Academy Of Mates novel Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Chapter 13

The quiet didn’t last for long, as heads began to turn, the murmurs in the clearing getting louder and louder. I feel the weight of what seems to be thousands of eyes on me and I cannot speak.

It felt like I had forgotten how to breathe.

And what’s worse?

Two pairs of eyes- of Beta eyes, stare at me, waiting.

The elder is too shocked for words, his mouth open and the mic shaking in his hands. He tried to form words… something, anything but no sound came.

I can’t blame him.

Who wouldn’t be surprised?

Werewolves like me, from packs where I come from are never chosen, we never even join these events. This wasn’t just some miracle. It was an impossibility.

“Who will it be Vareesa?” I hear a scream from somewhere- it’s Kelcey. She’s jumping up and down from the other side of the clearing.

She’s smiling, happy for me and I can feel her excitement. It made me feel a little bit better.

“Who’s it going to be?” She continued to shout, grinning widely.

Finally, the elder gathers himself, coughing and frowning.

“Yes, uh,” He squinted at me, doing a double take, and it was not the flattering kind.” Who is this girl again?”

Another elder leans forward, equally looking confused. “They called her Vanessa or something? From a poor pack, you know.”

“It’s Vareesa.” Benedict snapped. “Know your attendees name, old man. She’s Vareesa Cappel and you will remember her.”

Red in the face, the elder tried to answer back but Benedict’s rage filled expression stopped him. And he was frightening, his dominant rank showing. It was in the darkening of his eyes, his rigid posture and the height that towered over everyone. The tension was unpalpable now.

So much so that I can barely think straight.

“Benedict.” I suddenly said. “I chose Benedict.”

Benedict blinks, surprised and then his face breaks into a smile, the brightest smile I’ ve ever seen on him. “That’s my Vareesa.”

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Chapter 13

Andrew curses from behind Benedict, shoving an elder to the side with a force that

can break bones. “No, dimwit. I’m not choosing anyone else. Let us both represent her. It’s only fair.”

“That’s not how it works-” The elder gets shoved again.

I want to say something but Benedict blocks my view, stepping in front of me and takes my wrist in his hands. Slowly, painfully slowly, he gently unfastens the bracelet and, with one hand and the help of his teeth, he ties it to his wrist.

That stupid bracelet.

That stupid identifier that said I was nothing to everyone was on him, on his wrist. An Alpha blooded Beta had it.

And he wore it proudly like it was the bracelet of a Goddess. “I’ll take good care of it.” It made me a little proud of myself too.

“Come here, pretty boy!” Andrew shouted, already in his fighting stance. “I’ll show you how a proper Beta fights.”

Benedict smirks, long fingers tracing his wrist- on my identifier. There was a confidence in him that made me realize he was going to do everything to win this.

He turns around to face Andrew but not before smiling over his shoulder at me.

Benedict and Andrew now turn to each other, their energy pulsating through the air. Challenge is etched into every line of the Betas bodies. By the faces of the elders and the other attendees, a battle between two betas of this power is not normal in the School of Love. This was something that only happened once. Alphas, Betas and other high ranking members usually steer clear of each other during the School of Love in fear of starting a war between packs.

But here they were, two of the most powerful Betas in the world about to fight.

Worse.

It was happening because of a girl of low birth.

Me.

And I don’t even know why.

The elder in between them talks about the rules, something about no shifting. I could barely hear over the beating of my heart as I watched the boys circle each other, their eyes sharp.

A bell is rung from somewhere in the clearing and Andrew leaps forward with his closed fists, aiming right at Benedict’s face.

Benedict dodges the attack easily, stepping to the side after reading Andrew’s move. He’s quick on his feet despite his bulky body, they both are, but Benedict’s almost

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Chapter 13

always a second faster than the other Beta.

But I don’t think it’s because Benedict is faster… it looked more like Benedict knows

Andrew so well that he almost always anticipates his next attack.

Quickly growing annoyed with Benedict’s easy sidestepping, Andrew let out a shout, throwing punches left and right with a speed that blurred his movements. Benedict dodges most of them but not all, as one lands on his chest, plowing him backwards.

The crowd is on their feet, screaming and stomping and pointing. There’s a betting going on but it’s so muffled by my panic that I can’t tell who they think will win.

Benedict finally decides to stop playing the defensive and does a complicated move with his hands and legs- we were never taught to fight in my pack, so I cannot tell if this is amazing or something else. Whatever he was doing, it hit Andrew in the jaw, making the city pack’s Beta spin and fall on the ground. He stands up not too long after, ready for another round. The two boys spun, twisting and trying to get a better advantage than the other.

As scared as I was, it was beautiful, like a dance. Not to music but of this art like battle. They were warriors, born to fight, born to win. No one from our land moved like they

did.

They’re already sweating, little beads of perspiration trailing down their bare chests.

One punch after another came, followed by kicks and elbows.

At one point, it seems that Andrew has the advantage, pushing Benedict backward with every attack he does. Right as Benedict is close enough to a tree, he turns and runs up the truck with a perfect backflip that goes over Andrew.

Now it was Andrew with his back to the tree, panting and growling and cornered. He was tired, his lips pale and his face scrunched up. And then it was Benedict’s turn to attack, his fists flying. There was a deadly grace to his movements, the way he twists

and bends.

Benedict closes in quickly, close enough that his punches get harder and faster. His blows land every time, never missing its mark: Andrew’s face.

The impact of Benedict’s fist against Andrew sounded like a wall breaking in two and I winced every single time.

In a desperate attempt to get Benedict off him, Andrew reaches for the closest thing he could reach for, an entire table, and brings it down on Benedict’s head. The wooden table nearly disintegrates on his back, fragments of wood and pieces of cutlery flying everywhere.

It doesn’t help. Benedict stays in place and continues hammering him with his fists. I can see blood now, splattering about and spilling from Andrew’s nose.

Chapter 13

“When will this stop?” I asked randomly to whoever was beside me.

The girl standing next to me, gives a glare that could burn. “Who are you to ask? You’re the one that started all of this, you cheap shit.”

“It will only stop when one of them yields.” Someone answers from behind me. He’s Benedict’s pack member. “Nothing else will stop it.”

“He should yield now, right?” I asked, looking up at him. He’s tall and powerfully built like the rest of them.

He shakes his head, a small smile playing on his lips. It’s clear no one from their pack likes Andrew. “Lover boy would rather die than yield to Benedict.”

“Then his Alpha should yield for him.” I suggested, searching the crowd for the beautiful Alpha to be. “She can do that right? She’s above law.”

He laughs, crossing his arms across his chest. “Do you see her anywhere?”

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