Chapter 19

Xander's POV

We find parking easily, and head into the main building where the ceremony is being held. There's a large atrium entrance hall, with the reception desk set in the middle about 20m away from the main doors. There are chairs and tables laid out either side of the doors in the large windows.  We have just gathered, and started wondering what time we should head into the auditorium, when the scent hits me. For a second, I worry my mind is wondering back to the dream again, but when I look up, I see her.

Fuck

She's breath taking. I swear the fucking moon goddess herself just stepped into the room. I barely recognise her. I mean, it’s still our Zahra, but she’s tall, confident and commanding as she strides into the room. Her long golden hair flows down her back in bouncy curls, and her stunning blue dress accentuates her gorgeous toned arms, slim waist, and curves. My breath catches. She is a fucking vision. My dream didn’t do her justice. Not at all.

I’m shocked out of my stupor by a loud yell from beside me as Eliot shouts, “Zahra!” He’s moving, as are the others, fast in her direction. I start after them when I see Zahra and the tall warrior behind her both drop into defensive positions. Then I realise it’s Henry, one of the Elite trainers from the royal task force. I briefly wonder why he’s here, but then remember Tobias mentioning giving her protection, that a couple of the elites transferred to the academy to “teach” and guard Zahra. She has no idea.

“Za-Za!” Zach yells, barrelling into her, oblivious to her anxiety. He catches her into a hug, lifting her off the floor, and I can tell that despite how much she’s grown since we last saw her, she’s still small compared to Zach. I catch the slight grimace of pain as her face is smooshed into his chest, and she must make a noise because Zach places her down, his hands on her shoulders as he steps back. “Fuck, Zahra, sorry.”

She smiles at him. “It’s ok, Yacky. I’m just still a little tender from training yesterday.” Goddess, it’s good to see her. She looks amazing. All grown up, and even more beautiful than before. I feel suddenly calmer having her here in front of us again. But I can’t think of what to say. I feel the shit-eating grin on my face, though.

Mum and Dad approach from behind us, Mum pushing past Oscar and pulling Zahra into her arms. “Zahra, darling, it is so wonderful to see you. We have missed you so much,” she says quietly. Then Dad pulls her into a warm hug.

Zahra steps back, fidgeting with her hands. She looks nervous and uncertain as she glances around at us all. “I wasn't expecting to see any of you. I thought you would all be at camp already?” she asks, looking between us.

I’m confused by her reaction. Isn't she pleased we’re here? Isn't she as happy to see us as we are to see her? Quietly, I say, “We got permission to arrive late once we knew your graduation was today. We have to report tomorrow morning.”

She nods, clears her throat, fidgeting again, then says, “Well, I need to head inside and get ready, but I will see you all later?”

“Of course, Za-Za, we’ll see you after,” Zach says, with the rest of us making noises of agreement. Then she turns and heads further into the building.

Henry remains.

“Henry, it’s good to see you again,” Dad greets him.

“And you too, Alpha Lucas,” Henry nods, shaking Dad’s hand before turning to the rest of us.

“Henry, this is my mate, Alison, and I believe you know the boys?”

Henry nods politely at Mum, then at all of us.

“How’s it going?” I ask, shaking his hand. “How’s Zahra been? She seems… different?” I notice the others’ attention shift toward us, while Mum and Dad head over to the reception desk for information about the ceremony.

Henry scowls, and my stomach clenches.

“What?!” I ask, my voice low.

He grinds his teeth. “Well, she has a handprint on her upper arm. That wasn’t there yesterday. And… she’s in pain. I suspect broken ribs from the way she’s moving.”

“Yeah, she said it’s from training yesterday?” Zach asks, looking concerned.

“Yes, well, except she hasn’t had a hard training session in a few days,” Henry pauses, and his words sink in but don’t make any sense.

“What are you saying?” Zach asks quietly.

“I caught her boyfriend…” He trails off, looking thunderous. My stomach clenches at the word. Boyfriend? What was he doing? What’s going on?!

“This morning, they were alone in the entrance hall, and he was hurting her. I could see it in her face. He left his handprint on her upper arm. And… she didn’t turn up for dinner last night. No one saw her. And now she’s got broken ribs.”

I see fucking red. Five low growls reverberate around the room, and I know the others are on the same page.

“What the actual fuck?!” Zach snarls.

“I thought you were meant to be protecting her?!” Oscar growls at Henry.

“I am, but I can’t follow her around the academy all day and night. We were tasked with protecting her from threats, no one ever suspected her boyfriend would be a threat.”

He looks murderous.

“Who is he?!” I growl at him, clenching my fists until my knuckles go white to stop my claws from extending. Atlas is awake now and very pissed, circling and brooding in my mind.

“He's called Eli Simmons. He’s a dick, graduating fourth year. He’s applied to the task force, but I told Edwardo to remove him from the candidate list and told him why. I’d be surprised if there wasn’t a little accident waiting for Eli.”

“There will be a pretty big fucking accident if I ever get near him,” Max snarls, his gruff tone making the hairs on my arms stand up.

That motherfucker put his hands on our Zahra. 'I'll rip his throat out, and then eat his fucking heart' I feel Atlas’s fury like hot iron braided through my veins. I am momentarily stunned by the viciousness of the thought that flashes through my mind. He has never shown any cannibalistic tendencies before now.

Mum and Dad return a moment later, and I know they sense something is up, but there is no time to fill them in as we head into the auditorium to watch Zahra graduate.