Page 47 of Lost and Bound

Roberts gets the irony before I do, and he aims for the door, talking over his shoulder. “And that’s why I’m thankful Cane will be watching over her.”

I sit back down as everyone clears the room, reading my mood better than I do. Here I was concerned for Roberts for being moon mad and off his game, when I should have been more focused on myself. I know better, I’m Alpha here.

The slipup in my focus is a pertinent reminder that we’re wolves too. Some beings think they’re more important than the moon, but she’ll forever rise above us and outshine us all.

My wolf stays in the background while I sort my shit out. He sees things in more absolute terms than I do. In his mind, we are what we are and never need to justify our actions or reactions. Life would be easier if it were like that, but being a part of Quin-state is about living in a community. Now apparently that includes babysitting humans on a full moon.

Interestingly, he lifts his head and growls a warning at the reminder that the girl is human. We’re on the same page there—humans are scum and responsible for so much heartache in our community.

My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I collect my things, flicking off the lights to the boardroom on my way out. The whole way home, I’m trying to figure out how to explain our new houseguest to my brothers.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

ROOMMATES AND FIRST DATES

Ballin’s sneer stretches from one side of my screen to the other, but I force myself to sit still and not even blink. He’s already called me out for not paying attention more than once.

“It is not my issue if you are in isolation. I expect all work to be submitted before Monday morning, including the practical elements I set. Class dismissed.”

I don’t move an inch because I don’t trust him. I stay frozen like a statue, keeping my face set in a mask until a message saying the lesson has ended flashes on the screen.

It comes right at the perfect time, because the raven, who was still corporeal when I woke up, hops onto the top of my screen. His long talons nearly pierce through the front as he shifts his balance.

I grab him with both hands and pluck him off my computer, putting him back on my desk.

“You cannot roost on my laptop. Honestly, what do you think people would say? Or better yet, how do you think I’d explain a broken screen to the IT department, if there even is one here?” I change my voice, mimicking what I think they’d sound like. “Under rule 973, subsection (2a), no mystical ravens are permitted to use Thales-owned devices.”

I recognize that I’m having a full-blown conversation with a raven. Again. I scrub my hand over my face, desperately trying to keep things real. My fragile state is made worse because I’ve been locked inside my dorm room all day, barred from leaving for any reason, including to get food.

The last twenty-four hours have been… strange. I’m starting to wonder if this is my new reality.

When I woke, I nearly went into cardiac arrest because my feathered friend was real and still present in my room. A note from House Master Maddern appeared before I stopped screeching, which has meant that between classes I’ve been packing boxes, plus searching for anything to do with ravens and ancient gold bracelets, while also researching on archery websites to confirm that the piece I found is a part of a quill.

My morning didn’t end there. It continued with said raven revealing his name is Bugby—seriously, he used his beak and my keyboard to type it out. I cried and rocked on my bed while watching him, wondering if I was suffering a breakdown.

A door slams, and Bugby pivots in the direction the noise came from, making a low, garbling noise that vibrates in warning. I stand up, listening nervously as someone approaches my door. Then, despite knowing what’s coming next, I nearly jump out of my skin when the person knocks on my door.

“Miss. Ellis, it’s Rodderick.”

Racing to the door, I pull it open and barely stop myself from hugging him, I’m so relieved to see a friendly face. “I was hoping you’d be the one to help me. All day I’ve watched a steady stream of students helping Noms move, and it hasn’t been fun.”

He nods along as he listens to me unload, and I stop blabbering when I notice him avoiding my eyes or saying anything back. It’s then I realize what he doesn’t want to tell me.

“Oh, so they were meant to help. Right?”

He doesn’t answer but looks up and grins at me. “At least now I get to spend some time with you.” His eyes jump behind me. “What in the world, Miss. Ellis? A raven? He sure is a beauty.”

I kind of forgot about Bugby. “Will I get in trouble for having a pet?”

“Just don’t say it’s a pet, and you’ll be fine.”

“Pardon?”

“A lot of magikals have familiars. Vampires have thralls, and demons have whatever they want.”

I scoff, rolling my eyes. “The only problem with that, Rodderick, is I’m a Nom.”

“I’d check the student handbook if I were you, to see if there are any restrictions about Noms not being permitted a familiar.”