Page 79 of Gift from the Stone

Lyker’s an oddball out in the shifter community. Wolf shifters only form a Nexus with other wolves. It’s always been that way. He was a charge, found wandering the woods around the Terravile pack lines when he was a kid, so he was brought up here. He never formed a Nexus with anyone from this pack when his wolf emerged, so he went to a mid-level academy in the Central and never came back here. When he came to Vito academy, that’s where he found his Nexus brothers, none of whom are wolf shifters, hence why he’s a lone wolf.

“He’s got a shot at this for sure. He’s been taking down opponent after opponent. I think the ten finalists are split, a few Mastery members at least, normal pack members, and Lyker.”

“Will he have issues with the pack members if he wins?” I question.

“No. I’ve been throwing support behind him, and he and his guys are getting along well with the half of the pack that isn’t fucking off,” he says confidently.

“Good. I got to go. Stay safe. We’ll see you in the morning,” I grunt as I step into my shadows.

I wait a few minutes and watch Rhett walk off, just to make sure he doesn’t run into any trouble, and when the rest of his Nexus comes out of their hiding and join him, I transport directly to Corentin’s office. It’s been thirty minutes, but if she’s still upset, they wouldn’t have brought her to the command office in the training gym.

Stepping out of the transport, the sight in front of me damn near crushes me.

She’s curled up on Corentin’s lap, his dress shirt soaked from her weeping. He’s shushing her softly, rubbing her back as she tries to choke back the steady stream of tears flowing down her face.

Tossing the files on his desk, I move over to her and lift her from his arms, cradling her to me as I sit on the couch between my brothers. As each of us lay a hand on her, she nestles into me deeper and lets out a breath of relief.

The longer she sits in my lap, the less stressed her bond seems. And judging by the way Draken’s shoulders just dropped, her roller coaster of emotions must be letting up.

We all watch silently, the minutes ticking by as the baggy, bloodshot eyes that’ve haunted her this morning begin to fade, revealing her stunning silver diamond eyes. Her red, blotchy cheeks are now a shade of dusty pink, all the swelling gone, leaving her face a beautiful blush.

The tension in her body completely melts away as she continues to lie leisurely across my lap. We need to be better about feeding her bond properly. I need to get better. She never would’ve gotten this bad today if I had.

A pang of guilt shoots through me, knowing my absence plays a large part in her current state.

“Better, little one?” Tillman asks, brushing her hair behind her ear.

“Much. I needed physical contact and for you all to be here. I’ve been trying my best to fight it off, but it got to be too much this morning,” she admits quietly.

“Why haven’t you said anything, Willow?” Corentin asks disapprovingly.

He cuts his eyes to Tillman before softening them and turning back to her. “I’m sorry for how harsh that was. I just wish you had said something.”

Tillman’s never been able to broadcast anything to us, but since we all shared a connection through Willow and watched her meeting with Elementra through his mind, he’s been working on it more and for the most part can send short snippets to us if he’s touching us, and by the look he’s shooting Corentin and the hand squeezing his shoulder, he just told his ass off for the tone he used.

“You all have been nonstop and I didn’t want to interfere. Tomorrow is important.”

“You’ll always come first, princess. Don’t ever put your feelings off for us,” he orders gently and leans down for a kiss.

Her squirming pulls a groan from my mouth as my dick immediately stands at attention for her. I know she can feel it, and she turns those fucking innocent eyes on me. They aren’t innocent, though. She doesn’t fool me. She’s a little temptress. An innocent, sweet fucking temptress I’m utterly obsessed with.

“Are you okay?” she asks me thoughtfully. I understand she isn’t referring to my rock-hard cock that’s stabbing into her hip right now. She’s worried I’m upset with her for touching me today.

My initial mental reaction earlier was to get her off me, but I shoved that wave of fear far down, refusing to allow myself to treat her that way. And surprisingly, I’m okay, more than okay. My body’s craving her more than it’s ever craved another human being. I’d never want this from anyone else, though, only her.

“As long as you’re okay, Primary, I’m okay,” I tell her honestly.

“I’m okay. We should get to the command office. I’m sure everyone’s wondering where we are,” she says quietly, pulling herself up off my chest, but I hold on to her hips tightly, not allowing her to leave my lap just yet.

“Fuck everyone else, little wanderer. We can get there when we get there. We’ll make sure you’re okay then we’ll go,” Draken states, grabbing ahold of her hand.

“Really, I’m okay now. My bonds calmed down, and if I stick close to the four of you today, I’ll be okay. Plus, I don’t want to be there all night planning. I want to have dinner all together and then a good night’s sleep in my bed.” She eyes each of us, letting us know that’s not a request, that’s an order, and I can’t help smirking, glad to see the fire and sass coming back in full swing.

“Then let’s get to work, princess,” Corentin declares, and we all stand, everyone still holding on to her as we transport to the training gym as one.

It’s teeming with E.F. members, those preparing to leave tomorrow, and those here preparing to take care of the academy while we’re gone. Between academy team one, which is Ry’s Nexus plus another Nexus, his Primary and Jamie, our Nexus, Rhett’s Nexus, and Lyker’s, and the palace team joining us, we know for sure we’ll have at least thirty allies there. The goal is to not have any issues but have the strongest amongst us just in case.

Willow’s giggle draws my attention down to her, where she’s still wrapped in my arms.

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