Academy Of Mates novel Chapter 24

Chapter 24

thousands of flower petals and the trees that provided cover from the sunlight had dangling garlands of white flowers. It was magical and so enchanting that I couldn’t help but marvel at it all.

Reaching the edge of the lake, a group of organizers in black stood in front with broad smiles on their faces. Behind them, in the lake but still quite near the shore, were more people in black but floating on wooden boats.

As I squinted ahead, I saw how the boats were equipped with more food and drinks, ready to hand it to us.

The lake itself had parallel floating lanterns lining up the way from the shore until the wooden dock in the middle of the water. On top of the wooden dock was some kind of prize on top of a stand.

It looked circular and floral… a wreath made of golden roses.

“Welcome attendees to your next activity!” An organizer in front loudly announced, making everyone cheer.

It was so loud and boisterous that the ground was shaking from how hard everyone. stomped and jumped.

Already people were drunk, some blubbering nonsense, others hiccuping uncontrollably, but almost all were flushed, red in the face.

“It would not be the infamous Academy without the competitive games.” The organizer’s voice boomed, causing a chill down everyone’s back. Because this is what the School of Love is known for; pitting attendees against each other, showing off and proudly flaunting when winning something or chosen for something. The strongest. The prettiest. “Celebrating honor and boldness, these games show strength unlike any other. By proving your worth and asserting dominance, we hope to find the best

among you.”

I have heard stories about how this can be really intense and if yesterday’s spar between two Betas was any proof of that, a full blown war at our fingertips if things go. wrong. In the past, there have been deaths and injuries- not so accidental ones. I can only hope they learned from yesterday and they have downplayed the contests as much as they can, making the contest non-lethal and safer, to keep attendees from harm or to stop potential wars between packs.

“For your next challenge, we shall be doing a simple test of speed, a swimming race.” As he says this, the lanterns on the water lit up, making the sparkling water glow. “Five laps from the shore to the dock in human form. Participants will get a chance to wear any bracelet from a lady of their choosing. Additionally, whoever comes first will win the ability to crown the most beautiful attendee of this year’s School of Love with the golden wreath.”

Chapter 24

Everyone’s eyes turned to the dock where the said wreath gleamed under the sun.

I could hear the women sucking in their breaths at the sight. It was one thing to be asked for your bracelet, but it’s another thing completely if you’re crowned as the most beautiful.

And just the second day of the Academy.

The honor is almost as good as leaving successfully mated.

Though I like to believe that I am not interested and moved by the wreath… some part of me quietly wondered about the wreath and if it was shameful of me to think about it. Suddenly, like nothing happened yesterday, Andrew steps forward, grinning widely and winking at me when he turns with a look of amusement. “I’ll win that for you, Vareesa. And then you’ll have to forgive me.”

I know I shouldn’t be smiling or feeling excited for Andrew. The beating of my heart and the warmth of my cheeks were foolish, a little girl flushed by casual banter and teasing.

But I wasn’t a little girl anymore.

And I shouldn’t be so easily taken by Andrew, who is a known heart breaker and someone promised to someone else already.

To his Alpha.

Or maybe that’s why he’s giving more attention to me, Benedict’s Alpha came to claim his. And now he’s free to tease and flirt with other women.

It didn’t mean he would choose me at the end of this thought.

Knowing this, I don’t know why I still smiled.

There was a surprising number of participants for the contest- with girls joining in as well, but it wasn’t hard to see that Andrew would dominate in it, for he strode towards the edge of the lake like he was made to be the winner.

That and he was a Beta, the highest ranking participant.

He was certainly the winner of every girl’s heart as they preened and squawked to get his attention.

It wasn’t surprising.

Andrew is well known even for us who should be too far away to know who he is.

I wasn’t always a fan of his, but I have to admit, sometimes- not all the time, he really was hard not to admire.

He is handsome, annoyingly so. The kind of handsome that makes everyone stare and gawk.

3/5

Chapter 24

And when he smiled, his lips promised things that he didn’t have to say.

It was all in the look.

A single look.

The look he was giving me right now.

Deep down, I know I have to keep my expectations for him on the floor. He is too unpredictable and if I didn’t watch out, I would be just one of the many girls he’s left crying.

“Miss Vareesa?”

I suddenly realized the hundreds upon hundreds of eyes staring at me. The one that spoke, the organizer in front, impatiently and expectantly looking at me as he stood beside the man I was just thinking about. “Yes?”

The organizer was in disbelief but he managed to shake it off long enough to answer me, “Beta Andrew has asked for your blessing of good luck as you do not have your bracelet anymore. Do you accept?”

My eyes found Andrew then, smiling at me devilishly. “Would you do me the honor?”

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