Brother’s Best Friends Are My Mates novel Chapter 81

Lia

I barely had time to react before the wave of magic slammed into me, knocking me off my feet. Air whooshed from my lungs as I hit the ground hard, my vision swimming.

“Again,” my teacher snapped, her voice cold.

I groaned, pushing myself onto my elbows. “You could at least warn me before blasting me across the room.”

“If you need a warning, you’re not ready.”

I exhaled sharply, rubbing my ribs. “Maybe I’d be ready if you didn’t knock me down every five seconds.”

“Your enemies won’t wait for you to get up, Lia. They’ll keep you down.”

I clenched my fists. “I know that!”

“Do you?” Her voice was sharp. “Because from where I’m standing, you’re not focused.”

“I’m trying.”

“No. You’re hesitating. You’re distracted.”

I looked away. “Of course I am. Gabi was kidnapped. She just got back. I can’t just—”

“You can just know what? Move on? Focus? Fight?”

I swallowed hard.

She sighed, stepping closer. “And when do they come back? For her? For you?”

I clenched my jaw. “Then I’ll deal with it.”

She scoffed. “Like you just ‘dealt’ with that attack?”

I scowled. “That wasn’t fair. I wasn’t ready.”

“You think they’ll play fair?” Her voice rose. “You think they’ll wait until you’re ready?”

Silence.

“Lia, I don’t train you to be strong when things are easy. I train you to be strong when everything is falling apart.”

I took a deep breath, but the words caught in my throat.

“You’re not the only one who cares about Gabi,” she continued. “But sitting in your fear, your grief, your guilt-it won’t save her next time.”

I shook my head. “I just need time-“

“You don’t have time!” she snapped. “You think they’re resting? That they’re sitting around, waiting for you to get your emotions in check? They are planning their next move. Right now. While you’re lying on the ground, wallowing.”

I forced myself to my feet, my legs shaky. “I’m not wallowing.”

“Then prove it.”

I clenched my jaw. “Fine.”

“Fine?” Her brow arched. “Not good enough.”

I met her gaze, defiant. “I’ll do it.”

She nodded. “Better. Now-again.”

I braced myself, heart pounding, and reached for my magic. This time, I wouldn’t falter.

It was a long session. When I came out of it, my body was aching. My muscles were hurting so I didn’t even know I had!

But I also felt proud of myself for sticking through the difficult session, not giving up, and letting my fear overtake me. However, with every step I took a whimper of pain escaped me.

At least I was home.

I slowly took the steps, wincing when I reached the top step. My eyes locked with Michael who happened to be walking towards the bathroom. He looked at me, a smile halfway onto his face until he noticed how I was moving.

“What the fuck happened to you?” he asked, tensing up.

I waved him off. “I’m fine, Michael. Don’t get your overprotective senses in a twist.”

“Then what’s with the walk?”

“I’m training in magic remember?” I reminded him, shaking my head in disbelief.

How could he forget?

No, that was a lie. I knew how he could forget. My brother was going through al to right now with Gabi back. He hadn’t let her out of his sight and she hadn’t let him out of hers, afraid that the Rosewater coven, or whatever was left of them, would show up unexpected ready to attack.

I knew they were out there, biding their time. They would be fools to attack now, but they were desperate. Desperation led people to do foolish things.

“Ah, yes,” Michael muttered, guilt flashing across his face. “I forgot you were training to get a magical license. How is that going by the way?”

I stifled a groan. “It’s going.”

This was the best way I could describe it!

“Is there anything I can do to help?”

I shook my head. “No, not really. This is something I need to do on my own, Michael. Besides, you have a lot to deal with on your right now.”

The question of how Gabi was lingered in the air. It was a foolish question because how else would she be? My sister-in-law wasn’t going to be any better than she was a few days ago.

But she was still breathing. This was what I would remember.

The baby was still kicking. Michael remarked to me the other day that he had felt kicking. It felt like more than one kick so Michael was running on the theory that there was more than one baby in there.

I didn’t know what to think about that. Multiple pups were common, just not in our family. They weren’t even common in Gabi’s family!

“Well, keep to it, Lia. I know you can do it.”

I flashed him a smile. “Thanks, Michael.”

There were so many things that weren’t said but everything was so fragile now I was afraid to ruin it.

“You better go rest little sister. I can see just from the look in your eyes that your ready to fall over.”

“No,” I muttered, barely able to stifle a yawn.

“Can’t we just throw down a blanket and call it a day?” Matt grumbled.

I gasped, placing a hand over my heart. “Do you hear yourself? Lia deserves romance!”

Jesse waved a hand. “Oh, we hear you loud and clear. You’re the one who has trouble listening when people tell you to tone it down.”

I ignored him. “We should get flowers too. Maybe fairy lights. Ooh! And we should get her favorite dessert!”

Matt sighed, rubbing his temples. “I knew this would turn into an event.”

Colby nodded, amused. “It’s Rain. Everything turns into an event.”

“I can’t help that I have taste,” I said, tilting my chin up.

Jesse snorted. “You’re extra, that’s what you are.

“And Lia loves that about me,” I shot back, grinning.

“Unfortunately for us, yeah,” Matt muttered.

Colby clapped his hands together. “Okay, so let’s divide things up. Jesse, you, and Matt handle the setup. Rain and I can take care of food and decorations.”

Jesse pointed at me. “If you pick something over-the-top, I’m throwing you in the pool.”

“Noted.”

Matt grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and leaned against the counter. “Alright, fine. Let’s just get this over with before Rain starts planning fireworks.”

I gasped. “Fireworks are a great idea-“

“No,” all three of them said in unison.

I huffed but smiled anyway. “Fine, fine. Let’s just make sure this is a night Lia won’t forget.”

Jesse shook his head, but I caught the small grin on his face. “Yeah, yes. Let’s just hope she doesn’t figure it out before then.”

I smirked. “Please. We got this.”

Now I just had to make sure I didn’t accidentally ruin the surprise.

It was the same thing Lia did for me after I passed my vampire trials. The two of us were going through a lot of the same things right now, reaching out past what we were usually comfortable with but we were willing to do it for the safety of the Moonveil pack.

When we had the event later the next night, Lia was so happy that she started to tear up. She kissed every one of us. It was a temptation to keep the kiss, but I resisted.

Showing affection in front of the guys was no longer a problem. We were going to be officially mated so it would be stupid if the four of us weren’t able to deal with our innate jealousy.

It caused Lia too much stress, anyway. I could see it in her eyes when we fought with each other. With this witch situation, the four of us were going to need each other more than ever.

They were probably lying in wait somewhere with their damn brooms and cauldrons.

I winced as I thought that.

It wasn’t fair. I didn’t like it when they called us beasts so I shouldn’t sink to their same level.