Page 60 of Fortune Fae Academy
It felt strange returning to the Academy like this with my heart in my throat and the Web on fire, especially when familiar scents hit my nose.
If it hadn’t been for the alarm and an impending vision, everything would have seemed calm. The air was filled with the Academy’s morning scents of freshly brewed coffee and a hint of sweet pastries from the common kitchen. It would have been just another day before classes began.
The mornings could be misleading at the Academy. A day might start with pastries and end with a bloody Alpha battle.
When I turned a corner, another scent invaded my senses, confirming my suspicions. A hint of smoke and burning metal mingled with the aura of concern wafting from students as I passed them.
Rowan’s emotions were all over the place and a punch of guilt made me stumble.
Why haven’t I reached out sooner?
His pain blended with rage, as well as panic. I had no idea what was wrong, but Rowan was mixed up in something that was enough to set off the Academy’s alarm system.
Hang in there, Rowan.
My mental whisper felt more like a prayer when my Beta didn’t answer. After everything that had happened, I felt more disconnected from Rowan than I cared to admit.
And where the hell was Zeke?
It seemed I was doing a poor job of mending my mate-circle like Kodiak had suggested. I had a lot of work to do.
I stopped short when I reached a familiar corridor—the Alphas’ Ward.
I blinked at the empty space where a barrier should have been. The charred edges in a neat line around the wall were the only evidence that one had been there at all.
Testing my foot through the barrier, I easily slipped through. The last time I’d been through this way, it had taken a significant amount of Dust to break the ward.
Now, there was nothing to protect vulnerable Betas and Omegas from the hungry Alphas within. The ward was just as much to keep the dangerous fae contained as it was to keep the rest of us out.
A roar made me snap to attention, then my heart jumped in my chest when I felt Rowan’s anger.
Then his pain.
Not hesitating for a single second, I burst into the Alphas’ Ward, following the pull of Rowan’s heart until each step made it grow stronger.
Rowan!I shouted in my head, but our connection didn’t really work the way it seemed to with my Alphas. Something was missing for me to be able to reach my beloved Beta.
It didn’t matter, because I found him a moment later.
Shock rooted me to the floor as if I’d grown into the ground. It was an odd sensation after feeling like I was flying to come to such a sudden standstill.
Because Rowan was covered in fire.
These Alphas want to burn him alive?!
Anger wound a tight fist around my heart, clenching it so hard that black dots sprinkled across my vision.
But… he’s not burning,I realized as Rowan launched a heavy fist through the flames, catching an Alpha on the cheek. The beast bellowed as blisters streaked across his skin.
The other Alphas circled Rowan, snarling as they kept just out of reach of the licking flames.
I’d come here to save Rowan, but it appeared he didn’t need to be saved.
Then the Alphas seemed to realize I was there. The one nearest to me slowly turned as his nostrils flared. His gaze raked down my body, taking in my traditional Omega’s dress that left little to the imagination. I could have chosen to wear something less revealing, but that honestly would have only made me stand out more.
And I was not one to dress to please a man, be it to cover myself to help him with his “urges” or otherwise. Males needed to learn to control themselves and stop blaming women for their actions.
“So, you’ve come back for more, little one?” he asked with a lust-drunk grin that showed his lengthy fangs.
