Chapter 89 Cheeky Opportunity

Chapter 89 Cheeky Opportunity
Skylar
“Dad, this isn’t…”
My words got cut short as he grabbed my hand. His wolf eyes seemed to bore right through my skin, and that was the exact thing I’d been terrified of for as long as I could remember.
“We had a deal, Julie. You’re supposed to tell me the second this sigil changes. I can guarantee that bloody witch is digging deeper into you.”
My knees went weak. Dad was spot on. I’d never been able to hide a single thing from him. He’s an Alpha, and his instincts are sharper than any wolf in the whole of Britain.
“I’m sorry, Dad. I was just scared you’d punish me again.”
“Is that honestly what you think of me? A ruthless Alpha who’s cruel to his own daughter?” Dad let out a long sigh.
Something inside me dropped. Out of every chat Dad and I had ever had, this was the very first time he’d asked what I actually thought of him.
I stayed silent, treading carefully in case I blurted out something stupid that’d spark his temper all over again.
“Julie, I didn’t push you away from Red Crescent Moon just because of what happened five years ago. Equilibrium is the bloody hub of supernatural balance. You’re properly safe here. But clearly, someone’s trying to mess with that.”
The tension in the room suddenly felt dead suffocating. Hand trembling, I slowly rubbed the sigil on my arm.
"It’s... the sigil reacting, Dad. Last night in the Underground Rubik corridor, we ran into Katya," I whispered, trying my best to keep my voice steady. "Her magic triggered a reaction in my arm. But Elroth held it off so it wouldn't wreck my own magic."
Dad stepped closer, ditching the usual cold distance between us, and pulled me into a proper bear hug.
"I’m sorry for acting so distant all this time," Dad’s voice went raspy, sounding properly worn out. "I didn't want to destroy my own girl if I ever came face-to-face with Katarina. I’d never forgive myself if I lost control."
"I thought you hated me for hurting Mum—" My breath caught in my throat.
“I could never hate you, Julie. Everyone loses control at some point. It’s not a curse; it’s just proof that our subconscious is fighting to survive.”
“I forgive you, Dad. Can you drop the icy face with me from now on? It gives me the proper creeps.”
Dad pulled back and gently patted my forehead, just like he used to when I was a kid.
Oh Moon Goddess, it felt so good to have things back to how they used to be.
"Speaking of Katya, my gut’s telling me something’s off. Your uncle already filled me in," he said firm as anything.
His eyes flashed with pure Alpha authority. Dad’s instincts are spot-on, just like he said, and I knew for a fact Uncle Kai wouldn't miss a single detail about Katya.
"Professor Astraxiel confirmed the report from the Underworld. The document Elroth nicked from his old man is legit. I’m just waiting on Headmaster Fischer to sort this out."
I froze. What Elroth said last night about fake notes and Katya playing games suddenly clicked. He wasn't taking the mickey; I felt like a right idiot for doubting him.
Before I could ask anything else, the door burst open without a knock.
Irlan was standing right at the threshold. His black cloak hovered slightly, his crimson eyes glowing bright in the dim hallway. Right behind him, Gils followed with a quiet fire in his eyes, keeping his cool.
Even Michael and Elroth, who’d been told to clear out earlier, were standing guard on either side of the door.
"Alpha Seth," Irlan greeted with that cold vampire aristocrat tone, giving a stiff nod. "Apologies for barging into your family chat, but your presence here forced our hand."
Dad turned around, taking in the four lads surrounding my doorway—four fates tied straight to my blood.
Michael with his protective instinct, Elroth with that cheeky smirk that had finally faded, Irlan looking effortlessly refined, and Gils standing like an absolute brick wall.
"Four bond mates..." Dad muttered under his breath, his chest heaving as he tried to keep his emotions in check. "Julian wasn't winding me up when he reported this madness."
"Dad, please... don't go blaming them," I cut in fast, stepping between him and the four pairs of eyes at the door. "It’s my blood. My soul’s split... and if it wasn't for the four of them, I’d have probably gone pop from my own magic on day one."
Dad stared at me for a long beat, the harshness in his face melting away into the look of a knackered, worried father. He blew out a massive sigh and rubbed his face.
"Eva already filled me in, and so did the Seer," Dad said, sounding completely done. "Whether my daughter dragged you lot in or you lot seduced her is a conversation for another day. Right now, we deal with Katya. Until we figure out who’s pulling that vampire's strings, the five of you don't leave each other's side."
Michael gave a quick nod, while Elroth shot me a smug 'told you so' look.
I looked down, fidgeting nervously until Irlan gently took my hand in his.
Dad decided to wait for Fischer in his office. Before leaving, he looked straight at Irlan and cracked a tiny smirk for a second.
Elroth caught the look and immediately felt hard done by, considering he was the one who brought the intel about Katya. He started muttering under his breath, taking it out on Gils with little flicks of magic.
“Elroth, give it a rest, will you? I’m about two seconds away from setting that greasy hair of yours on fire,” Gils snapped.
I was dead shocked to hear him speak up so smoothly to Elroth, considering he usually stutters whenever Elroth winds him up.
“So what’s the game plan now?” Michael interrupted.
I walked over to the edge of the bed. Honestly, I didn't have a clue what to do next. The whole thing was just mind-boggling.
I was finally getting a handle on my magic, and I could even turn into a wolf now, but there was still this massive pit in my stomach.
Irlan came over and guided me to sit down on the edge of the mattress.
“I’m sure your dad and uncle won't let Katya anywhere near you again. I spotted extra guards near the infirmary earlier. Madam Duncan’s patching her up, but Professor Varkesh is keeping a proper eagle eye on her.”
“Serves her right. That hook-nosed git hates rule-breakers. Safe bet he’s just waiting for Katya to trip up over her own little act,” Elroth snickered.
Sometimes I actually feel pretty lucky to be bonded with Elroth. He’s a total demon, but he’s reliable as hell when things hit the fan.
Though my appreciation went straight out the window when he casually slid onto the empty spot beside me and started nuzzling my neck like he had zero chill.
I wasn't about to act all flustered in front of my other three mates, so I bit my lip—though like a proper idiot, I didn't actually pull away or push him off.
“What do you think you’re playing at, demon?” Michael shoved his way between us.
“Taking a cheeky opportunity, obviously. Stupid question to ask a demon, mate—like me asking what’s so brilliant about turning into a dog,” Elroth fired back.
Gils snorted. “One’s throwing a fit out of jealousy, the other’s winding everyone up just to start row.” He reached out and pulled me up by my hand.
“You lot forget dragons can play games too, yeah?”
My eyes went wide as Gils pulled me in and kissed me proper hard, like nobody else in the world existed except the two of us.