-UndoubtedlyYours-

-Chapter♛♚EightySeven-

✧THE BADGER MEETING THE SNAKE✧

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Rhea had made the biggest mistake regarding Orion knowing when she would be attending the Eve's Garden interviews. So when she returned home, greeted both Alphard and Orion—It didn't surprise her that Orion had made the excuse to take an imaginary cigar break to visit her in her own study.

She could nearly feel the eagerness in each step.

"What part of discretion do you now understand? Merlin, I barely have my cloak off." She muttered, and instantly the fellow had aided her and smiled, dutifully ready to hear what she had found out.

And so she remained silent. Just to irritate him.

"Well?!" He ushered, nearly ready to exploit with anticipation.

"My day was fine, thank you for asking."

"Rhea—"

"Oh alright, I believe I found you a witch. But it's a little concerning and I'm not sure how I exactly feel about all this." Orion's shoulders slumped, and so he took the seat across from her desk with a slight pout.

"Such a child—No, that isn't what I meant, Orion. I meant that I am not sure if the organization is all that truthful."

"What do you mean?"
"I met with a witch that I recall from my time at Hogwarts, she was only a few grades above me but I recall speaking to her from time to time. Even healed her after a wicked Quidditch accident in the infirmary. She had such a bright future and then it all fell apart, she's in mountains of debt, and well—I am not sure I like the idea of her fighting for her education this way." Rhea had begrudgingly passed over the file about the witch in question.

And Orion had smiled down at the picture. Her face was so soft, and damnit she was beyond gorgeous. "You said she was only a few years older than yourself?"

"Twenty-two. Perhaps even nearly twenty-three if math serves me correctly. But she admitted to having tired bartending and other choices, I think she has lost her—"

"I want her."

"You aren't listening to me, are you?... Course not, just thinking about you damn co—"

"I know how these organizations work, Rhea. Witches don't walk in there wanting the job. In some instances, perhaps. But most need a well-paying job, and Eve's garden provides them protection if nothing else, security. Besides, I wasn't planning on sharing my witch with anyone else. Owl Madam Roswell, I want her exclusively." Rhea began to rub the space in between her brows as she closed her eyes.

Trying to soothe the headache.

"Did you see she's a Hufflepuff?"

"I am seeing a lot more than just her Hogwarts House, Rhea. Did you look at this pamphlet? Merlin, who the hell is Ariana?" And that had caused Rhea to rip the other packet out of her brother's grasp.

"I didn't just go searching for you, Orion. Quit it." It had taken Orion only a moment to figure out just what she had meant, and he held a cutting smile. "Oh? Is this for the triad you are wanting Alphard to be a part of?" His teasing had cost him a confession that he had found out within the mere hour of her speaking with Alphard about it.

And merlin, she couldn't even believe what she was hearing.

"I'd never cart you for your sexual fantasies, Rhea."