pte

fixed upon us—many curious, some icy with envy or suspicion. My eyes locked onto the most penetrating star

iably beautiful, with waves of long raven hair spilling over one slender shoulder and large dark br

" Her dulcet tone turned wintry as her piercing e

y evenly. Xavier's arm wrapped securely

y guest for the evening," he responded politely,

ble pressure built behind my eyes. Xavier winced faintly as she turned the same greeting upon him nex

er embracing me, leading me slightly as

ivate the infamously untamable Xavier?" She smiled lik

up or shy away. "We happened across one another

nspiratorially close, her eyes glinted. "Come now, no need to be mod

observation even knowing she sou

is youth. I remember when we first..." She trailed off with faux wistfulnes

onjured threatened my composure. Bu

lames," I countered, meeting her gaze steadily. "What we've f

We shall see if it also stands the test of

ow. "Xavier and a human just seem an odd m

ck "What's between us is abo

ly only feels so meaningful since you

my waist supportively. "Divides do

e. She prowled around us slowly. "Regardless...I doubt attach

ly. "Why, what's

ck meets soon to ban relationships with mortals." One

whatever comes,"

hile you can then." With that partin

"She has to be bluffing ab

ope so. But she carries weight. W

vier warned, stormy eyes boring into mine. "Celest

ernatural politics beyond my control. Tied to the s

guard from here on," Xavier commanded. "I

iously. "You would risk

an just us. Half my pack has found human c

vier's eyes now. I shivere

supporting a shaken Natas

s threats," Natash

sister's boyfriend is mortal. We must

gather our allies. I refuse to bow to

hands and glanced around our little dorm room, now barren except for the furniture. After recent supe

erched on the bare mattress next to me, eyebrows knitted. "It feels

sically was yesterday in normal human years. Who coul

ent she brought me to. "About that...I'm so sorry, Serena. You

t crazy dangerous." I gave her hand a reassur

because of my world..." Ashley trailed off,

esides—" I forced brightness into my tone "—now we g

d eyebrow waggle. We dissolved into a fit of mu

ly faded into contemp

d, I actually caught a whiff of your scent while rushing to get to the manor grounds on time.But it was the full moon an

You smelled me earlier a

enses were just heightened and playing tricks. But I probably

gret again. I bumped my should

y." I winked playfully, hoping to steer her away from remorse again. "So you gonna make it up

cked another faint