Winged Warrior

Chapter 8: Chasing the Wind

Tonight, she would fly.

It had been a few days since the cafeteria incident, and Skye was thankful they were relatively uneventful. Other than a few whispers and teases about being a "shrew".

Though she cared about her reputation, she also couldn't bring herself to care about what a couple of snobs thought either.

All she truly cared about in this moment, was tonight. When she would bundle up, open her dorm's window, toss her cape aside, and soar into the brisk cool air. She would fly until her wings ached.

Unfortunately, she still had to get through the rest of today.

The masquerade ball has been the top topic since its announcement. The buzz even piqued Skye's excitement. She learned what it entailed from Jesse. It sounded slightly romantic and mysterious. However, she wasn't sure how the "date" situation would work if everyone was meant to wear masks. Wasn't the point of wearing a mask to be unknown? She preferred that.

Nonetheless, students spoke about potential dates, gowns, and masks. Skye was more interested in what food there would be. Moreso, the day the masquerade ball was announced, students were allowed to vote on themes. Conveniently enough, the theme with the highest votes happened to be "Devils and Angels". Skye was suspicious of Ms. Acacia's involvement.

Guess which one Skye would be attending as.

The second period ended, and Jesse bounced behind Skye, using Skye's shoulders to propel herself even higher.

"Ready for shopping tomorrow?" She sang.

Skye snickered, "I'm readyyyy... To hang out, tomorrow." She wiggled her brows.

"Oh, come on! We're gonna buy pretty dresses, buy stuff to make masks" Jesse paused, "Hit the food court..."

"That's the only reason I'm going!" Skye blurted, causing Jesse to laugh.

"My little gluttonous, friend." Jesse teased, "I wish I could eat like that and keep my figure."

"What can I say," Skye flipped her hair dramatically, "I'm one of a kind."

"What time do you wanna leave tomorrow?"

"Well, we'll have to wait until after training."

"Ugh!" Skye threw her head back, "I forgot. I'll come and watch, 'kay? We could head out after you change."

Admittedly, Skye was somewhat stressed about shopping with Jesse the following day. She was working on reasons why she couldn't show her the dress if she found "the one". Jesse may be suspicious if Skye whipped out some giant wings after not carrying any with her.

"Sounds good!" Jesse confirmed their plans.

It was impossible to focus during the third period. Everything ran through Skye's mind--from the ball to flying, shopping, and briefly...Riftan.

He sat two seats over to her right, and a few ahead. For whatever reason she had been having frequent dreams of him, one's that she wasn't too proud of. But, she understood why. He was handsome, or other girls would say "sexy". He was withdrawn from people, making him seem mysterious and dangerous. He oozed with masculinity, strength, and power, looking too big for his desk. All the girls wanted him.

She stared at him, noting his strong back and broad shoulders. The only thing she could pinpoint that seemed almost cute about him was his dark curly hair.

Warmth flooded her body and she shifted uncomfortably. She turned her head to look away, but when she snuck another peek, Riftan had almost fully turned to stare. He gripped his desk slightly, burning holes into Skye's skull. His nostrils flared.

She whipped her head back to the front of the room. Shocked. She sat like this, frozen, for the rest of the lecture, watching Riftan through her peripheral vision.

He had stared at her before, but this time was different. Like he was angry, or holding himself back--probably from killing her.

By the end of class, she noticed that he seemed more relaxed; however, while walking to their last class, Skye couldn't help but observe his proximity. He walked directly behind her all the way to class, even choosing a seat closer to her own upon arrival.

Jesse seemed unfazed and didn't notice Riftan's actions, but Skye's discomfort peaked when she realized that Emery was beginning to glance at Riftan in suspicion.

Feeling tense and moving like a robot, Skye twirled her pencil. She jerked, and it went flying. It hit the floor and rolled towards Riftan. She wanted to die.

She looked at Riftan, making eye contact. Taking a breath, she quietly stood from her seat--as to not further disturb the rest of the class--and walked to her pencil. He probably thought she did this on purpose.

When Skye neared her pencil, Riftan leaned over, picked it up from the floor, and handed it to her.

"Thank you," She mouthed.

He held her gaze a moment and smirked. She died a little.

When she returned to her seat, Emery gave her an awkward side-eye.

Today had turned into the slowest, longest possible day.

Skye silently thanked the heavens when it was almost over. At least she was able to end it with food, having planned to retire early for the night. She was going to get some shut-eye for a few hours before she was able to fly to her heart's content.

Skye made her way back to her dorm and tried her doornob before unlocking it. She couldn't help but be a little extra cautious. She thought that she should probably mention to Ms. Acacia the break-in episode and suspicious shadows under her door at night.

Later, Skye awoke in a sweat. The night sky shone through her parted curtains and the Roman numeral clock to the left of her door read 12:11. She jumped from her bed excitedly and stretched, causing her wings to shudder like one's leg while stretching in bed. She double-checked her locked door and quickly braided her hair. Nothing was worse than eating hair while flying--not to mention it acting as a whip while in the cold.

Because of the brisk weather, Skye bundled up in warm clothing, wearing two sweaters with holes for her wings, over her t-shirt. She chose a pair of sweatpants for over top of her leggings and doubled up her socks. To finish off her look, she tied a scarf around her neck and pulled it up over her mouth and nose before pulling and tying both hoods over her head. Skye didn't have any mittens, so she'd just hold her sleeves shut.

She pulled on her shoes and flicked off her lights. She parted her curtains and peeked outside. She scanned the earth below and cracked her window open, it squeaked a little and a gust of October wind kissed her uncovered flesh. She pushed the window up the rest of the way and placed one of her borrowed library books near the sill.

Barely holding in her excitement, Skye delicately fluttered her wings, landing in a sitting position. Again she scanned her surroundings from the third floor and pushed off the sill. Using her wings to catch herself, she expertly levitated in place, spinning to keep the window open. She grabbed her library book and propped the window open.

No longer able to hold back, she shot herself into the night sky, propelling higher and higher, until she floated in the clouds. The cold night stung her eyes and they watered, but it was the best feeling in the world. She flew as fast and high as her powerful wings could take her. Once parting the clouds, they reflected the moon, making them shine.

As the air began to thin, Skye snapped her wings shut, along with her eyes, and let herself free-fall. She allowed the feeling of weightlessness to envelop her as she relished the moment. She took a deep breath and opened her eyes. The surface of water came into view and she prepared her body for a diving position. The wind rushed into her face as she sped closer to the surface.

Moments before colliding, knowing that it would surely end in instant death, she flicked her wings open, snatching herself from the cold, cruel fingers of destruction--death. Like this, she decided her fate. She was in complete control. She pumped her wings towards the shore, increasing altitude to glide over the incoming, tall trees.

There were no words to describe this feeling. She felt free and powerful like nothing could stop her. She reached her glorious wings to their full extent. No words.

As she soared through the open sky, she watched as the trees rushed by. As her wings carried her, so did her mind, and she pondered her life at the academy thus far.

A howl echoed, distracting her from her thoughts, and she looked for the source.

~~Riftan's POV~~

I couldn't sleep, so I opted for a run. Today was stressful--actually, every day since Skye got here, has been. My mate. I could sense her before she even entered the building the day she arrived. Her scent is delicious, and I can hardly hold myself back some days--like today when I turned to Skye's scent of arousal and caught her looking at me. I could've taken her there. Staying near her mesmerizing aroma was all I could do to not lose control.

She smells of sweet citrus and vanilla.

But, she doesn't have a wolf. This made things complicated. It was uncommon for races to mix since the war, but nearly unheard of for alphas. Ever.

For whatever reason, I'm not fully convinced that she's human, and she surely has a secret. Many have noticed her "special treatment." I requested files of her but to no avail, received nothing. There would have been something if she truly lived in Anasidora.

I scratched my head, sighing in frustration. Dammit. It's a delicate situation, and she's clueless.

I stripped and tossed my clothes to the side, shifting. My wolf yearned for her. Xerxes constantly fills my mind with her, picturing her in every possible way, from a loving embrace to heated tension under the sheets. Admittedly, my only relief was a cold shower. If you know what I mean.

Running into the trees, I blink and roll myself into my consciousness, allowing Xerxes to take control. I watch and revel in our freedom. He runs himself tirelessly, huffing his hot breath into the cool air. His midnight black fur gave us the perfect concealment during the night. My wolf is one to marvel at.

Xerxes is larger than an average wolf, and even most alphas, he's the epitome of ferocious--not to mention his anger problems. He hasn't helped with my reputation much, however, being that I'm known for kinda being a jerk. It's fine, though. I won't deny it.

As we push deeper into the trees, Xerxes sniffs out the nearest water supply, pulling us to the foot of a waterfall. He sips the rigid liquid and exhales.

He's restless. Skye doesn't feel the same mate pull as we do, and it's tearing him apart.

Xerxes releases and woeful, lonely howl.

"We'll figure it out," I assured him.

He roared in my mind, "Yeah?! Well, when? I'm growing tired of waiting!"

We just sigh, pondering our utter torment.

Suddenly, Xerxes ears perk as he draws in a long breath. Citrus Vanilla. It was everywhere, but nowhere. The scent rained from the heavens and Xerxes anxiously searched the skies.

A shadow passed overhead swiftly, momentarily covering the moonshine. It couldn't be.

Despite the pleasant aroma, Xerxes prepared himself for a fight. He chased the shadow, feeling drawn to it. Even if it's nothing, killing something may take off some edge.