My wolf’s displeasure is only getting stronger, and I leave the library before Professor Virelia says anything else. I head towards my dorm, but the walls of the Academy feel really suffocating right now.
What the hell is going on in his mind?
I glance upwards and smile slightly, remembering where the five of us used to gather when we first joined the Academy.
It was our place. There was no me or them, it was us. The five of us.
Things changed over the years, all of us focusing on where we fit in, not always having classes together, our paths not aligning. All of us aiming for different things.
Do you really hate me, Ares?
Yeah, I fucking do.
It wasn’t like Katara telling me she finds me annoying, or Theo telling me I’m a fucking prick, but not meaning it. Even Carter, we clash, but… I shake my head as I climb the stairs, heading to one of the small rooms in the tower that we used to use to climb out of the window there to get onto the small area on the rooftop.
I pause when I step into the circular room. The window isn’t locked…
Is someone else here?
I pull myself up onto the window ledge and look down. It’s been at least nine months since I last came here, but muscle memory remains, and I find myself making my way up the brick wall with ease. Reaching the top, I swing my legs over the low ledge, only to see a figure sprawled on the floor – a vape in his mouth. His eyes flit towards me, and he grins.
“Well, well, look who we have here. Jaycey boy.”
“Theo, what are you doing here?” I ask as I drop onto the ground and lean against the tiled roof behind me.
“That should be my question. I still come here every otherday… but I got to say, no one else comes anymore.” There’s a wistfulness in his voice. “So, what made you remember our spot?”
I look at him as he props himself up on his elbows and looks over at me. “Nothing really, just realised how little time we spend together nowadays and thought I’d visit our space.”
“Naw, really? You missed me?” He smirks as he sits up fully and turns to face me, one leg raised as he vapes. “But really, you’re the last one I expected to show up.”
“Why?” I ask.
“You’re a DL now. You have responsibilities. Plus, I know you’re also helping Dad with the business.”
“Only accounts. Trust me, I’m not doing much. Renji and Carter have been as well.”
“Yeah, true. I hate numbers, I hate any kind of work.” He shudders.
I smirk slightly. “You always have…”
“You know I may not be as fucking smart as you, but I can read you. What the fuck happened to make you as gloomy as the Rossi Demoness?” he asks.
At the mention of Sienna, I try to remain indifferent.
Scoffing, I shake my head. “Not much, I had a...” it wasn’t even an argument, “run-in with Ares, and he seems to fucking hate my guts.”
Not seems – does.
“So what? Even the gods fought with their siblings. Heck, everyone does.”
It’s more than that...
“I guess so. And I guess you think I’m far too fucking controlling or some shit?”
He watches me for a moment. Despite the grin on his face, he ain’t an idiot. “Course you are. You’re like a mother hen, always quacking about us, making sure we’re doing what we need to, checking up on us to see if we’re doing ok. If we’re behaving, blah, blah, blah. But controlling? Na, I don’t fucking think so. I mean, even the gods can’t control me. Who the fuck are you to be able to do that?”
I smirk. “I don’t think Selene will approve of you swearing at her.”
