I hear the door click shut behind me before the hairs on my neck rise, and I know he’s close behind me. I’m sure if I stretch my arm back, I’ll brush against him, so I lock my arms to my sides to stop that from happening.
A fingertip brushes down the back of my bare neck and a full body shiver courses through me. A deep chuckle fills the air as he steps around me, his finger not breaking contact. Sliding around the side of my neck until it comes to rest on one side of my throat, and his thumb on the other.
“Things are going to get even harder for you now, my Star. Your new number is about to be announced and a lot of people are going to be angered by it. Say the word and I’ll protect you from them.” His voice washes over me, it’s almost hypnotic and I can feel myself wanting to sag against him. I knew I shouldn’t have come in here. What is it with me and damn voices?
“What if I d-d-did? W-what would b-be the c-cost?”
“I love how you think. You don’t see it yet, but we really are perfect for each other. You take my protection and all you have to do is give me everything you have. No more refusing me, denying what your body wants, what you want.” I can’t help my trembling as he drags his hand down between my breasts, and further still until he reaches my lower stomach. “You want me as much as I want you, stop fighting it, Luna. Give in to your desire.” He brings his mouth close to mine, and I squeeze my eyes closed.
“Open your eyes, Luna.” I hate that they spring open at his words, and his hand slides down to my thigh, lifting my skirt until he’s cupping me through my panties. “Give in to me.” His mouth is mere millimeters away from me when the door handle turns, and I jump back.
He bares his teeth at the intruder and all Aeron does is wink before he walks up to me, pulls me into his arms, and cups my ass. He massages me as he slips his thigh between my legs, and rubs it against me. A stuttered breath escapes me and I don’t miss the way he looks at Emmet with the biggest shit-eating grin I’ve ever seen from him.
“Stop trying to get her to ride your leg. We have ten minutes before we need to get to the assembly. Let’s not waste it,” comes from Tucker, as he and Tom step into the room and close the door behind them.
“W-what’s going on? What a-a…”
“Don’t worry, Little Zero, it will all make sense in a minute,” Aeron says, as he pulls his leg free and tucks me under his arm.
“Come on then, Emmet, get on with it. I’d rather not be in here for longer than I need to be,” Tucker says as he pulls his damn phone out again. It’s like he’s obsessed with the fucking thing.
“Can’t you stay off that damned thing for a fucking second? It isn’t going to kill you,” Aeron says, and it sounds rather harsh coming from him. He seems so different this year.
“For crying out loud. Look, Moonbeam, we’re here to enlighten you about a ‘situation’ that has arisen. Just try to keep an open mind, okay?” Tom says and I nod my head. It’s not like there’s anything else I can do.
Emmet is glaring daggers at Aeron and he’s just smirking back as he places his hands on my stomach, pulling my top up so we’re skin to skin.
“Sir has taken an interest in you, one that isn’t sitting well with any of us. Especially his golden boy,” says Tucker as he looks at Emmet.
“He’s keen to have you attend all the outside functions, so you haven’t just been made Ten like most would have expected.” He comes closer as his eyes fix onto mine, and I’m trying to slow my breathing as my heart beats rapidly in my chest. “You’re now Five, the number that belonged to the girl who pushed you downstairs. She thought she would take Four, seeing as you beat the shit out of the previous owner of that number, but she didn’t.”
“W-why n-n-not?”
“Because Sir wants it left open, he wants to cause a little chaos and see who will claim it. That’s his official reason. Honestly, he wants you to take it.”
“No, he wants her to become One and to be claimed by his son. Then she’ll be even more available to him,” comes from Aeron as my hairs stand on end, and goosebumps break out across me.
“Why does he care what number I am or who I’m joined to?” I’m not entirely sure what I’m feeling, but a ball is forming in my stomach and I feel as though I’m on the verge of puking my guts up. What am I saying? I know how I feel, I’m fucking terrified.
“Find out how you’re a legacy and then we’ll talk,” comes from Emmet, and I take my eyes off Tucker to look at him instead.
“Okay, I’m sure it should be obvious to me, but I’m not connecting the dots. So, how am I supposed to find out?” I step away from Aeron and walk up to Emmet, not thinking as I jab my finger in his chest.
The room is deathly quiet and I hold still as his fingers circle my wrist, and he holds my hand against his chest. He steps even closer, the tips of our shoes touching, and I can’t take my eyes off his. No matter how hard I try.
“You’ve got some balls on you, Star. I don’t know which version of you excites me more. Innocent and meek or feisty and strong. I could devour you and I can guarantee you’ll never want me to stop.” His voice is low and gravelly and my brain has vacated the premise.
“Enough!” shouts Tucker as he grips the sides of my arms and pulls me away, Emmet refuses to let go for a moment and my wrist is tender when he finally does. “Just give her the fucking file so we can get this over with. You want her to figure it out, then give her a helping hand.”
He releases me and storms over to Emmet’s bedside cabinet before pulling out the manila envelope and placing it in my hand. I can see the Prince grinding his teeth as his jaw works furiously, but his dislike will not stop me from taking it. I guess I didn’t see enough last time.
Honestly, no matter what I say to them, I think I know who makes me a legacy. I mean, of course I do. I may not be book smart, but I’m not an idiot. The thing no one seems to realize, I don’t give a damn about my past or that of my birth mom. I don’t want to know anything about my blood family, so why can’t they just let it be? It takes all my effort to not wonder about it, and he’s only making it harder.
Aeron steers me toward the door, and his hand hovers over the handle as Emmet’s voice cuts through the tension-filled silence. “I may enjoy your feisty nature, Star. But I wouldn’t advise you to pull a stunt like that again.”
I look over my shoulder at him and his stare is enough of a deterrent; I think the safest thing to do is to go out quietly.
Entering the hall for the assembly feels almost surreal, so many heads have turned to face us. I really do not want to enter with the guys, but they don’t really care what I want. Why should they? I shouldn’t feel resentful, but I can’t help how I feel. I mean, Emmet isn’t with us, but fuck knows where he’s disappeared to. Stop worrying about Emmet.
Even my alter ego is tired of me, and the school year hasn’t even started. Yeah, I think I’m off to a great start.
“You’re with me,” Aeron whispers in my ear before he nibbles on my neck and grips my hip, leading me onto the stage.
At least Daria is up here, but she looks as uncomfortable as I feel. Bradley is beside her, but even though his arm is around her shoulders, it looks… limp. I hope they’re okay. Those two give me hope that love can be found in the strangest places. Like a hospital, for instance, right?