Page 27

Rachel

T uesday morning I wake warmly wrapped in the arms of my dragon mate. Derrick’s bed is bigger than the one in my dorm, but somehow we always wake up practically on top of each other. Our bond thrums with a sense of contentment that makes it hard to pry myself out of his bed. But today is the day I ask Professor Stone about my mom, today is the day for answers.

Carefully, I climb over my sleeping mate and make my way to the bathroom to get ready for the day. He doesn’t stir, as I gather my clothes and silently slip through the door. After taking a quick shower I pull on my clothes and reluctantly brush the mess of tangles out of my hair. I definitely should have braided it before I went to sleep last night.

When I finish and tiptoe back into Derrick’s room I’m surprised to find his bed empty. I make my way into the main area and find him standing by the front door with a travel mug of coffee and a breakfast sandwich wrapped in a paper towel.

“You really thought you could sneak past a sleeping dragon? Bold move,” he teases, his eyes lighting up as he laughs. “Caramel latte, extra drizzle and I even added a dollop of frozen whip cream so it’s the perfect drinking temperature. And this,” he holds up the sandwich. “Is a steak, egg, and cheese bagel. Eat it on your way to class, okay? Don’t make me hunt you down and hand feed you in front of your entire class.”

I blink at him, stunned and deeply touched. “You are far too good for me, my dragon.”

Crossing the space between us, I go up on tiptoes to give him a kiss before taking the offered cup and sandwich.

“We are exactly what you deserve, Emerald. If anything you’re way too sweet for us.” His sincerity causes a blush to rise in my cheeks and I duck my head. “Love you. Have a great day, and plan on meeting us for lunch in our spot after you talk to Professor Stone.”

“I love you too, see you at lunch.” One more kiss and I’m out the door headed to class.

Visual Arts is up first and when I walk into the classroom the first thing I notice is no Trent. Normally I dread having to walk past him to get to my seat, but he’s not here. I glance around, half expecting him to pop out from behind another student, but he never does. Class begins and ends, and still no Trent.

Maybe he’s sick… or expelled.

One can only hope.

When I exit the classroom I’m happily surprised to find Liam waiting.

“May I walk you to class, pretty lady?” His flirty teasing is definitely a drastic change from his previously sullen attitude, but it’s a welcome one.

“Lead the way, good sir,” I tease back, taking his offered arm.

When we reach the classroom, Liam leads me over to a pair of empty seats in the front row. Professor Stone starts class with a deep dive into the evolution of romantic tension but I can’t focus. My notebook is open, my pen in hand, but his lecture may as well be in Latin. I’m too busy rehearsing what I want to say to him after class.

What if he doesn’t remember her?

What if this is all for nothing?

What if I never get answers?

Liam squeezes my hand, pulling me back to the present as Professor Stone ends his lecture laying out this week’s homework, then dismissing the class. The volume rises making my head pound as the students all stand and gather their things before exiting the classroom. When the last student leaves, I finally stand ready to get some answers. Liam stands with me and gives my hand another squeeze before releasing me and hanging back.

“I’m right here, Shadow Girl, you’ve got this.”

I approach Professor Stone’s desk, but it’s not until I’m standing directly in front of it that he raises his eyes from the papers in front of him.

“Oh, hello, Rachel,” his warm eyes always seem to hold a kindly sparkle. His silver hair is pulled back in a low ponytail, a few loose strands framing his weathered, thoughtful face. He wears a deep green sweater with elbow patches and a pair of worn leather loafers that suggest he’s been here forever and plans to stay. “What can I help you with, dear?”

“I-I…” I pause and take a deep breath, centering myself by letting the support and comfort my mates are shooting down the bonds wash over me. “I was wondering if you could tell me about my mom?”

His brow raises slightly, but a look of nostalgia takes over his face. “Yes, I remember your mother. Kara Anvers, right?”

I nod my head hanging on every syllable.

“She was such a bright young girl. She had a spark, something about her just made you certain she was destined for great things.” The warmth in his tone is telling of how much he enjoyed having her as a student. “Often it was like she could see things the rest of us couldn’t, more than once she asked me a question that made me rethink my entire lesson plan.”

“Did you know she was a kitsune like me?”

He chuckles. “Of course I did. The first time we met, she actually scared the snot out of me by darting past me in fox form. She was so fast, I didn’t know what I had just seen, but when I saw her two tails flying in the air behind her I knew she was a kitsune.”

“ Two… ” It takes everything in me to remain calm. “Did you say two tails?”

“Yes…” His brow furrows in confusion. “I’m sorry, did I say something wrong?”

“No, I just… I have to go. Thank you so much Professor, see you tomorrow.”

I don’t wait for him to respond, I just turn and grab Liam, hurrying us both out of the classroom.

“Rachel? Are you okay? That was… a lot.” Liam’s concern radiates through our bond.

“I need to talk to everyone together. Now.”

He doesn’t ask questions; he simply nods and leads us out of our building to our picnic spot. The other guys are already there, unpacking our lunches when we arrive.

“My mom had a second fated mate!” I half-blurt, half-shout the minute I drop onto the picnic blanket.

The guys all freeze, Lucas with a sandwich halfway to his mouth, Bas holding a bottle of water, and Derrick in the middle of unpacking this picnic he prepared for us. Liam drops down next to me huffing out a breath.

“Stone said Kara had two tails,” he explains. “Said he saw her fox form the first time he met her, she damn near bowled him over.”

Derrick blinks, as shocked by the news as I was. “Wait… Two tails?”

Lucas whistles low. “Which means multiple fated mates, just like you.”

“And no one has ever mentioned it before?” Bas asks.

I shake my head. We all exchange heavy glances. “No. I thought it was just my father, and no one has ever told me differently. I never even considered it was a possibility until Derrick mentioned that there had never been a fox with only one tail before.”

“So, her second mate…” Bas trails off, exchanging a look with Derrick. “Where are they?”

Derrick shakes his head not wanting to say what I assume we’re all thinking.

“Knowing what I know about my father, her second mate is either in hiding or dead. My father never would have shared a mate. That I know for sure.”

“And if she met and rejected him before you were born that would explain why she didn’t make it through your birth. It wouldn’t be the first case of a rejection causing death,” Derrick supplies. “If they were bonded and he died I’m not sure how she made it long enough to have you.”

No one speaks for a moment. The weight of the realization that my father is most likely the cause of my mother’s death hangs in the air.

After a few moments, Bas breaks the silence. “I don’t think I’ve ever hated someone as much as I hate your father.”

“You and me both,” mutters Liam, clenching his jaw. “It’s bad enough that he’s a cold-hearted asshole. But to take away her fated mate, to be the root cause of her death, and then to top it all off by raising you like you’re some sort of broken burden…”

He cuts himself off with a deep growl, I see the anger and the grief he has for me swirling in his stormy blue eyes.

“Hey.” Lucas’s hand finds mine, warm and grounding. “You’re not alone in this. Remember.” He lifts his dog tag from where it hangs on his neck and my hand instantly flies to where my matching tag hangs.

“I’m calling my dad as soon as class ends,” Derrick adds, his voice firm and determined. “He’ll have access to records, old files, if there’s a name for this mystery mate we’ll find it.”

My eyes tear up at their unwavering support. I can’t believe I was ever afraid of having mates, now my biggest fear is losing them.

The tension lingers, but slowly we all begin to eat. Bas passes around sandwiches, and we share a large bag of chips between us. Despite today's revelations, the moment is perfect. The sun shines through the tree above us, casting rays of gold over my guys. I admire each of my mates as I munch away on the delicious sandwich, it’s nothing super fancy but man this turkey and cheese sandwich has just the right toppings to hit the spot.

I’m halfway through my sandwich when something bright and bizarre catches my eye. Across the quad someone I’m pretty sure is Trent is power walking towards the campus clinic sporting a full head of shoulder length pink hair. He’s practically glowing in the sunlight, shoulder-length neon pink locks bouncing with every indignant step. The contrast with his usually smug demeanor makes the sight even more hilarious.

“No freaking way.” My words draw the attention of all four of my mates.

One by one, as if they choreographed it, they all look where I’m staring then directly back at me with matching mischievous grins.

“Oh my fates,” I whisper-shout. “That is Trent! What did you guys do?”

“We told you revenge would be had, didn’t we?” Liam snarks with a shrug.

Bas turns his attention back towards Trent and lets out a low whistle. “Man, look at that bounce. I told you guys adding that enchantment would make it worth it.”

Lucas laughs so hard, he falls over. Between gasps, I catch the words “neon Barbie” and “Lisa Frank nightmare” and I can’t help but agree.

I cover my face, trying, and failing, not to laugh. “That is so mean. What exactly did you guys do?”

Derrick smiles like the cat that nabbed the cream. “It’s just a little spelled shampoo. No matter what he does, cut it, shave it off, dye it again, it’ll be right back to its shiny pink shoulder-length glory within an hour. It’s set to fade in about a week give or take… unless.”

“Unless what?” I cross my arms, trying to remain serious, despite the fact that all I want to do is join Lucas in his fit of laughter.

“Unless he takes a basic reversal spell,” Liam supplies.

“If he does that, he’ll go bald. Like from his head to his toes… in both forms,” Bas continues, “and if he takes that route, it will last two weeks, or two years. The instructions on that bit weren’t exactly definitive.”

“And to be clear, if he goes to the clinic, they’re going to give him?” I prod, already knowing the answer.

“A basic reversal spell,” Liam says with a shrug.

“You guys are ridiculous,” I say, shaking my head.

“And effective,” Derrick adds smugly.

Finally losing my battle to contain the laughter, I join Lucas in his joyful release. I lean back on my elbows and soak in the sunshine and laughter. The weight of the day slowly fades into something more manageable. The safety of my guys and the realization that we will always have each other's back is enough to make my anxiety recede. For the first time in my life, I believe the words inscribed on the tag around my neck.

I am not alone.