Smoke and Survival (Best Wishes Book 2)

by A. J. Macey

  “Like, all of you?” I gestured around the circle for clarification. They all nodded. My heart soared. My guys. I squealed, “Yes, yes, yes!” I bounced up and down in my spot, too happy to care if I looked ridiculous. They burst out laughing and converged on me in one big group, my heart warming at the thought of being part of their misfit family.

  “We have the prettiest girlfriend of all,” Landon sweet talked as they pulled back. My face flamed under six gazes focused on me, but I couldn’t stop the bright smile that took over my face.

  “So, let me guess,” I started as everyone settled back into their spots, “the twins came up with the idea?” No one answered right away as they all laughed. My eyes widened when everyone pointed to Hudson. “You came up with it?” I was shocked, completely and utterly dumbstruck.

  Hudson.

  My sexy fae.

  “Yeah, I just,” he stuttered with a shrug, two patches of pink blooming on his cheeks as his hands wrung together in front of him, “wanted to do something sweet for you. I know you like kind of cute and corny types of things and love candy, so…” He trailed off in another shrug, his pink blush having darkened to a deep red that started to creep down his neck and up to the tips of his ears. I got up and sank into his lap, overwhelmed with fuzzy tingles of excitement.

  “It’s perfect, Hudson,” I reassured him, pressing a quick kiss to his cheek. “Thank you guys. I couldn’t have asked for a better way to be asked out.” They beamed before we fell back into our usual fun and games. I spent the rest of the night soaring on cloud nine with my six boyfriends.

  5

  November 3rd

  Saturday Late Afternoon

  Lucienne

  I sat at my normal table for studying, my book and notebook spread out in front of me, several colored pens and highlighters scattered around the table. My gaze skimmed over the materials strewn before me, and I realized I needed to grab two books from the shelves for my assignment for Supe History. I snagged my phone and wallet and stuffed them in my sweatshirt and jean pockets before heading toward the History section. Having worked at the library for the last five months I was able to find the two books I needed quickly.

  Sending a quick text to the group thread with the guys, I let them know where I would be sitting. If I remembered correctly, they were going to be heading to the library shortly. Nik and Cam had just returned to campus from Nik’s competition today meaning they’d be joining the study group. I got excited at the thought of Nik’s archery since I planned on going to his next local competition in a few weekends. I had been wanting to go to one, but he had to travel on a jet for the last few, so I stayed on campus.

  Curving back towards my table, I made sure to step around students’ backpacks through the study area of the library. I plopped down at my seat and set my books on the wooden tabletop. I attempted to ease the slight throb in my bruising the books that had been pressing against by rubbing my sternum lightly, but it was no use. Note to self, don’t hug books to your chest when you’re injured. I had just opened the first one to the proper page when someone I didn’t recognize came up to my table.

  “Excuse me? Are you Lucie?” the small, mousy girl asked. Her voice was very quiet, nearly inaudible, and she avoided looking at me. My brows knit as I stared at her.

  “Yes, I am,” I admitted hesitantly, a lot of red flags flying right now.

  “I was told to give this to you.” She held out a folded piece of paper for me to take.

  I knew instinctively it was from Noah, but I took it anyway with a trembling hand. I didn’t want anyone in the crossfire of his wrath, so maybe I could at least keep this girl safe even if I might not be able to protect myself. I thanked her and placed it on the table. Once she turned away from me, I packed up my bag with every effort not to draw attention to myself. I knew he was here, watching, so I focused on breathing in slow inhales and complete exhales, schooling my face into a bland mask. When I had my bag completely packed up, I took the books I had grabbed and placed them in the return cart, saying bye to Muriel as I passed the front counter. With the note clutched tightly in my hand I dialed the first number I found.

  “Hey, Doll. We’re heading over to the library now.” Cam’s voice resonated through the earpiece.

  “Change of plans,” I sputtered quickly into the phone. “Meet me at Alex’s office.” My breathing was changing, coming in shorter pants as panic threatened to overtake me. Stay calm, Lucie, I commanded myself with little success.

  “What happened?” I heard quick shuffling on the other end, and his voice was hard as he responded, a slight growl in his question.

  “Just meet me there, please,” I pleaded. I had just pushed open the door to the Administration building when Jonathon noticed my panicked expression. Picking up the desk phone, he called Alex.

  “Of course, Doll. We’re almost there. See you shortly.” I voiced a goodbye and hung up. The little grip I had on my anxiety was slipping away the longer time went on, and I was quickly losing control of my breathing. I had run up the last two flights of stairs when it started to become too much and saw Alex fling open his door as I reached the fourth floor. I shot into his office, my vision finally starting to dim while my ears fuzzed over. My messenger bag slid off my shoulder onto the floor just before Alex grabbed my upper arms. Oh god no. I ripped away from him with a strangled cry.

  His fingers dug into my upper arms, holding me in place despite my attempts to pull away from his harsh glare. I could feel his grip pressing into old, still healing bruises causing me to cry out in pain.

  “You do not get to leave me.” His voice was cold and rough in my ear as he whispered. “You are mine, Lucienne Marie Envie. You will never be with anyone else but me.” When he finished his tirade, he shoved me into the wall making the hanging pictures of us shake with how hard I collided with the wall.

  “I wasn’t leaving!” I yelled, hunching into a ball in an attempt to make myself a smaller target. My arms automatically came up to protect my face, leaving my ribs open. He seized the opening, and with a swift punch to the ribs and a sharp kick to my leg, I crumpled to the ground. After that, it was a haze of a boot stomping toward my curled form, smashing into my torso, leg, and arms over and over…

  Camden

  “How was the competition? Did you win?” Landon peppered Nik with questions as I double checked I had everything I needed for studying.

  “It was the same people; Liam was being his normal asshole self.” Grigori squawked at the mention of their main competitor who always gave Nik a hard time. “And yes, I won. Now I need to make it through the quarter and semi-finals. Championship competition is set for the first.” Everyone congratulated him with pats on the back or high fives as we filed out of our room and into the hallway. Our group took up a large portion of the carpeted area slowing the traffic of students through the dorm on our way out to the quad. Logan and Landon were in an intense discussion with Dante and Hudson about something, but I was too busy mentally running through my list of things I needed to get done today and attempting not to think of Lucie. You have to focus, I told myself, a clear reminder that I had an additional research project for several professors for a display they were working on for after the holiday break.

  “You all right?” Hudson’s question pulled me out of my mental tallying, his lavender eyes concerned. I ran a hand through my hair haphazardly, a tired sigh working its way through my body.

  “Yeah, I’m good. Just have a project for the school involving this rare artifact display they’re doing for next semester. Need to collate five specific pieces, their background, lore and myth around it, and any important history. Basically, collect all the important stuff in a file for Professor Hans so he can take it to the dean.” My words sounded tired even to me. A soft ding radiated from Hudson’s phone, matching a buzz coming from my pocket. He checked it quickly before responding.

  “She’s at her normal table in the back corner by the windows.” Shoving his phone in his poc
ket he turned his attention back to me. “That sucks, when does it need to be done by?”

  “End of semester. The faculty who are working on the project are going to be finalizing the pieces for the display over winter break and will be pulling it out of storage after the new year before the semester starts on the seventh. I’ll probably be asked to help with that,” I informed them, but my next statement was cut off by a steady buzzing from my pocket. Pulling it out, Lucie’s name and a picture from the All Hallow’s Eve dance displayed on the screen.

  “Hey, Doll, we’re heading over to the library now.” I smiled involuntarily, but at the tremble in her voice, my smile faded.

  “Change of plans. Meet me at Alex’s office.” I could hear the wind whistling in the background accompanied by her increasing breathing. My heartbeat skyrocketed, thudding painfully in my chest knowing she was alone. I threw my second backpack strap over my shoulder and started to jog toward the Administration building, the rest of the guys picking up on my change in mood and quickly following.

  “What happened?” I tried to keep the anger from filtering into my words, knowing that her anxiety would already be causing issues and not wanting to frighten her even more.

  “Just meet me there, please.” Her statement was full of fear. Hearing the sound of a door in the background let me know she was nearing the dean’s office, and the panic that tightened my chest eased ever so slightly.

  “Of course, Doll. We’re almost there. See you shortly.” I hung up after she gave a small goodbye. My jog turned into a sprint as I saw our destination on the crest of the hill.

  “What happened?” Dante demanded, years of athletics and shifter genes allowing him to keep pace with me. I couldn’t talk, I couldn’t focus on anything other than reaching Lucie. The stares of students and staff around the quad didn’t faze me as I pushed through the front doors.

  “She’s in Mr. Renaud’s office,” the front desk worker, Jonathon, called out knowing exactly why we were there. My steps didn’t falter as I shot up the steps, the thundering of the other guys’ shoes echoing in the staircase. A high-pitched scream filtered down the last flight of stairs toward us. Lucie... I pumped my arms harder, pushing the last of my enhanced agility into my strides. The wood of his door snapped open as soon as my foot hit the fourth floor. Dean Renaud waited on the other side of the threshold with Lucie curled on the ground at his feet.

  “I’m not leaving!” she shouted, the words muffled by her arms curling around her head. Her screams cracked with fear as the dean crouched in front of her. Hudson closed the door behind us in a poor attempt to keep what was happening within the room. My jaw hurt from the amount of force I was using to clench it shut.

  When I get my hands on that bastard…

  Lucienne

  “Lucie!” a honeyed voice called through the haze of pain and yelling. I could feel my voice starting to give with the intensity of my screaming. The tears began to subside, my vision clearing to the room in front of me, wanting to find the source of that calm voice. The gazes of my concerned, angry, and worried guys stared back at me. Looking around slowly, I realized I had dropped to the ground and was curled into a ball against one of the bookshelves. The edge of the two bottom shelves dug painfully into my back. I dropped my arms from around my head to my sides as I took shaky breaths. Alex was crouched down in front of me, his open hands stretched tentatively toward me like I was a frightened animal. Which I guess I am.

  “Lucie?” His voice was hesitant and cracked softly with emotion.

  I had frightened them.

  “I’m back,” I croaked. My rough throat protested even that short answer, stinging with every word. Cam handed me a bottle of water from his backpack which I sipped slowly to not aggravate my throat. “Thanks, Cam,” I told him quietly when he took back the plastic bottle. Shifting forward, Alex grabbed my hand to help me stand, steadying me when I wobbled slightly.

  “What happened, Babe? I do not think I have ever run so fast as I did when I heard you screaming.” Nik’s gravelly voice was filled with relief as he angled his face down toward me, and the skin around his eyes was tight with tension as he fiddled with the hem of his shirt. I uncurled my fist and, with shaking hands, opened the note.

  Lucie,

  You always look so cute when you focus and nibble on your lip. I remember how good those lips taste. Tell your “boyfriends” to back off. Don’t forget what I said baby girl, you’re mine.

  N

  I felt my stomach roll as I held it out for someone to take, Alex finally plucking it from my fingers. My free hand came up in front of my mouth, my focus solely on trying not to throw up.

  “When did you get this?” Alex’s voice was hard as he handed the note to my guys who had all crowded around Hudson to read it.

  “I didn’t read it until just now. I packed up my stuff and came straight here after some strange girl gave it to me in the library. I was doing really well with keeping my anxiety and panic down until I started climbing the stairs,” I admitted, waving a hand toward the door of his office.

  “What set off your flashback, Love?” Logan asked quietly, bringing his hand to my back to rub soft circles through my coat.

  I looked quickly at Alex before dropping my gaze. “When you put your hands on my upper arms.” I didn’t want him to think it was his fault, so I forced myself to push out some kind of explanation. “He, uh, did that a lot. I had to wear long sleeves pretty much all the time because of all the bruises,” I mumbled.

  “I’m sorry, Lucie, I didn’t even realize.” Despite Alex’s caring tone, he looked ready to murder someone. Probably Noah.

  “It’s all right, you all know now. My flashbacks aren’t usually that bad.” I pointed to the spot where I had curled up against the bookshelf. “I typically just get tunnel vision or blackouts and fuzzy hearing. If it’s a particularly bad flashback, I get sucked into it, but I don’t usually physically react like that.”

  “You screamed that you weren’t leaving, and then just this long scream until you came out of it,” Landon explained, his eyes haunted as he replayed what happened. I nodded and rubbed my hand down my face.

  “That was the day that he broke my ribs. The day that I decided to tell my mom and Char about everything. I was here two days later,” I murmured.

  “Oh, Princess.” Hudson wrapped his arms around my shoulders, pulling me into his chest. I threw my arms around his hard stomach. Rubbing my face against the softness of his hoodie, the feeling of safety washed through me. He placed a kiss on the top of my head, his cheek coming to rest on my hair.

  “What did he mean by ‘boyfriends’?” Alex’s voice was suspicious as he eyed me in Hudson’s arms. My face flushed. Talk about embarrassing.

  “Uh, we’re dating—I’m dating them,” I stuttered.

  “Them?” His eyebrows raised, and his voice turned disapproving. He better not think he gets to dictate who I date. I turned the rest of the way out of Hudson’s arms to face Alex. I crossed my arms in front of my chest.

  “Yes, them. These are my boyfriends, Alex,” I challenged. “Is that really any of your concern?” His head came up as he looked down at me, thinking. His face turned from disapproving to considerate.

  “No, Lucie, I just want to make sure you’re all right,” he reasoned, which seemed to irk the guys because they all straightened. Alex’s attention shifted from me to them, his face stoic as they glared back.

  The tension between them made my skin itch, my arms crossing over my stomach in discomfort. “We would never hurt her,” Landon’s harsh statement cut through the silent standoff.

  “That’s not what I was insinuating, Mr. Anson,” Alex bit out, his tone stern as he lectured them. “I take the well-being of all my students very seriously and with the current situation, my main concern is Lucie’s safety against Noah, not you.” He glared at Landon as he finished his statement, but when Alex turned to look at me before continuing, his words were no longer angry or harsh. “Lucie, do
you have a photo of Noah or could you describe him enough for someone to identify him?” I pulled out my phone. Once it was unlocked I scrolled through my photos until I reached the ones from high school. Finding one, I felt my chest tighten as I saw his face. He and I were together at one of the high school football games, but before I could be sucked into another memory, I held my phone out for Alex to take.

  Hudson

  After Dean Renaud had taken the phone from Lucie, he emailed the photo to himself before printing several copies so he would have them to give to security. He also called for a meeting with the Head of Security and Assistant Dean Mastersen in a few minutes down in one of the conference rooms on the second level. As the printer fired up, Dean Renaud asked Lucie more questions about her piece of shit ex-boyfriend.

  “What’s his full name? Age, birthday, basic descriptors.” He looked from the computer to Lucie expectantly, his fingers poised over the keyboard.

  “Noah Hunter Montgomery. He’s 19 now, his birthday is December 11th, 1998. Six feet tall with dark brown eyes, dark brown almost black hair that’s usually all messy. Strong jaw, sharp cheekbones, he’s lean, slightly muscled. Not overly tan, but not pale either. Uh, usually wears black jeans, darker colored shirts, and black boots. Drives a silver Ford F150 that has a small lift on it.” She was staring off, her head slightly shaking when she reached the end. “I can’t really think of anything else that would help identify him.” She shrugged tiredly, and her pale skin had a green tint to it.