Academy Of Mates novel Chapter 1

Chapter 1

“The Academy is once again beginning its school year. Fresh eighteen year olds up until the maximum age of twenty five will be sent away again.” The news spoke through the static of the radio, the voices of overly enthusiastic promoters of the School of Love was clear despite the old box that struggled. “Who will be joining this year? Perhaps a most sought after Alpha? Well, maybe not but from what I heard there are several Betas looking for a mate this year. Good looking ones too from only the best packs.”

I stared blankly as I listened, the pit in my stomach growing and growing with every word that was said.

“Indeed!” The promoter chortles through the radio happily. “Every eighteen year old werewolf in the world has been waiting for their time in the Academy; They literally count down the days and it is happening very soon. Alphas across the world have been preparing attendees since birth, ensuring they excel in classes, training them to win challenges, grooming them to attract the right kind of attention, and, of course, making sure advantageous matches are made.”

For werewolves, the Academy… the School of Love was like Christmas but for adolescence. People would count down the years, the months, the days until the last second until they could go. It’s a matchmaking event that the whole werewolf world seemed to have concocted in an attempt to promote breeding.

“Yes, remember that the Academy is actually about finding and choosing your mates.” They continued enthusiastically. “The Academy’s whole purpose is to ensure that the new generation of werewolves are meeting, connecting and matching with the right people.”

The issue with this matchmaking event is that not all of the attendees come out successful… for some, they not only leave with their heartbroken but also return to their pack and families defeated with nothing to show for.

Attendees represent their pack.

They are the hope of the future. Match well and it could mean money, power, fame and influence.

Fail and… the pack fails.

I feel that I will be part of that and I am so scared. If I could put off this School of Love, I would but I turned eighteen this year and it was my time. Everyone is required to go or else face punishment of the worst kind.

“Nine five percent of our population all choose their mates in the Academy.” The radio promoters went on. “It’s why they’re called the School of Love. A semester long hunt for your future.”

My future.

But it wasn’t just my future.

It was also my family and my pack that suffers if I am part of the five percent unlucky ones that don’t come back with a mate.

The mere thought of my failure horrifies me enough that I cover my face and sigh.

“Vareesa, are you still listening to that? Turn that off and calm yourself.” My father chastises me as he walks into the house after work. “Don’t think about it too much.”

It is all that I think about but I can’t tell him that. I don’t want him to worry more than he should. “I was just listening to any updates or last minute reminders.”

But like always, he saw through me.

He knew me so well.

He places down dinner for tonight on the wooden dining table and it wobbles at the weight of two limp sweet potatoes. “All will go well. You’ll see. The Academy can be fun too. It’s not this scary thing you’re imagining.”

“Did you have fun?” I asked, already knowing the answer.

“As much as I tried not to? Yes.” My father sits down next to me by the fire and turns off the small radio, cutting the promoters from their endless praises of the Academy.” There are masquerade balls, lavish picnics and all the delicious food you can think of. They provide these luxury rooms that you never have to share with anyone and the mansion is large and glamorous, facing an even more beautiful lake.”.

I’ve heard of all this before, but still, I like to hear about it… if only to make me feel a little better.

“Are you ready to meet the Alpha?” He places a kiss on my forehead before making his way to the sweet potatoes and preparing to boil them. “He’s gathering the ones leaving for the Academy tomorrow now.”

I look out the window and almost jump to my feet when I realize the time. The sun was already setting and setting fast. “I’m late!”

“Go on then.” He waves me off with a smile. “And Vareesa, don’t worry too much. Trust me.”

And I did trust my dad.

It was my trust in myself that was the problem.

I didn’t want to fail him.

At least around here.

A depressing thought that I did not need to be added to my already raising anxiety.

“Tell us about the ranking within the Academy.” A boy asked, speaking above the elder’ s explanation of how the Academy had saved us from going extinct.

“I was just getting to that boy.” A glower left the Alpha’s lips, the smile gone as quickly as it came. “The Academy will last for three weeks and right before it ends you’ll all be arranged by a ranking. The woman with the highest ranking comes first and they will be chosen by any that want her. Do well in classes and in the competitions, including joining social events and it will also add to your ranking.”

I felt several pairs of eyes on me, the weight of their stare heavy, but it didn’t bother me. I know what I am: a forgettable daughter of an even more forgettable warrior. My father and I are nothing special. Maybe something even less than that.

We lived under a kind and elderly Alpha, residing far away from everyone else. Here, we are all very forgettable together and that was okay because we were at peace while the rest of the world burned through war.

Our entire race is obsessed with ranking and titles. My blood is what you call ‘poor quality’. Low level warriors and rogues have these types of blood. The highest ranking of blood are the Alphas and the Betas. They’re royalty… pure, the golden ones. Everyone below them is just trash in their way.

But then even Alphas and Betas have their own ranking. The better and stronger the pack with the most wealth have higher titles and rankings.

My blood is the lowest quality, the poorest of all of them, and that was okay. My ranking doesn’t bother me as much as everyone says it should. I am okay with how I am, no matter how low and poor it is.

I’ll be chosen or I won’t. Mostly likely I won’t.

A hand rested on my own, squeezing it gently. I looked up from my hands to find Jeff staring down at me. He smiles at me reassuringly, telling me quietly that he didn’t care about my blood.

“The four of you-” The Alpha continues, gesturing to us. I looked around. There were only four of us attending the Academy from the pack. It was the lowest number of attendees amongst all the rest but we were one of the smallest packs and that was expected. With less than a hundred members, it was a miracle we could even send four. “Will arrive and mingle and network. Remember, not everyone will be chosen, but you must all do your best to try.”

glanced back at Jeff, wondering if by some small chance he could choose me, but that was a foolish thought. This was no small ask. This was our whole lives.

And he deserves better.

Everyone deserves better.