Fortune Academy: Year Three - J.R. Thorn Page 0,8

meant like, really bad.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Unless there’s something else?”

I didn’t want to tell Logan about the possibility of another Virtue. The effects of the truth shrooms had burned out after bonding with my wolf, which was just as well.

For now, he should enjoy being my mate, because I’d meant it when I had claimed him just as he had claimed me. I put on my best smile. “I just was hoping to have some big revelation when I Awakened, you know? Like I’d shoot fire from my fingertips or gain the knowledge of the universe.”

He chuckled. “You’re so needy, princess. Not satisfied with the most powerful orgasm of your life?” He waggled his brows.

I put on the rest of my clothes before punching him in the gut, which didn’t do much and kind of felt like punching a brick wall.

A sweaty brick wall that I wanted to climb like a tree.

“Don’t call me that.”

Dante poked his head into the chamber and grinned. “Call you what?”

“Princess,” Logan answered. He gave me a knowing grin. Dante might not have made the connection of who I really was when it came to my Hellbound lineage, and if my wolf had any mercy he’d keep it that way. “She’s a royal brat sometimes, don’t you think?”

I balled up a wad of glowing blue moss and mushrooms and threw it at the wolf. “I am not!”

Dante laughed, but I could feel his appraising gaze over me. He studied the black blood trickling down my leg and the wound that had already started to heal. When his orange eyes met mine, I nodded.

I’m okay.

He crossed his arm before replying in my mind. You better be, or I’ll slice that wolf up into tiny little pieces and feed him to the spirits I just drove out of the tunnels.

Logan cracked his neck. “Just because you two have figured out how to speak privately doesn’t mean I can’t hear you whispering.” He scratched the back of his ear. “It’s irritating.”

Dante narrowed his eyes. “You just fucked her, so I’d say I’m allowed a little private conversation.”

Logan growled as he crouched, perching himself on his fingertips. “It wasn’t a simple fuck, you Neanderthal. I claimed my mate. I’m just as much part of this mate-circle as you are now, so watch your fucking mouth.”

“Guys,” I snapped, not having the energy for this testosterone. “This isn’t a competition. I belong to both of you.” I made a point to meet Logan’s gaze, then Dante’s. “We’re all going to have to get used to this dynamic, but for now I’d appreciate it if you two would get along.” Logan bared his teeth and Dante went for his blade at his waist, making me roll my eyes. “Okay, maybe ‘getting along’ is a stretch. How about you two just don’t kill each other?”

“No promises,” Logan said.

“Bite me, wolf,” Dante spat back.

“As you wish,” Logan taunted as the air around him shimmered. His eyes gleamed, betraying that claiming me had come with a boon, just as it had for all of my Virtues. Every one of them had gained some heightened control over their gifts and Logan was no exception.

I didn’t sense any pain from him as his form began the shift. His bones crunched and he readied himself for the transformation. He took his time as his features changed until finally he towered as a wolf three times the size he’d been before. His fur gleamed with silver that sparked with magic and his crystal blue eyes glowed with fresh power.

I sucked in a breath when the silver wolf launched for the Hunter. Dante didn’t need my help, though, and moved out of the way with lightning speed, redirecting Logan’s momentum out of the chamber.

Instead of turning on him, Logan trotted down the path without looking back.

Smug bastard.

“Come on,” Dante said. “I cleared a path, but the wards I put up won’t keep the spirits away for long.”

Sighing, I took my Hunter’s hand and ventured out into the darkness.

Freaking Virtues.

The tunnels warmed as we went, pulsing with heat that came from somewhere below, offering a reprieve from the relentless cold on the surface.

When the heat made the air shimmer, I knew we were close to the next layer. A rumble of voices broke the silence and one in particular made me smile.

Jess.

“Are you all blind? I’m one of you, you nimwits! You could have killed us!”

Logan kept close to my heels as I exited the tunnels