CHAPTER 31: BECKETT

"Wait, if Luka is the heir to the Kingdom of Tartarus, then why is he a citizen of the Earth Kingdom?" I ask Miles, puzzled by this new information he just dropped.

"Because Tartarus isn't recognized as a Kingdom. Once he is announced as Katrina's fifth mate, he can claim the throne of Tartarus." Miles replies as if this is something I should know.

"But isn't Tartarus just a jail for demons and fallen angels? What else is there to do there besides be a jail keeper?" I ask, a scowl appearing on my face.

"Fuck, Beckett." Samael growls at me, "Do you so have to be so fucking ignorant about everything?"

I glare at him from across the room. I want to resume wailing on him, but I know. That'll cause a fight amongst us all, and I don't know if the academy could handle that. I don't know what went down in the underworld while Katrina and Samael were visiting, but he needs to figure his shit out and readjust his attitude.

"Does it matter what Luka will be ruling over in Tartarus?" Aphelion asks, pacing the room back and forth, static sizzling in the air with each step he takes. "We should be focusing on how to present our mate to the council."

"I want to take her home and introduce her to my father," I announce, thinking if she met all of our parents one on one before meeting them as a united front, she might be able to win over some of them.

"Abso-fucking-lute-ly not." Miles growls out the ground shaking with his anger.

"And why not?" I ask, trying to maintain my calm.

"Because your father hates demons, and Katrina hasn't learned to master full control of her powers yet," Miles replies.

"She is my mate. My father wouldn't harm her. He knows what it's like to lose the one you love." I reply firmly, crossing my arms across my chest, daring anyone to try and challenge me.

"Do you think your father won't harm her when he learns that Lillith is her mother?" Samael hisses at me under his breath.

"Lilith is Katrina's mother?" Aphelion asks, turning his full attention to Samael.

"Yes, we found out over the weekend. Katrina wanted to tell you all herself, so try not to mention you already know." Samael replied, seemingly less irritable.

"That doesn't surprise me." Aphelion replied. "Our mate is hot sin, and it's like my power is constantly being pulled towards her. At first, I thought it was the mate bond, and when she explained what Hilda told her, it made sense, but I didn't fully understand her power until we were joined wholly. I can feel her hunger calling to me, even when we aren't near. I could tell she was hungry this weekend, and I could tell when her needs were met by Samael and then fully satisfied when she was with Samael and Luka."

"Ah, so I have you to blame for this idiot's jealousy then," Samael responded to Aphelion, jabbing his thumb in my direction.

Before I could respond to Samael's newest insult towards me, there was a loud crack in the air, followed by a screen of black smoke.

"Samael, are you okay?" The siren voice of our mate called as she walked through the clouds of smoke and into Samael's arms. "I could feel your distress through the bond."

"Katrina, how did you get here?" Samael asked, confused as he glanced at our mate in his arms.

"What, are you not happy to see me?" She asks with a bit of a pout on her face.

"Seeing as you're here by yourself and Luka isn't with you, I'm only curious about how that's possible. No one should be able to teleport in or out of our room. The academy has specific safety measures set up for this. "He replied, his voice laced with concern,

"Oh," Katrina replied, taking a step back from Samael as Aphelion approached her with his arms out. "I'm not sure how. One moment I was lying in bed waiting for Luka..." Her voice trailed off, and her cheeks tinged pink when she realized what she said, "....err... I was lying in bed, and then I felt your emotions through the bond. You seemed so upset about something, and all I wanted to do was be by your side, and the next thing I know, I'm here. I thought you had summoned me or something.
I feel my jealousy continue to rise as Katrina allows Aphelion to pull her into his embrace, "I missed you, princess." He whispers into her ear before dropping his lips to her neck and planting a soft kiss there.

She whispers something back, but it's too quiet for me to hear.

"That sounds like Michael's teleportation power," Miles states, scanning over Katrina's body.

Aphelion watches Miles's eyes roam Katrina. He leans down and whispers something into Katrina's ear, which causes her to turn around and stare at Miles.

Miles takes a step toward Katrina, and I can't help myself; the words slip out of my mouth before I can stop them. "So you fucked Luka."

Katrina's head jerks up, her eyes staring into mine. She opens her mouth to say something and closes it again before looking down at her feet guiltily. I didn't want to be angry with her. I didn't want to be jealous of Luka, especially after Samael explained he was her fifth mate, but Katrina knew how I felt about Luka, and the moment she was presented with the opportunity, she jumped his bones. Did she even consider my feelings at all?

She steps out of Aphelion's embrace, "Beckett, I'm so..." She starts as she steps toward me.

"Don't," I growl, feeling my power stir inside me, "Don't apologize, especially not when everyone in this room can tell you aren't."

"But." Katrina starts, her eyes filling to the brim with unshed tears.

"Just give me some time." I reply, taking a step away from her, running my hand down my face before turning towards Miles, "Dude, I got to go. Just let me know what you guys decide on. Whatever the plan is, I'll be there. I just...I need..." I trail off.

"I get it, bro. Take the time but when you get back, fix whatever this is," He replies, gesturing between Katrina and myself, "We can't have shit like this tear us apart when we have an entire society to conquer."

I nod my acknowledgment and walk out the door. I need to get away from this room. I need to get away from her. I need time to think, and I need time to get over this feeling of hurt and betrayal that's festering in my chest. I know Samael and Aphelion will be mad at me for hurting Katrina, but at least Miles understands, well I hope he understands. And hopefully when I come back Katrina will still want to talk with me.

I know I hurt her by just walking away, but I can't risk talking to her right now. I don't want to lose control of my powers again and risk accidentally hurting her.