,” Bechora said flatly.
I pushed my chair back slightly, deciding I’d hit my tolerance limit for chaos. “You’re all insane,” I muttered.
Archer leaned toward me, that damn grin back in place. “You’ll learn to love it, Sunshine.”
Zypher just grinned, leaning back in his chair, completely at ease for the first time since we’d returned to Blackthorne. “Relax, Dilectus,” he said softly. “This is a good thing. Another piece of the puzzle’s in place.”
Bechora didn’t answer right away, but her expression softened, just slightly. Some part of her seemed to accept the wolf even if she hadn’t consciously acknowledged it yet.
And me? I wasn’t sure if I wanted to punch the wolf or keep staring at him until I figured out why my stomach kept twisting whenever he looked at me.