Zodiac Academy 6: Fated Throne
Fated Throne: Chapter 34

I jogged out to Earth Territory for my Order Enhancement lesson, excited to fly with my herd. I was in a fucking awesome mood today. Since I’d passed The Reckoning, shit just seemed to be getting better and better. Darius and the others had found the Imperial Star, my mom had escaped my father, and my horn had grown two centimetres in the last week. Life was sweet. And to top it all off, I’d spent yesterday evening dijazzling my junk with shiny topaz rhinestones and a big ass diamond which now adorned the base of my dick.

I wasn’t sure I’d done it right exactly, but I’d figured it out from an article in Zodiass Weekly. And I couldn’t wait to show it off. Getting naked was kinda second nature now and all the other stallions were showing off their glittering bits all the time to get the females’ attention. So it was time I Faed up and did it too. It didn’t feel completely right on me, but I was sure I’d get used to it in time.

I hurried up the hill where all the other Pegasuses were gathering for class. Professor Clip-Clop – whose name was actually Clippard but he seemed to like his students’ little nickname for him – was there with his violet hair, square chin and narrow shoulders, already stripping down as he prepared to shift.

“Morning Xavier!” he called brightly. “Ready to get into the sky?”

“Yes, sir.” I grinned, heading over to join my herd but my mood took a dive as my gaze fell on a shirtless Tyler whispering in Sofia’s ear and kissing her neck. She was in rainbow coloured underwear that made my dick twitch happily, but the way he was touching her made my lips tighten. He was such a possessive asshole, with his muscles and his hair that always looked casually windswept like he’d just flown through the freshest, fluffiest cloud. I just wanted to punch him in his damn face.

Sofia waved me over and I pulled my shirt off, revealing my broad chest which I’d been working on daily in the Lunar Leisure gym.

Before I made it to Sofia, Liselle jumped into my way, her silvery hair running down her spine and her large eyes framed with blue glitter that matched her shifted form.

“Hey Xavier, wanna fly beside me today?” She batted her lashes and I looked over her head to Sofia.

“Yeah, sure,” I muttered as she ran her finger up between my abs.

Sofia snorted indignantly and my heart lifted as she glared at Liselle. Was she…jealous?

Liselle tiptoed up to draw my attention back to her. She really was pretty, with full lips, dark skin and a scent that reminded me of candy canes. But there was only one girl I craved and I planned on claiming her and this herd just as soon as I could.

Liselle pushed her fingers into my hair, tipping her head to one side. “You’d look good with a long mane, have you ever thought about growing it out fully?”

She was suddenly ripped away from me by the hair and I found Sofia there, knocking her to the ground and turning around to kick dirt over her. Holy shit.

“Brutal, baby,” Tyler laughed, taking out his Atlas to record it.

“You classless hinny!” Liselle shrieked, diving at Sofia, but my girl was ready, kicking her hard in the gut and sending her flying back onto the ground. Sofia did a victory trot around her and my gaze followed her ass as more of the males drew closer.

Hubert’s arm brushed mine as he stepped in beside me. He was a head shorter than me with a waxed chest and a colourful tattoo of a fairy over his right pec. He was naked, his small, sparkly dick proudly on display. Which was fucking stiff as he stared at Sofia.

I snorted angrily and shoved him to the ground, making him whinny at me in fury. He didn’t get up as I postured over him though, turning his head down submissively.

“Let’s get into the sky, gang!” Professor Clip-Clop called and I knew it was now or never to show off my new dijazzle. Man, I never thought I’d enjoy decorating my dick over playing Fortnite, but things had changed.

Nerves warred inside me as I kicked off my shoes and dropped my pants and boxers, stepping out of them and pressing my shoulders back as I looked to Sofia. She’d moved back to Tyler’s side, but her eyes were firmly fixed on me, widening as they fell to my flashy dick.

A few of the lesser females cooed but I didn’t have eyes for them. I just wanted Sofia’s approval, and as she bit her lip and stepped toward me, my heart raced.

“Looking good, Xavier,” she purred and I tried not to get hard, but shit I was a sucker for this girl.

Tyler stamped his foot as the rest of the females started crowding around me and Liselle even reached out to try and touch it before I smacked her hand away.

My head was about to explode with pride when I felt one of the gemstones come loose and drop into the grass. Oh no.

Another fell after it, then another, until a cascade of rhinestones were tumbling down to land between my feet and everyone around me stared on in shock. No, no, no! Abort, abort!

I whinnied in alarm as the last of them fell and finally the diamond plopped off and that was that. Silence fell, and I swear an obnoxious tumbleweed rolled by.

Tyler burst out laughing first, the sound making rage flood through every inch of my being. “What kind of useless sticking spell did you use, buddy?”

Heat burst through my cheeks as I tried to maintain my dignity, but others were laughing now and I was tempted to open up a hole in the ground with my earth magic and let it swallow me away.

“I just used Begluezzle glue,” I murmured then wished I hadn’t because Tyler just laughed harder.

“That stuff is like sugar water,” he chuckled and I stamped my foot in anger as more people joined in laughing.

Tyler lifted his Atlas, about to document this and make me the laughing stock of the whole school. But fuck that. I released a furious neigh then charged at him full pelt. He wasn’t quick enough to get out of my way and I tackled him to the ground, headbutting him hard.

I threw my fists at him and he fought back with an angry whinny, struggling to try and roll us over. His knuckles crashed into my jaw and I twisted my head, biting his arm and he neighed loudly, forcing us to roll at last. I let the shift run through me, refusing to let him get the upper hand as my body twisted into my lilac Pegasus form. I kicked him away with my hooves and he shifted too, tearing through his pants and landing on four powerful silver legs.

He came at me with his head low and his horn glinting sharply. I swung my head toward him and our horns collided with a sharp ringing noise. I wanted to snap this asshole’s horn right off and beat him down until he submitted to me. Nothing was going to stop me this time.

I reared up, trying to kick him but he reared up too, his hooves cracking against mine.

Sofia whinnied excitedly nearby, clapping as she bounced on the balls of her feet. Tyler’s hoof smashed into my shoulder and I neighed in fury, returning a hard kick to his chest.

“Alright now, off into the sky!” Clip-Clop called, running forward and smacking my flank.

I reared up again in anger but he stared me down with a look that said he was gonna throw us into detention if we didn’t obey. He went to slap Tyler’s ass too, but he galloped away, neighing a command for the rest of the herd to follow. I galloped behind him and Sofia soon caught up with me in her sparkly pink form, her nose in line with mine as we chased Tyler.

I had to let him go, hating that this fight was over. But the war had only just begun.

Sofia whinnied and nuzzled her face against mine for a moment before charging ahead to run at Tyler’s side. Mixed messages was definitely her middle name. But apparently the sparkling shower of gemstones which had fallen from my junk didn’t mean it was game over for us just yet. So I had to take it as a win.

***

I sat in Tarot with Hadley on my right and Grayson on my left. It was one of the few classes where we weren’t divided up into our Orders, and Professor Nox conveniently foresaw anyone’s death in the stars if a single K.U.N.T. made any kind of fuss about it.

I’d finally mastered a silencing bubble thanks to Darius mentoring me on it, so me and the guys could talk undisturbed within it as we read the cards for each other. Athena sat with Ellis across the room, looking bored as hell by whatever Max’s sister was saying, occasionally throwing us wistful glances. The four of us had become really tight recently, meeting at the caves every lunchtime and evening, our hideout now filled with all kinds of shit we’d stolen from around campus. Grayson and Athena had even managed to get a few beds down there, sneaking them out of Aer Tower in the night with their air magic and stowing them in the caves.

Despite my attempts with her, Ellis didn’t ever seem inclined to hang out with us, and we’d pretty much accepted that she wasn’t interested in being our friend. Or maybe she was just too afraid of Lionel’s Orderist law to thwart it. Occasionally she tried to draw me into a conversation about how great my father was and I fed her a few bullshit lies that implied I agreed before making a hasty exit. She’d probably be joining up to the K.U.N.T. one of these days.

Grayson elbowed me in the ribs as he took his Atlas out. “That witch has banned Halloween, I fucking knew it,” he growled, showing me the announcement on the screen and I realised most people in class were checking their Atlases. Even Gabriel Nox was looking at his with a scowl that could have broken glass.

All students are reminded that social events are restricted to Orders and parties are forbidden to no more than three students at a time. Halloween is a sacred occasion intended for remembering the passing of the dead. Ensure you spend your evening respecting those lost. Costumes are strictly banned. Any student seen dressing up or pretending to be anything other than their blood born Order will face severe consequences.

Have a wonderful day.

Glory to the star-chosen King.

Principal Elaine Nova.

A bunch of students looked my way, some of their expressions hateful, others fearful, some adoring. I despised being Lionel’s little prince. I wished I could make a stand and tell the world I wanted nothing to do with him and publicly reject everything he stood for. But that would be the same as placing a noose around my neck and jumping off a bridge. I didn’t wanna die. And at least I had Sofia and the other spares to confide in. But I could never be too careful about who I aired my opinions to.

The class broke out into chatter and I disbanded the silencing bubble around my friends.

Professor Nox tucked his Atlas into his back pocket and folded his arms. “Quiet,” he said in a commanding tone and everyone obeyed. “You heard the rules. All joy is cancelled tonight. Class dismissed.”

Everyone stood from their chairs and I shared a frown with Hadley who looked ready to go on a killing spree.

“It’s our freshman fucking year and we’ve literally had no fun,” Grayson grumbled.

“Capella twins, Mr Altair and Mr Acrux, stay behind please,” Professor Nox said sternly and I looked down at my half filled out Tarot worksheet on the desk. Shit.

Everyone headed through the exit, moaning about the giant dump that had just been taken all over Halloween.

“This year sucks.” Grayson kicked a chair. Nox arched an eyebrow at him and he whined like a dog.

“Take your anger out on someone else’s furniture, Grayson,” Nox warned and he folded his arms with a huff.

“You’re such a pup sometimes, Gray,” Athena teased.

“Shall I call your mommy up and tell her you wanna go home and suckle on her teats?” Hadley jibed and Grayson lunged at him with his teeth bared. Hadley shot calmly out of his way with his Vampire gifts, appearing behind Athena where she was sitting on her desk. He lunged forward with his fangs bared, excitement in his eyes, but slammed into a close-knit air shield she’d erected and stumbled away from her again with a curse.

“Not happening, Hadley,” she said lightly and he growled.

Professor Nox moved to shut the door and cast a silencing bubble around us, making me frown.

“What’s going on?” I asked in confusion.

“The stars have gifted me a vision about you four,” he said with a smirk.

Darius had told me this dude was trustworthy and I knew he was a friend of Lance’s, so I felt pretty certain that he was on our side. But it was still weird for a teacher to be all friendly and shit.

“What did you see?” Athena gasped, swinging her legs excitedly.

“That you will all be attending a party tonight after all.” Nox grinned conspiratorially.

“Fuck yes, where?” Grayson asked, bounding towards him, having no trust issues whatsoever.

“Do you know Geraldine Grus?” Nox asked.

“The crazy Ass lady?” Hadley balked and I stamped my foot at him.

“Don’t call her that,” I demanded and he raised his eyebrows at me in surprise.

I hadn’t been able to tell them my mom wasn’t actually dead and had taken refuge with Geraldine’s father. It was too risky letting anyone know about it, but I sure as shit wasn’t gonna stand for anyone badmouthing any of the Gruses. They’d taken my mom in and not once questioned her loyalty. I owed them everything for that. Besides, I knew crazy and it wasn’t them. It was my Uncle Benjamin who’d lost the plot when my father had banished him from the Dragon Guild after apparently losing over two hundred gold bars and three hundred bags of stardust in a game of Minojack. The guy had shown up at our door a bunch of times over the years, begging for forgiveness while jacked up on some sort of drugs, promising he could win my father the world if he just leant him a few auras.

“Woah, chill man,” Grayson said with a smirk.

“Geraldine is looking for recruits to a good cause,” Nox explained.

“I’m not becoming a part of her loony royalist society,” Hadley said coolly.

“You don’t have to. Her cause runs far deeper than that,” Nox explained then lowered his tone to a whisper. “A rebellion.”

My heart rate ticked up in excitement as I shared a look with my friends. “Like, against my father?”

“Exactly,” Nox said, his eyes glittering mischievously. “And as faculty I am absolutely not allowed to be involved. So of course, I have involved myself up to the neck and am working hard to see who may make suitable recruits.”

“Are our brothers in it?” Athena asked.

“Yes,” Nox said and I pursed my lips at not being included sooner. “They’re having a party tonight. Head to the northern door of the Pitball stadium at seven and tell Geraldine that Agent Foxy sent you.” He sighed as we laughed. “I didn’t pick it, Geraldine did. I tried to change fate before she decided but she’s a very stubborn girl.”

“Fuck yes,” Grayson whooped and Athena howled excitedly.

Hadley watched her with a hungry look as he shot to my side and I gave him a taunting smile. We headed out of class and had to split up as we walked back to our Houses. The K.U.N.T.s were out in force tonight, but that just made me more excited about sneaking past them later on. I really wanted to feel like I was defying my father, and this seemed like the best opportunity yet.

At half six I showered and packed my Pegobag with some clothes for the party and lay on my bed with a towel wrapped around my waist, anxious to go. I’d styled my hair back and pushed some shimmer wax through it that made it glitter.

I was wasting time Faegling dijazzles on my Atlas, still mortified as shit over what had happened yesterday. But I wasn’t gonna call it quits. I was going to have the best looking dick in the herd, I just had to figure out how to make that happen…

I tapped on a link for the ten hottest dijazzles of the year and my brows shot up as I scrolled onto number eight. Instead of gemstones, the guy had pierced his dick with crystals and it looked pretty damn sweet.

A message popped up at the top of the screen and my heart thudded harder.

Sofia:

I’m a little drunk.

Halloween is my favourite holiday.

I’m naked right now.

I sat upright with a stupid grin, tapping out my answer. Two truths and a lie was our game and as much as I wanted option number three to be true, I didn’t think I was that lucky of a guy.

Xavier:

The third one is the lie…

Sofia:

You’re right. Are you disappointed?

My dick tingled at her words and I sucked my lower lip, about to respond when a bang sounded against my window followed by a groan.

“What the fuck?” I jumped up, finding Hadley clinging to the frame outside.

“I came at it too hard. Let me in,” he called, rubbing his nose and I snorted a laugh as I opened it for him.

He dropped into my room dressed in a crisp white shirt and slacks, his dark hair pushed back. He had a look of his brother Caleb tonight, everything about him dripping cockiness.

“Why are you naked, man? Get dressed.”

“I’m gonna fly there.” I pointed to my Pegobag and Hadley scowled at it, swiping it up.

“No. You need to look hot tonight.” He shook my clothes from inside it which consisted of a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, then clucked his tongue and walked past me to my closet.

“Er, why?” I asked in confusion as he rifled through my things, taking out a black shirt and smart pants before throwing them at me.

“Because you need to get your cherry popped,” he said with a grin and I scowled.

“Who says I haven’t-”

“Everyone,” he deadpanned. “Literally everyone says you haven’t so maybe you should fix that. Like stat.”

I didn’t answer as heat climbed my neck, pulling on the clothes he’d picked out for me.

“Yeah, that’ll do it.” He clapped me on the shoulder. “Now get on my back, I’m your ride for the night, sugar.”

I whinnied a laugh. “You’re an asshole.”

“Yeah, but assholes get laid,” he pointed out, turning around and patting his shoulder. “Come on, hop on.”

“There’s only one girl I want, man,” I muttered and he sighed.

“I know, I know, but Sofia is taken. And if you wanna steal her then you also wanna impress her in bed, right?”

“Well yeah, but-”

“No buts, you need to fuck as many girls as you can as practise,” he said casually and I frowned. “Then you can lay on the charm, show her your magical dick and bam, she’ll be yours for as long as you want her.”

“I don’t just wanna fuck her. I want her to be mine,” I growled and he glanced back at me with a derisive look.

“Seriously? You want to settle down with this girl when you haven’t even screwed any other Fae?” he asked.

“You’re starting to sound like Grayson,” I said.

“Grayson’s pack of fangirling mutts don’t appeal to me,” he scoffed. “I like a girl who’s a challenge. But once I’ve had her, then it’s time to find new prey. Maybe you’re like that too? Once you’ve had Sofia and she’s fucked you until you shit glitter, you’ll get over her.”

“It’s not like that with her,” I said, a growl to my tone that was almost Dragon worthy.

“How would you know?” He arched a brow and dammit I didn’t have a fucking answer to that. “See? You’re an Alpha, it’s in your blood like it’s in mine. But you’re gonna be an Omega in the bedroom if you don’t get laid multiple times. And preferably before you try it on with a girl you actually like.”

Maybe he had a point. But I also couldn’t see myself wanting any other girl. There was just something about Sofia. And whenever I saw her in Tyler’s arms I wanted to force him beneath me and take her away from him. Make her want me instead. But what if Hadley was right? What if I managed to take her then had no fucking clue what to do with her body? Oh shit, I could mess up everything. What if I accidentally put it in her butt?

“Let’s just go,” I muttered, moving to get on his back.

“I’m gonna run at my top speed,” Hadley warned as he climbed out of the window and stood on the small ledge beyond it. The three floor drop below made my gut swoop, but I was more than used to heights by now. “Ready?”

“Ready,” I said with a smirk then he leapt forward, plummeting through the air before softening the earth to break his fall and charging off across campus.

The world became a blur around me and I laughed at the rush rocketing through my blood. This was insane.

A thrill buzzed in every piece of my flesh before he jerked to a halt on the north side of the Pitball stadium, stumbled down a hill and we went crashing into the mud. I neighed a laugh as he rolled, pushing himself to his feet and looking down at himself in horror.

“Fuck,” he hissed.

“It’s okay, I got you.” I leapt up, moving toward him. “I learned a cleaning spell this week.” I reached out, starting to syphon the mud off of his clothes and his eyes widened hopefully. “Who are you trying to impress anyway?” I taunted as he fixed his hair and his muscles bunched.

“No one. But we’re not gonna get laid looking like shit,” he growled pissily. His hot head went off more times a day then I could count, but I’d lived my whole life under the roof of the angriest Dragon in Solaria, so it was nothing I couldn’t handle.

“Right, that’s why you look ready to break someone’s neck,” I commented with a sideways grin and he shrugged, his scowl in place to stay.

I finished getting the mud off of us and we headed up to the metal door in the tall wall of the stadium. I rapped my knuckles against it, my heart cantering in my chest as we waited for an answer.

A slot whipped open in the centre of it and two bright eyes peered out. “Speak your names!” Geraldine cried.

“Xavier Acrux,” I said.

“Hadley Altair.”

“You’re not on the list, away with you heathens,” she hissed.

“Agent Foxy sent us,” I said quickly and her eyes narrowed.

She finally stepped back and flicked her fingers through the slot. A spell hit me in the chest the same time it hit Hadley and we were forced back a step by the strength of it. A chill ran along my skin and I shivered.

“What was that?” I demanded.

“It unveils any illusion you may have been disguising yourselves under,” Geraldine explained. “You have passed the test. Come hither!” The door flew open and Geraldine stood there in lacy mask that covered the top half of her face and a flowing bubblegum pink gown which clung tightly to her figure. “Oh my dear Xavier.” She pulled me into a tight hug, squeezing me tight. “I am overjoyed that you have joined us at last.”

“Thanks,” I said as she released me and I gave her a bright smile. When I got a chance later, I was going to get her alone to ask about my mom, but I couldn’t risk saying anything right now.

Hadley pulled the door closed behind us and I gazed down the long corridor, nothing but silence meeting my ears. Where the hell was everybody?

“You’re the last ones in,” Geraldine said, stepping forward and casting a spell on the door which I guessed was to lock it. “You’ll need these.” She plucked a couple of masks from between her breasts and passed us one each. “I am utterly aggrieved that we can’t all dress up in our most outrageous costumes, but the A.S.S. committee agreed it wasn’t worth the risk of getting caught out and about across campus in our frillies tonight.” She sighed heavily. “Our identities must all remain hidden to protect each other though. So we shall don our masks and stick it to the big man while we’re here all the same.”

“Yeah, fuck my father,” I said with a grin as I put my mask on.

“All this defiance gets my wet Wanda working,” Geraldine exclaimed as she led us along dark corridors before pushing through a door into a stairwell and guiding us down a couple of flights.

“How did you get on the Pitball team, Geraldine?” Hadley asked. “I wanna try out next term.”

“You must have the heart of a lion and the balls of a bull, young Altair,” she said seriously, lifting her chin as pride gleamed in her eyes.

“Check and check,” he said with a smirk and I rolled my eyes at him.

We headed through a door and my heart leapt as Geraldine let us into a silencing bubble and the sound of a crowd exploded in my ears. We were in a huge underground space the size of the Pitball pitch. It must have been right underneath it. The whole place was decorated with earth magic so it looked like a jungle, moss and vines covering the roof and floor, trees dotted around the place with ornate wooden stools ringing them. A band was playing in front of a dancefloor and to one side of it was a long bar stacked high with alcohol.

“Woah,” I breathed.

“I shall see you soon, boys, I’m off for a romp on the dancefloor.” Geraldine headed away, soon joining Max Rigel and swishing her hips to knock aside a girl who was dancing close to him. The other Heirs and who I guessed was Darcy were beyond them, all drinking shots and jumping wildly to the beat. I only recognised the Heirs because I knew them so well, but they’d all changed their hair and had cast illusions over their appearances to blend in.

“This is fucking awesome,” Hadley growled.

My gaze suddenly locked on Sofia in a pastel blue dress, her blonde pixie cut shimmering with glitter. I knew it was her from the deep connection I felt in my chest the moment I laid eyes on her. She was at the bar with a group of girls and there was no sign of fucking Tyler for once. She’s here. And she looks like a damn dream.

“I’m gonna go say hi to Sofia,” I said, turning to Hadley, finding his gaze locked on someone and his brow drawn low.

I recognised Athena sitting on one of the stools around the nearest tree, wearing a black dress that split up one thigh. Hadley’s friend Trent sat beside her without a mask on, his hand on her knee and Grayson was beyond them, talking animatedly as his pack of females all sighed or laughed at every word he said.

“You good?” I nudged Hadley and he grunted.

“See you in a bit,” he muttered then shot off ahead of me, dropping into the seat beside Athena, his shoulders squared at Trent. If I wasn’t being totally crazy, it kinda looked like he was jealous. Or maybe it was just a blood thing. He was desperate to sink his teeth into Athena and Trent probably was too. I’d never understand the Vampires. The idea of drinking blood made me wanna vom. Give me a sparkly rainbow cloud any day of the week.

I started walking through the jungle toward Sofia, my pulse thumping against my eardrums as I went. Hadley’s advice kept haunting me as I walked. That I should hook up with some random girls just so I wasn’t a complete inexperienced virgin when it came to claiming Sofia. But as I drew closer to her, I didn’t even see anyone else. How was I supposed to screw another girl when it felt like this one already owned every piece of me? I knew it was fucking crazy. But I just couldn’t get her out of my head. She was my lucky star. And maybe she’d get over the fact that I wasn’t like the other guys she’d been with when I stole the title of Dom and crushed the rest of the herd beneath my hooves.

I walked straight up to her before I could second guess myself, planting my hand on the bar and gazing down at her as the other girls backed up around me.

“Hey,” I said, my eyes falling down to her lips as they parted in surprise.

“Xavier,” she gasped. “You’re here.”

“Guess I’m part of the club now,” I said with a smirk worthy of Hadley. I could totally do this cool dude act. Though a drink or two might have helped.

“I guess you are.” She grinned.

The other girls started giggling, and I recognised Liselle as she stamped her foot in irritation, trying to catch my eye.

“Do you want a shot?” I asked Sofia, ignoring the others, my whole world consumed by this beauty before me.

She battered her lashes beneath her mask which were laced with pink glitter and nodded.

I grabbed a bottle of tequila and two wooden shot glasses from a stack at the back of the bar. It seemed like a help-yourself-deal so I was gonna help myself to as much alcohol as it took to stop my nerves giving me away.

I poured us one each and our eyes remained locked as we knocked them back. I had two more before I felt myself starting to relax and I soaked in the rock music from the band as I took a step closer to Sofia.

“Tyler’s not a part of the club?” I asked, resting my hand on her hip and she moved into the arc of my body immediately. Fuck yes.

“Yeah he is, but he went off with Hubert and Brutus earlier,” she said with a challenging smile.

I nodded slowly, fighting the urge to look around for him. If Tyler got pissed I was making a move on his girl again, he was going to have to fight me. Because my instincts were burning and I wasn’t going to ignore the way they drove me toward her. As a prospective Dom, she had to take my interest seriously; it was the way of the mares. But I technically hadn’t officially challenged Tyler yet. I’d wanted to settle into the herd first and make sure I wasn’t kidding myself. But I didn’t think there was any point waiting on it now. I’d do anything to claim her. And more than that, I wanted to lead the herd. It was in my blood.

“Dance with me,” I all but ordered, capturing her hand as she nodded and pulling her toward the dancefloor.

We moved through the crowd and she wound her arms around my neck as I tugged her close, our bodies pressing flush together. My dick liked that a lot and I smiled darkly as we started moving to the beat. I guessed grace had always been in my nature, plus years of attending boring ass balls with my family meant I knew how to dance. And Sofia seriously did too.

Her fingernails raked against the back of my neck in the most enticing way, my forehead falling to hers as her curves melted against my muscles. It felt so damn right, I wanted to shout it to everyone in this room and proclaim her as mine. But I knew I couldn’t do that without beating Tyler down first.

“You didn’t answer my question earlier, Phillip,” she teased, using the name Darius had given me when she’d texted me through all those months.

She’d been a total lifeline to me in my solitude. The one glimmer of hope in a sea of dark. I’d known nothing of my Order, been unable to shift unless I was alone somewhere long enough, but never able to fly. She told me everything about Pegasuses, she’d made me love being one, made me ache to cast my shackles off and come join her in the sky. My wish had finally come true. And it was better than I ever could have dreamed it would be.

“What question?” I asked, my mind blanking as I traced her features, from the curve of her lips to her big blue eyes. She was pixie sized and fucking perfect.

Her lashes lowered half way, framing her gaze in glitter as her mouth quirked up at the corner. She tiptoed to whisper in my ear and her breath against my skin sent a quiver right through me. “Were you disappointed I wasn’t naked when I texted you?”

My throat bobbed as I turned my head, brushing my lips against her candyfloss scented skin. “No,” I admitted. “Because I thought you might be with him.”

Her fingers pushed into the back of my hair, her body arching against me so her breasts pressed to my chest, getting me rock hard for her just like that. Oh shit.

“And what if I wanted to be naked with you?” she whispered.

I was a goner. My dick was making itself known and she leaned back with a little gasp of excitement, her eyes boring into mine.

“Do you wanna go somewhere quieter?” she asked and I nodded because hell yes I did. But oh fuck the stars I don’t know what I’m doing.

She snagged my hand and towed me off the dancefloor, my gaze falling to her ass in that tight dress, making me want to bite down on my knuckles. She looked so edible, maybe I could understand Hadley’s needs after all because right now all I wanted to do was sink my teeth into this girl and taste her.

We slipped through a side door into a stairwell and Sofia pressed her back to the wall, reeling me in by the hand. I observed her with a fierce desire as I took my time to memorise every inch of the way she looked tonight, and she bit her lip in anticipation.

I pressed one hand to the wall above her head, running my fingers along her jaw with my other hand as I angled her lips up toward mine. I may not have screwed a girl before, but I knew how to kiss one. I’d made out with girls at my old school before Father had kept me home after my Order had Emerged.

Her breath caught and the air seemed to spark like a livewire hung between us. “You are the most beautiful creature I’ve ever seen,” I growled and she reached out to fist her hand in my shirt. “And you gave me something to look forward to when I thought I had nothing in my future. I dreamed about meeting you every night, Sofia. And it didn’t come close to the reality. You’re my sunshine in the dark.”

She yanked me closer, but she didn’t have to, I was already moving, crushing her to the wall and pressing my lips to hers. Her mouth parted for me and I slid my tongue in to taste her, her tongue meeting mine with hungry strokes as we devoured each other.

My hard on ground into her thigh and she reached between us, running her palm up and down it and making me groan needily. I wanted to touch her too, but I also didn’t want to fuck it up and make her realise how much of a virgin I was. But if I didn’t touch her, what was she gonna think?

I focused on kissing her until she was panting and I swear I was gonna come in my pants with the way her fingers grasped and caressed my cock. My head was spinning and I couldn’t get enough.

I reached down to hook her thigh over my hip and she sighed my name, the sound the best thing I’d ever heard.

“Do you like that, baby?” Tyler’s voice cut through the fog in my brain and I jolted in surprise, my lips parting from Sofia’s as I whipped around, shielding her from him and stamping my foot in anger.

“By the stars, Tyler, how long have you been standing there?” Sofia demanded, not seeming remotely bothered that he’d just caught her with her tongue in another guy’s mouth.

She moved to my side, straightening the skirt of her dress and folding her arms, totally unphased.

“Long enough to work out that Xavier here is a virgin,” Tyler said with a wicked smirk and I neighed furiously. “I’ve had my suspicions for a while, but now I’m positive.”

“Fuck off,” I snapped.

“It’s not a big deal,” Tyler said placatingly. “You don’t mind, do you baby?” He looked to Sofia and heat swept up the back of my neck. I couldn’t face her, or deny it or do anything but just stand there like a lump of awkward.

“Why would I mind that?” she replied and my heart thumped powerfully at the conviction in her words.

Tyler strutted forward like the big I am and hooked Sofia toward him by the waist. “Guess this means I’ve got to win you again, huh?”

She nodded, a smile playing around her lips. “Sorry, babe, Xavier’s just so…” She looked at me in a way that made my insides squeeze and it felt so fucking good. “And we have a connection.”

“I know,” he purred, brushing her hair behind her ear and glaring over her head at me. “Oh well, I kinda enjoyed beating down the lesser stallions before.” He dropped his mouth to hers, kissing her fiercely and a furious whinny built in my throat which I didn’t allow out.

She moaned as she arched into him just like she had with me and my dick got even harder. I didn’t know why, but watching them together made me as horny as it did furious. I pushed Tyler away from her when I couldn’t stand it a second longer, whirling Sofia around to face me and drawing her in for another passionate kiss. I could taste Tyler on her mouth and I grunted angrily, kissing her harder, bruising her lips. Tyler pressed up close behind her, pulling her hair sharply to break our lips apart then angling her head around to kiss him again, his eyes remaining on me with a dare in them. One I was more than willing to rise to.

His hand slid down her dress, squeezing her breast and my throat thickened as she moaned. Sofia reached for me, taking my hand and placing it on her other breast and my heart hammered like crazy. I was way out of my depth, but I wasn’t going to walk away. No force in the world could make me do that. Just don’t fuck this up.

I had to do it better than Tyler, it was the only thing I could think of. So I tugged her dress down, freeing her breast from her sparkly bra and lowered my head, capturing her nipple between my lips and sucking. She cried out, her fingers pushing into my hair and knotting tightly as she kept me there and excitement pounded through me. I wasn’t fucking it up. She liked it. She actually liked it!

Tyler suddenly shoved my head away and I stood upright with a neigh of rage. Sofia rested back against his chest as he locked his arm around her possessively.

“Is this an official challenge, Xavier?” He narrowed his eyes and I lifted my chin.

“Yeah,” I said, with no doubt in my voice. “It is.”

His gaze darkened and he nodded, acceptance filling his expression. “Okay…” He nuzzled into Sofia’s neck, dragging his teeth across her flesh and making her shudder in his arms. “I wonder if the virgin can do this to you, baby.” He slid his hand down her body once more, pulling up her skirt to reveal her sparkly pink panties before sliding his fingers inside them. I swallowed the razor sharp lump in my throat as I watched, unsure what the fuck to do as he started moving his hand and Sofia gasped in pleasure, dropping her head back against his shoulder.

Tyler gazed at me tauntingly and I fought the urge to squeeze my dick through my pants to relieve some of the pressure that was building in me. This was so hot and so infuriating all at once. And I might have been a virgin, but I was also a quick learner so fuck if I was just going to stand here.

Sofia’s eyes widened hopefully as I closed the distance between us and butted my forehead against Tyler’s over her shoulder. I slid my hand into her panties, following the line of his fingers and meeting her wet centre. Holy fucking stars.

My fingers slid between his and I pushed two inside her to join Tyler’s, making her whinny for me. I grinned, learning from the movements of Tyler’s hand and matching his rhythm as she panted and gasped between us. He pushed his forehead hard against mine, but I didn’t give an inch, forcing him back just as hard so our eyes were locked.

My breaths came heavier with my own need for release and the sound of Sofia moaning had me aching to claim her.

“Come for me, baby,” Tyler demanded, shoving my head with his own and I shoved his back, making us all stumble a few steps in his direction.

“Come for me, Sofia,” I growled and she pawed at my chest with one hand while cupping the back of Tyler’s neck with the other.

“Oh my stars,” she gasped.

Her pussy tightened around our fingers and she moaned loudly as she came, my gaze falling to her face. I drank in her hooded expression and realised her skin was actually shining. Fuck she was beautiful.

I kissed her, tasting her heat, her flesh and removing my hand from her panties just before Tyler did. She panted between us, holding us both close and I kept my attention on her instead of the douche behind her.

“It’s on, Xavier,” Tyler warned, drawing her away from me and she tugged down her skirt with a breathy laugh.

“Wait.” She tugged her hand free of his, running back to me and pressing her mouth to mine. I grinned against her lips, kissing her slow and trying to draw it out.

Tyler pulled her away again and she pouted sadly, her hand holding onto mine before he turned her around and marched her toward the exit.

“See you soon,” she called to me, biting her lip and Tyler dragged her out the door before I could follow.

I looked down at my rock hard dick with a sigh and moved to sit on the stairs, figuring I needed to think some unhappy thoughts to make it go away before I went back to the party.

Mildred’s hairy back, Mildred’s hairy back, Mildred’s hairy back.

I sat in the shadows with exhilaration rushing through me and realised I wasn’t even as pissed at Tyler as I should have been. Something about this challenge just felt right, natural. And I relished the idea of beating his ass and making her mine officially in front of the whole herd.

My boner was being stubborn as hell, mostly because it was impossible for me not to replay what we’d just done over and over again. I felt like one percent less of a virgin which was totally sad and yet seriously ace at the same time.

The door suddenly flung open and Athena marched through it before Hadley shot after her and caught her wrist, wheeling her around.

“What’s your problem?” she demanded, yanking her wrist free and glaring at him.

“He had his hands all over you,” Hadley snapped.

“So? What’s it got to do with you?” she asked in disbelief.

“He’s a Vampire. He’s trying to claim you as his Source,” he growled. “And I’m not having it. If you’re gonna be anyone’s Source, you’re mine.”

She narrowed her eyes at him, falling deathly quiet in that way she did when she was about to get scary and I decided remaining here in the shadows was a good plan.

“I’m no one’s Source,” she said in an even tone. “I’m not a blood bag for you to drool over. I’m supposed to be your friend.”

Hadley shifted his weight from one foot to the other, seeming agitated. “You don’t understand,” he snarled.

“Well explain it to me, Had, because you’re one second away from me cutting you off for good. I’m sick of this,” she said calmly, a deadly glint in her gaze.

“I need a taste. Just one taste, Athena. Then I can get you out of my head. Please. I’ll do whatever you want in return,” he said, sounding completely unlike himself as he begged her.

She surveyed him with her eyes narrowed. “You’ll do anything I want?” she asked with intrigue.

“Anything,” he swore, stepping closer to her like he’d already won, but she pressed a hand to his chest to hold him back, mulling over her next words.

“You’ll be my bitch for the week,” she decided with a playful smile. “You’ll do whatever I ask, carry my shit and fetch anything I fancy for me.”

Hadley fell quiet with a low growl in his throat then he lunged at her, bouncing off a tight air shield around her body. Silence thickened the air and she looked like she was about to walk away and be done with him forever. I didn’t like the thought of that. I loved the group we’d formed.

“Fine,” Hadley spat at last. “I’ll do it. But you have to let me bite you where I want, as much as I want. Right here, right now. You’re mine Athena.”

“For five minutes,” she sighed.

“Ten,” he snapped.

“Four,” she countered with a smirk.

“Five then,” he growled, pacing left to right with his hands balled at his sides. “Drop your shield.”

She looked nervous for a moment, taking a breath then flicked her fingers as she released the magic. He leapt at her, grabbing a fistful of her dark, purple-streaked hair and dragging her head to one side, driving his fangs into her throat. She gasped and he groaned like he was riding the best high of his life, holding her in his arms at his mercy.

He growled like a beast as he fed from her and her eyes fluttered closed. For a moment I thought she might be about to pass out and I almost pushed to my feet, but then she released a breathy moan that was a total game changer.

Hadley chuckled mirthlessly, clutching her closer as he pulled his fangs free of her throat then dropped his mouth to her breasts and started feeding once more. She fisted his hair as he drove her against the wall and when he was done, he dropped to his knees, throwing her leg over his shoulder and driving his fangs into her inner thigh. I didn’t know what the fuck to do at this point so I just sat there, hoping Hadley didn’t decide to pay attention and pick up my heartbeat, but I reckoned the fact that he was on cloud nine right now meant he was too distracted to notice.

“Fucking hell, Hadley,” Athena growled, tipping her head back against the wall. For a girl who hated being fed on by so-called parasites, she sure as hell seemed to be enjoying herself.

Hadley finally stood up, wiping a line of blood from the corner of his mouth and sucking his fingers. He got up in her face and she raised her chin defiantly, masking the bliss on her face I’d seen a few seconds ago.

“Are you done?” she asked icily and he shook his head, checking his watch.

“I’ve got you for another full minute.”

Man, I really needed to leave.

“You taste like a summer’s day,” he said breathlessly.

“Well I imagine you taste like the dead of winter,” she said with a shrug.

“Do you wanna find out?” he murmured then lowered his head to look her in the eyes, pressing his hands either side of her on the wall as he caged her in. “You can taste me if you want, Athena. I won’t tell anyone.”

“I’m good,” she said lightly. “And you’ve got about ten seconds left before you become my little bitch, so are you finished being a leech?”

He snarled then lunged forward and took her lower lip between his teeth, drawing blood and making her wince. She swallowed visibly as he released her lip, their mouths grazing and his body pressing flush to hers. Their eyes were locked and for a moment I saw a hint of something more in Athena’s eyes as she gazed at him.

“Time’s up,” she said with a victorious smile.

“Worth it,” he said heavily.

“Carry me back to the party, little bitch,” she commanded with a smirk and he rolled his eyes before whipping her off of her feet and shooting away through the door.

My boner was officially dead so I got to my feet, waiting a few seconds before following, planning to keep what I’d seen to myself. I was no snitch, and I didn’t like drama.

My gaze fell on Sofia again, dancing with Tyler beside Darcy, Geraldine and the Heirs in their masks. My brother caught my eye, jerking his head to beckon me and I smiled as I jogged over.

“Nice hair,” I taunted, eyeing the long golden locks hanging around his shoulders.

“Nice lipstick,” he tossed back and I quickly wiped my mouth with a furious whinny.

“Join us Xavier!” Darcy called and I realised Geraldine was teaching her, Seth, Caleb and Max some sort of crazy dance involving a lot of weird hand movements.

“It’s the Crockenberry Jive,” Geraldine announced like that might entice me into it. It kinda did to be fair.

Sofia pulled away from Tyler to learn it too and I dove into the fray with a grin, copying the wiggling hand movements Geraldine was doing as she circled her hips.

Darius drank his beer, shaking his head at us but the ghost of a grin hid at the corner of his mouth.

Sofia’s hip bumped mine and I smirked down at her.

“You sure you can keep up, Xavier?” she asked, her eyes glittering with mirth.

“Yes, little mare,” I teased. “I can keep up.” And not just with this dance, but with Tyler too. I’d be running our herd soon enough, and he’d be bowing to me with my girl by my side. And once I won her, I was never going to let her go.

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