Academy Of Beasts XXXV: Shifter Romance

By Becca Fanning

The most dangerous thing in this world isn't some weapon. It isn't magic. It isn't even a rampaging Dragon Shifter hellbent on burning everything.
The most dangerous thing in this world is a secret. It closes you off from those around you, and puts a wall between you and their love.
But I have to keep this secret, because it's too late to tell the truth...
USA Today Bestselling Author Becca Fanning is proud to bring you this Reverse Harem Academy Romance serial, packed with all the action, intrigue and great chemistry you can handle!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gizmo Media
• Release date: Mar 19, 2024

Book preview

Chapter 1

The hushed sounds of the library faded away. Priscilla and I were in the middle of discussing… What were we discussing? My mind was too jumbled to focus on anything. Going to classes had been pointless. I heard absolutely nothing from my professors’ lectures. My mind was weighed down with thoughts of my last meeting with Agatha, the head witch.

She’d agreed to teach me all things calm and wiccan. I was excited, anxious to get started. The sooner I began lessons, the sooner my capabilities to take on Dante would increase. The problem was that I was lying to everyone. Well, almost everyone. Priscilla knew that I was going to the witches for help, and I was confident that she wouldn’t tell a soul.

So, remember what Amara said? About signing up for Shifter Defense just to watch hot guys? Priscilla’s voice filtered back into my head along with the other sounds, book pages turning, soft thuds on the carpet, and students whispering. Her voice was hushed. Gods forbid our very stern librarian, Mrs. Radish, heard us talking too loud. The severe look she gave students over her wire-framed glasses was scary to even big bad shifters. I glanced at Priscilla. Luckily, I heard enough to know what she was talking about. Enough to nod.

She actually did it. She took her first class yesterday. Priscilla’s airy laughter usually would have made me grin because it was so contagious. I didn’t laugh; I just nodded again. She didn’t seem to notice that I was distracted. Maybe because she had her head in a book while she chatted. The length some of us will go to just to ogle hot guys is ridiculous.

Uh huh.

Well, you don’t have to try too hard. You’re living with five smoking hot guys, just right there for your perusal. You lucky, lucky girl.

Uh huh.

Your hair is on fire.

Uh huh.

Ha! I knew you weren’t paying attention.

Jolted out of my deep thoughts, I glanced at her. Huh?

Eyes narrowed, Priscilla scowled. "You didn't think I'd realize how much attention you're not paying to me? She scoffed. Where is your head, Fiona?"

My lips twisted wryly. Do I really have to answer that?

Sighing, she glanced around the library. There were students scattered around the room, some at tables and some sprawled on the carpet surrounded by books. There was no one too close to us, but in a room full of shifters with very acute hearing, it was better not to risk saying too much. No. I get it.

Rubbing my tired eyes, I sat back. I’m so sorry, Priscilla. I must be the worst company ever right now. I’m just super distracted.

Her smile was soft and understanding. I know. You have a lot going. I’m sorry for chatting your ears off about trivial things. She shrugged. I thought you could use the distraction from the heavy stuff.

Getting my mind off of everything that’s happening is impossible but thanks for trying.

Priscilla swept the room with sharp eyes. So, this Friday, huh?

I nodded. The night after my meeting with Agatha, I’d told Priscilla everything. This Friday. I sighed. I don’t know how I’m going to pull it off.

I don’t know either. She leaned closer and lowered her voice to a whisper. It was hard for me to hear her, and I was sitting so close. I mean, you’ll be with Ren. I don’t see how you’re going to, you know, she looked over her shoulder, give him the slip. I think he has eyes in the back of his head or something.

You do know you’re only causing my anxiety to rise, right?

I’m sorry, but it’s the truth. You can’t just disappear for hours without him noticing.

I know, I muttered, tapping my pen on the table. I caught Mrs. Radish’s frown from across the room and immediately stopped. What am I going to do? If I don’t meet with, I paused, you know who on Friday at the specified time, I’ll fail my first test. She’ll think I’m not serious about learning.

I can’t believe she’s making things so difficult.

I shrugged and stayed quiet. It was annoying that Agatha made getting to our first lesson so difficult. I mean, I didn’t even know how I was going to get to her. However, a small part of me understood why she was making things hard. I had to learn how to be crafty in difficult situations if I was going to survive. Things were going to get bad. I could feel it. Not just with Dante, but there was something brewing under the surface, and it was going to reach a boiling point, eventually. The mysterious killings, the student disappearing. Everything was going to blow up. I felt it in my veins, but I hadn’t uttered a word about my deep-rooted fears to anyone. Why cause panic when I wasn’t even sure what was going on? The council had gotten nowhere with finding Dante, the couples killer, or what happened with the student that went missing.

Uh...one of your boyfriends is here.

My eyes snapped to Priscilla. At the same time, I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand up, and I felt a tingle run down my spine. I was definitely being watched. My body’s reaction wasn’t the normal ominous feeling of being in danger. This was different. It was always different when I was being watched by one of my guys. It was a strange feeling of attraction.

I looked back. Between the floor to ceiling shelves was indeed one of my guys. Enrique. He leaned against a bookshelf, ankles crossed and arms folded over his chest. His eyes practically bore holes into me. The intense look made me shiver a little.

Priscilla glanced at Enrique, then me. Her nose wrinkled. This is my cue to go. You guys are probably going to make out in the back of the library or something.

Before I could tell her