Chapter 73

KATHERINE.

“How long have you been standing there?” Blake was annoyed and it seemed like he thought I’d been eavesdropping on him so I responded quickly.

“Not long.”

He narrowed his eyes at that as he pocketed his phone and seconds passed with neither of us saying anything. Finally, he heaved a sigh and gave me an apologetic look. “Sorry, I’m a bit stressed.”

“It’s obvious,” I muttered, closing the distance between us while he pressed a hand to his forehead. “Are you okay?” I asked and he nodded.

“I’ll be fine.” He pulled his hand away from his face as he stared off into the distance, obviously lost in thought, and when his gaze slid back to me, he raised a brow. “Night walk?”

“Uh, kinda. You didn’t drive past so…”

His brow lifted even further at that. “You came to find me?”

“…No…” It sounded more like a question than an answer and my cheeks warmed when he snorted.

“Are you asking or telling?” he asked, a smile playing on his lips, and I pressed my lips together as I averted my gaze for a moment before he playfully narrowed his eyes at me. “Are you stalking me?”

“No.” This one came out firmer this time and I pouted when he let out a laugh at whatever reaction I had on my face.

“So is this going to be a thing?”

“Is what going to be a thing?”

“Us hanging out together at night,” he replied and my mouth twitched. Hunter liked spending time in the art studio, Theo liked spending time in the art section of the library, and Blake… I didn’t know where he liked to spend time, but seeing as he liked being out at night, then yes, I would like this to be a thing so I could get to know him better.

“Maybe.”

The corner of his mouth turned up at my response and he leaned away from the tree before gesturing for me to go ahead and when I began to, he fell in step next to me. “No salt shaker this time?” he asked and I pulled my baptisia water out of my pocket with a grin, shaking it in front of his face.

“I’m always prepared.”

“Good.”

“There have been no ghost sightings since the anniversary started though.” I kept the water back in my pocket as I glanced at the students lounging around. “How did the school do that?”

“Ah, they use the CMES to do it,” Blake replied before I raised my brows at him, waiting for him to elaborate. “The members trapped every ghost in their haunting place and made sure to reinforce the traps every day so we wouldn’t have an ‘incident’.”

“Ah,” I muttered before remembering how much Kit wanted to see a ghost after Josie told him stories about them. Then I also remembered that he mentioned Blake when I spoke to him and Aunt Vivian a couple of hours ago and a smile crept onto my face. “My brother wants to play ball with you again,” I added and he grinned at me. God, he was so freaking handsome. “And my aunt loves the flowers you gave her… Why’d you bring sunflowers though?”

“...The flower shop was out of roses.”

“Oh.” My cheeks warmed at the fact that he remembered my favorite flowers and I drew my bottom lip between my teeth. Then the fact that I hadn’t seen him hanging out with his family during the anniversary came to mind and I glanced at him. “Your family didn’t come for the anniversary?”

“They had…” He sucked in a breath. “Important things to do, I guess.” There was a small frown on his face as he said that and it seemed like he didn’t want to talk about them, making me wonder if he fought with them or something.

I decided to change the topic. “Will you be coming for the expedition?” Theo had sent a message to the CMES group chat after we left the art auction – which ended up being an incredible success for Hunter by the way – and the message was about an expedition we’d be going on in the school's old clinic tonight. According to him, it was to make new members familiar with the club activities.

Blake’s expression softened once again. “The old clinic? Yeah. Pretty sure Theo would ruin my life if I’m not there.”

“Is that literal?”

“It’s Theo. What do you think?”

‘It’s literal.” I pursed my lips while he snorted.

“I’m heading to my dorm.”

“Oh.” My shoulders sagged at that because I never got to spend enough time with him before I nodded. “Okay. Goodnight, Blake.”

“Goodnight, Katya,” he replied, flashing me a smile before heading off.

****

I took a deep breath as I zipped up my bag, finally prepared to head to the meeting point for CMES members. I would be heading there alone since Lenore and Josie hadn’t come back to the dorm after dinner and as I glanced at her side of the room, once again I couldn’t help but wonder if she was angry at me because she didn’t sit at our usual table for dinner. Josie and I got to the dining hall before her and Priyanka and after they arrived, Priyanka went to sit with Dave, but when Josie waved Lenore over, she’d shook her head before gesturing at Satomi, the girl who had slapped Poppy during the dinner party for the Administration, who was standing with her. After getting dinner, she then sat with Satomi at one of the center tables in the hall. Josie had wanted us to go sit with them but hell no. The two girls were sitting with people like them – high-ranking people from high-ranking packs – and I had seen how some of them treated people from lower-ranking packs. Josie would fit right in with them based on class, but they’d destroy me if I tried to sit with them.

I looked away from Lenore’s side of the room and picked up my phone and backpack before heading towards the door. If Lenore was angry at me, I couldn’t blame her. I had basically done my best to avoid talking to her for over a week, acted like a bitch to her during the anniversary, and told my friends she was getting married to her cousin. I hoped I hadn’t ruined our friendship though.

My phone buzzed in my hand as I shut the door behind me and I glanced at it to see a message from my uncle.

[Uncle Lander: Evening, Katherine. Have you spoken to your roommate about the alliance?].

I tsked. [Me: It’s been like two minutes since you left Blackwood. Give me some time.].

[Uncle Lander: I was just asking. And it’s been three days since I left. Don’t they teach you how to count in Blackwood?].

That drew a smile from me before I let out a harsh breath, knowing he wouldn’t be pleased if he found out that Lenore and I were… I didn’t know what we were now.

[Me: Give me some time!!].

[Uncle Lander: Yes ma’am.].

I pocketed my phone and proceeded to head to the meeting point.