Academy of Beasts XXXII

by Becca Fanning

  Huffing, Priscilla snapped open her book and went back to reading. Amara and I shared amused glances. “Well, ladies, I’m off to my next class. Meet up at my dorm later? We can walk to the party together.”

  “Okay.”

  When Amara disappeared into a building, I groaned. “Crap, now I can’t disappoint her. She’s so damn excited about this party.”

  “Freshmen usually are,” Priscilla sniffed with an air of sophistication.

  “Dude, we were freshman just months ago. You can’t turn your nose down at underclassmen just yet.”

  Scowling, she said, “Let a girl have her moment, will you?” Adjusting her glasses, she agreed, “You’re right. We can’t disappoint her. She’s so adorable with all her enthusiasm. Do you think you’ll really be able to make it with everything that’s going on with…” She looked left then right, “the council.”

  Sighing heavily, I grabbed my bag and textbook. “I’m heading to the manor to find out if I can get a few hours free tonight. I could use the break after all. Tempers have been rising at the manor lately. I think we all need a break.”

  Priscilla’s expression twisted with sympathy. “Good luck. Let me know soon if you’re going.” She grinned from ear to ear. “So we can discuss outfits.”

  Giggling, I got up, “Sure thing. If I get the go ahead, I’m getting dressed at your place.”

  I left her clapping excitedly as I took off towards the manor.

  I didn’t make it to Dracus’s office. I ran into him emerging from one of the hidden entrances on the first floor. Literally ran into him. He grasped my arms to stop me from toppling over after hitting his larger frame.

  “Thanks,” I breathed as my heart pounded. “You scared the crap out of me, though.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  We gazed at each other for a while. Talk about awkward. Realizing his fingers were still wrapped around my arms, he dropped his hand as if burned. “Um… I was about to come see you in your office, but here you are.” My nervous giggle made me cringe on the inside. Gods, I was such a loser.

  “What can I do for you?”

  You could forgive me and tell me we’re done with our stupid break.

  Smiling, I said, instead, “I was hoping to get your permission to―”

  “Sure.”

  “What? You don’t even know what I was going to ask.”

  He sighed and scrubbed a hand over his face. “You all need a break, Fiona. I can see that. No one is patrolling or hunting down Dante tonight. After walking in on all of you arguing, I was hit with a realization. As the oldest and as the leader of the Core Council I need to look out for all of your mental health. You’re still students, you need a little balance.”

  “What about you? Are you taking the night off?”

  A slight smile lifted his lips. “No. Don’t need it. But, you do. So go ahead and do whatever you want tonight.”

  “Whatever I want? You mean, I can swing from the chandeliers or burn down the manor?”

  “Very funny.” His deep chuckled filled the hallway. “What?” He asked when I continued to stare at him.

  “You’re laughing at my joke.”

  “Our current relationship status doesn’t make you any less amusing.”

  “Right.” Disappointment burned in my chest. “Thanks. I guess, I’ll see you later.” Ducking my head, I scurried away before he saw the hurt on my face.

  Chapter 9

  Amara beamed when she opened her door. She gave Priscilla in her violet cocktail dress a once over. “You look great, P.” Then she moved on to study me in my black jumpsuit. “Holy shit, Fi, you look smokin’ hot.”

  Enrique chose this particular outfit during one of his random shopping sprees. So, of course, the romper was skin-tight with a bandaged bodice that left a good portion of my cleavage on display. My lips twisted wryly. “My stylist is a bit of an exhibitionist.”

  Amara’s eyes bulged. “You have a stylist?”

  “Sort of. He forced his way into the position, of course. But…” I gazed down at my badass outfit and amazing red pumps, “I have to say, he’s good at his job. No complaints from me.”

  Priscilla snickered as Amara continued to look shocked. “I’d like to have him dress me too,” she snorted.

  “Nonsense, you look incredible,” I told her. She wore a cute short leather skirt matched with a white top that left her midriff bare. Strappy heels accentuated her long legs.

  “Thanks.” She beamed. “So, this is it. Our first girl’s night out.”

  “Let’s roll, bitches.”

  I gagged on a laugh and turned to Priscilla with wide eyes. Amara was equally amused.

  “What?” She shrugged, adjusting her glasses. “My two besties are from the human world. I've been practicing your ways… and words.”

  The dorm’s hallway resonated with our giggles. I released a quiet sigh, already relaxing after a stressful week. Dracus was right. We all needed a free night.

  I couldn’t help wondering what the guys were doing with their free night. After that tense exchange between us, we hadn’t talked much because everyone was busy. I missed them. Dracus too. If only he’d talk to me. Really talk― about our relationship. It was like he was hellbent on avoiding any talk on the subject. Shaking off my despair, I focused on the party.

  It was being held at one of the dorms by the rugby team. I was pleasantly surprised to discover the many normal human things that went on at Beast Academy.

  “This party is sweet,” Amara said, rocking to the pounding beat. “Priscilla is really getting down.” We both laughed at the picture Priscilla made dancing wildly and a little offbeat with another dragon shifter. I think his name was Alfred and he was a prominent member of the nerd squad. Captain of the math club. I shook my head. He and Priscilla had a lot in common, but she seemed to be more into guys who were her opposite. Guys like Radolf. I couldn’t blame her; bad boys were fun.

  “I’m glad you’re having a good time,” I told her, sipping my punch.

  “I am but this scene makes me miss my Abel so much.” I couldn’t hear her sigh over the loud music but her chest heaved, letting me know it was a heavy one. A sigh of love, perhaps?

  Intrigued, I turned to her. “Abel?” I was interested in knowing more about Amara. She was a great girl and was meshing well with Priscilla and me. We were slowly turning into a girlier, cuter version of the Three Musketeers.

  “My boyfriend,” she gushed. Her brown skin flushed and I lifted a brow.

  “Story time!” I refilled my cup and hers, then grabbed another for Priscilla. “Hold on to this while I get Beyonce, over there.”

  Amara snickered as I strolled to the dance floor to get Priscilla. We found a relatively quiet and private spot away from the speakers. Breathless and flushed, Priscilla gulped down the punch Amara handed her. “What a party,” she sighed. “I really needed to blow off some steam.” Eyes twinkling she turned to Amara. “I heard you have something to tell us.”

  Rolling her eyes, Amara smiled. “It’s hardly front page news.”

  “It is for us. We love talking about boys.” I giggled… a little too much. Glancing at my cup, I frowned. There was definitely alcohol in the punch. My frequent, high-pitched giggling told me I’d had too many cups.

  “And hearing about them,” Priscilla added, making me giggle harder.

  Shaking her head, Priscilla plucked my cup from my hand. “Her human body doesn’t handle alcohol like ours,” she explained to Amara. “One drink will have her wasted.” Scowling, I reached back for my cup but she batted my hand away. “So just ignore her excessive giggling and tell us about your lover.”

  Cheeks flushed, Amara said, “He’s not, we’re… Okay, fine. We did it once. I guess he is my lover.” I whistled while Priscilla hooted. Rolling her eyes that gleamed with laughter, she shook her head. “You two are being so immature but I love it. I love this. I’ve never had girlfriends to hang out with before.”

  Sobering up, I asked, �
��Why? You’re great to hang out with.”

  Amara shrugged. “I’ve always been the problem. An introvert. But only because I’ve always felt different. As if I didn’t belong. So, I avoided having close friends.

  I understood. I’d always felt that way growing up too. But unlike Amara, I forced myself to be normal. Forced a few friendships even.

  “Until I met Abel.” She blushed again.

  Priscilla and I chorused, “Awe.”

  “Where did you meet?” I plopped my chin on a palm, ready to hear the sweet tale.

  “At school. I felt like a total freak all through elementary school. I had no idea why.” Amara shrugged. “I felt the same when I started high school but I met Abel. He told me straight off the bat that he was different. I had no idea what he was talking about but I admired how he didn’t care what others thought of him. He just marched to his own beat. That was part of the reason I fell for him.”

  “Awe,” came another chorus from Priscilla and me.

  Amara laughed, “I can’t believe you guys are really this interested.”

  “We want to get to know you better.”

  “And for once, I feel comfortable with that,” Amara murmured. “When I turned seventeen, I discovered why I always felt like a freak. Strange things started to happen to me. Sometimes, I’d hear things I never heard before, like insects crawling outside or someone’s heart beating. And there was the enhanced smell. I was so freaked out― convinced that it was all in my head. When I finally broke and ran to my parents that’s when they told me what I was. What they were.”

  A wide-eyed Priscilla gasped. “I can’t imagine going through life, not knowing what I am.” She gazed at Amara and me with sympathy. “I feel for you guys. It isn’t fair that you didn’t know your true selves or that this world existed. Now, you have to struggle to adjust.”

  “The struggle is real,” I muttered and Amara nodded in agreement. “So, that’s how you came to be at Beast Academy?”

  “Yeah. I was angry at my parents for lying to me my entire life. They insisted they kept what we are secret because it was better that way in the human world. Plus, since I never shifted― and still haven’t― they thought the gene had passed me somehow. I risked telling Abel because we were so close and I knew he’d never tell a soul. That’s when he told me his big secret. That he’s a wolf shifter.”

  Priscilla and I hung on Amara’s every word. “No shit,” I hummed.

  “Yup. He knew there was something different about me the whole time but he couldn’t put his finger on what because I didn’t display much jaguar characteristics. But he said he never cared what I was because he loved me.” She leaned closer and whispered. “And that was the day I lost my virginity.”

  I choked on the punch, I’d gotten my hands back on when Priscilla wasn’t looking.

  “Abel and I became a real thing after that. After my initial anger over my parents’ perceived betrayal, I wanted to know more about this world. So, I opted to attend college here rather than one in the human world. Sadly, Abel chose to go to another shifter academy after graduation.”

  “Why didn’t you just go to that one with him?”

  “It had to be here. I learned that my grandmother attended this school.”

  “Awesome. You’re a legacy.”

  “Uh huh.” Amara shook her head happily. “I never really knew her but I feel closer to her. Is that silly?”

  “Not at all,” Priscilla answered. “It just sucks that you’re apart from your boyfriend.”

  “It does. But I’ve been loving it here so far. Mostly because of you girls.”

  Priscilla and I exchanged pleased glances. “We’re happy to hear that and we can’t wait to meet Abel.”

  “Here, here.” Priscilla held up her cup and we followed, tapping them together.

  We chatted for a few more minutes before migrating to the dance floor. After a while, I made my way back to the punch. I was parched. Glancing back at the girls, I smiled. They were still going at full energy. My poor human cells needed to be rehydrated. What I needed was water but I had to make do it with more punch. With a grimace, I reached for the bowl.

  A bottle of water appeared out of nowhere. I followed the hand it was attached to and gasped. “Jasper.”

  He smiled and put the bottle in my hand. “Drink up my drunk little calm.”

  “I’m not drunk,” I grumbled but took the bottle and greedily gulped down the water. It tasted and felt so good.

  “Sure, that’s why you could barely walk in a straight line back to the punch bowl because you’re not drunk.”

  Grinning sheepishly, I admitted, “Okay, I am a little tipsy.” My eyes moved over his smiling face, then lower to take in the rest of him. He was casually dressed but classy as usual. “What are you doing here? It isn’t your scene.”

  “But it’s yours.” He stepped closer.

  My heart melted. “You stepped out of your comfort zone for me?”

  He nodded. “I’m not the only to crash the party.” He nodded to the entrance and my eyes widened.

  Theo, Ren and Enrique strolled in, grabbing quite a lot of female attention. I chuckled as Ren surveyed the room with a scowl. They looked like mob henchmen with their dark expressions and imposing statues. Even sweet Theo looked a little scary. I swear I heard a few girls sigh as they advanced in my directions.

  “I thought you’d all be off doing your own thing tonight.”

  “I was,” Jasper announced, “and I’m getting right back to it. I just wanted to get a look at you. Make sure you’re okay.” His gaze dropped my cleavage then lower. “And I’m really enjoying the view,” he purred.

  I virtually felt myself blush from the tips of my toes to the roots of my hair.

  “You look amazing. I’m having second thoughts about leaving.”

  “Then don’t,” I grabbed his hand and pulled him closer.

  “I’m going to give the guys a little room to apologize for being dicks the other night.” Jasper smirked. “That’s why they’re all here, to grovel.” He leaned in and gave me a kiss on the forehead. “Don’t be too hard on them.”

  Before I could say a word, he was gone, lost in the crowd. I glanced down at the bottle of water with a smile. Jasper sure knew how to appear and then vanish. He did it all the time. “Sly fox,” I whispered.

  Chapter 10

  The guys closed in like predators. I felt like the luckiest prey ever, surrounded by three hot specimens. I got a few envious looks from girls nearby and even one or two guys.

  “Fiona,” Theo grinned. “We need to get you back to the manor right now. You’re way too hot to be among other males.”

  “I’m ready to pluck a few eyes out,” Ren said, giving me a heated once-over.

  “Ren.” Ever with the violent threats.

  “You can’t blame the guy,” Enrique said. “Babe, you are working that outfit. Now, to get you out of it…” Enrique’s wicked grin made me shiver with delight. Suddenly, I wanted to blow the joint and find somewhere private for playtime with all of them.

  Hot-faced, I studied the tips of my pumps. “You’re all a little biased.”

  “Still, we’re honest. You look incredible, Fiona.” Theo stepped forward. “Dance with me?”

  I glanced at Ren and Enrique and they shrugged. “Sure.” Placing my hand in Theo’s, I smiled up at him. “So, I hear you guys are here to apologize.”

  His sheepish expression was adorable. Theo was always a mix of hot and adorable. “We sent Jasper in first to gauge your mood.”

  I chuckled, allowing him to twirl me into him.

  “We figured, you wouldn’t mind seeing him since he wasn’t a total dick to you the other night.”

  “So what? He gave you the thumbs up that I was approachable before he left?”

  “Pretty much.”

  I threw my head back and laughed. “For big strong shifters, you three are such cowards.”

  “Hey, we have to tread lightly with our girl s
ometimes.”

  “Your girl. I like the sound of that.”

  Beaming, Theo’s hands dipped lower to brush my bottom. “Good. Enrique was on to something when he mentioned getting you out of this outfit.”

  “Perv,” I joked, leaning into him.

  “Only for you, Angel.”

  We danced for a while, and I noticed the curious looks. There was probably a little confusion on everyone’s part. First, I was a little too close to Jasper, now I was grinding on Theo while Ren and Enrique watched us with smoldering looks. It was a big campus, but everyone was big on wanting to know who was dating who. My relationship status was probably harder to figure out.

  “I’m sorry, Fiona, about the other night. I was just as frustrated as everyone else. I apologize for speaking to you in any way―”

  “Stop, Theo. It’s okay. I wasn’t even upset.”

  “You weren’t?” He blinked. “Oh, we thought you were since you didn’t really speak to any of us outside of council meetings for the last few days.”

  “I understood. We were all frustrated and tempers ran a little high. I was just as snippy with you guys too. So, if you’re going to apologize, I should too. I’m sorry.”

  His broad shoulders relaxed under my palms. “I feel so much better now. I’ve been stewing in guilt for days.”

  “Oh, come here you big teddy bear.”

  Chuckling, he scooped me up into a bear hug, not caring who watched. My feet dangled from the floor and I hugged him back tightly. “I would kiss you but everyone is watching,” he whispered. “Another time, when I get you alone.”

  “Promise?” I purred into his ear.

  He sucked in a breath. “I promise you’ll get more than a kiss.” I couldn’t help grinning like a fool when he put me back on my feet. “I’ll let those two get their turn to apologize. My guess is they have more to apologize for than just the other night.”

  I peered in Enrique and Ren's direction. “They sure do.”

  Theo and I strolled back to the guys, still ignoring the stares.

  “Is it just me or are we the center of attention right, now?” Enrique asked.