Academy Obscura - The Scorched Summer: A Reverse Harem Paranormal Romance

by Cassia Briar

  “Give me that pink ass.” Angel hauled me off Liam and Jaxon, setting me on my hands and knees at the edge of the bed. He entered me from behind in a single thrust. Wrapping his fingers round the back of my neck, he ruthlessly fucked me. His thighs slapped against my tingling backside. An orgasm swept through me, quick and intense. Angel bit down on my shoulder as he spilled himself in the condom. The bite burned with radiating pleasure. I screamed as I came around him again.

  As soon as he pulled out, I was flipped onto my back. Jaxon spread my legs wide and settled between them. He caught my wrists, pinning them above my head. His stormy gaze bored into me.

  “Don’t. Ever. Do. That. Again.” Anger and fear colored each word. “Do you understand me?”

  I nodded, my heart racing. My eyelids slid shut.

  He plunged in to the hilt. “Open your eyes. Look at me,” he demanded.

  I did as he wanted. Jaxon took me hard and fast, never breaking eye contact. The fury melted away, leaving behind deep hurt and betrayal.

  “I’m sorry,” I breathed.

  Slowing his pace, he kissed me. My lips, my jaw line, the tip of my nose. With measured strokes, the tension built between us until we were both panting and gleaming with sweat.

  He nipped at my ear. “I love you.”

  “I love you, too.”

  Jaxon sighed and closed his eyes. He made love to me with complete concentration. Circling my sensitive nub with his thumb, I trembled as yet another orgasm rocked my world. He came with a long, deep groan.

  For a while afterward, we lay side by side catching our breaths. My mind cleared a little and I glanced around the room. The others watched us intently. Montrell hadn’t made any move toward me yet and I focused on him. He stood at the foot of the bed, fully clothed, with heat in his hazel eyes.

  “Sorrentino.” He used that clipped, authoritative voice he reserved for commanding a classroom. That tone had once enraged me, making me seethe at the unfairness of him taking my points away. Now it sent pleasant chills over my skin.

  I shivered.

  “Come here.” He pointed in front of him.

  I crawled toward him, my stomach filled with butterflies. When I reached him, I sat up on my knees and placed a hand on his chest. He caught my jaw with rough fingers. My breath hitched. With his other hand he traced the fresh scars on my stomach. The other guys had seen the deep marks on my back numerous times—Montrell had not. Now there was even more ugly, discolored skin to look at.

  My confidence faltered. What if he didn’t want me now? What if he didn’t want a woman who had more scars than all of her lovers put together?

  He whispered in my ear. “You’re very much in trouble, little girl. I’m not going to spank you or fuck you. No, you’re going to make me a promise. Next time you feel like sacrificing yourself, or a plan pops into that pretty head of yours, you’re going to tell us—whichever one of us is nearest, in whatever way you can. You will not act on your own. Ever. Again.” His grip slid down to my neck and squeezed. “Now promise me that.”

  “Only if you promise the same,” I choked out. Deep down I was still angry at him for his disappearing act, when he left to follow Angel without telling anyone.

  His hazel eyes flared with remorse. “You have my word.”

  “Then I promise, too.”

  “Good girl.” Montrell released my neck and straightened. His gaze turned molten and raked over my naked body. “Now all of you get yourselves ready. We need to get mated.” He spun around and let himself out of the room. He might not be holding a grudge, but I didn’t feel a sense of closure either.

  My gaze lingered on the door he’d just shut. Every step of the way with him I’d had to try my hardest. I’d had to earn his respect. Had to prove I wasn’t like Isabella. Now I was going to have to show him I could keep my promise. Of course, he now had to do the same.

  Montrell might be a hard-ass, but he was mine. I’d do anything to keep him.

  16

  Caprice

  The guys had been busy while I’d been healing. The preparations for the mating ceremony were finished. After showering again, hair pinned up, and dressing in a gauzy white robe, Elena and Lana led me through the cave’s twisting tunnels until we emerged into the forest. A canopy of stars twinkled down on the dense woodland. The summer air was warm and dry.

  Elena pulled us to a halt. With a sigh, she said, “Now don’t lose this again.” She kneeled down and secured a small black pouch to my ankle.

  “Where did you get that?” I asked. I’d left her gift, with my valuables in it, in my dorm room.

  She stood. “Wands are handy. Especially in a crisis.”

  I hugged her, blinking back tears. She was so freaking thoughtful. “Thank you so much.”

  “That’s what best friends are for. By the way, thanks for saving all our asses, Dragon Queen.”

  “Come on you guys. This way.” Lana hooked her arm through mine, and Elena did the same on the other side. We followed a trail where purple orb lights hovered low in the trees. We weren’t alone. Glowing golden eyes shone through the underbrush where members of the Gran Lobo Pack watched us.

  “Fae magic is so beautiful” Elena said, grinning. “But, I can’t wait to see you turn into a freaking dragon!”

  A fluttering overtook my stomach. “I can’t wait either. I’ve waited so long for this.”

  The woods parted to reveal a large, grassy clearing. Silently, the Council stood in a circle around my soon-to-be official mates. Each man had taken his place at the cardinal point, a colored orb shining faintly at his feet. Even though a crowd had gathered round the perimeter, the only sound was a trickling creek at the far side.

  Elena and Lana released me and headed off toward the outer circle where Tyler and Brody waited. I rolled my shoulders and straightened my spine. Head held high, I entered the ring. Here we go.

  My heart hammered, but my voice rang clear. “Tonight, you are here to bear witness. I, Caprice Sorrentino, Council Queen, will take these men as my mates.” I approached the North where Montrell stood in a white robe, hands clasped behind his back. “I vow to cherish and protect you, to my last breath.”

  A green mist escaped my mouth with those words. Magic? It felt like it. My dragon stirred, intensely focused on Montrell as he spoke.

  “I vow to cherish and protect you until death takes me.” His features softened. A lightness entered my chest and expanded. Suddenly, a rush of emotion swept through me. Love. That’s what I felt. A deep, soul-consuming love. But the emotion didn’t belong to me, it was coming from Montrell. Though he’d never said the word love to me, I felt it in every fiber of my being, down to my toes.

  I let my own feelings for him surface and his eyes widened. He searched my face, that crease forming between his brows, then his hands were cupping my cheeks and his lips were on mine. The hundreds of people standing around us seemed to vanish, leaving us in a bubble of our own.

  Montrell broke away and straightened. Joy glimmered in his eyes. With a smile for him, I turned and walked to the East to face Liam.

  “I vow to cherish and protect you, to my last breath,” I said, this time a golden fog followed the words from my mouth.

  Liam’s eyes filled with adoration. “I vow to cherish and protect you until death takes me.”

  This time I was a little more prepared when his emotions pushed into me. Every feeling in his expression I experienced in my body. Was this how Liam lived all the time? Deeply knowing how the people around him felt? This was going to take some getting used to for sure.

  I leaned up on my toes and kissed him, then made my way to the South. Jaxon’s grey gaze locked with mine. Standing before him, I repeated my vow and a crimson haze rolled off my tongue.

  His voice held reverence as he said, “I vow to cherish and protect you until death takes me.” His breath caught as our emotions hit each other. “Wow, I didn’t expect that.” With an arm looped around my waist, his lips brushed lightly over mine. �
�I love you.”

  “I know.” I stepped out of his embrace.

  Angel gazed at me like a predator as I approached, those heated golden eyes tracking my every movement. It sent a thrill through me. We exchanged our vows. My words drifted out on a blue puff.

  As Angel registered my emotions, a low growl rumbled in his chest. He snatched me to him and crushed his mouth down on mine. His warm body shuddered as he pressed his growing erection against my stomach. Which reminded me of the final part of this ceremony.

  Angel released me. With my heart in my throat, I stepped into the center again. Raising my voice, I said, “With our bodies we bind ourselves as mates before you as our witnesses.”

  With a deep breath, I untied the flimsy robe and let it fall to the ground. Several people behind me gasped. With my hair still up, though the light was dim, they had a clear view of the numerous scars that crisscrossed my back. A moment later my four mates descended on me, their robes in a pile at my feet.

  Angel took charge, lowering us to the ground. He spread out the discarded clothing and placed me in the middle. The silky fabric felt much better than the prickly grass.

  “We consummate this mating in the same order as the vows.” Angel said.

  My gaze had wandered to our witnesses and my inhibitions grew. I wasn’t exactly an exhibitionist. My pulse spiked and I wasn’t sure I could follow through with this part.

  Angel gripped my chin. “Look at me.”

  I did as he commanded.

  “Let them fade to the background. You’re here with us, focus on us.”

  Reassurance wafted from him. I nodded and turned my attention to Montrell. The massive shapeshifter kissed me, then turned my head and offered my lips to Angel who greedily took them. I lay on my back, trying to relax and get into the headspace to complete the ritual.

  A hot mouth closed around one nipple. Long fingers found the other, as yet another set of hands held my hips. I closed my eyes, letting the sensations and each of their emotions swim through me. None of them had any reservations about this. Love, lust, and determination came from each of my mates, turning me on.

  I gasped into Angel’s mouth when Montrell thrust into me. He drove in fast and hard. The pleasure built but it wasn’t enough to send me over the edge. I panted, squirming against him.

  Angel whispered in my ear. “You’ll get to come at the end, princess. It’ll be worth the wait.”

  What the fuck? They’d planned out this part?

  Montrell came with a grunt. Pulling out of me, he swapped places with Liam, and teased my aching nipple. Liam pumped languidly in and out, the pressure in my lower stomach building some more. But like Montrell, he left me unsatisfied, coming with a shudder before I could finish.

  I squirmed, grinding myself against Jaxon as he entered me. Four pairs of hands held me down and in place. My inner dragon writhed in frustration along with me. Jaxon took me quickly and it felt so good. At this point my breasts ached. My orgasm begged to be released. Still they teased every inch of my skin, sensitizing it.

  When Angel plowed into me, I growled. Montrell plunged his tongue in my mouth, his fingers trailing down to finally touch my clit. Someone grazed their teeth over my nipple and sent me right over the edge.

  I came with a scream. Fireworks exploded behind my eyelids and my whole body shook from the force of the orgasm. It rolled through me, wave after wave, shattering me. I came again, even more forcefully, as Angel’s teeth sank into my shoulder.

  I might have blacked out, but when I reentered my physical form it was to a low vibration spreading under my skin. Opening my eyes, I realized I’d half-shifted. My mates hauled me to my feet, steadied me, then stepped back. Way back.

  Bone crushing agony stole away the remaining pleasure. I gritted my teeth against the pain. My body shook as it broke apart and reformed, growing massive, covered in black scales. All at once the torment stopped. I gazed down at stunned faces from twenty feet above.

  My heightened senses took them in. Information on each individual’s unique scent, body temperature, and supernatural type was filed away in the back of my mind. My mates stood out among the crowd, like four brightly glowing spots that called to me.

  I gazed down at myself. The black scales with the red fire beneath was familiar. As were the deadly talons. But this new form was enormous and came with wings instead of arms. I spread the new appendages wide, realizing I had no idea how to fly. The now dominant dragon side of me huffed with amusement. Giving the wings a flap, I launched straight up into the sky. Then, I was flying.

  The warm night air rushed past my scaled face. I parted my mouth to taste it, and the breeze whistled through my pointed teeth. Climbing higher, I circled over the forested mountain side. Two glowing forms came to join me. One was an enormous owl, who I knew was Montrell. Liam with his shimmering fae wings, fluttered beside him.

  I let out a low rumble of recognition before continuing to test my flying skills. I dove, spiraling toward the earth as exhilaration consumed me. I’d always loved to drive fast, but this was a whole new level of excitement.

  For some time, I flew, rolled, and glided on the wind. A sense of freedom and completion settled over me. I was finally a true dragon. Mated. Transformed. Deadly. It was time to bring destruction to my enemies. Time to fight back.

  In human form again, and properly dressed, I sat at the head of a long table with the rest of the Supernatural Council. I’d called them together to continue with our plans. We needed to figure out what to do next. A resolve had taken root in my stomach. We were going to fight and win this war. I knew the confidence came more from my dragon than from me, because I was fucking terrified of Sebastian. I hated to admit it, but it was the truth. I also knew I had to overcome that fear and face him.

  “We need a plan of attack,” I said. “The Tromara and old Council have taken the Academy and, as we know, that is a stronghold. I want to draw them out. I want to scatter their forces. Any ideas on how to do that?”

  The council members exchanged glances. Olin eyed me. “How do you propose we draw them out without endangering the innocents in our community?”

  “Innocent lives will be lost. We are at war.” I said and felt Montrell startle, rather than saw it. I continued, “But I will try my best to protect them. We could attack Sebastian’s house, but it is too close to the Academy. I’d prefer an alternative.”

  Gavin spoke up. “How about the other Tromara pods?”

  I recalled Brody and Gavin talking about the pods spread across the country. They were how the Tromara had a presence in each territory. Each one was located near a royal’s place of residence in the districts. “Go on,” I said.

  “We’d need to locate them, but we’re pretty sure where to start looking. Missoula, Montana is the official capital of the Cortez district. A Tromara pod will be near there. All we need to do is find it.”

  “How are we going to do that?” I asked.

  Gavin grinned. “The Omega Alliance will find it. I’d like Josh to come along, too.”

  “Okay…” A plan of sorts formed in my mind. “If you do find it, and we attack them, the Tromara will come after us—I hope. And I don’t want to be here when they come looking. I want to keep them guessing, but also draw attention away from the citizens and onto us.” My gaze scanned the council members. “How about it we hop from capital to capital and destroy each pod as we go? It would have to appear random, so they couldn’t predict where we were going to hit next. That should divide their forces.”

  Worry from each of my mates spiked through me, but it was tinged with trust. The majority of heads bobbed.

  “Excellent.” Gavin slapped the table.

  “I like this idea,” Regina said. “Plus, as you visit each district you’ll gain supporters. We’ll have an army by the time we’re ready to take back the Academy.”

  Angel rested his elbows on the tabletop. “We’ll need to send search parties ahead of us. I think the leaders of each district should
work with their own kind and form those parties.”

  “Sounds good,” I said. “Do it. I trust Josh and the Omega Alliance to help.”

  Angel turned to Heller. “You’ll lead this one with Josh. Once we know what we’re looking for and how to find it, everyone else can search within their own districts at the same time.”

  “Yes, sir,” Heller said. “Though if you plan to give me orders, I’d like to remind you that you’re not officially Supreme Alpha yet. You may want to formally take that role before someone decides to steal it away from you.”

  Angel’s jaw clenched. He was annoyed and well aware of his duties. Having them pointed out to him by a fellow alpha made him feel like he was slipping. “The ceremony will be held tomorrow night,” he ground out.

  Heller and Angel locked gazes for a couple of tense seconds before Heller submitted. He bowed his head and lowered his eyes. “Very good, Supreme Alpha,” he said.

  With werewolf plays for dominance out of the way, I refocused on our agenda. “Heller, get your team together. Gavin will go with you, too. The rest of you figure out who you can trust in your districts. No one can know our plan—that should go without saying.”

  “Yes, Council Queen,” they murmured.

  “You’re dismissed.” I leaned back in my chair and waited for the room to clear. My mates waited with me. Once we were alone, I turned to Angel. “What does this ceremony involve?”

  A rare, slow grin spread across his lips. “Don’t worry. Our mating ritual tonight was valid among my people. We don’t have to have sex in front of them all a second time.”

  My cheeks heated. “Well that’s good. So what do we do?”

  “Basically, I’ll declare myself Supreme Alpha, take pledges from the other alphas, and see if I get challenged.” The smile had faded.