Page 24 of The Fate of Eternity

He frowns but stands taller. “Beau, always Beau first,” he insists, and I peer at Kryll, needing a nod from him before I go any further. I get it instantly, and the flicker in Kryll’s eyes tells me he has a sense of where I’m going with this.

Clearing my throat, my hand tightens on Addi’s. “I was never given the chance to connect with my wolf after my first shift, but you have that chance.”

Addi blinks up at me, but it’s Beau who speaks. “Wolf? You lifted the spell?”

Ignoring his need for confirmation, I look deeper into Addi’s eyes. “You’re not going to get a moment on campus, and the head of the wolf origin isn’t going to be of any use either,” I insist, the need to get her to Janie only growing stronger with every passing second.

“So you want to take her to Janie?” Brody asks, his head tilted as he stares at me, and I nod.

“I don’t want to. Wehaveto.”

12

ADRIANNA

“Don’t make me regret this.” A handful of words, but Beau’s threat is clear. Even if it’s not aimed at me, I sense it. I’m trying my best not to freak the fuck out over the fact that I can hear him clearly, despite him standing a good few yards away whispering with Kryll.

Since everything has started to spiral and pain aches throughout my body, I know this is all part of being a wolf. It’s overwhelming but euphoric all at once, and I’m slightly obsessed.

Should I be listening in? Probably not, but it’s not my fault. It’s new magic and I don’t know what I’m doing. That’s my excuse, at least.

“We won’t,” Kryll promises, which makes Professor Tora snicker.

“Why do I get the feeling you will?” I can even picture his raised eyebrow as he stares his brother down, but I can’t see it for sure from here.

“Because you’re an ass,” Kryll grumbles, shoving at him like the situation is more casual than it actually is, but I’m not getting involved. If Cassian’s gut is telling him I need to see Janie, thenI trust him on it. He was lost in his head before Beau showed up, his face scrunched in distaste, so now I’m here for the ride.

I expect them to trod back over to us, but something makes Kryll pause, reaching for his brother’s arm before he can take a single step. “You knew about the spell?”

I freeze, the question catching me off guard when I realize it’s about me but not aimed at me.

“Honestly, I assumed. Her mother is a wolf, of course,” Beau answers calmly, but there’s something beneath the surface that I can’t quite decipher with the aches still trembling through my bones.

“That’s all?”

“That’s all. Have I ever given you reason not to trust me before, brother?”

Ah, there it is. Beau’s not used to Kryll questioning him, it seems.

“No, but I’ve also never had someone like her to protect,” Kryll states, all matter-of-factly, as I hide my face in my hands, willing the heat from my cheeks to disappear.

A beat passes between them and I pry my fingers open to peer through the slits at them. I find them both in a stare off. “Something tells me she’s set on protecting you too,” Beau finally says, squeezing his brother’s shoulder in comfort before he marches toward the rest of us with purpose.

The queen has gone, my father, sister, and Julietta along with her. The goodbyes were quick this time, my pain and discomfort causing a new level of urgency that smothered the idea of long, lingering farewells.

“Let’s go,” Beau orders, snapping his fingers at Brody, who rushes into action.

My stomach tightens, and we’re moving. I’m not sure if my insides have been left where I was sitting a moment ago or if they’re going to spill out at my feet any time now, but one thingis for sure: the aching in my bones dwindles to nothing more than a cramp.

“Holy shit,” I breathe, keeling over with relief as I plant my hands on my knees and take a few deep breaths. I never thought I’d feel that tingling in my chest again.

“Are you okay?” Raiden asks, his polished shoes coming into view first, before I slowly tilt my head back to stare at him.

“Is it too soon to confirm I feel like a new woman?” I ask, attempting a smile, but it falls flat. Pain still weighs heavy on my limbs, despite the immediate throbbing dissipating.

“Technically, you are a new woman, Troublemaker. A new animal and species, if we’re being accurate,” he rattles off, earning a pointed look as I shake my head at him. Amusement dances in his eyes, but it’s a relieved sigh that falls from his lips as he strokes a hand down my back. “Truthfully, you already look better. The color in your cheeks is back and your eyes have their usual sparkle,” he offers, winking at me as I stand tall again.

“Oh, he’s got sweet-talking going for him now; who knew?” Brody muses, wagging a finger at Raiden, who offers him a two-finger salute in response. Kryll snickers in amusement as Cassian grunts, rolling his eyes in irritation.

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