Academy Of Mates novel Chapter 2

Chapter 2

“Remember, your honors and all of our futures are on the line. To possibly choose new members of the pack and bring new wealth,” The Alpha looked at the boys. Whoever they choose will immediately join the pack and if they choose well, the girl they choose will bring in her wealth too. That was what is important for the men. To bring back the wealth of whoever they choose. “And to be chosen by another, which can increase the value of your ranking and the standing of our pack.”

The way the elder looked directly into my eyes made me shiver. I am not worth much. Other women I hear offer heirlooms and generational wealth in their inheritance, giving away carts of diamonds and bars of gold. Sometimes even lands and armies. But I was going empty handed. My father has worked his entire life to be able to give something, but we are a very poor family in a very poor pack.

Thus, I had nothing to offer.

Regardless, it’s a great dishonor not to be chosen. Everyone knows this. If a boy doesn’ t choose, it just means no one was good enough for him- even if a girl rejects him during the choosing, which only happens if the girl is of a higher rank than the boy, but for a girl not to be chosen means that girl is useless and unwanted.

“I have paid a great deal of money to be able to afford your ceremonial clothes. I had it imported from the city. It is worth more than what this pack makes in a year, so I hope you will all do very well.”

No pressure at all.

His words seem to drop on my shoulders, weighing me down even more.

“Now go home and get some rest, you will all be leaving bright and early tomorrow.” Not the first time that day, the elder caught my eye. “Except you, Vareesa. Stay.”

Jeff took my hand, hesitating about leaving me, but I smiled at him in reassurance. “I’ll meet you at home.”

He hesitates again, shooting the elder a frown before nodding. “Same place.”

“Same place.” I confirmed with a nod before releasing his hand.

The Alpha waits for Jeff to leave the pack house before he speaks. “I have spoken with your father and we have agreed on a plan for when you do not get chosen.”

“Oh,” Is all I could manage to say, my lips parted.

They were already planning what would happen if I failed.

“As you have no fighting abilities whatsoever and have no use to me as a warrior, I will employ you within the pack house to clean, cook and take care of the household. There will be no salary but at least you will be able to eat and stay warm.” He was not

Chapter 2

mean about this, there was no malice to his words, there was only honesty. “I know you do not want to be a burden to your father. He is getting old but rest assured I promised him that I will provide you with a roof over your head if something were to happen.”

I nod.

For what could I say?

“With nothing to offer, your odds are stacked against you.” He tells me softly. “Unlike Kelcey who is worth a small crystal now. Her family heirloom.”

Kelcey is the other girl in my pack that’s going to the Academy this year and it appears she will carry most of the pressure. I was happy that she had better odds but no one should carry the future of the pack on their back alone.

But I had hope for her. I know she will do well. Kelcey is beautiful and strong, smart too. She deserves a better future and with a crystal, no matter how small, that could be all she needs to have it.

The Alpha pats my back gently, almost fatherly. “I know it is not what you want to hear but before going to that place… with werewolves from the other pack, I think you need to know now to prepare yourself for the worst.”

I fought not to cringe away.

It is common knowledge that we had a fair number of unmated females and it appears

that I will be one of them.

When I finally spoke, I did it through gritted teeth. “Thank you, Alpha.”

“Vareesa, I genuinely want you to have a good life and I am sorry we weren’t able to give more for you.” He squeezes my shoulder.

My head falls as I stare at my feet.

He was trying.

Like my father was trying.

But he’s right, what do I have compared to women promising pearls, priceless jewels, lands and armies.

I just didn’t want to disappoint them.

At least I could still try. I owe them that.

To try.

“See you tomorrow, Vareesa.”

I murmured my goodbyes, head still down as I walked out of the pack house and walked down the hill to where our small wooden hut was. Our land, our home, is unremarkable at best. The land is bare, a deep brown instead of green grass. It’s almost impossible to grow anything. The trees are old and unhealthy, swaying with every gust of cold air that blows.

“They were beautiful, Jeff. You know I’m nothing like them.” I couldn’t help but argue, remembering his beautiful sisters. All with bright eyes and glowing skin. It wasn’t that I was jealous of them- they’ve always been nice to me and never made me feel less, but it was the obvious truth. They are gorgeous and boys fawned over them even before the Academy.

“So what?” Jeff questions. “It doesn’t matter if you aren’t beautiful.”

I wanted to flinch away but he was right… like he always tells me. I wasn’t beautiful. Beautiful wasn’t something used to describe me by anyone.

In comparison, much like his sisters, Jeff is attractive and he uses his charms well with his dimpled cheeks at the ready. “Let’s make a deal.”

I lifted an eyebrow, trying to hide the beating of my heart. “What kind of deal?”

He looked down tentatively before meeting my eyes again. “If you had a chance to stay here, in our land, would that interest you?”

I always thought I would stay and die on our land, so I didn’t have to think about it. Yes.”

Eager eyes brightened at my answer. “Then let’s promise to choose each other during the Academy.”

“This isn’t allowed… to discuss this before the Academy.” There were rules when it came to the Academy, to keep the mystery and excitement of it. One of them is to never discuss prospects before joining.

“Everyone does it.” He argues, which wasn’t exactly wrong. “How else do the Alphas choose the Alphas? And the Betas choose the Betas? They talk about it and negotiate before the actual Academy happens. Why can’t we? How are we any different?”

I didn’t have much to ponder. The answer was easy. “Okay.”

“Okay?” Jeff asks, hopeful.

We’ll choose each other.” I quietly said, happy and a little overwhelmed with how things had turned out.

“Good.” He says with a nod.

“Good.” I murmured, leaning back on the heels of my hands. I closed my eyes with my chin and face upturned towards the warm glow of the late sun. And with my eyes closed, the music of the woods heightened and sharpened and I felt my lips curve into a small smile, as my heart felt a little lighter knowing that I wouldn’t be coming back here empty handed.

That when I do come back, I will have Jeff and my father.

Safe.

Mated.

And happy.