Antonio is already moving, expression sharpening from warmth to readiness in the space of a heartbeat. “Then you should go.”
Jay nods, “Yeah, thanks. Will you be alright if we—”
“Of course. Antonio will see us home,” Elysia says. “Take care of your mates. We’ll wait to hear from you.”
Antonio pats Jay’s shoulder one more time. “Son, you’ll call me later.”
“Sure thing, Dad.” Leo has the key fob in his hand.
“Time to go?” Ignatius looks faintly disappointed, still craning toward the planter. “Oh…I see. Yes. Good luck!” He waves at them and floats off down the street in the opposite direction from the courthouse’s parking lot, his mismatched shoes six inches off the sidewalk.
“Shit,” Nimue murmurs. “Lys, we better—” she nods after her friend. At the last minute, she turns around, dragging Elysia to a full stop with her. “Kick ass, Alpha!”
Elysia chirps, “Woo!” racing after her husband before he can float into traffic or actually find a pigeon to talk to.
Their unwavering support fills Jay to bursting despite Nix’s anger pouring across their bond. It’s enough to get him moving,climbing into the passenger seat of the Lexus with a sharp exhale.
“Are you ready for this?” Leo asks, pulling out into traffic.
“No,” he says honestly. Then his jaw sets, resolve sliding into place with the same inevitability it always does. “But they’re about to learn what it means to come for my pack.”
Jay’s phone vibrates in his hand. His thumb is already moving before he thinks about it. “Nix?”
“He’s okay,” Nix says immediately, like he knows Jay needs that first. “He’s with me. We’re not hurt.”
Jay closes his eyes for half a second, relief cutting so clean it almost hurts. Leo’s hand tightens on his thigh.
“But,” Jay says quietly.
“But,” Nix agrees. “They’ve suspended him. Effective immediately.”
Jay’s wolf bares its teeth.
Something Grayson says carries through the phone then, indistinct and sharp with adrenaline, and the noise in the background swells until Jay has to pull the phone away from his ear.
“They’ve suspendedhim?” Jay snaps. “Where are you?”
It sounds less like a school now and more like a battleground. He supposes, in its own way, it is.
“The Guild’s main foyer,” Nix says. “The kids are…impressed.”
Impressed withwhat?
“Nix,” Jay growls, “tell me what the fuck is going on.”
“Are you on your way?” Nix asks. “I think it’s better if I explain somewhere less populated. If you know what I mean.”
A brief pause. Then, sharper, to someone else: “Excuse me. You should really get your hands off my mate.”
The words land like a dropped blade.
“Nix?” Jay’s grip tightens on the phone. “Are they detaining him?”
“No. That was just an adolescent admirer.” A beat. “But Kirwan? She wanted to.”
Grayson
Grayson isn’t sure what to say to Bixby in the moments following the headmaster’s departure, especially with Nix’s blue eyes flashing a warning, teeth grinding audibly in the echoing silence.
