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"That makes two of us," Logan said in a wry tone, but she was smiling, so I was pretty sure the other hunter was kidding. Mostly.
I gave a nervous laugh as Adams, one of the other new recruits, plucked at the collar around my neck with his finger. "Now you’ve got two of these, mutt. Still not sure why you'd want to join the circus, but congratulations, I guess."
It was more than he had said to me the entire time I'd been at the Abbey, so it felt like tentative acceptance, even if Arrow’s “affectionate” nickname for me had spread.
Before I could respond, Baker chimed in, "So, how's it feel now that you’ve taken a vow of celibacy?"
"A what?" I croaked.
He and the others burst out laughing, so I figured they were joking. I hoped. They all grew somber all of a sudden, and when I turned and saw Castor standing over my shoulder, I knew why. He was definitely intimidating, to say the least.
Good to know I wasn't the only one he had that effect on. Intimidation among other things.
"We’ll give you some time alone," Logan said, inching away with the others. She gave me a sympathetic look over her shoulder, but the truth was, being alone with Castor was far from a punishment—even if I wasn't exactly sure what he wanted with me.
"So," Castor said, his gaze sweeping over me and lingering on my collar. When he touched it, a shiver ran down my spine in spite of myself. "You're officially a hunter.”
"Guess so," I said, hoping I didn't look as nervous as I was. Nervous, infatuated… it was all the same difference around him. "You sure you don't regret putting your neck on the line for me?"
His lips quirked slightly at one corner. "Not yet. Let's try to keep it that way."
"Yeah," I mumbled. "How are you feeling?"
There was undeniable irritation in his gaze, but he didn't scold me immediately like I feared he would. Even if it was only because we were in front of the others. Although that had never stopped him before. "I'm fine. I could ask the same of you."
"I'm great," I assured him. "Dr. Kelly says I’m cleared for the hunt tomorrow."
"Good," he said, nodding. "There’s plenty of work to get caught up on."
"Yeah," I sighed. "Did you… ever find out where the wolves who attacked us came from?"
He immediately grew solemn, and I regretted asking. "No," he answered. "Not yet."
I nodded. I didn't want to admit I was curious whether they had anything to do with the rogue alpha who had turned me. When I saw the way Castor was looking at me, I realized it was probably clear enough.
"You would've recognized him," he said, as if reading my thoughts.
"Oh. Really?" I asked hopefully.
"You would've felt intense, crippling agony when he died, for one thing.”
I frowned. "But I want to kill him."
"It doesn't matter,” he replied. “The sire bond can’t be broken by hatred alone."
"Oh,” I said, considering his words. “I guess there’s still a lot about wolves I don't know, then.”
He snorted. "We're going to have to change that now that you're a real hunter.”
I couldn't help feeling the hope his words inspired in me. "Yeah!" I said, smiling. Maybe that wasn't the only thing that would change.
"Come here," Castor said, walking toward the double doors leading out onto the balcony on the other side of the sanctuary. "I've got a gift for you."
"A gift?" I echoed, following him.
"It is your graduation ceremony," he said in his usual dry tone.
"Yeah, but… I think you vouching for me is more than enough."
