Eighteen Mates.

Her Orbit.

“For anyone smart enough to see it,” he said. “If she survives this, she becomes powerful. Politically. Supernaturally. Strategically.”

What the hell is he crappy about?

“And you expect me to tie myself to that?” I scoffed. “I told you, I’m rejecting her.”

Silence stretched between us.

“Zyraeth,” he came a little closer. “I'm not here to…”

“Just because you talk gently or use a calm tone doesn’t mean you can get to me. Understand. I. Want. Nothing. To. Do. with. Her,” I yelled. “Should I write those words on my forehead for you to understand?”

Elandor didn’t flinch. His gaze softened instead, which only irritated me more. “We’ve suffered for years, Zyraeth. You know that. She could undo the mess we’re trapped in.”

His eyes trembled slightly before he continued. “When I saved you eleven years ago, from him, you said you owed me.”

My jaw tightened.

"I knew you looked familiar."

“Quit the crap,” I snapped, brushing past him. “I knew you’d bring that up. I knew it. Just shut the f**k up.” I turned sharply and stepped back in front of him, pointing a finger at his chest. “Leave me out of this. I won’t warn you again.”

“They want to kill her,” he hissed.

“Not my business,” I shot back, shaking my head. “She can go to hell, for all I care.”

“Why don’t you see for yourself?” he insisted, walking past me. “I know what you want.”

He stopped beside me. I could feel his blue eyes on me.

“After Myrel heals her, stay for two moons. On the third, reject her and disappear. No debts. No favors. I won’t bother you again. We’ll go our separate ways. I promise you that, Zyraeth Storm.”

Then he walked out, shutting the door behind him.

I let out a slow breath, unsure what to make of that. Is he playing me? I dragged my hand through my hair. I just hope my father doesn’t do something reckless after I walked out on him like that.

And Elandor clearly has his own issues. I should “see what he’s seeing”? She barely turned eighteen, and I’m supposed to pin hope on a child? What could she possibly know?

She needs to get out of my head.

I dropped onto my bed and stared at the ceiling. So why are his words still echoing in my mind?

Sleep pulled me under before I could think too hard about it.

I woke before dawn and climbed through the window. The shift came easily, bones snapping, muscles stretching, senses sharpening. In seconds, I was tearing through the forest in my wolf form.

Wind sliced past me as I sprinted faster and faster, leaping over roots and rocks. The earth blurred beneath my paws. For a while, nothing existed except the rhythm of my breathing and the wild freedom in my chest.

After running myself ragged, I slipped back through my window and shifted into my human form. Dirt clung to my skin, streaking across my arms and chest. I smirked at my reflection.

Chuckling softly, I stepped into the bathroom and turned on the shower. I glanced at the clock on the wall.

Seven on the dot.

Damn.

I’d better hurry. I’m almost late for school.

I slung my backpack over my shoulder and stepped into the classroom, the low hum of chatter barely registering in my mind. I dropped into my seat and glanced toward the window out of habit. Then my gaze shifted to her desk.

She wasn’t moving.

Her head lay against the surface, hair spilling over her arms. At first, I thought she was sleeping. However, her slumped posture tightened my chest.

I frowned.

Before I could think better of it, I was already on my feet.

Conversations around the room faltered as I crossed the space between us. I didn’t bother acknowledging the stares. I nudged her leg with my foot.

“Hey. Wake up.”

No response.

I crouched slightly and touched her knee. I reached forward, gripping her hair and pulling her head back just enough to see her face.

My breath stalled.

Her eyebrows had turned white, completely drained of color. Her dark eyes, which usually concealed any trace of blue, were faintly glowing beneath half-lidded lashes.

She gasped sharply.

Tears streamed down her cheeks.

She held her abdomen.

“Zyraeth,” she choked out between sobs. “It hurts.”

The sound of my name on her lips sent something sharp through me.

Without another word, I grabbed her arm and pulled her out of the chair. I dragged her, ignoring the murmurs that followed us into the hallway. We moved through the corridors and up the stairwell until we reached the rooftop above the library.

I shoved the door open and closed it firmly behind us. The air outside was cool, but she felt feverish against my grip.

I pulled her closer and inhaled.

Metal.

The scent hit me instantly, sharp and wrong.

“What’s going on?” I muttered under my breath. Then, louder, “Didn’t you take the dose?”

She nodded, her breathing uneven. “I did. I swear I did. But the pain… it’s worse.”

Her legs buckled slightly.

I slid an arm around her waist, steadying her as she leaned forward and pressed her forehead against my chest. I closed my eyes and let my pheromones slip free.

The reaction was immediate.

She coughed, her fingers tightening in the fabric of my shirt.

I held her firmly, refusing to let her fall. Gradually, her breathing slowed. The tremors eased.

Her arms wrapped around my waist.

“You smell so good,” she murmured faintly.

I stiffened.

Her eyebrows slowly darkened back to their natural shade. The unnatural glow in her eyes faded, and color returned to her cheeks. After I pulled back slightly, studying her face.

“How do you feel?”

She straightened carefully, touching her abdomen as if testing herself. Confusion flickered across her features, followed by relief.

“I… I feel fine,” she said, almost surprised. A small smile appeared. “Actually, I feel great.”

“Good.”

I stepped away immediately and turned toward the door. I've got to get out of here. She's fine, at least.

Footsteps hurried behind me. I stopped when she stopped.

“What?” I asked, irritation slipping back into place like armor.

She hesitated for only a second. “What can I do to make you understand my situation?”

I exhaled sharply through my nose. She was quite a persistent omega.

Fine.

I turned halfway toward her, giving her a sidelong glare.

“Beat me,” I said evenly. “In every test. Every exam. Every sport.”

Her eyes widened slightly.

“If you win, I’ll do whatever you want.” I held her gaze, making sure she understood. “But if I beat you, do whatever I say.”

I walked down the stairs, jaw tight, hands shoved into my pockets. At least that would shut her up.

There was no way I was actually going to listen to her. The deal was just a distraction, something to keep her busy and away from me. Soon enough, I’d be out of her orbit entirely.