replied stiffly, refusing to rub my suddenly damp palms on my slacks.
“I am also not blind to the fact that you are not the only one of your friends who have caught Ms. Miller’s attention. Many humans struggle to enter casually into physical or even emotional relationships with one person, let alone with many. Have any of you spoken with Ms. Miller about this? It will not due to put a strain on the pack when we need you to act as a unit.” While the words were carefully phrased, the intent behind them was clear—a relationship was fine, as long as it didn’t break apart the pack. Any jealousy or infighting would not be tolerated, and he would be forced to act as alpha and discipline us.
“We spoke to Pixie,” I admitted. “We are all dating her.” I winced at the words, shrugging a shoulder as I tried to explain. “She was hesitant, but willing to see what happens. She isn’t opposed to a relationship with all of us, nor is she planning to jump into one immediately because she values our friendship. She asked to see how things go with Fillian, Zev, Chann, Shannon, and me.”
My father’s smile turned sharp as a blade. “All of you. I wondered about Shannon and Fillian—I sensed interest on their end, but I wasn’t sure Ms. Miller would be receptive.”
I didn’t answer him that time, merely arched a brow. He chuckled before waving a hand at me. “I’m sure you’re anxious to get to your friends. Go on now. I think we’re where we need to be in the way of duties. I will leave tonight for Washington with Boris.”
I leaned over to rub my cheek against his. “Be safe, Father.”
“I love you, Ari.” He ruffled my hair. “Take care of the pack.”
“Always,” I assured him, heading for the door. Fillian and Shannon were waiting outside when I slipped from my father’s office, matching pace with me as we headed toward the study near Pixie’s room.
“How’d it go?” Shannon asked, adjusting her glasses.
“He wanted to ensure that both Luna and Pixie were protected, as we expected,” I told them succinctly. Luna had been assigned guards as soon as she had returned to the school after the Strawberry Moon ceremony, guards who Fillian himself had handpicked. Pixie, however, would be focusing on training, and she would be surrounded by us to act as her own guard. “I assured him Pixie’s training would be rigorous, and that we would be ready for anything that would happen.” I turned my head to look down the hall, hoping it would hide my blush as I thought of the sex talk he had given me. That was one thing I didn’t want to bring up.
“I don’t know…” Shannon murmured, and I turned to see her chewing her lip.
“Don’t know what?” I inquired, my voice sharper than I intended after I straightened my tie.
Shannon hesitated for a moment before she squared her shoulders and shot both Fillian and me a glance. “You are already working her to an intense level. She’s barely sleeping. I think you need to give her more time to focus on building our bond as a pack rather than just training her. You’re burning her out.”
“She can rest soon,” Fillian countered. “Training won’t be forever. She has too much to learn though. From the way Selene put it, whatever is approaching is coming soon. Not to mention whatever that slime she calls an uncle has planned. I’m not going to let anything hurt her.” His words were an icy vow, and my wolf howled his agreement, sealing that promise.
“Midnight raid?” I suggested, locking eyes with him over Shannon’s shoulder.
“Wouldn’t hurt. Not like most enemies call out challenges the way Ashley did,” Fillian reasoned, considering me.
Shannon sighed and shook her head. “She needs to rest. She needs to play. Hell, she needs to eat something.”
“And she will.” I reached out and squeezed Shannon’s shoulder. “Afterwards. It’s just a drill. We’ve all been through midnight runs.” I listened to Fillian toss ideas around as we headed up another flight of stairs. I would train Pixie through every possible sequence until nothing that could come at her would be a surprise. I wasn’t going to see her drop again, feel that soul deep fear as I nearly lost her. She would be prepared if it killed me.
Chapter One
Pixie
If I maimed someone and then healed them with my magic, did it really count as maiming, or did I