Bitten Magic (Bloodborn Academy Book 1)

by Emera Rose

  “Yeah, they did that alright. When I wasn’t working like their slave, they had me locked up like a prisoner, so I would say they followed your request to the letter.” I roll my eyes and go to sit down in one of the side chairs.

  Jasper is pacing back and forth a few steps behind me, clearly in deep thought.

  “I’m so sorry, Zev. Truly, I never knew that this would happen. I thought you would be safe if not happy to live a normal life. If I would have known, I would never have . . .” Reggie’s head drops and even though I’m still upset that he was the reason I endured some of what I did, I could tell that he’s genuinely sorry. It was time to move forward anyway.

  “I’m sorry to break up your bonding moment here, but there are a few things that I just don’t understand.” Jasper speaks up, “There is no way that he is a werewolf. I mean, his size and instinctual skill alone tell me that he can’t be a werewolf. He’s a Lycan for sure.”

  “That’s correct.” Reggie gives Jasper a strange look as though he doesn’t understand why he would ask that. “I thought you said you knew he was a Bonovich.”

  “But if he is a Lycan like me, why would the cultists be after him or his family? It just doesn’t make sense. He should have grown up like me, probably been out with a Lycan family to sponsor him. That’s what usually happens when someone’s parents die and they’re born of a higher bloodline.”

  Reggie blinks a few times before he lets out a loud laugh. “Lycan like you? Son, you wish.” Reggie rushes over to the bookcase and pulls out a book. He opens it to a page and pushes it in front of me. Jasper gasps, but I don’t know what I’m seeing. “The Bonovich blood can be traced back to prehistoric times. He is not like any other Lycan. His blood is the same as the first. Once he takes his rightful place, Zev will be alpha to us all.”

  I look down at the book and I see someone who looks like me at the head of the pack, an aura of royalty and dominance evident even on the flat page. I look back up, thinking that this must be a joke. When Reggie bows his head slightly, I realize this isn’t a joke. Not only am I a Lycan, but I’m the rightful leader of them all.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Roxana

  Paola’s been trying to be the peacemaker between Kori and I for the last three days, but little does she realize Kori and I are at a rocky point in our friendship. She’s always been like a sister to me but making those comments about Zev set me off . . . and the woman is far too stubborn to apologize for what she said. Instead of apologizing, she’s constantly rolling her eyes at me, making remarks under her breath, and essentially driving me further up a wall.

  Paola is up in my dorm room with Kori after I made some bullshit excuse about wanting to go on a walk. It’s been my go-to excuse for the last couple days. I’ll make this super clear—I don’t want to go on a walk, but if it means I get away from the thick air in the room with Kori, then I’ll do whatever is needed of me, even if that means unnecessary workouts.

  I’ve tried to track down Zev over the last couple days but haven’t been able to find him, or Jasper for that matter. Sucking in a deep breath, I release it, hopeful it’ll take some of my stress with it. I follow the cobblestone path that slowly fades away and lift my feet up, crushing them down on the hardened gravel as my walk begins to shift into a run.

  With every step, I try to convince myself I’ll start feeling better soon, but I’m pissed. I’m fucking furious at Kori. She’s been my best friend since we were babies and can’t apologize to someone who’s important to her? I don’t get it. She saw there was a line. She saw she crossed the fucking line . . . and here she is, days later, not even giving it a care in the world.

  God, it only makes me angrier. I run, and I run, and I keep running until I’m in the center of the forest surrounding the school. I don’t know how long I’ve been running, but at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter.

  I don’t understand any of this, I think to myself. Placing my hand on my knees, I breathe in and out before my breathing turns into a heart wrenching sob fest.

  What don’t you understand? I forgot Zev could hear my thoughts, but I didn’t realize we could communicate like this.

  Nothing. It’s not important. I didn’t realize . . . I didn’t realize you could hear me, I think internally, waiting for his reply. The link we have between us is undeniable. I was trying to dissuade it, to believe it wasn’t real in the beginning, but it is and I can’t keep denying it.

  Come meet me in the courtyard, behind the cherry blossoms. I just got back to campus.

  I do as he asks and run back, wiping the back of my hands against my cheeks so the tears won’t be visible by the time I get back. It takes me about ten minutes to get to where Zev’s asked me to meet him. It’s in front of our school, a smaller version of Central Park in New York City. The cherry blossoms are in a small courtyard on the western side of the park. I only call it a park because it’s gated and at dusk the groundsmen will lock it up.

  I find Zev, standing alone, looking up at the cherry blossoms. His silver hair shines in the sun against his ivory skin and leather jacket. “Where have you been?” As I question him, he turns to face me with a half-smile crossing his face.

  “You sound as if you missed me.” He laughs lowly.

  I glance around and notice we’re the only two people here, which isn’t odd. Our classes keep us so busy, we can barely find time for the occasional college party. “I was worried about you, Zev. You just vanished,” I state matter-of-factly.

  Zev narrows his eyes in on me, “So, are you going to stop fighting this? Because I am. I don’t care about the other bullshit. I want to see where this leads us.” He stalks closer toward me, and with every step, warmth pools at my core. My body naturally reacts to him, begging him to touch me, pleading for him to come closer to me.

  “Damn, Roxana. You’re dressed like a little hottie today,” a man’s voice comes out of nowhere, so I turn my head in his direction. Zev looks over to him as well. I know he’s a senior and he’s from a highborn family based on the way he’s dressed.

  I’m wearing a purple performance shirt with high-rise leggings. It’s just a workout outfit. Nothing special.

  Zev clenches his hands at his sides, glaring at the guy complimenting my hotness.

  “Shit, makes your ass look real nice,” a friend of his comments, coming up behind him.

  Dammit. I thought we were alone.

  “Why don’t you come over here and leave that werewolf alone? He’s not worthy of being near you,” the first one comments.

  Tired of biting my tongue, I speak up, and I speak clearly. “I’m Roxana Grim and I don’t need anyone speaking for me. Certainly not you two idiots. Now, get the hell away from me before I get you both expelled from school.”

  “You wouldn’t!” the second comments.

  I cock a brow. “Wanna bet? And if you don’t skedaddle, I have a feeling Zev here will lose his temper on you. And boys, you don’t want that to happen.”

  The first guy cackles, relaxing against a tree. “Ah, I see. He’s your puppy, doing whatever you want, huh?”

  “Get the fuck out of here, now!” Zev roars, so mighty in fact that the ground around us shakes. The two guys rush off as fast as they can and I’m stuck staring at him, wondering if we’re going to address what the hell just happened.

  He starts to go forward, like he’s going to chase after them and beat the living shit out of them, so I grab onto his hand and the moment my skin touches his, it’s like I’ve been struck with electricity again, finally jolting me to life.

  Holding his hand firmly in mine, I look directly into his eyes. “They’ve run off, and they’re not worth it.”

  The mere fact he wanted to chase them down and show them who’s boss only ignites how much I find him attractive. When a man wants to defend you, it’s hot, but Zev doing it is . . . fucking . . . indescribable. My eyes find his soft, luscious lips and I’m stuck staring at them. For a man, they’re well rounded, not thin like so
many others I’ve seen.

  Out of nowhere, he’s wrapped his other hand around my neck and is pushing my back into the rough bark of a tree. His lips find mine, eager, hunting like a monster looking for its prey. He releases my hands and they fall to my sides. His movements are so quick, I can barely keep up with his hunger.

  Snaking my arms around his neck, I pull my lips away from his. His eyes are filled with mischief. “Roxana, stop fighting this. I don’t want to keep playing these games.” With a gentle stroke of his hand, he’s brushing his fingertips against my skin and slowly he’s pulling down the walls I’ve worked so hard to build up.

  I can’t keep fighting this anymore.

  I can’t keep myself from him.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Zev

  My hands push up her top. I’m still pissed those bastards even had the gall to say anything to her, but they were right about one thing. She is looking fine as hell in this little outfit.

  I growl and pull her closer to me. I nip at her lip and she pulls back in surprise.

  She blinks a few times and moves away from me. “What the hell is this? No, I can’t do this. I won’t.” She turns and unexpectedly runs away.

  I crouch and my muscles coil like I’m about to jump. Seeing her run away from me while I’m as turned on as I am right now does something to me. I have the incredible urge to chase her down, almost like I want to hunt her.

  I smile and stand up straight. Roxana isn’t my prey, but it doesn’t mean I won’t have her. If she wants to run, I will give chase. I meant what I said about being tired of fighting this. I know she is mine with every fiber of my being and I know she feels it too. There is nothing that can keep me away from her now, nothing that will stop me from reaching my mate.

  I want to run. I don’t want to alarm anyone that may be walking around outside on campus, but I need Roxana now. My body aches with my need to bury myself inside of her. My strides are long and fast. I don’t see her anymore, but I don’t need to see where she went. I can smell her. Her scent is like an invisible trail laid out just for me to follow.

  I push on the door that I know she has gone through, but it doesn’t budge. It’s locked. I look around just to make sure there is no one around and then I push again, this time using some of my strength to break the lock. She made her way into Grey Hall, which is where most of the athletic classes take place as well as all of the indoor competitive games the college competes in. The entire building should be empty, but I don’t want to take the chance of getting caught snooping. I use my senses to find her. She’s in the girls’ locker room. I scoff at the sign on the door, like that is going to keep me out.

  I get as quiet as I can to make sure there are no other women in the locker room with her and am pleased not to hear anyone but her. What bothers me is the fact that she is in there crying. The hard ass, bitchy Grim Lycan princess is hidden behind closed doors, crying over me. The knowledge of that is humbling.

  I push the door open and walk in.

  “What the fuck! What are you doing in here? You can’t be here!” she says firmly as she wipes the back of her hands roughly against her eyes. I don’t answer her, just reach behind me and turn the lock on the door. The last thing I need is for someone to walk in on us.

  “Why are you crying?” I ask. I hear the huskiness in my voice and though I want nothing more than to just rip her clothes off, I need to make sure she is okay first. The tears on her face are all wrong. They shouldn’t be there.

  “No reason. I’m a fucking girl, sometimes I just fucking cry,” she says as she rolls her eyes and looks away.

  I storm over to her, stopping just short. “Stop your shit, Roxana. You’re not in here just crying for no reason. Tell me why you’re upset.” I grab the back of her neck and try to soften my grip. “I know you know what I am to you. Don’t shut me out.”

  She pulls away, a fresh stream of tears cascading from her eyes. “That is why I’m crying. I do know! I’ve never felt anything like this in all my life. I’ve never felt more in sync with someone, more myself, more powerful, more turned on.” She swallows hard as she stops and looks at me. “But this can’t be. I’m a Lycan, a Grim no less, and you’re what . . . a werewolf? A human? I have no idea, but I do know that they will never let us be together, that no matter how bad I want you and need you, they will never allow it.”

  I grab her again and press her back against the row of lockers. “Roxana, you think they can? You think there is anyone on this earth, supernatural or not, who could keep me away from you? They would have to kill me a thousand times to tear me away from you, and even in death you would still be mine.” I stare deep into her eyes so she knows that I mean it. I want her to know that I will do anything for her. She studies me for a second before her lips part and a strangled moan erupts from her mouth, the sound a beckoning call to my inner wolf.

  “Take me, Zev. I’m yours.” Somewhere deep down, I register her complete submission and it drives me wild.

  “Fuck, yes,” I hiss as my mouth collides with hers. Our lips mold to each other’s as we desperately try to get closer. I push my tongue into her mouth, driving it past her teeth to swipe and massage the inside of her mouth. I want to taste every part of her.

  She pushes her hands up under my shirt, her fingers like burning embers against my sensitive skin. I want to push away, it’s so intense, but I also want more.

  Zev, I can’t wait. I ache for you. Please.

  Roxana’s voice echoes in my head as her tongue and lips continue to dance along with mine. I bang my hand above her head into the locker, denting the pliable metal in the process. This is becoming overwhelming. Roxana tugs against my shirt lightly. At least that is what it feels like, but the small motion is enough to leave the fabric in tatters at my feet. I use one finger to rip her small top down the center, letting her gorgeous breasts bounce free from their previous binds.

  She pulls her face away from mine and lets out a small gasp as the cool air pebbles her rose-colored nipples. I run my hands along her sides, my fingers exploring each ridge of her rib cage, loving the way her expression changes the closer my hands get to her breasts. I lower my head slightly just as my hand makes its way up to one of her gorgeous mounds and I mold my mouth to the supple flesh. She moans loudly as my tongue swirls and tugs at her.

  “Zev, dammit.” She slams her hand against the locker behind her. I can feel the need and frustration rolling off her in waves. I’m pretty sure that if I don’t have sex with her soon, she’s going to rip my jeans off and take it. Not that I would object to that too much.

  After I properly lavish her chest with the attention that I feel she deserves, I move down to her leggings. I make quick work of her leggings and quickly help her pull them down.

  “Off now,” I demand.

  She quickly kicks them off and yanks at my arms to get me to come back up, but that isn’t what I want. It’s not what I need right now. I bury my face into her core and my instinctual need to smell her overtakes me. I press my nose against her wet lips and I inhale deeply. “Fuck, you smell like perfection.” I would normally be too embarrassed to do something like this to a woman, but with Roxana, I rarely have a choice over what I do. I squeeze myself in between her legs, letting the back of her thighs settle on my shoulders.

  “Zev? What’re you doing? What . . .” She lets out a short yelp as I stand up tall with her legs draped over my shoulder and her pussy directly on my face. I slam her back against the lockers hard. She sucks in a deep breath and I look up. I’m being too rough, I know I am, but she doesn’t cry out in pain. I look up only for a second before she dives her hand into my hair and pushes my head back toward her core.

  Her panties are still on, but there is no way I’m putting her down without getting my fill. I use my teeth to rip the small scrap of fabric she calls underwear off her body. Her body jerks at the ferocity of it.

  I lick my lips in anticipation as her swollen pussy glistens slightly with her arousal. I
f she tastes half as good as she smells, I’ll never be able to let her down. I let my tongue slip from between my lips and I lightly trace around her clit. Just that small taste of her has my mind in a frenzy and my body as well. It must have been the same for her because that one swipe of my tongue was enough to push her over the edge.

  “Zev, mmm, shit!” Her body trembles hard as her thighs grip my shoulders tightly and her hands reach out for anything for her to hold onto.

  “Fuck, I need more.” My mind is no longer focused on anything around us. I don’t care if anyone walks in. I don’t care if the world’s imploding right now. All that matters is I get a better taste of her sweet cunt.

  I let my tongue lick at her slit, quickly lapping up any juices that try to dribble their way out. I swirl my tongue and dip it inside of her. I flick and suck her clit and the sounds that she makes drive me to keep on going, but my own need is quickly overtaking my senses. I’m so turned on, I feel myself grinding against the lockers just to get some relief from all the pressure.

  Shrugging, I catch her as she falls from my shoulders. I wrap my arm around her waist and make my way toward the training room. There are pads there, and though I’d fuck her on a bed of nails right now if I had to, but the floor pads in there would do as well.

  “Zev, wait, maybe . . .” Roxana grips my arms as I basically barrel through the locker room toward my destination.

  “No! You’re mine. Don’t deny me,” I bark at her.

  Anger begins to boil up inside of me. How dare she tell me that I should wait? I’ve waited so long already to claim what’s mine. I breathe through my frustration but my body doesn’t move. Does she really want me to stop? I don’t want her to feel like I forced her. “Roxana, say it. Say you’re mine,” I order and wait for her to do as I’ve demanded of her.