The Lycademy - Fire and Death

8. Olive branch idea

I didn't hear from Seth for the rest of the day. What was even weirder, when I texted Gini if I should bring her dinner, she answered that it was already taken care of. I mean what the f**k?! I have a hard time believing that Seth is just looking for a friend. What guy would hang out with a girl without an agenda? Although if he is pinning for Gini, he obviously likes challenges.

After breakfast, I met with Cole on our way to the Lycan Law classroom and from what he told me Kite was boiling with rage after her encounter with Seth. Buzzard, her cousin, apparently tried to calm her down but Kite didn't listen to anything anyone said to her.

I'll admit that what Seth did was low, but he was sixteen for crying out loud and he apparently apologized to Ossy. But off the record, that must've been a hard pill to swallow for the older one of Springer siblings. He used to be the strongest after all, so when some kid comes to your home and humiliates you, I can only imagine how his ego suffered.

"Look Vaughn, I hate to be in between. I want to hang out with you guys and the girls, but this is getting kinda difficult when everyone hates somebody." - Cole said with exasperation after filling me in the mess yesterday's encounter brought - "Buzzard is like Kite's shadow, but he's also Nicky's best friend. You can barely stand Kein, who is getting along with Nat. Not to mention Kite and Seth. It's like f*****g kindergarten."

"I know, but what can I do? Besides, isn't it in our nature to quarrel a bit?" - I asked with a crooked smile.

"Sure, but have in mind that something our parents build can be easily destroyed by these, as you put it, 'quarrels'." - Cole pointed out.

"Spoken like a true leader, I see Nicky and Nat started polishing you into your new role." - I snickered, but the look he gave me spoke volumes. Cole didn't look like he was even a little bit comfortable with that though. Actually, he didn't look at all like a guy who found his Mates. Even when you can't feel the bond yet, that's actually a good thing, but my friend looked like it was anything but. - "How's that going anyway?" - I asked and he shrugged, but the way his brows were knitted together told me he was more than worried.

"I don't know. Fine I guess."

"Have you…" - I tried asking carefully, but he vigorously shook his head stopping me mid sentence.

"No. I still can't wrap my head around it. It's weird without the bond and all that. I like Natalie, she's sweet and…"

"Normal?" - I finished for him and he responded with a broken smile.

"Yeah, something like that. And I think that the other one isn't my biggest fan and I don't want to make it worse. And she wasn't happy yesterday." - Cole confessed with a sigh.

"What do you mean? She's your Mate and she feels it, unlike you. She should be over the moon to have you. You know how important having a Mate is to any Alpha." - I frowned.

"Yeah I know, but she's so rough around the edges and I have a feeling that everything I say pisses her off, so seriously man, help me out here. It's hard to understand one woman and I have two to deal with." - Cole admitted with eyes begging for help.

Geez, my best friend looked like a mess. I guess when we made fun of double Boyl Mates we never suspected that could be the fate of one of us and Cole really ended up between a rock and a hard place.

"Alright but what do you have in mind? You know I can behave around Kein, even though it's hard, but what about Seth and Kite?" - I asked.

"I heard about some party next week. Some chick from the Silver Moon is organizing it. It's supposed to be a huge deal, so maybe if they interact in a crowd things will get better and we can make two groups coexist." - he suggested.

"A party?! Like we can drink all our animosities away?" - I raised one brow.

"Have any better ideas?" - he scoffed and I shook my head 'no'. - "I thought so."

"Alright, but what's the plan? Do you really think that Kite will behave? She didn't need any alcohol to blow a gasket in the cafeteria." - I said.

"Then talk to her. You guys are friends and you know Seth like no one else, so be a mediator." - Cole asked with hopeful eyes, just in time we reached the classroom.

"Fine. But you owe me, you know. You are basically sending me to negotiate with a wicked witch." - I said, taking my place next to Gini who was already seated and doodling in her notebook.

"Yeah, yeah. Whine all you want, but it's not you who has to appease two girls. And trust me, redheads are crazy." - Cole ended our conversation.

Sorrento was talking today about differences between Council laws that apply to all affiliated Packs and the ones that every Alpha deploys on his land. He made me, Gini and that girl Maya tell all about the laws exclusively implemented in our Packs. As the only Alpha born we obviously had the biggest knowledge among the students and it went pretty smoothly. Thanks Dad for boring lessons about our Pack.

I know my cousin didn't feel like it, but for me it was nice to talk about something I actually know. Besides, Sorrento seemed pleasantly surprised that I'm well informed and genuinely interested in Crescent Moon's rules of conduct. So, being a bit of a showman I am, I thrived in this spotlight even if just for a moment.

Maya looked well informed too. From the way she spoke I could tell she really loved her big brother who took over just two months before. But right away he signed alliances with Dragon's Night, Red Moon, Surge Pack and Dark Night. But his work didn't stop there, he started reforming their whole Pack starting with the warriors regime going all the way to Omegas. This Max guy sounds like a stand up guy it's almost a shame they live all the way in Australia.

Classes ended with Sorrento praising us three and thanking us for valuable information. And he should, we basically carried all his lesson, but anyway if that gives me some brownie points on the finals I'm game.

When we were exiting the classroom I caught up with Virginia, who in her usual manner was quickly walking towards her condo or library where no one talks to her, those were obvious her safe places in the castle.

"Hey Gini, I was wondering if you would be up for the party next week?" - I asked once I reached her, matching her almost jog. She lightly giggled at my words. Well, that was first, I should probably feel offended. She basically laughed at me, but the fact she let her guard down to actually do it means she's warming up to me. Strange logic, but it's a huge deal between us.

"Oh Vaughn, don't you know me at all? Party and I never go hand in hand." - I swear I could see the small smile from under the curtain of her hair enveloping her face. But then she suddenly stopped in her tracks and looked at me. f**k she actually looked me in the eyes. Hallelujah! -" But if you don't mind, I'd like to borrow the roof keys for that night."

"Are you organizing a competitive party?" - I teased her and a small smile appeared once again. f*****g hell, what's gotten into her.

"Sure, because that's exactly what I would do." - she answered sarcastically and I was really impressed. - "But truth be told, I wanted to draw the sunset and while it's nice to be around you guys, but you are all so loud and distracting." - she said apologetically, breaking eye contact.

"Sure, I'll drop it by with your dinner next Friday."

"Thanks, I really appreciate it, but don't feel like you have to do it all. You know the meals and inviting me everywhere. You really don't have to." - Virginia said awkwardly.

"I don't, but I want to help. Family should stick together, right? At least that's what someone really wise told me lately." - I assured her with my signature smirk. She nodded slightly again, fully self-conscious - "Gini, no one is bothering you, right? And you would tell me if someone would, right?" - I asked because of the new wave of protectiveness.

"No, I barely know anyone here. But thank you. For everything." - she said with touching sincerity and went her way.

That was weird, but good weird. I'm getting attached to our family's white-black sheep. Huh, that's new.

After the rest of my classes, I decided to be true to my word and try talking with Kite. There's a better chance that she will pour some nasty potion, her grandmother keeps supplying her with, than actually getting through to her, but what better thing do I have to do? Alright, I could think about a few things, but I promised.

I found her condo on the second floor of the residential wing. When I was standing just outside her door, I swear I could hear two women giggling. Great, she's probably with a friend. Maybe she'll be less feisty with company.

I knocked on her door and I heard "You need to go." and then shuffling. It was really long while before Kite opened and her attire was a bit strange, because she was wearing only black silk bathrobe.

"Oh Vaughn, what can I help you with?" - She asked over the c***k in the door blocking my entrance.

"I wanted to talk, but I can come back another time." - I said taken aback. Kite looked back into the room as if she was contemplating her options.

"No. Come in." - she said, opening her doors wide - "Just give me a second to dress. Make yourself comfortable."

I entered her personal space and right away I could tell it was all Kite. On her kitchen table stood a few lit, tall candles. The bookshelf that is usually stocked with textbooks for various classes was emptied and only a few old-looking toms stood proudly on it. Each and every one of them about magic. Runes, potions brewing, spells, and something I could only assume was about the Covens history.

A quiet squeaking sound got my attention and I turned just to see a small animal watching me curiously from the coffee table. It wasn't a rat or a weasel, but it was damn cute.

"Hey there little fella." - I said, coming closer to the animal and slowly extending my hand for it to sniff it. That's what I was supposed to do, right? Although it's not a dog.

The little pet hissed at me and I decided it was best to sit on a couch at a safe distance from it. I watched it curiously and the animal mirrored me. It was funny, whenever I tilted my head to the side it did the same, mirroring my every move.

"Playful little thing are you?" - I chuckled to myself.

"I see you met Jojo." - came Kite's name from her bedroom door.

"Yeah, what is it?"

"Another ignorant. It's a stoat." - she said with a smile extending her hand to the little pet and immediately Jojo ran to her shoulder where she nested herself comfortably.

"He's funny. But I didn't know we could have pets."

"It's a she and there's no way in hell I would let anyone separate us." - she said fiercely - "Anyway, what did you want to talk about?"

"Isn't your friend going to join us?" - I asked confused.

"What friend?" - she frowned.

"I heard you talking to someone before I knocked."

"Oh that. I was FaceTiming." - she breathed out visibly relaxing - "So what's up?"

I sighed preparing myself for the witch's wrath. Here goes nothing.

"I heard about the party next week and I was wondering if you could… behave if Seth would come?" - I said watching her carefully.

"What are you talking about, I'm the nicest person in the world." - she admitted smugly.

"Kite, be real. You spit on him yesterday. I don't want any fights. Besides, he's different from when he was sixteen." - I said and she crossed her arms looking unmoved and ready to blow - "Just give him a chance. I'm not asking to tolerate him if he acts like a jerk. But would it really hurt you to cut him some slack? He apologized after all."

"Too little, too late, Vaughn."

"Oh, come on Kite. I'm not the biggest fan of your friend Kein, but I can be civil around him. Don't be difficult here."

She started laughing as if I said the best joke she had ever heard.

"Me difficult? Never!" - I did my best, pleading eyes making Kite roll her own - "Fine, I'll give you one party for old times' sake. But if he starts something…"

"I won't blame you." - I assured her.

"And you will owe me." - she demanded.

"Fine, I will owe you." - I said with a huff. I looked at her shoulder where her stoat was sitting watching me curiously - "Can you believe her?" - I asked the animal pointing to Kite and call me crazy but this little thing had the wisest stare ever. As if she understood me. Damn witches and their creepy pets.

But I owe another favor and I know Val will want something from me too for using her gym after hours. Why even when I win I feel like a loser?