The "Boy" Mated to Five

Chapter 7

The academy's office buzzed with activity as new and returning students got their paperwork.

The stern woman behind the desk barely looked up as she handed me my room assignment and class schedule.

"The commander is busy today," she said in a clipped tone. "Your meeting is scheduled for tomorrow morning at eight sharp. Don't be late."

Ethan walked me toward the dormitory wing, his expression grave. "Keep your distance from everyone as much as you can," he warned in a low voice. "And especially don't drop your guard around your roommate."

I nodded.

That would be one of my hardest tasks…not slipping up around the person I lived with.

"Room assignments are completely random…no matter what year you are or which academy you're in. No one gets to change them or choose who they want to room with,” he began, “Or I would have made sure we roomed together."

His jaw tightened. "You'll be sharing close quarters with a stranger for months. Promise me you'll be careful."

I nodded, though my stomach churned with slight anxiety.

Students moved past us with the confident stride of those who belonged here...everything I was pretending to be.

Along the way, Ethan got called away by a professor, leaving me to find my dorm on my own.

I got lost twice.

The dormitory halls were carved from the same gray stone as the rest of the academy, lit by torch like fixtures that cast dancing shadows on the walls.

Finally, I found my dorm.

Room 237.

I took a steadying breath and pushed open the heavy wooden door.

The scent hit me so hard I nearly fell.

Like wild honey and wild storms. It made my transformed wolf stir for the first time since taking the potion, a deep purr rumbling through my chest that I barely managed to suppress.

"You must be my new roommate," came a warm voice from the kitchen area.

I turned, and my heart nearly stopped.

He was tall and lean, with dark blonde hair that caught the moon light streaming through the windows and warm blue eyes that seemed to hold depths of kindness.

An intricate tattoo was inked on the right side of his neck, disappearing beneath the sleeve of his shirt. I didn’t recognize the symbols.

"I'm Blaze," he said, setting down the plate he'd been holding and moving toward me. "Second year in the Medical Academy."

My hands shook as I extended one toward him. "Elliott Greenwood," I managed, my voice coming out rougher than intended. "But you can call me Eli. First year."

When our hands touched, electricity shot up my arm.

I wondered if he felt it too…that unmistakable pull even though I knew he couldn’t smell my scent.

Mate.

The word echoed through my mind like a prayer and a curse. My wolf was practically singing, a contentment I hadn't felt since... since before everything fell apart.

"Is everything okay?" Blaze asked, concern creeping into his voice as he studied my face.

I wondered what expression I had made for him to ask. I would have to learn to start hiding my emotions better.

"Yeah,” I said. “Just tired from the journey," I lied, forcing myself to step back and break the contact that felt like coming home.

"I get it," he said with an understanding smile that made my chest tighten. "I can't believe the year has already started. The month off went by way too fast."

I nodded mutely, not trusting myself to speak.

How was this possible?

What were the odds that I would have a second chance mate, much less be roomed with him?

The Moon Goddess clearly had something up her sleeve.

"That's your room," Blaze said, gesturing to the door on the right. "Also I hope you don't mind. I tend to stay up late studying."

“Yeah, it’s no problem,” I said quietly and he gave me a small smile.

I retreated to my assigned bedroom, grateful for a moment to collect myself.

The room was small but comfortable, with a single bed, desk, and wardrobe that would hold my meager belongings. I began unpacking, trying to focus on anything other than the way his scent seemed to permeate even through the walls.

This was crazy.

And more importantly, this was a complication I couldn't afford.

I was here for revenge, for justice.

I couldn’t afford any distractions.

And yet I couldn't help that every fiber of my being wanted to go to him.

Through the thin walls, I could hear him moving around the common area, the soft sounds of pages turning as he studied. My wolf paced restlessly within me, wanting nothing more than to be near our mate.

Time passed slowly as I tried to settle into this new reality. The mate bond vibrating within me.

Soon the sounds quieted down and I heard a small click as his own door closed.I breathed a sigh of relief that there was now more distance between us even if not much.

I clenched my fists trying to soothe my racing heartbeat.

Finally, thirst drove me from my sanctuary.

I crept out to the kitchen, hoping he'd already gone to bed, but I saw the light beneath his door.

He was still awake.

My wolf purred excitedly.

Out here his scent was even stronger.

It was so comforting, so soothing, like finding shelter after years in the cold.

The call became more irresistible.

I poured myself some water with shaking hands, the sound seeming unnaturally loud in the otherwise quiet suite.

"Couldn't sleep?"

I gasped, nearly dropping the glass.

Blaze stood in his doorway, medical textbook in hand, his hair mussed from running his fingers through it.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you,” he said.

I shook my head. "I was just thirsty," I managed, my wolf purring so loudly I was certain he had heard it.

He padded into the kitchen area, close enough that I could feel the warmth radiating from his body.

He grabbed a glass for himself, pouring a drink into it as he said, "First nights are always rough. New place, new people, new everything."

"Yeah," I said, finishing my water quickly, hoping the glass wouldn’t slip from my trembling fingers. "I should probably try to get some sleep."

"Yeah, of course. Good night, Eli," he said softly.

"Good night, " I squeaked, and hoped my voice still sounded boyish enough.

I retreated to my room quickly, closing the door behind me with trembling hands.

I climbed into the bed, drawing the covers over my head.

Sleep.

I just needed sleep.

Then I’d be able to sort myself out.

I just needed to let the shock of meeting my new mate wear off.

But that soon proved impossible.

His scent continued seeping through the walls, wrapping around me like a deep hug.

My wolf clawed at me.

Every instinct screamed at me to go to him, to claim what was mine, to stop fighting this gift the Moon Goddess had somehow given me despite everything I'd lost.

But I resisted.

An hour passed.

Then another.

The pull growing stronger, until I felt like I was drowning in need.

Finally, I couldn't take it anymore.

I found myself standing in the hallway between our rooms, my heart hammering against my chest.

Light still glowed beneath his door.

He was still awake.

I knocked.

The sound seemed to echo through the quiet suite.

I held my breath as the door opened.

Blaze stood there in soft gray pants and a fitted shirt that clung to his lean frame. His dark blonde hair was thoroughly mussed now from running his fingers over and over in it.

The glasses made him look so scholarly, while the intricate tattoo at his neck seemed to pulse in the lamplight.

He was beautiful.

Devastatingly, distractingly beautiful in a way that made my chest tight and my wolf sing with recognition.

"Eli?" His warm, light blue eyes were filled with concern as he studied my face. "Something wrong?

"Blaze I, I…" The words stuck in my throat as my wolf purred even louder at the proximity. I could barely focus on my thoughts anymore.

I was losing my mind.

"I think you're my mate."