“Well, well, well,” a voice drawled. 

I could recognize that low rumble anywhere, having had it stuck in my head one too many days after the party. 

“Lunch looks delicious today.” Itarus made his way over to where I was standing, his gaze predatory. 

My heart skipped a beat at his feline smile. No, I told my heart.Don't do that you traitorous thing. 

“Oh my Cron, is he-“ Lyra visibly stiffened next to me. “-Sunny, he’s coming straight for you.”

I saw the entire group shift their attention towards me, clearly curious about what or who had taken the attention of their friend. 

Itarus stalked towards me, hands in pocket, the entire group moving with him.

Well, there went my hopes of a quiet first day.

Cassius whispered something to Itarus, and to whatever he had said, Itarus nodded a silent yes.

The infamous four now stood before me, their presence overwhelming despite the vast space of the dining hall. All chattering had come to a full stop, leaving only an unsettling silence to fill the room.

Itarus leveled a cool gaze at me.

“What. What do you want.”

Cassius rose a smooth brow at the steel in my words, sliding his heavy-lidded gaze to see how Itarus would respond to such blatant disrespect. The Angel looked amused. It was his twin who seemed upset, the slight frown on Gabriel's face deepening.

“Hello to you too, wifey.” Itarus taunted me with that word. “How about having lunch with your dear husband.”

His feline smile grew.

A bite, a challenge.

“How about no.”

June barked out a laugh, clapping Itarus on the back. “Seems like your wifey doesn’t like you, mate.” Red eyes slide to my face, observing me intently.

“She’s pretty. I can see why you’d be interested.”

I willed myself to not flush, not in front of these…wolves, not when all the kids in the dining hall were now openly staring.

Itarus snarled. “Did you hit your head during flight practice today?”

“Cron’s ball,” June raised his hands in surrender, “no need to chew my head off.”

He gave me a solid wink before whispering dramatically, “Clearly, I hit a nerve.”

Itarus growled while Cassius choked on a laugh.

I fought the tug of my lips. I decided I liked June.

Itarus didn’t spare me so much a glance as he stalked off, grumbling under his breath. 

Cassius followed suit giving me a small smile as he passed, his piercing rising with the movement, as if to say - sorry about that. 

Gabriel went next, but not before giving me a pointed glare, the ice in those silver eyes glittering with distaste.

What was his deal.

“See you around Princess.” June gave me a wide smile before turning to leave, his dimple appearing, and he looked so kind, so easy to smile back at. 

It made me think that maybe…maybe if the Crown Prince had a friend like June, he couldn't be all that bad.

My heart skipped another beat. Traitor.