Chapter 213: No One Knows Where Alnilam Is

(Amaia)

"Where is he?" I turn towards Alnitak with a thousand questions in my eyes, my heart going restless inside my chest.

Alnitak gives me an apologetic look.

"I don’t know, Amaia. He only said he is leaving for a while."

So what I witnessed and felt last night was him coming to the decision to leave. Instead of having a conversation with me, he left like a coward.

My nose burned, my throat clogged from the overwhelming emotions, but I didn’t cry.

Mintaka’s hand gently landed on my thigh, giving it a heartening squeeze.

Even with his terrible decisions and heartaches, this damn bond won’t stop worrying about him.

I didn’t pick up a single word Saiph said during the lecture. Rigel’s gaze remains on me, sharp and angry. I know he is furious at Alnilam.

Once the lecture is over, Rigel walks over and takes my hand in his.

"I am taking her to the next session," he tells the twins. They only nod at him, not arguing for the very first time.

I let Rigel take me outside, walking like a robot, my emotions and senses occupied by my silver-haired mate.

"I wish I could take away your pain, Sundust." He hugs me, his cold hands hold my waist. "I can’t even hurt him without hurting you, and I don’t want you to hurt more than you already are."

"Just hold me, Rigel." Closing my eyes, I soak in everything he has to offer.

We stand in the corridor, not talking just two broken souls, finding solace in each other.

I had promised myself that I would find the culprit behind Rigel’s curse and set him free, but I am so caught up in my own drama that I haven’t even looked into it.

Maybe it’s time to focus on Rigel and let Alnilam be for a while.

He takes me to the next session with Jamina. We enter and both of us take our seats with our respective partners.

"Hey! You okay?" Cristo asks. I probably look like shit or my expressions gave me away.

"Yeah, just not enough sleep. How are you?" I question him.

"Just the usual. Bored and sleepy." At least he doesn’t have to worry about a million mates like me.

We are interrupted when Jamina enters the lab and my heart jumps into my mouth seeing her.

That ever-smiling, cheerful Jamina seems to have been through hell. She has smoothed her hair, but it is not combed. Her eyes are red and swollen and her lips form a thin line.

Her eyes stare towards me, and she appears extremely apologetic. I wonder what has gone down between her and Alnilam.

Did he speak to her?

Does she know about us?

She doesn’t speak but quietly looks away.

"Open your books to page 39 and follow the instructions to create the healing mixture for burns."

Unlike other days, she doesn’t cheerfully speak to us or explain the details. She just seems lost, battered, broken.

Opening the book, I try to focus, but my hands shake, and even after reading the instructions multiple times, I can’t comprehend what I need to do. Cristo takes over.

"It’s alright, let me handle this." Somedays I am so thankful to Cristo.

Lifting my head I observe Mintaka walking over to Jamina. He appears tense and concerned. Mintaka whispers something in Jamina’s ear and she silently gives him a nod.

"Luthial, keep watch, I will be back in a minute," she says to Luthial but that cheer from her voice is missing.

"Yes, Professor Astride." Luthial gets up and takes over the central position while Jamina and Mintaka leave the lab.

"Everyone appears to be down today. It seems like a bad day," Cristo mumbles.

"So Mintaka is going after Jamina now," Caria openly teases, snickering. She is so different from her brother.

My head sharply turns to face her, annoyance making my forehead crease.

Before I can speak, Rahria beats me to it.

"Mintaka is mated to Amaia now, and Jamina is like his sister-in-law; show some respect."

If only Rahria knew that I am mated to Alnilam too.

Caria glares at me, and I return it, her eyes then focus on Rahria.

"You are one to talk about mate bonds and respect. How ironic."

"Didn’t she sleep with Mintaka while being mated to Kacir?" Ramian jumps into the conversation with a snicker. Seems like gossip travels fast, because Ramian is not from Orion.

"One more word about my guildmates and I will punch and break your nose," Alnitak’s annoyed voice fills the entirety of the lab and my eyes find him.

Pissed off and on the edge he appears. The bond between all of us has deepened and an attack on one is considered a retaliation on all.

"Stop fighting guys. All of us are part of Orion Academy. Why do all of you keep fighting?" Luthial asks, seeming disappointed in us.

"I apologise for my sister’s behaviour," Cristo apologetically says with his lips bunched up. "And congratulations on getting mated."

"Thanks Cristo, I am still trying to figure out this whole matebond process." The voices around us get raised as everyone gives their own opinion about the matter.

We ignore them. Cristo and I both like peace and it gets overwhelming at times to be in the middle of all this drama.

"I understand. You are mated to both the twins. Right?" He asks in a quiet voice.

"Yes, Ezran too." His gaze slowly slithers towards Ezran and back to me.

"No wonder he watches me with murder in his eyes. You have your hands full." Cristo has terror resting his eyes. Everyone fears Rigel because of his menacing aura and the way he had hurt Kacir.

"Yeah!"

"What’s going on?" Jamina’s annoyed voice makes them go quiet.

Displeasure is written all over her face and she is a woman who puts up with all our shenanigans.

"Can’t you all behave for five minutes?" Silence follows her words as everyone busies themselves with the task she had assigned us.

Once the session is over, I gather my stuff. My three bodyguards surround me, watching me as if I am going to break any second.

Jamina slowly walks over.

"May I have a word with Amaia?" She painfully asks and my gaze finds her.