Chapter 253 Connected

Chapter 253 Connected
Aria's pov
I feel so sick to my stomach that I can't even finish breakfast.

We’re having it downstairs in the basement while Professor Claude goes over the plan one final time. The president is the main target and the guards and the council members are the only ones that will stand between us and him. And if we can get to him first, his hold on the others will break.

At least that’s the theory. 

We are moving in so much guesswork and I don’t like it, especially when my father’s life is at stake

"Aria."

I lift my head and find Professor Claude looking at me with unmistakable regret on his face. 

"I'm sorry about your father. But I know Roderick would want you to go through with the plan."

My anger flashes but I simply nod once and look away.

"There are faculty members ready to join the fight when the time is right," Professor Claude continues, trying to reassure me. "We can do this, Aria. I'm certain your father—"

"Don't fucking talk about my father." The words leave my mouth. "You don't know what he wants." I push back my chair, picking up my half eaten breakfast. "If that's all, I'll see you later."

Upstairs, I dump the food into the trash before placing the plate in the sink. Leaning both hands against the kitchen island, I lower my head and squeeze my eyes shut. I’m terrified of what will happen to my father but underneath it, I feel a sense of calm. 

I had felt it ever since I woke up this morning.

It’s Lux.

My Phoenix wolf is no longer hiding from me like before. 

Should I call my brothers before I go? Just in case they will lose two people today. 

My heart squeezes painfully at that but something else is burning in my chest……determination. It seems Lux believes in them. I sense Kael approaching and look up before he appears in the doorway. Our connection is stronger now. I feel him as if he is part of my soul and when our eyes met, I understood everything I saw in his eyes without him opening his mouth. 

Kael Blackthorn is my air. 

My life.

And we are going to go down in a blaze of glory in our quest to rid the world of a mad man. And free my father and Professor Claude. If today becomes our last day alive, then at least I know I experienced a love this great. I look away before my emotions overwhelm me.

Kael crosses the room until he's standing directly in front of me. His fingers gently lift my chin, forcing me to meet his eyes again.

"I love you, Aria Evans."

Tears sting my eyes instantly. "I love you too," I whisper.

He smiles the way only he can and holds out his hand. "Then let's go get today over with."

I slip my hand into his without hesitation. Dante and Jaxon come downstairs carrying backpacks over their shoulders as though today is just another ordinary school day instead of the beginning of a war. I can feel their nervousness too but they seem more confident than me.

The drive to the academy passes in complete silence. Nobody seems interested in small talk anymore. Every mile brings us closer to whatever waits at the end of today, and each of us is trapped inside our own thoughts until Kael parks the car. 

"They've replaced today's training with another special assembly," Dante says, scrolling through his tablet.

Kael nods before turning toward his packmates and says, "You really didn't find anything in the library? Not a book, an artifact, an ornament... nothing? Madam Lisa implied that the Council keeps something there and that’s why the forest is so strong here.”

Panic shoots through me and I whip my head toward him before instinctively glancing outside at the guards standing nearby.

Why would he say that out loud?

What if they heard him?

"What the hell, Kael?" I hiss under my breath before looking back toward the guards again.

Have they heard?

Kael blinks at me. "What? What happened?"

"I'm pretty sure there are conversations you can have with your friends by mindlinking them," I whisper, even though I know the guards could hear that too.

I reach down and carry my stuffed bag.

I did Kael says.

Without moving his lips.

My eyes widen and snaps back to his face, then back to his mouth.

What in the…….

Was that the change I have felt? Am I mentally connected to him now?

You can hear me Kael states and then a slow smile forms on his lips. 

Well, finally

Another voice echoes inside my head and I jerk toward Dante so fast my neck protests.

His eyebrows pull together. ...Wait He stares at me in confusion. You can hear me too?

Holy shit Jaxon’s voice comes through and the three of them all look at me as if I had grown another head. 

I know I should be able to mindlink with Kael, but not his friends. We aren’t in the same pack and I hadn’t sworn fealty to their alpha, which I have no plan of doing, not after he tried to kill me.

What’s happening?

I’m not sure, Kael answers with a frown. I think last night——

My cheeks colors as I thought of what I had done to him last night. What my wolf had done to him. I haven’t stop playing it in my head. The way I had taken him, brought him t— 

“Eww eww eww, figure that out.” Dante says, practically launching himself out of the car. 

Jaxon laughs, hitting Kael on the arm, chanting “My bro” before following Dante out. 

My entire face colors even more

Had they…Had they seen that too? I can't even bring myself to look at Kael anymore. The confidence of last night has already disappeared, leaving me blushing like a virgin again. Can they see and hear everything I think about now? 

Kael only laughs softly before leaning over to kiss my forehead. "You'll figure it out, baby. Lux will help you." He squeezes my hand. "I'll see you at lunch."

I nod before climbing out of the car. There isn't time to figure anything out, we only have a few hours left. As I walk toward the building for my first lesson, my gaze drifts toward the first-year classrooms where the omegas are already gathering for lessons. A strange ache settles inside my chest because, despite everything I've become, a part of me still feels like I belong with them.

"Hey." 

Nathaniel is waiting outside my first class. 

"When you didn't come back yesterday, I packed your bag and took it with me." His eyes fall to the heavy backpack hanging from my shoulder. "I see you got another one. Do you want me to carry—"

“No, it’s fine.” I hurriedly snatch the bag away from him. “Thank you.” 

If he noticed my odd behavior he made no comment. The same with my teachers when I paid no attention to them. The morning flies by too fast for my liking and before I know it, I’m heading to Kael for lunch.

It’s go time......