Resurrection (16 page)

After a brief coaching by Grace on how to tune out the thoughts of others, Wendy and Zoltar stood side by side as Grace made the introductions at the assembly. There was a loud hum of trepidation, excitement and all around nerves from most of the student body.

Tiffany, though still a student, had agreed to head the clubs the school would form.

Barb scowled during her introduction, looking as if someone had kicked her between the legs. Wendy and Zoltar both took note. Grace overheard them, shooting a look of disappointment at them both.

“I love you Grace but something is wrong with her. Keep a close eye on her.”
She pushed her thoughts.

Grace nodded and made her introduction.

She stepped up to the podium and looked out at the sea of eager faces. After a deep breath, she finally spoke. “You’ve all met me. I’m your Headmistress and Professor of Lycanthropy. I would like to personally welcome you all to McGovern University. May your first year be a successful one.” She received a round of applause as she took her place next to Zoltar.

After all introductions were made, Grace dismissed them to her first class.

“She’s plain and ordinary. What makes her better than me?”
Barb’s grousing was at near shouting levels inside her head, making her eager to put some distance between them.

Grace stepped in front of her as she tried to make her escape. “I did hear that. If I didn’t hear it with my own…whatever, I would not have believed it. I’ll keep my eyes and mind open.”

She nodded and stepped around Grace, moving her feet at a pace quick enough to be a jog. She didn’t relax until she was in her classroom addressing her students. When her phone chimed with the beginning of the period, she stood at the lectern.

“Being your first day, I don’t wish to make it a difficult one. So as I hand you your books, I want you to introduce yourself.” She could feel the relief washing over the students.

Each student came to her desk and retrieved their books, then turned and announced their name and home pack. She saw a familiar face approaching and it caused her smile to widen.

“Theron, son of Athos, Centaur, Belfast, Ireland herd.”

Ireland? I belong to Ireland?

She’d have to discuss this with Zoltar later, but for now, she felt at ease having Theron in her class.

Approaching her now was the blonde from the dining room, the one who didn’t seem phased by the video of Lycans shifting.

“Brittany Merrell, Lycan, Chicago pack.” The girl lugged her books back to her desk looking bored.

Merrell? That’s Grace’s half-brother, Xander’s, last name.
Wonder if they’re related?

By the time everyone had their books and made their introductions, class was nearly over. “Read the first twenty pages in Lycanthropy 101 tonight.”

Numerous groans could be heard. She smiled, realizing she’d receive the same reaction to every assignment, test, and quiz she gave them. It didn’t matter, she was there to teach and they were there to learn.

This was her new life. She would lead a new generation—along with her new mate. She had a life…purpose. Even with her new royal status, she was able to continue serving others, a virtue that was as natural to her as breathing.

“How was your first class?” Her mate tossed an apple to her as he approached.

“I took it easy on them. Yours?”

Sitting on the edge of her desk, he smiled. “I’m not so nice. They have a quiz tomorrow.” He cracked his neck. “I’ll take it easy on them around the holidays and finals. Other than that, they’ll get a rigorous year from me. There is a lot to learn about various species and some of them aren’t eager to learn about the others.”

“Can we talk about the elephant in the room?” She put palm on her neck.

“Grace’s friend?”

She nodded. “What’s her deal? You said you have a bit of precognition. Do you see anything?” Her heart rate increased as she hoped to get good news.

“Her interpersonal skills suck. I think she feels she’s past due a mate. But there’s something else. I agree with your assessment, something isn’t right. She never thinks about her pack or any family. She’s pretty much a loner, which is highly unusual for a shifter breed. She’s also very money hungry and she’s really pissed at Grace for making her see a doctor. She feels like Grace has abandoned her.”

She stepped back, feeling her lids expand. “That’s a fairly detailed assessment.”

He shrugged. “I’ve kept an eye on that one since she bolted from the conference room. I was thinking about having a Fae or Pixie read her aura again.”

Bobbing her head up and down, she agreed. “Great idea. If you do, get a reading on a Brittany Merrell as well. She’s a Lycan from the Chicago pack.”

“What’s up with her?”

Shrugging to give him the impression she wasn’t overly concerned, she finished. “Nothing really. Just a feeling. She carries the same last name as Xander.”

“Meaning?”

“His father was Jagger. Now, scoot! My next class is about to start filing in. Off you go,” she said with a teasing wink.

Pressing his hand against his chest above where his heart should rest, he played as if wounded. “That hurts. That really hurts.” With a playful wink, he exited her class.

* * * *

An hour long lunch is more than enough time for two newlyweds to cram in a quick meal and a lovemaking session. The moment they crossed the threshold, he scooped her up, closing the door with one foot and dashed off to the bedroom.

She grabbed the sides of his face, pulling him onto her in a deep, passionate kiss. His rough hands making quick work of pulling her skirt up. Visions of their first time together flooded her mind and she pushed them toward her mate.

“You liked that, huh?” he snickered.

“It was cruel
and
hot,” she gasped, eager to have him inside her. She pulled at his shoulders, scratching his back.

The moment he got his pants below his cock, he eased it inside her. She closed her eyes and concentrated on her mate’s mind. She could feel how she felt to him, her warmth and wetness hugging his cock that ached for release. She could feel him fighting not to let go so soon.

He stayed still once buried inside her, resting his forehead between her breasts as he took deep breaths. “You feel wonderful.”

She smiled into his hair. “So do you. And lunchtime is okay for quickies.” A small giggle escaped her lips. “But only lunchtime.”

He looked up at her, hungry eyes boring through her as pulled out and pushed into her again. She could feel every inch of him as he penetrated her to her core. She gasped with every push as her body stretched to accommodate him. She could feel him walking the line, just at the precipice of release.

The throbbing ache of her heart, filled to capacity, nearly painful in her chest, she whispered, “I love you, Zoltar.”

His lips brushed against hers as he whispered his love to her, then kissed her as he moaned in climax.

After rolling to his side, he collapsed on the bed. “It’s so much harder to hold back now that I can feel everything from you. It’s so overwhelmingly powerful I nearly climaxed before we really started.”

She kissed his chest. “That just means we need to practice at it…a lot.” Twisting her lips in a devilish grin she wiggled her brows.

“We need to get cleaned up and get back. Class is in ten minutes.” He moaned as he rolled off the bed. “I’d much rather stay here, practicing with you!”

“Same here.” She giggled. “We have nights, weekends, holidays…we’ll have to suffer through it.” Having someone crave her wasn’t a bad feeling at all. Her mate wanting to spend his days and nights devouring her was the sort of bond she’d always wished for.

* * * *

As the last class wrapped up a voice boomed in her head. It was Theron and he sounded…stressed.
“Herd meeting, rooftop, as soon as you can get here.”

Dismissing her last class, she wished them a pleasant evening. Slinging her bag over her shoulder she rushed toward the back hall which had the only stairs she knew of that led to the roof. Was it another attack by the separatists? Did her bond with Zoltar set them off? Racism was an ugly but powerful and dangerous mindset. Her heart raced and bile burned in her stomach, traveling up to her throat.
What if someone was hurt?

She hustled, taking two steps at a time. When she opened the door, she gasped and jumped back, nearly falling backward down the staircase.

“Surprise!” The whole herd along with Tiffany, Grace, Roman, Mary, Ella, Beauregard, Oden and Lela were all there. There was a long banquet table, purple and white streamers and balloons and an enormous white cake on a separate table.

Grace rushed over and hugged her. “You may not want a wedding but you
will
get a celebration!” Her arms tightened around her one final time before she released her.

Her warm embrace calmed and soothed Wendy’s worries.

Zoltar stepped behind Roman. “Don’t hurt me!”

“You knew!” She put her hands on her hips.

Nodding he confessed, “I nearly let it slip at lunch. You were digging around in my head and…well it wasn’t easy.”

She tightened her lips in an attempt to hide her smile. “You’re forgiven.” She walked to him, pushing Roman, gently aside. Stretching up she gave him a kiss.

“Thank you, everyone. It’s beautiful.” She stepped back, biting her lip to keep it from quivering as she was overwhelmed by the generosity of her friends…her family.

Everyone gave their congratulations individually before she could get a good look at the cake, which had two horses resting on top that were modified with human bodies melted on top to look like Centaurs. She snickered.

“Sorry, I’m not as handy as your mate. It was the best I could do.” Roman held up his fingers. “These were blistered an hour ago.”

Wrapping her arms around him she attempted to hide her tears. She’d always considered him a little brother, since he was so close to Colin. He’d always been around. Trying to melt together Centaur cake toppers by far the sweetest thing she’d ever witnessed from him.

During dinner, she frequently caught her mate staring at her and smiling. “What? Why do you keep grinning at me like that? You look goofy.” She snickered.

“Just in disbelief I have such a beautiful bride. Allow me a little goofiness tonight?” Forcing his bottom lip out made him look even sillier.

She laughed and shook her head. “Carry on.”

“Wendy,” Mary interrupted, her tiny little face turned up, tiny teeth shining. “I thought you’d like to know your friends Nala and Colin have taken in almost thirty of my people. More are coming. I don’t know the details, but they have found a way to support themselves and contribute to the pack.” She put her hands together and held them above her heart. “Isn’t that wonderful?”

Already in a state of euphoria, she directed her smile at Mary, feeling a sense of pride in her idea. “It is wonderful. I’m really happy for you and the rest of the Gnomes. Hopefully this will mean a more peaceful and comfortable existence.”

Mary handed her a napkin to dab away the tears.

As soon as the plates were cleared the cake was served. At the same time, the sun fell below the tree line and Gustav joined the party…with a guest. On his arm, looking the best she had in years was Michelle, Grace’s long lost mother.

“Michelle! You look wonderful.” She hugged her and kissed her on the cheek.

“So do you. I’m so very happy for you Wendy.” A tear welled up in her eye. “A mate! I wish nothing but happiness and many little Wendy’s in your future.”

She released Michelle and embraced Gustav, keeping her promise to him. If vampires could thaw, she’d swear he melted into her.

“Many best wishes, Wendy. You deserve all of the happiness the world has to offer.” His cool lips brushed her cheek.

The celebration lasted another hour before everyone returned home for the night. Wendy and Zoltar walked hand in hand toward their newly shared home. “That was a very nice surprise.” Her gaze fell on the floor before her as they strolled down the hall.

“I’m so relieved. You said you didn’t want an official wedding, but our friends thought there should be some form of celebration.” He squeezed her hand.

Her cheeks, sore from smiling, pulled her lips into an enormous smile. “Our marriage is definitely worth celebrating.”

When she opened the door her jaw dropped. Dozens of vases of flowers littered her entire living space. Roses, lilies, azaleas, and carnations were nicely arranged on every surface imaginable.

“Too much?” He whispered from behind her.

She stared a moment longer before turning around, mouth slack. “I’d say! When did you have time to do this?” Looking down she noticed there was a trail of rose petals leading to the bedroom.

“Follow the trail.” His voice was low, primal, sending tingles up her spine.

She followed the trail of rose petals to the bedroom where the bed was also adorned with petals and something else…silk ties placed neatly in rows at the foot of the bed.