“My parents’ bond has already created a lot of tension in our kingdom and family.”
“Only the kingdom. I welcomed your mother with open arms. She was brave to choose your father over her family.”
A lump formed in Grace’s throat. “I know.”
“Do what is best for you. I might try to stop people from hurting you, but you have to be the one deciding what you want to do with your mate. I want your happiness. If it lies on Noah Keith, then I’ll support you.”
Tears clouded her vision. “Have I told you how much I love you and am honored to be your granddaughter?”
“Not enough times,” he joked.
“I love you, Grandpa.”
“I love you too, little angel. I have to go now. Take care of yourself. I’ll call again when I can. Take care of the pups for me.”
“Don’t worry. Night, Grandpa.”
When the call ended, Grace relaxed in her grandfather’s office chair and mused about what she had to do to get closer to Noah. He was a man of few words. Noah would rather stay in his bedroom than join everybody for the extra-curricular activities. And there were plenty of those in the academy when the sun set, and everybody had their dinner. One of the things that Grace loved about living in an academy was that there were a lot of people to chat and play games with. They also enjoyed watching movies and playing video games. It was like having a big family with many siblings. When she was tired of that, she had the attic to get away. Now, her little haven was occupied by her gorgeous mate.
“How can I make you notice me, Noah Keith?” She asked out loud.
Chapter Eleven
NOAH
Noah closed the book he was reading and sighed deeply. The rain fell outside and created a lullaby that could drift him to sleep if the students weren’t screaming and talking loud downstairs. Apparently, it was board games night. All of the students and teachers gathered in the living room, divided themselves into groups, and played board games and charades.
He wasn’t in the mood for social gatherings. Having to plan activities and grade the students was already tiring. The majority of them wouldn’t last a day in a vampire training camp. Still, they weren’t vampires or hybrids like him.
Noah sighed again and relaxed his shoulders. Placing the book on the coffee table, he leaned back, rested his open arms over the sofa, and closed his eyes. He focused on the falling rain and the wind. Rainy nights weren’t welcome when he had no place to sleep. That night, he had a cozy attic that smelled of lilies and vanilla, and he was wearing Grace’s tracksuit. He hadn’t returned it to her. She hadn’t asked for it back. Being in her refuge made him feel less anxious. It was the reason why he had chosen that place to sleep. It smelled great and was surrounded by warm energy. It smelled like the pretty hybrid from whom the headmaster had ordered Noah to stay away from. When he first heard the headmaster’s conditions, he didn’t think anything about it.
Why would it be hard for him to stay away from the headmaster’s spoiled granddaughter? He knew the type. They found him a challenge, a way to spice up their boring lives, but not mate material. Not even boyfriend material.
In his line of work, having a relationship was impossible. Maybe not impossible, but not recommended.
He sucked in a breath and opened his eyes, facing the wet window that protected him from the rain. The sky was dark, but if he concentrated hard enough, he could see the clouds move with the force of the wind and the raindrops splash and slide along the glass. His enhanced hearing filtered away the noise as his mind searched for Grace’s voice. If he focused and closed his eyes, he could almost follow her enticing scent. He was sure he knew where she was at all times once she arrived from college. At night, when he couldn’t sleep, he imagined the pretty purple cloud that surrounded her one level down from his sleeping place. Grace’s aura was purple to him. The other people were either black or white. Grace stood out from the rest, no matter how many times he looked at her.
A bed, warm meals, and even a salary—he didn’t know what he did to deserve that. He wasn’t sure why he stayed and agreed to protect Grace. Still, it was highly unlikely that the headmaster would acquire permission from the council for Noah to stay there. Would he even want to stay for longer than a few weeks?
My revenge is over.
There were other vampire lords to kill. Rogue werewolves who attacked innocent people. Bounties that made him enough money to survive. His aunt’s home. It’s been ages since he went to see her. They’d talked on the phone. He told her that he had killed their enemies. She asked him when he was coming back home.
“Home.” Noah swallowed his pain. “Where’s that?”
He turned his head and looked at the door. Grace had invited him to join her and her friends. She didn’t let him eat alone and was always following him around. He wasn’t going to pretend that he didn’t enjoy that. She was friendly and kind to everybody. Also single, according to the random conversations he had heard.
Off limits.
“It’s not like I’m going to stay here long enough to date a good girl like her. Her grandfather would rip my heart out.” He cringed at the thought of having to run away in the middle of the night while an angry werewolf came after him. Then, he laughed. “Totally worth it, though.”
“What is?”
Grace’s voice startled him, and he sat up. She was standing at the threshold with a grin and curious eyes.
“Shouldn’t you be playing games with your friends?” Noah questioned her.
“We are playing Find the Killer, and I was wondering if you wanted to join us,” she answered.
“What’s that?”
“Well,” —she strolled to the sofa— “we have envelopes to choose from. One of the players will be the killer, the other the victim, but we only know who the victim is. Then, we have to examine the clues left behind to understand what weapon was used and search for it. In the end, we ask questions until we find the killer. It’s more complex than the common game played with a board game.”
“Sounds rather boring,” he mumbled.
She leaned closer, her fragrance tickling his nose. “Do you have a better suggestion?”
Is that a trick question?
It’s been a while since he was with a woman. None as beautiful as Grace.
Grace frowned. “Are you feeling okay?”
“Yes. Just tired.”
She smirked. “We were the ones running and sparring. How can you be the one tired? Are you getting old, teacher?”
“Older than you,” he assured her. “Also, not in the mood to play childish games.”
Grace’s eyebrows knitted together. “You’re grumpier than usual tonight. Is it because of the rain?”
“No. Vampires like dark and gloomy nights.”
“Grace, are you coming or not?” someone yelled from downstairs.
“Just a minute,” Grace shouted back. “It’s too early for you to sleep.” She grabbed his arm and pulled him up. “I’m not accepting a no for an answer. You’re going to have fun tonight.”
“Has anyone ever told you that you’re bossy?” Noah complained as he dragged his feet behind her.
“Has anyone ever told you that you’re anti-social?”
“I’m social when I need to be,” he protested.
“You need to be tonight.”
“I have no wish to play that stupid game,” he grumbled, descending the stairs.
“You can play something else. The teachers are playing poker, and the guys are playing darts. Some are also playing chess. If that’s more your thing. I do have to warn you, it’s highly unlikely that you’ll win against Darren. Unless you’re a genius.”
“No genius. Sorry to disappoint you.”
Grace halted abruptly, and Noah collided with her back.
He held his hands to her arms and breathed in the scent of her hair. “What’s wrong?”
“I was teasing you. I didn’t mean to offend you.”
“No offense ta
ken,” he assured her, his voice caressing her hair. She was wearing it loose that night. “I’ll play whatever you play,” he added when she didn’t move.
She stepped forward, leaving space between her back and his chest. He released her arms. When she turned around, she had a constricted smile. It seemed the closeness between them made her feel uncomfortable.
Noah felt his chest burn. She treated him like a friend. He didn’t want to damage her trust in him.
“The body is in the library,” she informed.
“What?”
“For the game. The victim’s body is in the library this time. We just have to join the others and choose our envelope to start. Then, we search the house for the murder weapon. The killer has all the clues in his envelope and needs to mislead the others while trying to trick everybody that he’s not the one who did it.”
“Okay. I’ll keep that in mind if I’m the killer.”
“The victim knows who the killer is, but she’ll pretend to be dead for the first part. Later, she’ll be the judge to see if no one is cheating.”
“Anything else I should know?”
Grace took his hand. “We normally play hide and seek once the game is over. Is that too childish for you?”
“Depends.” He grinned mischievously.
“Grace!”
“Coming!” Grace shouted and pushed Noah behind her as she rushed to the library.
Chapter Twelve
Noah’s attention shifted from the pair of students he was helping to Grace and Michael when he heard her shout.
“Seriously, if you do that again, I’m going to hit you so hard that you won’t be able to procreate,” Grace grunted as she pushed Michael away from her.
Michael grinned with a red face. “I was kidding. You don’t need to take it so personally. We’re practicing, and I can’t always control where I put my hands.”
Grace closed her hand into a fist and aimed at his face. “Do you want me to lose control, too? I might just wipe that sleazy smile off your face.”
Noah shortened the distance between them. “What’s going on?”
Grace looked at him. “I want to change my partner. He keeps... Grrr!”
Noah’s jaw tensed, and he narrowed his eyes at Michael.
The werewolf combed his hair with his fingers and grinned. “She’s overreacting.”
“I’m overreacting?” Grace’s voice leveled. “You’ve groped my ass when we were practicing the fall.”
Noah controlled his urge to punch his student. “Mr. Ashmore, please understand that when fighting, it doesn’t matter if your opponent is male or female. Your life is in danger, and you need to incapacitate your opponent. However, hunters aren’t perverts. You shouldn’t grope your opponent.”
“It wasn’t intentional,” Michael claimed.
“It’s the third time. I’m going to—”
Grace’s friend pulled her away before she could jump on Michael.
Michael crossed his arms with an amused grin. “You’re probably on your period. That explains why you’re losing your temper.”
Grace growled louder as one of her other friends helped, keeping her away from Michael.
“What did you just say, Mr. Ashmore?” Noah asked him. “Are you aware of how rude and condescending you were being?”
“She’s the one almost shifting into a wolf,” Michael accused. “I don’t need to grope females. They throw themselves at me. I’m no pervert, Mr. Keith.”
Noah turned to Grace. “You’re dismissed from class.”
Michael laughed.
“Mr. Ashmore, I’m your new partner. Please, let’s resume practice.” Noah grinned while the blood left the student’s face. If he thought he was getting away with what he had done to Grace, he was wrong. Noah had noticed the way he ogled her. He also noticed how she tried to evade Michael’s wandering hands.
Noah looked back, noticing how everybody became still and quiet. Even Grace. “The rest of you continue. Miss Delacroix, assist the other pairs with the exercises.”
She nodded.
Noah faced Michael and grinned. “Let’s see if your hands also wander when you’re practicing with me.”
That same day, Noah sat in front of her with his tray. He wanted to make sure she was okay. Even if they usually ate together, that day, she was already eating alone with a gloomy expression.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“I’ll survive.”
“Do you want to report him?”
She raised her eyes. “I can take care of myself. You didn’t need to do what you did.”
“What did I do?”
“You almost broke his arm, gave him a black eye, and he walked away like an old lady from class.”
Noah grinned. “Nothing he didn’t deserve.”
“Maybe, but now he’ll say that you favor me.”
“I’d do that to any other student who had been harassed by a jerk. To any woman, actually. His behavior was improper. How does a teacher react when something like this happens? Do I need to file a report? Can he be punished for it?”
“Grandpa has a strict code of conduct.”
“Then, I’m assuming that having you beating him up would be against the rules. You wouldn’t be the victim anymore but the bully.”
Grace blinked. “I guess I lost my temper back there.”
“He’s a lot bigger than you,” Noah reminded her.
Grace clenched her jaw. “I’m faster and smarter than him. Brute force isn’t always an advantage.”
Noah pursed his lips and folded his hands. “Do you want me to write a report for your grandfather about this? Or do you want to keep it between the class and us?”
“It’s not the first time he’s done this. I’m not the first one he did it to, either. He’s a bully and thinks that all the girls have the hots for him.”
“Typical alpha males think that,” Noah said.
“Do you think that?”
He coughed. “What? Why would I think that?”
“Alpha males.” She grinned.
“Asshole alpha males,” he corrected. “Anyway, you’re evading my question.”
“Grandpa allows his students to resolve their issues with their fists.”
Noah frowned. “How so?”
“If there’s too much animosity between two students, and they decide to fight one another, a battle can take place to resolve their differences. There are rules, and the teachers will supervise so no one gets seriously hurt or plays dirty.”
“Do you want to fight Michael?”
Grace shrugged. “He’d never accept it. It would be bad for his pride to lose to me.”
Noah smiled and leaned back. “You’re cocky.”
“Just realistic. My physical condition is above average. My biological material gives me an advantage, and my fighting abilities are top-notch. Michael would have a hard time winning against me.”
“Remind me not to fight you, then,” he joked.
She leaned forward with a teasing grin. “I have no reason to fight you, Noah. I’m your guardian.” Resting her elbows on the table, she added, “Besides, you’ve already fought for my honor. I’m sure Michael has learned his lesson.”
Noah chuckled. “I’m glad you’re feeling better.”
Her eyes softened, and she reclined in her seat. “Thanks for taking my side.”
“I’m here to take care of you, even if I still have no idea what your other half is.”
“What do you mean?”
“I know you’re a part werewolf, but your grandfather didn’t tell me anything else.” Noah stared her in the eye. “Is it a secret?”
“Hardly.”
“Then, what are you, Grace?”
She got up with the tray in her hand and circled the table. Noah watched as she bent down and spoke in his ear. “Celestial. I’m half werewolf and half angel.”
With that surprising revelation, Grace walked away, leaving a stunned Noah behind.
&nbs
p; .
Chapter Thirteen
NOAH
Grace was half-werewolf, half-angel—something unheard of. Celestials didn’t mingle with the other races in this world. They lived in their floating cities and were rarely seen. Why wasn’t Grace residing in the Cloud City? Where were her parents? He had heard about the headmaster losing his son, but no one talked about his mate and the fact that he had left a child orphan. Not just any child, a hybrid like Noah.
They only had the werewolf part in common. Noah had no idea of what sort of powers an angel hybrid would have. He had to confess, he was eager to know more about Grace’s origins. Bombarding her with questions seemed rude. Therefore, he was holding on until they were alone and willing to share stories about their origins. His story wasn’t enjoyable to tell, but he had to share something with her if he hoped to know more about her.
“Noah, you’re late.”
Grace’s protest reached his ears, and the butterflies in his stomach reacted to her soft voice. He often responded adversely when other women tried to use that tone on him to manipulate him into doing what they wanted.
On Grace, that tone of voice sounded beyond sexy and anything but manipulative.
He closed his eyes and pretended not to hear her.
“Noah!” Her voice sent shivers down his spine.
“I’m not going,” he said.
“Yes, you are. We’re watching a movie tonight with the rest of the students. It’s movie night, and you can’t miss it.”
He sensed her presence in front of him. Opening his eyes, he saw her pouting lips.
Noah smirked. “Are you pouting?”
“Maybe.”
“You have plenty of friends downstairs. You don’t need me.”
Grace huffed and crossed her arms. “You’re so annoying.”
“I’m annoying?”
“You make it sound as if I’m always pestering you. I understand that you’re a bit anti-social, but you’re not living alone anymore. Now, you have plenty of people to keep you company and...”
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