Page 83 of Gift from the Stone

Both the mansion and academy are in a very secluded, highly warded, and guarded area of the Central. I didn’t learn that until I returned from Oakly’s, which is also in the Central, and the guys explained it to me. So this is my first time leaving this territory and it’s to watch a damn battle, possibly be in the middle of one.

Two hands are placed over my ears, and I turn my head to see Caspian behind me. He did this yesterday too, protecting my hearing from the ear-piercing whistle he’s about to let out. It may seem like a small thing to do, but it’s so sweet and such a gentle gesture coming from him. My dark, damaged protector.

I could tell last night something was really bothering him, but I didn’t dare say anything since he was willing to sleep in my bed with me. He’s the type who’ll talk when he’s ready, and when he does talk, he lays it all out there. So I don’t push because I know when he’s ready to open up, I’ll get the full, uncut, gut-wrenching story. I also don’t push because I know how hard it is to talk about the trauma I’ve been through, so I’d never just expect him to lay it all out for me on my demand.

“Okay, everyone. We’re going to transport in as one, outside the gates of the pack lands. Do not, and I mean this, do not approach anyone we see with a mark. This is recon. We’ve been planning this for weeks; no fucking it up the moment we arrive. We’ll get checked in to our accommodations together and then proceed to the trial arena. Ready?” Tillman announces as we all gather around him.

To transport as one, everyone needs to be touching each other, and one person dictates the transport. I’ve never been where we’re going, physically anyway, so I sure as shit won’t be dictating anything. I’ll just be along for the ride. As always when we do this, the guys surround me in the center, everyone laying a hand somewhere on my body, but they surprise me by kissing me senselessly.

Well, three of them. I won’t beg Caspian for a kiss, but I definitely won’t turn it down. He’s only kissed me on the lips one time, and I sparingly get cheek or forehead kisses.

Ever so slowly, he leans down and lays his lips on the corner of my mouth, and I close my eyes, smiling, relishing the feeling of his lips on my skin.

“Ready, princess?” Corentin asks.

He’s worn his emotionless mask all day in the presence of all these people, but right now, I get the softer, sweeter side of that mask. Last night when Caspian joined us, I could feel his happiness and hope flowing down the bond when he offered up his spot next to me, and more than a few times this morning, I’ve caught him looking at Caspian with so much pride.

“Ready, your highness,” I shoot back with a flirty little smirk.

It quickly slides off my face when he hits me with a pure, unfiltered look of desire, humming at the nickname, and I can feel it vibrate all the way down to my core. I’d love nothing more than to run my hands through that perfectly styled dirty-blond hair, fucking it completely up as he gives me everything his eyes are promising.

“You sure there’s nothing we need to take care of before we go, little wanderer?” Draken growls, stepping closer to my side, causing all of them to step forward with him, boxing me in completely. I can feel the hard press of Tillman’s cock on my back and I force myself to bite back a moan that wants badly to escape me.

“I’m sure. Everyone’s waiting on us,” I pant out.

Fuck, what wouldn’t I give to let each one of them give me the pleasure my body so desperately wants right now, but that’ll have to wait unfortunately. And judging by their strained groans, they know it and don’t like it either.

“Everyone out,” Tillman yells, startling me out of the eye fucking gaze I’m still giving Corentin.

The familiar blackness steals my sight of them for a few seconds before bright sunshine beams from the opening of the transport. Stepping out, I can vaguely see the sun rising over the rugged peaks of a mountain range, its beauty blocked by the imposing structure in front of me.

A towering black gate stands guard, obscuring the pack lands behind it, and I feel the power of the wards pulsing off it. A massive metal wolf is welded on the front of the gate with its head lifted to the sky in a howl, and on each of the brick columns sits a stone wolf in a protective position, ready to attack anyone who dares to threaten the members inside.

It’s a formidable but beautifully intimidating entry to see. If I didn’t know half of this pack was corrupt, I’d be in awe of the protective measures they’ve put in place to keep their lands secure from outsiders.

Corentin steps forward toward the gate, and my dragon promptly stands at attention, watching his back keenly, ready to attack in a second. I have to rub my chest, mentally stroking the rope that attaches to her, reassuring her that he’s okay and to calm down.

Moving his hands in an intricate pattern, there’s a shift in the air as he speaks the incantation that was provided to him for our entry, and his magic easily slices through the wards. The huge gates shudder, then slowly creak open.

Unfolding before my eyes is a well-worn, winding path that’s walled by a thicket of trees that rises high into the sky, casting a blanket of shade all throughout the forest. There’s a handful of wolves standing nestled in the line of trees, observing our every step, while others run freely behind them.

As we walk in silence, the tree line gradually widens, and I see multiple figures standing at the end of the path, waiting for us.

“Who are they?” I ask quietly as I lean into Corentin, lacing my fingers with his.

“The Elders. They’ll greet all who are coming to watch the trials and instruct us about our accommodations. They won’t speak to anyone but me, so don’t take any offense,” he answers in a hushed tone.

“Why will they only speak to you?” Not that I gave a shit if they speak to me, but that’s super rude.

“Wolves are social creatures amongst their own people, but not so much outsiders. They’ll speak to me because of my standing as Headmaster, also because I’m the oldest in the Nexus and next in line for the ruling family. I’m higher on the hierarchy than they are. Plus, they have no clue who you are, and we’ll keep it that way,” he replies, clipped. I can tell he thinks it’s bullshit they treat the rest of our Nexus and even everyone else like we’re beneath them somehow.

The joke’s on them. I’m a princess and also, fuck them. I didn’t want to talk to the cranky old bastards anyway.

“Headmaster Vito, we are so pleased you are here. It is an honor you could make it,” one of the Elders speaks, bowing his head to Corentin.

“Elder Rio, the honor is mine. Thank you for allowing us to witness such a historic event in your pack.” Corentin’s formal voice grates on my nerves, and I want to tell him to cut the shit out, but I know he has to carry himself this way, at least while we’re here. Still, my nostrils may have twitched a little.

“The ruling family is always welcome. Please, follow young Sawyer to where you will be staying,” Elder Rio instructs, dismissing us.

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