Academy Of Mates novel Chapter 29

Chapter 29

last of my clothing, without having a lot of time to admire the grandiosity of the room.

Everything here was marble again, the walls and the bathtub with gold finishing. There was a fireplace too, crackling a soft flame that warmed the place. Countless candles were lit around the bathroom as well, giving a light creamy smell in the air.

The toiletries and other supplies were provided but they were something else. All the names were things I couldn’t pronounce and all in gold containers. In the cabinets were Egyptian cotton robes and the fluffiest towels, make up brands of every color and shape and language, perfumes in crystal bottles and soaps that glittered.

The bathtub in the middle of the room was already filled with warm water, flower petals floating on the top with shimmer swimming in the water.

I lower myself on the tub, enjoying the warmth. It was when I started scrubbing that I noticed the dress hanging to the side. My first night dress.

At first I thought it was some kind of artwork, but upon closer inspection, it matched the design of my mask. The luminous floor length gown was platinum and looked like. vines and flowers were crawling up the bodice. It was completely see through, the vines strategically covering all the important parts as wisps of gems were coming down the arms.

But for some reason, I knew that this wasn’t provided by the Academy. The masks, yes, but a dress this well made?

Someone sent this for me.

Was it Andrew again? He did the same last night?

But somehow, I knew it wasn’t from Andrew.

This felt like it was more… it felt like it was from someone else and I don’t know why but Sebastian comes to mind.

Though only Andrew can possibly afford something like this.

It was so confusing but I wasn’t about to question a gift like this not when I already know what I packed. Nothing could come close to this.

Quickly, I washed myself, getting all the lake out of me until I smelled of flowers and bath salts. I rushed out of the bath and cursed at myself when it was already ten minutes before dinner.

I get myself ready with the best of my ability. I slipped into the dress, feeling the chill of the gems on my skin, and stumbled towards the vanity where Andrew’s helper from last night left an array of powder and other things. There were a lot of contraptions for the hair that I attempted to use as well.

Time was ticking quickly as I raced to the closet, looking for shoes. With one last

check in the mirror, I walked out of the room with a minute to spare.

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I shouldn’t have been surprised to see Sebastian already waiting outside my door, standing tall and wearing his own mask. He was dressed in all black as per usual, his mask made of black and gold feathers with gigantic horns that curled backwards. He looked intimidating as always as he stood unmoving.

“Hi,” I managed, breathing heavily. “It was you… wasn’t it?”

He didn’t answer me.

But his golden eyes said it all.

I decided not to press him on it.

Instead, I smile at him. “I’m not late, am I?”

He shook his head before taking a step closer. “Right on time.”

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Chapter 29

Chapter 29

I could tell he was thinking about something, making him hesitate. “What is it?”

“Your mask.” He whispered, taking the last step forward that closed the distance between us.

I felt my chest squeeze. Noticing for the first time how impossibly close we were and how it was the very first time, I had seen his eyes without the shadows of his cap. His eyes were sharp, always observant and attentive. And they drank me in like he was hungry.

I could feel his breath fan my face, minty and heady… He stared at me. He stared at me for so long, inches away from my face.

Sebastian slowly tugs the mask from my hands and gently places it over my face, tying the lace at the back for me.

His arms nearly circled me, close enough that I could feel the heat of his body.

Just before I cannot take it anymore, he leans back, only a little bit, as he makes sure that my mask is in the right place. “Okay,”

For a moment and only for a moment, I saw something more than just the sad man from earlier. “Thank you.”

He pats my head, the way someone would send someone to war.

looked up at him, wondering what it meant, but the bell for dinner sounded, pulling us

apart.

All of a sudden, it was loud, so loud with chatter and excitement from attendees that rushed out of their rooms and almost immediately I lost Sebastian in the crowd.

He liked to do that.

Just like Benedict.

They both seem to disappear a lot.

With another deep breath, I followed the commotion of the halls towards the stairs.

Attendees with different colored dresses and suits crowded around me with masks of every kind, decorated in feathers and gems and fabrics and iron wings.

Making it out of the mansion and into the cool night, I followed a bright trail lit by amps dangling from tree tops, lanterns and candles on the ground.

walked on, admiring our surroundings like I was in some fairytale until… nestled deep within the heart of the dense woodland was the most romantic and enchanting place

that ever existed.

The small clearing was lit by candle light and overhead were fabrics twisted through

Chapter 29

tree branches, creating this little nook with countless tables and chairs and crystal chandeliers hanging from trees.

Plates and utensils on the table shimmered, the glasses full of golden liquid as fresh fruits and sliced cheese were all laid out in ornate crystal bowls.

“There you are!” An organizer stands before me and gestures to the front where I see a man sitting alone on a table… with only one other seat. And it was vacant. “We’ve been looking for you. As the winner of the golden wreath and the winner of today’s competition, you two must share a table for dinner.”

It took a few seconds for me to reply. “Sorry? What?”

“You’re to sit in front with Beta Benedict.” The organizer pointed towards the man- Benedict.

I didn’t realize it was him, but as I looked at him now, head bowed low and drinking feverishly from a glass with those blue sparkling eyes staring down, I knew it was him under that mask.

His mask is a skull and a beak of some large bird, golden and beautiful and terrifying

all at the same time.

As if noticing my gaze, he looks up momentarily and stops mid drink as our eyes lock.

Even with most of his face covered by his mask, he was still so breathtakingly gorgeous and I was at a loss for words.

Thankfully, the organizer guides me towards the seat and bids us farewell.

I don’t know how long the two of us stared at each other like that, but he’s the first to break it, standing from his seat and pulling back mine.

“Oh, thank you.” I mumbled nervously, taking a seat as he helped me in it.

It was awkward.

The air was still.

The crowd stared.

Us, not speaking.

“You look nice.” He says finally, breaking the silence, his voice sounding like he hadn’t spoken in a while.

“Thank you. I found it in my room.” I said, staring down at my dress before glancing at his attire. He wore a black coat with complicated golden embroidery. It looked expensive and important. Something only a high ranking officer would wear. “And you, you look like your Alpha was very generous as well.”

Something I said must have upset him as he took another long drink from his glass which, upon closer smell, was something very, very strong. Apart from the party where

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he left me, I’ve never seen him drink.

Yet now he was.

And plenty of it.

Slamming the now empty glass on the table, Benedict abruptly stands from his seat and turns away without another word or a glance.

Before I know it, I am left alone, staring at my hands as I hear his footsteps retreat to the woods.

tried to enjoy myself, I really did.

was desperate for it.

But despite the beauty and all the luxury of the world, my chest felt tight as I glanced Cowards where Benedict disappeared and where he never returned.

do not know what I said to make him angry. I should have just kept my mouth shut.

t didn’t help that everyone was staring, their scrutinizing gaze burning holes through me. And I hate how there were people looking over at me with a look of satisfaction, happy that I had been abandoned by the attendee everyone wanted.

‘It’s going to be the first and only time that the winner of the first games and the girl he crowns don’t end up together.” The voice that spoke was loud despite how the girls at the table next to me tried but failed to lower their voices. “How embarrassing.”

“What do you expect? She’s not good enough for him. He’s a Beta. Not only a Beta but an extremely good looking one with significant strength.” I hear them whisper to themselves. “In comparison, she’s poor, ugly and literally has nothing to her name. I hear she’s got a bad attitude too.”

A quiet giggle was shared. “See how he left her? He hates her. He’s ashamed of her.”

‘She has two Betas interested in her.” A small voice offered. “Beta Andrew can’t seem

to let her go. He keeps looking for her.”

“They can both do better and they know it. I’m sure Benedict has seen better and been with better. Imagine the women he’s already been with. The experience he has and the tastes he’s acquired.” Another wave of laughter exploded from their table.” Because I mean look at her, she’s pathetic, left alone like this. That dress doesn’t even fit her well whoever donated that for her. Golden wreath my ass, Beta Benedict only gave that to her to cause a scandal with his pack. That’s what they always do.”

‘Yes. I heard Beta Benedict in love with someone else. That he’ll choose her by the end of the Academy.” They continued on. “This one is just a cheap distraction.”

Steeling my spine, I forced myself to eat, chewing the food in front of me like it was sharp nails that I was breaking down, but my throat was refusing to swallow the food no matter how much I chewed it. So, instead, I stare at my plate, pushing food around

Chapter 29

to look busy.

Words can’t hurt anyway.

It did, but I wasn’t going to show them that.

I kept quiet, my hand gripping my fork tightly as I focused only on my plate.

All around me, the tables were full of life as everyone ate together and mingled. They were having fun, sharing food and stories, but also finding prospects for their futures.

My throat ached just listening to all the life happening. Who knew being crowned by a sought after golden wreath could make someone so lonely? So isolated? So left out from everyone else’s fun?

I was seconds away from giving up for the night and leaving for my room when I heard footsteps approaching.

A tingling excitement ran down my entire body- hope, hope that he came back for me.

It quickly dies when I look up and it’s not Andrew.

But at least, it was someone I knew.

“Jeff?” My lips can’t help but turn downwards at the sight of him. “What are you doing here?”

He looked a little too proud of himself. “Are you ready to accept that I was right?”

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