Thornhill Academy. Chapter 95

**Evander**

Kael and I lingered in the soft, dew-kissed grass for what felt like an eternity, the night air cool against our skin as we finally unravelled the tangled knots of jealousy and misunderstanding between us. We'd "sorted our shit out," as Ally would put it with that mischievous glint in her eye, her blunt, endearing way of cutting through the drama. It felt liberating, like a weight had been lifted from my chest. My dragon no longer viewed Kael as a rival encroaching on our sacred mate bond with Ally. After all, he shared one with her, too. Far from diminishing what we had, it only strengthened it, weaving an intricate web of connections that promised her double the fierce protection and boundless love. Or, wait, more than double, really. Allison had been blessed, or perhaps cursed, depending on how you looked at it, with five mates in total. Five souls bound to hers, each of us a thread in the tapestry of her destiny.

A chuckle escaped me as I broke the comfortable silence. "Did you ever expect the professor to be part of this madness?" I asked Kael, my voice laced with amusement.

He turned to me, his lips curling into a lopsided grin that revealed a flash of sharp teeth, a remnant of his own hellhound heritage. "Hill? The ever-stoic scholar with his nose buried in ancient tomes? Nah. But what about Cage? Or, hell, the fucking demon King himself?" His words hung in the air, laced with a mix of incredulity and reluctant acceptance.

I barked out a laugh, the sound echoing softly across the open field. But the mirth faded as quickly as it had come, replaced by a sharp slap of reality that hit me square in the face. We'd just been officially claimed by our mate in a whirlwind of passion and fate, sealing bonds that thrummed with unbreakable power. And yet, in our haste to hash things out, we'd left her alone... with those three. Hill, Cage, and the enigmatic demon King, each a force in their own right, each now irrevocably tied to her. *Shit.* A surge of protectiveness roared through me, my dragon stirring restlessly beneath my skin.

Kael must have sensed the shift, or perhaps the same thought had struck him like lightning, because he was already hauling himself to his feet. He brushed off the remnants of his half-torn suit, which had been shredded during an earlier partial shift, with futile swipes, attempting to smooth the wrinkled fabric back into some semblance of order. As if that could erase the wildness we'd embraced moments ago. We exchanged a wordless nod, the urgency building like a storm on the horizon. We began with a brisk walk, our strides purposeful and synchronised, but restraint gave way to instinct. By the time we reached the festival's outskirts, we were sprinting full tilt, our shoes pounding against the earth in a rhythmic thunder. The once-vibrant courtyard had quieted considerably; the earlier laughter, music, and revelry now reduced to a subdued murmur. Strings of fairy lights still twinkled overhead, casting an ethereal glow, but the energy had shifted. I could only assume that those fortunate enough to have found their mates were off in secluded corners, basking in the glow of newfound bonds, whispering promises, exploring touches, surrendering to the pull of destiny. The unmated ones, meanwhile, likely wandered the shadows or retreated to their dorms, nursing the sting of envy and solitude.

My eyes darted through the thinning crowd, searching desperately for any sign of her— that cascade of hair, the curve of her smile, the spark in her gaze that called to my soul. No luck. My pet, my Ally, was nowhere in sight. Ahead, Kael barreled into the cluster of entwined dancers on the makeshift floor, their bodies swaying languidly under the star-studded sky to the fading strains of a melodic tune. Couples clutched at one another, lost in intimate moments, but Kael showed no mercy. He shoved through them with determined force, eliciting startled gasps and indignant glares. When anyone dared to protest, a muttered curse or a challenging stare, he responded with a low, guttural growl that brooked no argument, his eyes flashing with hellfire. I watched as he emerged on the far side of the dance floor, pivoting sharply to scan the area once more. His expression told me everything before he even met my gaze: brows furrowed in deep concern, jaw set in grim determination. She wasn't there. The festival's magic, once so enchanting, now felt like a cruel illusion, hiding our mate from us in its folds. Panic clawed at the edges of my mind—what if something had happened? What if the bonds had drawn her into danger? We had to find her, and fast.

"We should go check in with Hill." He said, once he got back to me.

"Yeah." I agree, if she went with anyone, it'd be with him. Yeah, they didn't have that sort of relationship, but she would feel safe with him, I'm sure of it.

Kael leads the way, his long strides cutting through the overgrown trail. The trees here grow thick and uneven, old roots twisting across the dirt like veins.

He glances back at me. “Hill’s got a cabin up here."

The cabin comes into view after a few minutes, a squat, weather-worn thing with smoke curling lazily from the chimney. It looks peaceful enough. Too calm, considering what’s happening tonight. My chest tightens as we climb the small porch. Kael knocks once, twice. The door creaks open, and Professor Hill peers out, wearing that same damn half-distracted expression he always has, like he’s already halfway through a lecture in his head. His shirt’s wrinkled, sleeves rolled up, and he’s got ink on his fingers.

“Ah. Kael. Evander.” His tone is polite but cold, eyes flicking between us. “Is this about the festival?”

Kael crosses his arms. “We’re looking for Allison.”

Hill’s brow furrows, but only faintly. “Miss Rivers? I assumed she was with you.”

“She was,” I say tightly. “But something happened. She left. We thought maybe she came here with you.”

There’s a long pause. Hill studies us both with that detached sort of curiosity that makes my skin crawl.

“I haven’t seen her,” he says finally. “And I’d appreciate it if you didn’t bring your... personal affairs to my doorstep.”

Kael’s nostrils flare. “Personal affairs? She’s missing, and she's your mate.”

Hill sighs, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “Allison Rivers is more capable than either of you gives her credit for. If she’s gone, it’s because she wants to be. Not because she’s lost.”

That hits me like a slap. I take a step closer before I even realise it. “You don’t care that your mate could be in danger?”

Hill’s gaze sharpens just slightly. “You assume too much, Evander. I care deeply, but I am not in a position where I can do anything about it.”

Kael growls beside me, baring his teeth. "Pathetic." That's all he says before he turns and starts back down the trail.