37. To a Friend

SKYLA.

Royce smiles faintly and I wonder what's on his mind.

“It's a pleasure to meet you, too.” He says to Leo, before turning to Azura. “You must be Luna Azura,

it's an honour.”

"Yes, in the flesh. Nice to meet you too.” Azura says, holding her hand out to him. He takes it, giving

it a gentle squeeze before he lets go.

What a gentleman.

I can feel Azura's huge eyes burning into me, and I turn my gaze to her. There's a knowing look in

her eyes and my stomach does a flip. I'm not that obvious, am 1?

“I'm sorry to intrude, but I was unable to get through to you regarding your training session?” Royce

says quietly, those smouldering grey eyes now on me.

Oh yeah, training...

I can still sense Azura's searing, unblinking gaze. That girl is some freaky shit, but I love her.

“I can't do after school. I have detention.” I reply, shrugging casually.

“Detention...” His eyes flick to the open books in front of Leo and he cocks a brow. “Let's hope you

don't get another one. After detention then, I'll wait for you.”

"Ok." I reply, nodding.

Damn Azura, look away!

Royce looks at Leo and Azura. “I do apologise. It's good to meet you both.” He's about to turn away

when Leo speaks.

“No need to apologise, however, if you have some time after Lunch, could I borrow a little of your

time?” Leo says.

Royce nods. “Time can't be borrowed, but of course, I'm willing to give you some of mine.” He

replies lightly.

"Oh, that was a lovely line. So poetic.” Kataleya exclaims as all eyes turn to her. She blushes,

shrinking into her seat as she hides behind me a little.

"Yes, I can sense the romance in the air.” I add, gagging, trying to get the attention she hates, away

from her.

“Don’t make me change my mind on this.” Leo says pointing with the back of the pen at the

textbook.

Royce smirks, “I'll see you later then.”

He says to Leo before he turns and walks off. I can’t help but glance at his back and that ass.

“Ahem.” Azura says and I quickly turn back, raising an eyebrow.

“What?” I frown.

“Nothing.” She says in a tone that says the exact opposite...

Well, it's not like I'm not going to tell her later anyway, I just don't want Leo to pick up on stuff. That

man is smarter than Dad...

After lunch, Kataleya and Leo go off to discuss something with one of her professors and that gives

me and Azura some time to talk.

I had handed my work to the math professor and kindly requested the period off since the Luna of

the Sangue pack requested my company. He, of course, agreed happily and seemed satisfied with

the work after a quick scan. I just hope since I'm new to his class, he won't recognise the

handwriting is different.

Azura and I are now down near the greenhouses. The place is deserted, and we are sitting on the

low wall, with Malevolent in Azura’s lap as she strokes and scratches under her neck, making

Malevolent purr happily.

I have my hands braced on the wall on either side, swinging my legs slowly.

“So, spill.” She says to me. “Who's the sexy hunk?”

I look at her, knowing she had made sure we got this time alone and I'm grateful.

“Royce Arden, he's the new trainer, remember. I'm sure you know that.” I reply pointedly,

“Yeah... Shame, the last one wasn’t as hot when I was here... would have been far more fun. But... I

just didn't realise he’s the same hunk on your mind.” She replies slyly, with a smirk.

Ok, she's got me there.

"One of many, actually.” I smirk, before I sigh. “It's complicated.”

“Isn't it always?” She replies, tilting her head, as Malevolent jumps into my lap.

I cuddle her and look over at Azura.

"Yeah, well, remember I told you about Reign? The guy online?” She nods as I continue. “Well, turns

out he's Royce’s brother Aleric, who I slept with before I knew that he was Reign. And then, I almost

slept with Royce at the club before school started. We made out.”

She raises an eyebrow.

"Wow, you mean you have the hots for both twins, damn girl.”

“I don't know Zu, I'm actually so confused. Like when I'm not with them, it's Royce on my mind, or

Reign... and Royce has totally helped me not be so hung up on waiting on Reign’s messages..."

“Yeah, I saw that chemistry in that tiny exchange that you both made sure was as casual as possible.

I'm certain he's into you.” She says, opening her bag and taking out a box of Lindt chocolates.

I smile, this reminds me of the old days, when we both would just eat snacks and talk.

I take one and open it, popping the whole thing into my mouth.

“I don’t know how into me he is because he’s a damn prude,” I say, brushing it off.

“Sure, deny it all you want. So, what's the issue then, if Royce is the one on your mind? I actually

think he's a decent guy, not to mention how he helped us...” She says, her smile fading as she

remembered that time.

"Hmm, he is, but when I'm in Aleric's presence, there's this odd pull, like I'm drawn to him. Although

I don't know what to make of him. I mean... Reign is so different from Aleric, or what I have seen of

Aleric, aside from the fact he relates...”

I unwrap another chocolate as Azura throws an unwrapped one up and catches it between her lips.

"How do you even know Aleric is Reign, then?” She asks confused, “Like did you two meet or

something or what?”

“He opened up to me and showed me our chats.” I sigh, “But he seems so different online, then

again I know I'm different too. I mean I was far more open online.”

“So do you mean, you're disappointed?” She asks, “The fact he is Reign?”

I frown, am 1?

What was I expecting?

“Forget Reign Sky. Right now I think you're holding onto him, but then that's confusing you about

Aleric as a person himself.” She says.

I get that...

I look up at the partially clear sky and sigh.

“I honestly feel my emotions are crazy... maybe I just need a good fuck that doesn't involve either

and get them both out of my system.”

Her eyebrow shoots up.

"Yet Aleric is still on your mind, although you have fucked him.” She points out. “All I'm saying is, he

knew he is your professor here and although you know it's not so bad if a professor is mated to a

student, but without the mate bond, it's questionable. Plus, if you aren“t serious about him then

don't take things further Sky... He's still an Arden and I know it holds zero weight for me, but they

are a tad shady. Besides, you don't do relationships, so why now?"

I frown, no I don't...

“He said he wants to work on us.”

“But is there even an “us’? I mean, from what I can, tell you took a ride on that dick and you were

done. If he's pushing you Sky, don't let him. Plus, if you're so uncertain, you shouldn't let anything

cloud, or influence your judgement.”

She sure has some good points.

"Dominant men are pretty fun, I guess.” I reply.

"Yet we both know you don't like it constantly, it's why you like taking the reins sometimes, right?”

Azura replies, raising an eyebrow.

Yeah...

Smirking, I look at her. “When did you get so wise?” I tease.

“I've always been incredibly smart, plus living with a genius makes me up my game. You know, can't

have him thinking he has all the brains.” She replies haughtily.

“Yes, don't boost that damn Rossi ego!” I say, pushing her lightly.

She chuckles.

“I think I boost his ego enough as it is.” She says, blushing lightly.

Damn, she’s got it hard.

Malevolent climbs onto my shoulder, rubbing against my cheek. I caress her fur gently.

“I actually want to see this Aleric now, see what he’s like.” Azura pipes in.

“Well, he will probably be in a class now.” I muse, unable to stop myself from thinking over what

Azura has said.

“Then we'll catch him once the period is over.” She says confidently.

I nod. “So has Leo said anything about the attacks?”

"Not yet, whatever it is, it actually seems to be able to teleport. According to what's caught on the

heat cameras, there are times where it completely disappears. No one seems to even make sense of

what it is yet. Aside from what Kat and your Aleric were able to input.”

"Hmm, well, it was actually me... Aleric didn't see it," I tell her truthfully.

Azura frowns. “Sky does Alejandro know?” She asks sharply.

“l didn't tell him.” I admit.

“I think you should, because it would be an interesting experiment to see if your dad could get to it

the next time it's around. Maybe it's a Lycan thing.”

I frown. “Maybe, but what's the point when he doesn't even allow me to ever participate in

anything?” I say bitterly. “If he wants to keep me sheltered then why should I give him any input? All

he'll do is warn me to stay out of it, or worse out of the cottage and try to protect me.”

“I know... but it's killing innocent people. I think this could help.”

“That's why I told Aleric.” I point out.

A wave of emotion rushes through me and I hate how it suffocates me, I'm still angry with what

happened when Azura was taken several months back.

I was terrified something was going to happen to her, I wanted to help save her, but instead of

allowing me to help, Dad had shouted at me and forced me to sit it out.

“Do you know how it feels knowing that all you are allowed to do is look on from the sidelines?

Maybe if I'm not so suffocated by his rules and have an actual purpose, things wouldn't be so damn

hard. He found a purpose in life. He did something without being tied down. His brother supported

him, yet he doesn't even try to let me do the same.”

It's another reason to keep myself distracted.

"He cares for you Sky, it's why-"

"Caring and actually getting me are two different things. No one gets me." I say, it's getting hard to

breathe.

Only Reign understood...

“Have you said this to-"

“What's the point? I hate the double standard he has; at my age, he took part in battles, but when it

comes to us? We can't! I bet if I was a boy, he wouldn't make me sit it out.” I say angrily, my eyes

blazing plum, my heart thumping as those thoughts that I've tried to squash suddenly resurface

with vengeance. “The bottom line is, whether anyone sees it or not, he defines us by our gender!”