“What is that tattoo for?” I question as he runs a hand through his messy hair.
“Every hellhound belongs to a pack, and that is my pack mark,” he explains as I climb out of bed, standing on the damp towels on the floor. “We are given it when we turn eighteen.”
“That’s—” I pause, going speechless as Ryker climbs out of bed, and his boxers are tenting an impressive erection. Holy shit, he is big. Ryker grins at me and picks up his trousers off the floor.
“Impressive?” he questions.
“Yep,” I mutter like a girl who has never seen the outline of a cock before. Wanting to slap myself silly, I start picking up the towels off the floor as a distraction. “When did you get changed last night?”
“My clothes were damp from the water, and so were yours. I figured I’d hang mine out to dry, and you could use my body heat to dry yourself up,” he replies.
“Thanks for staying last night,” I say, placing the towels on the side.
He meets my gaze. “Anytime you need me, Dae, just call. I can hear you.”
“You’re quite the charmer in the mornings, aren’t you?” I question as he pulls his shirt on. “I need coffee to come up with a decent reply.”
“Let’s get you some coffee then,” he suggests, opening my bedroom door and coming to a halt. I walk over to see Sword standing in the doorway, his little hands on his hips, glaring up at us.
“I must clean,” Sword exclaims.
“Good morning to you too,” I say as Ryker steps aside and Sword rushes into the room, muttering something about messy adults in his home.
“Is that a Bwbachod?” Ryker questions, looking over his shoulder. I yawn and stumble into the living area, coming to a halt when quite a few pairs of eyes are looking at me and Ryker.
Poppy and Mossy are sitting on the stools, holding drinks, and next to Poppy is Seb, who is glaring at Ryker over my head.
Finn is the most surprising of all, and I really didn’t expect to see him in here. He leans against the counter, his eyes burning with possessive anger. There is way, way too much testosterone in this room this early in the morning.
Finn opens his pretty mouth to say something that’s no doubt judgy as hell, and I hold a hand up. They all watch me as I slip next to Seb, sitting on my regular stool and wrapping my hands around the coffee cup.
“It’s so, so good to see you this morning,” I lovingly tell my drink, taking a sip right after. I sigh.
“Now Daesyn has found her one true love, coffee, can you explain what happened last night?” Seb growls at Ryker.
“Why, jealous your boy wasn’t at home with you?” I tease.
Seb’s eyes narrow on me, anger burning right through his gaze. If he could set my ass on fire, I bet he would right about now. “No, the castle was attacked, and dumbass over here is on the missing list. Everyone is searching for him.”
“Oh shit,” Ryker grumbles. “Hey, are those pancakes?” He is quick to get distracted, leaving the conversation for the food. Mossy gives him the stink eye as he digs into his favourite breakfast choice.
“Okay, so Seb is here to check on his bestie, and why are you here?” I point a finger at Finn.
He still looks pretty pissed, but he swallows it down and answers somewhat calmly. Even if his version of calm is fucking terrifying. “I came to escort you and Poppy to a surprise test. I was planning to pick Sebastian and Ryker up on the way, but it seems I am lucky enough to find you all in the same place.”
“Lucky you,” I say, clearing my throat. Finn smiles, and it’s like a fox smiling at a rabbit, before standing up.
“You slept in. Do get dressed, we must leave,” he coldly tells me before heading towards the lift. He presses the button, and I stare at his tense back, feeling strangely guilty. Nothing even happened with Ryker and me, and neither has it with Finn...but I’ve felt more than something for them both.
Fuck, this is a mess. Hopefully one or two of my crushes somehow becomes super undesirable overnight.
But there is more chance of Sword becoming king of the reapers and winning the academy.
“Do you want to stay for breakfast?” I call out to Finn.
He turns his head back, his glowing gold eyes making me a little fearful of his mood. “No.”
The lift opens, and he steps inside, practically slamming his fist into the buttons, and the doors slide shut.
“Well, that wasn’t awkward,” Mossy declares, you know, making it more awkward than before. Grabbing a piece of toast, I rush my ass back into my room and shut my door to get changed. After quickly braiding my hair and changing into plain black high-waisted leggings, a tank top, and finally my boots, I head back into the living room. Poppy is ready, and Seb is talking quietly by the lift with Ryker. Both of them look up as I walk in, before turning back to each other in what seems like a heated discussion.
“Ready for another test?” I question Poppy. She grins and nods.
“I’ve tucked Mossy into my bed. He stayed up all night in case ‘the dog tried to eat you.’ His words, not mine,” she explains to me.
The hellhound eating me in the right way could be a very good night indeed. Shame it would come with complications like feelings.
Pulling myself out of my dirty thoughts, I ask, “Got your dagger on you?”
“Yes, and where did you get that other dagger from?” she asks me, eyeing the new dagger on my left hip. Now that I have three daggers and my whip, I’m practically building up my collection. Though I still have my eyes on Finn’s dagger. That pretty thing calls for my stabby hands all over it.
“It’s Catherine’s. Mossy got me it,” I tell her, and she chuckles, shaking her head.
“You’re making an enemy for us both there,” she says and looks over her shoulder, lowering her voice. “But I’m secretly super happy you dislike her as much as I do.”
“Dislike is putting it mildly,” I reply, just as the lift opens and Finn walks back in. Silently he waves his hand in a circle, and a portal opens on the ground, looking like a big black hole.
“After you,” Poppy gently suggests. Ryker and Seb walk to Finn’s side, just as Finn meets my eyes.
