Academy Of Mates novel Chapter 28

Chapter 28

Chapter 28

We make it to the massive wooden doors of the mansion at least twice the size of me and I can only gasp.

The entrance is lit with warm golden light by candles and lanterns and firefly lights, all creating this enchanting palace that was waiting to be explored. It didn’t feel real. Just like the gardens, the mansion itself- the mere entrance was already a sight to behold.

I’ve seen this all before but I don’t think I will ever get used to it.

The doors open before I could and I’m immediately greeted by the sight of something straight out of my imagination, maybe something even better.

Made completely out of white stone and marble and gold, the mansion was absolutely radiant. The ceiling was domed and was sculpted and carved to perfection with the columns and arches looking bigger than life itself.

The mansion was monumental and grander than anything else that I had seen before

Fresh flowers decorated the large staircase that branched towards different wings and floors of the mansion, which then led to wide hallways lit by tall chandeliers. The steps were lined with candles in beautiful artistic glass, casting the marble floors in an even prettier golden glow.

And then, I noticed that he wasn’t looking at our surroundings. He was looking at me.

We stared at each other and I swear the silence between us was the loudest thing…

“I guess I’ll see you at dinner.” I said, in an attempt to stop the suffocating silence between us.

He takes a step back from me, his expression almost haunted, but he hides it quickly with a smile. “Yes, dinner.”

I watch him as he turns to leave until I’m left alone in a wide hallway lined by intricate statues and gigantic vases.

But I wasn’t really alone.

Because I feel it again.

Those eyes… those eyes that I know the face to now.

The sad man from earlier that disappeared before the swimming competition.

He’s watching me again.

And I’m not sure just how long he was watching,

Successfully unlocked!

Right as I make it to my room along the rows of glittering doors that face the window with a perfect view of the lake from earlier., I feel him close and just as I touch the door

Chapter 28

knob, I hear him speak.

“Is he the one you’re choosing?” His voice was so low and so deep that I whirled around to face him to make sure he really did come and talk to me.

I swallowed, narrowing my eyes at him. “Who are you? And why do you want to know?”

The hallways were brightly lit but his dark clothes and dark hair kept most of his features hidden.

Still, I could easily identify the annoyance but also hesitation that he was feeling at the moment.

“Is he?” He repeated ever so patiently.

“I don’t know. Most likely not. He’s Beta and I’m… not.” I told him honestly and when I noticed him shift his weight from left to right, I knew he had more to say. “Why? What is it?”

He kept his head down but his words were biting when he spoke next. “He’s not right for you.”

I gaped at him, resisting the urge to shove him into one of the monster size vases. And who are you to tell me that?”

He doesn’t respond, merely staring at me.

The earlier sadness in him is now replaced by this bubbling anger.

“Do you have a name?” I asked. “You haven’t answered me.”

He takes a second to respond, his eyes hesitant once again. “Sebastian.”

”

I smile my sweetest smile, fluttering my eyelashes. “Well, Sebastian, you’re being an ass and if it makes you feel better, I’m sure I will not be going home with Beta Andrew.”

Something about what I said actually makes his lips turn upwards.

Like he was successful about something.

He looked too happy.

I could only shake my head. “Now, I’m going to get ready. I know your room is upstairs. You should get ready too.”

Turning away and not waiting for another word from him, I opened the door but not before he said, “I meant what I said. He’s not right for you. And I know you know why. You’ve seen why but there’s more to it.”

I wanted to say something smart, to defend myself and Andrew as well, but he was right. Whatever he knew-if he even knew, was right and I couldn’t do anything but close the door behind me, with the door to mystery man… Sebastian’s face, to keep the truth away.

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Chapter 28

Andrew was going to choose Odette or someone else more important.

Like Benedict they would never choose someone like me.

Betas will never choose someone like me.

Breathing hard and leaning against the door, I fumbled as I opened the lights to see my room of white marble and gold. The room is dazzling, made for royalty and Gods.

They’ve obviously cleaned it since the last time I was here this morning and I might be imagining things but I think the room looks even better.

At the entrance is a decadent seating area lined with the finest paintings and artwork. Through the small antechamber was the bedroom itself with the most luxurious sheets and mattress, and the massive closets that I’m sure were to house all my dresses from home.

Across the entryway was a spacious balcony looking out into the woods, the glass doors open to let a breeze in and allow the white satin curtains to blow against it.

What caught my eye though was the fancy velvet box carefully placed on top of my bed. There was a note on top, the golden letters shining proudly in the light.

From where I stood, I could see a hint of the cursive letters of the Academy’s logo.

I walked towards the bed, my bare feet wobbling on the marble floor. My hand reached for the letter and almost laughed to myself when even the paper was of the highest quality.

There were only two words under the School of Love’s logo.

“For tonight,” I whispered, reading the note.

Unable to hold myself back, I lifted the box from the bed, noticing that it was light but somewhat rattling as if there were small rocks inside. Curiosity at an all time high, I pry the lid open and let out the tiniest squeak.

It was a platinum mask, molded to fit half of my face, from the forehead down to the bridge of my nose and it was glowing from the thousands of gems that decorated it. The design was simple with white flowers and vines and pearls that trickled down into a curtain of gems all the way to the neckline.

I realized with excitement that tonight’s theme wasn’t just the woodlands but a masquerade ball in the woods.

Hands reaching for the golden wreath still on my head, I placed it down on the bed beside the beautiful mask.

Suddenly, the clock in the room hits seven o’clock and a soft gong goes through the entire mansion, warning us that dinner was in thirty minutes.

With a gasp, I ran to the bathroom, removing the towel wrapped around me and the

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