Chapter Chapter Thirty: Live Art, More Haters, and Royal Reading
Malachi’s POV
Sunday was full of more preparations for the upcoming Autumn Formal ball at home while I was already being visited by various couturiers and tailors that came over to get measurements for my custom-made tuxedo that I was planning to wear. In between more royal lessons and catching up with my best friends (Floriana had met her mate- a sweet Omega werefox- while her brother underwent his first shift and run before meeting his Alpha mate- an Alpha merman): I never really got a chance to meet with my men since the MAgnificent Eight had to handle some affairs and the Sons of Enya needed to head back to the heavenly realms to settle some other affairs.
And now, it was Monday afternoon and I had just finished all my online midterms on the computer while waiting for my tutors to talk about their arranged midterms set for tomorrow. Just as I was getting out my copy of Hamlet from my desk drawer, there was a knock on the bedroom door. “Enter,” I replied, expecting to see one of the maids with lunch.
Instead, the door swung open to reveal Aunt Ciara and Uncle Miles as they brought in a bag of Carl’s Jr. with the latter handing me a bottle of Diet Pepsi. “Working hard, I see,” Aunt Ciara noted, handing me my lunch. “Rough day hitting the books?”
I nodded. “Just finished my online midterms,” I said, unwrapping my chicken sandwich. “I’m now waiting for my online tutors.”
“Good to know,” Uncle Miles replied. “Anyway, your fathers told me all about the notes from Cunningham, the recent one that arrived nearly setting them and your brothers off. And from what I’ve heard, they’re talking about keeping you from the festivities since you’re not claimed or marked.”
“What?” I exclaimed.
“Well, maybe it’s for the best,” Aunt Ciara replied. “Though they may not truly agree on the final details regarding your welfare, they might think that you could be in danger. And besides, you already know that there’s a lot of haters back at BMHS that still think that you’re just a runt with a royal title.”
I frowned. “Well, clearly those kids still think that I should’ve mated with the late Marissa DuMartel,” I pointed out. “They’re just mad that I didn’t choose to pick the formerly popular and future female Alpha werecat and decided to mate with hot guys.”
“That’s what we thought as well,” Aunt Ciara replied, motioning for me to eat my lunch, “but even though you’re now a future Sun God Wolf and that you’re training to become royalty, you need to admit that your life could be at risk. Your dad and fathers could relate.”
I nodded, remembering how Dad was comatose and was targeted by the douchebag known as Regan Zallenda before being kidnapped and almost sacrificed by the dillweed’s lovelorn and power-hungry twin brother Ryan. And while Dad was popular as he is now, I knew that there were some haters out there that wanted him to suffer.
“Aunt Ciara and Uncle Miles,” I began, pausing to take a deep breath. “You two mean well and I appreciate you coming to talk to me about this, but I will be fine. Uncle Clay, Uncle Colin, and Uncle Camden all have trained me to defend myself with and without weapons and I’ve been mastering my shifting speeds to where I am close to matching all of my brothers’ speeds. I will take your words to heart and remember to watch my steps. And I’ve been minding the Moon Goddess’ words of wisdom to trust in Her plans and myself as well as my family and friends. All I ask is that you all trust in me to handle myself when the time comes. Can y’all do that?”
Aunt Ciara nodded. “We will,” she replied. “But remember, Malachi, that not all eyes that are closed mean that the people are sleeping. They could be watching your every move or listening to you in the shadows. We’ll trust you, but remember to watch yourself.”
“I will,” I replied.
The next few minutes were spent eating and making small talk until one of the older butlers arrived with a small package in hand. “Special delivery, Young Grace,” he said.
I nodded, putting the package to the side before I read the accompanying note.
Malachi, my sweet and royally beautiful boy,
Art can be sensual and romantic for us both.
I’m inviting you to spend lunch with me tomorrow.
And like I said, I want you to draw me...while I’m naked.
Mrs. Yanez will take you while Renatha and Chai will keep watch.
Until tomorrow afternoon, I’ll be watching over you.
-Olodom.
“Ah, to be young and in love,” Miles teased as I opened the package and pulled out a leather-bound sketchbook that was perfect for drawing large pictures and some coloring pencils, charcoal pencils, art pens, and another notebook for writing that came with an elegant pen. “Malachi, your boyfriends never cease to amaze you nowadays.”
Aunt Ciara hummed in assent. “No wonder that Abaddon and Azrael think that they need to up their game,” she piped up. “Those boys are really working hard for it.”
“I know,” I replied, popping the last fry in my mouth before polishing off my drink and cookie. “And that’s why I love them for it.”
*****************
True as Olodom’s word, I was currently in the art room at Bethune Memorial (Principal Andrews assured me that I would not be disturbed) and sitting on a chair, heavily sketching away in my new notebook, occasionally glancing at the athletic and nearly naked body (he was now wearing a pair of form-fitting black briefs) of the son of Sorunos while Chai and Renatha stood at the door and gaped at the sight of the young and nubile male brunette with shock and envy written in their eyes.
“Good Goddess almighty,” I heard Renatha mutter to Chair as she gazed at Ollie’s perfectly-formed bubble butt. “That demigod could put Gandy out of business.”
“Malachi is one lucky bastard,” Chai aggreed, nodding slowly as I subtly noticed her licking her lips. “I’d kill to be in Malachi’s shoes right now.”
Ollie just snickered while I blushed with mortification and continued to draw.
Ten minutes later, I was finished and the four of us (with Ollie now dressed in a pair of blue Levis jeans and a black sweater) were enjoying a makeshift picnic with Chai bringing in some subs from Jersey Mike’s as we talked and laughed while learning more about the thirteenth and final mate (he and his father were both alike when it came to their volatile tempers and the ability to swiftly punish anyone that crossed them, but they also love athletics as much as they loved to sneak in a few treats themselves). “This is so great,” I breathed as we all cleaned everything away. “Thank you for this date, Olodom.”
The brunette grinned brightly, his flawlessly white teeth now on display. “No, Malachi. Thank YOU for drawing me perfectly,” he crooned, picking up my notebooks and showing me the drawing that I did of him. “You captured my essence quite nicely. I knew you had the gift.”
I preened while Chai and Renatha cooed. “Well, I wanted to make sure that I got all the details right,” I said sheepishly.
“Well, maybe when we finally mate each other and our other mates...you can draw me fully naked and I can do the same for you,” he replied cheekily, landing a chaste kiss on my lips. “And that’s just a taste of what I can give you.”
I hummed. “Just make sure to bring in some chocolate syrup,” I teased. “I do love fingerpainting.”
Olodom smirked, pulling me closer to him. “Noted. I love you, Malachi DuBauer. And I always will.”
I took a deep breath, my insides glowing s I felt his mate bond lock in with mine and the others. “And I lo-”
“UGH! What the fuck is this?”
The intimate scene was rudely interrupted as all eyes were now at the now-opened door where three female Beta wolves looked on with disdain while two male Alphas were frowning. “Uh, I was told by Principal Andrews that no one was to disturb us,” I said flatly, crossing my arms. “So, why are y’all here?”
The first female Beta snorted. “To get laid, duh?!” she said. “Only we see a ratty royal punk with two ugly hags from hell and a sex god who shouldn’t be yours in the first place.”
“And what the fuck are you doing here, DuBauer?” the second female Beta, a petite towhead, asked me rudely. “Thought you were homeschooled.”
“Miss Thang, he’s on a date with Olodom, the son of Sorunos,” Renatha replied sassily. “And y’all were interrupting a moment between them.”
“Thank you,” Olodom boomed as he snapped his fingers and revealed his Roman centurion persona. “And Malachi DuBauer IS my mate.”
The two female Betas scoffed while the third one- a silent redhead- looked on. “Well, the freak needs to go,” the first one replied. “We’re horny and we need this room.”
“Uh, why can’t y’all wait?” Chai asked, placing her hands on her hips. “This is a private date and-”
“Fuck off,” the second female Beta replied as the third Beta and the male Alphas briskly left. “We don’t want the princely Omega at our school unless he brings back Marissa DuMartel and mates with her.”
To Olodom, who was starting to get pissed off. “And you can be my king if you want to. I’m not wearing any panties if you’re wondering.”
Olodom glared at her. “I can tell,” he said lowly. “It’s no wonder that you and your friend smell like you’ve been selling your bodies.”
The girls scoffed just as Sorunos appeared in a giant ball of light, his anger now matching his sons. “Leave now, whores!” he boomed, pointing his sword at the ladies, which promptly frightened them. “And know that my son Olodom has already pledged his bond to Malachi. Leave him alone or else face my wrath.”
They didn’t have to be told twice, though the first female Beta flipped me off. “This isn’t over, you little shit!” she seethed. “Get out of our school. Runts like you don’t belong-”
And before she even finished Sorunos snapped his fingers before lightning struck her down. Her body split in two as worms poured out from her now-open stomach before the ground swallowed it up.
Olodom face the second female Beta, who looked as if she spotted a ghost. “You wanna try my father?” he grinned wickedly. “Go ahead.”
She shook her head no, leaving the doorway just as Principal Andrews arrived with Dominic and Nicholas. “Everything okay?” the latter asked me.
I nodded. “Better now that Sorunos handled the haters well,” I replied just as I saw him disappear back into the heavens.
“Child, what a day,” Renatha commented as we all finished gathering our things. She turned to me. “And weren’t you about to say something, Malachi?”
Oh, yeah. “I love you too, Olodom,” I said, landing a kiss on the demigod’s lips. Olodom grinned and he trapped me with another kiss that felt like I was in heaven.
Now I had the love of all my mates. But I had a feeling that more drama was coming my way. And if I know better, Bethune Memorial High was ready to hate me more. I was sure of it.