Chapter 58
“The moment a beast’s instinct speaks louder than reason, destiny is already at work p>
~ Rebel Beast
It was déjà vu all over again, except this time they were leaving the house they’d moved into barely a day ago.
Honestly, it was becoming irritating.
Did these people have any idea how exhausting it was to pack, unpack, then pack everything all over again? Her body had only just begun accepting this place as her temporary home until she found a way out of this shithole.
Still, as annoyed as Aria was, she couldn’t deny she was grateful Professor Maverick had their safety in mind. Unlike everyone else in this institution, he’d actually done something. Then again, hadn’t he warned them that the beasts of House Therion weren’t to be trusted?
Even so, Aria would rather sleep under the same roof as a house full of beasts than spend another night with Karen Donovan.
The girl didn’t need claws or fangs to be considered a dangerous beast. Karen Donovan was living proof of that.
Brittney and the others struggled downstairs beneath what looked like enough luggage for an overseas relocation. In comparison, Aria’s belongings fit neatly inside a single duffel bag slung over her shoulder.
That made her the first to reach the common room. Or rather, the first to see him. Maverick — no, Professor Maverick. Somehow, dropping the title made his name feel far more intimate than it should.
He and his Beta sat comfortably on one of the sofas with their backs partially turned toward her. Dimitri lazily scrolled through something on his phone while Professor Nightshade stared silently ahead, seemingly lost in thought.
Sadly, that wasn’t the problem.
The problem was that Aria suddenly couldn’t remember how to breathe whenever he was nearby.
This wasn’t even her first crush. So why was something as simple as drawing air into her lungs becoming such a challenge?
It had to be his eyes.
Those unsettling gray eyes with their narrow pupils looked as though they’d crawled straight out of every dangerous fantasy she’d ever refused to admit having.
Then again, she wasn’t even looking at them right now.
Or, as Brittney would put it, the man wasn’t Maverick but Mave-wreck. And he was doing a fantastic job wrecking not only her thoughts but apparently her lungs as well.
Perhaps Professor Maverick sensed her presence because he turned around almost immediately.
“Oh, you’re here p>
He rose to his feet in one smooth motion.
The brief sweep of his eyes over her made warmth creep into her cheeks.
“Yeah p>
Aria deliberately looked everywhere except at him. The floor, sofa. Literally anything that wasn’t Professor Nightshade.
“The others are coming p>
She pointed upstairs as though the squeaking wheels scraping across the wooden floorboards and the girls’ occasional grunts weren’t loud enough for a wolf to hear from miles away.
Maverick’s gaze settled on the lone duffel bag hanging from her shoulder.
“Is that all you brought p>
Aria looked down at the bag before looking back at him. A small frown settled on her face.
“We were sent here to survive the beasts, not build a new life. I didn’t see the point of packing an entire boutique.” There was just enough sass at the end of the sentence to make Dimitri hide a smile.
Aria assumed Professor Nightshade was judging how little she owned. The truth was quite the opposite. Even he owned more belongings than she had.
“That doesn’t mean you should stop living simply because your circumstances have changed p>
“Sorry,” Aria replied without missing a beat. “I don’t enjoy living in delusion p>
Dimitri’s chuckle drifted across the room.
The sound carried a very clear message:
Good luck with this one.
Maverick shot his uncle a brief glare before walking toward Aria.
“Fine.” He extended a hand. “Give me the bag p>
Aria blinked. “No, thank you p>
The idea alone sounded absurd. What professor carried a student’s luggage?
Maverick remained perfectly patient.
“You don’t even know the way to House Therion p>
I have a map. The words almost escaped before she caught herself.
“This isn’t heavy p>
Unfortunately for her, Maverick had already reached for the strap.
“Don’t be stubborn.” His fingers closed around it. “Leave it p>
“Sir, I don’t think it’s appropriate for p>
A low growl vibrated through his chest and
Aria released the strap immediately as if it had suddenly become red-hot. She instinctively took a step backward.
Fuck.
Maverick cursed himself. He hadn’t meant for that to happen. He’d only wanted to help.
Every instinct inside him screamed that carrying her things was his responsibility.
How was he supposed to watch his mate walk all the way to House Therion carrying that luggage while he stood there doing nothing?
Instead, he’d frightened her. Again.
Smooth going, Maverick.
Real smooth.
An awkward silence settled between them.
Aria kept her eyes lowered, unsure what she was even supposed to say anymore.
“I’m sorry p>
His quiet voice finally broke the silence. Aria looked up and the regret in his expression caught her completely off guard.
“It’s not your fault,” he said. “Sometimes I forget I’m dealing with humans p>
She nodded slowly. “I understand p>
Maverick wasn’t convinced. His eyes lingered on the way she unconsciously rubbed her arms before folding them around herself as though protecting her own body. He really was making a mess of this.
Fortunately, the others finally arrived.
His attention shifted to Brittney, who was stubbornly dragging two suitcases side by side, each with a duffel bag hooked onto its extended handle as she somehow attempted to haul all four pieces of luggage in a single trip.
Without another word, Maverick walked over.
“I’ll take one p>
Brittney looked at him in surprise. Then her entire face lit up. “Seriously p>
She handed him one of the suitcases almost before he’d finished speaking.
“Thank you p>
If the girl had heart-shaped pupils, now would’ve been the time.
Aria quietly watched the exchange and didn’t notice the small smile that formed at the corners of her lips. It seems she’d been making too much of it after all. Perhaps he’d only wanted to help.
Maverick noticed Trisha and Alek struggling with their own luggage.
“Dimitri.” He called.
The Beta looked at him, and if looks alone could kill, Maverick would’ve died where he stood. Since when did he become a servant for the humans?
Nevertheless, Dimitri pushed himself off the sofa and wandered over with exaggerated resignation.
“Anything for the ladies p>
He accepted the bags while projecting his thoughts towards Maverick.
You’re laying it on a little thick, don’t you think?
Maverick ignored him. He said instead,
“Let’s go p>
“What about the others?” Aria asked, noticing several girls were still upstairs packing.
“I’m a busy man,” Maverick answered without missing a beat. “The patrol team can bring them over at their leisure p>
“Oh.” Aria accepted the explanation without another thought.
Beside Maverick, however, Dimitri slowly turned his head to stare at him. The look said exactly what he was thinking.
Liar.
He knew Maverick could’ve waited another hour if Aria Aspen hadn’t arrived.
Just as they made to leave, one of the bedroom doors opened. Every head turned to find Liv stepping into the hallway. But something immediately stood out.
She wasn’t carrying any luggage.
“Why are you down here without your bags?” Maverick asked, his voice stripped of the softness it had carried moments ago when speaking to Aria.
Liv looked nervous as hell, but she somehow managed to get the words out.
“I’m not going to House Therion p>