like this in front of a bunch of people I’ve known for less than a day, but I’m past questioning it at this point. My first day at Shifter Academy has been a shit show; maybe a little solidarity is exactly what the doctor ordered.
“You’re a funny girl, Boots,” remarks Landon, and I blink at him. He looks around at the others for support. “Come on, Boots? Because she keeps it in her boots? Guys?”
The others laugh. “I can get on board with that,” says Silas.
“It’s got a nice ring to it,” remarks Shade. “Boots Brix. Hunter, thoughts?”
“Whatever,” Hunter murmurs, but there’s a ghost of a grin on his face.
“Boots,” I say, testing out the nickname. For the first time since lunch, I find myself smiling. “I like the sound of that.”
Chapter 15
Hunter
"Dad is going to be so mad," Amelia all but huffs as I walk into my room and come to a halt. How the fuck did she get in my room?
"And for the second time today, you are not my mother therefore you can't tell me what to do. What the hell are you doing in my room?" I demand, dropping my bag onto the floor and kicking off my shoes. Amelia sits on my chair in front of the window. This room is pretty big and I even have a kitchen area. Nothing but the best for a Prince of the Vampires.
Except I don't want it. I don’t want anything that comes from my father or that I didn't earn on my own.
And no one in my family seems to understand that. To them, blood and what family you are from is all that matters.
Hard work is for the poor, as my father likes to remind me.
"You need to stay away from the hybrid," she tells me, and I ignore her like I always have since we were kids. Amelia was always the bossy one, the sister who thought she needed to look after me just because my powers don't work. I appreciate that she cares, but sometimes it feels like she wants to control me rather than try to understand me. Amelia catches my arm as I walk past, making me stop. I effortlessly pull my arm from hers and she raises an eyebrow. "You little liar, your powers work fine enough when you need them."
"Strength is one thing. Everything else just feels blocked," I all but growl at her. "Now get out. I'm tired."
"Dad called me today--,"
"Good to know he calls one of his children. How is mum?" I question and she narrows her eyes, a touchy subject for us both. Dad is domineering and always in control…and mum is shy and weak. She is the complete opposite to him, and he controls her every waking move. If he could control her dreams, he would.
"Don't be like that. Dad loves you," she says, lying so effortlessly and avoiding the subject of mum all together. Typical Amelia. And Dad wonders why his kids are cold and emotionless assholes. "Anyway, he said the hybrid is dangerous to the whole shifter world and the shifters of every clan are watching her. You can't be noticed at her side, so drop the tramp and find someone else to bang. She isn't even that pretty!"
I lean against the wall, crossing my arms as I swallow the anger that bubbles in my throat. I'm usually the master at controlling my emotions, but something about Amelia calling Millie a tramp has me wanting to scream at her. And about her not being pretty? Amelia must be fucking blind. Any shifter in this academy can see that Millie Brix is fucking gorgeous. She could bring any man to his knees. Me included.
I can see why Boots would be a big interest to the shifter community if I really think about it and why my sister would want me far away from her. They really don't have anyone like her, and she is clearly linked to every clan. Effectively she could lead all of us when she is older and if she is as powerful as I suspect she actually is.
Either way, I have no intention of staying away from her. I feel something, some kind of connection to her that I don't know how to explain exactly. Either way, I want to find out more about her life, and whether she feels anything for me.
I don't give a shit if my controlling sister and father want me away from her.
"I'm going to say