Academy Of Mates novel Chapter 30

Chapter 30

Chapter 30

I didn’t get far.

A hand with a vice grip took mine, holding it tight and pulling me back until I was pressed against a hard chest.

“Where are you off to?”

I knew who he was before even looking up. “Beta Andrew,”

And right as I say this, there was another call for him but it was louder and harsher. “ANDREW!” Odette’s demanding voice broke through the night. “Come here right now!” But Andrew paid her no attention and proceeded to look me over, noticing my distress. “Who made you cry? Give me a name.”

He didn’t ask me what happened, immediately coming to defend me without ever needing a reason.

“The name, Var-”

I pull my hand away from him, interrupting him and glancing towards his Alpha. “She’s waiting for you.”

“I don’t give two fucks.” He says in a voice so serious and calm, it was more frightening than anger. “Who is it?”

I didn’t answer, making him swivel around to look back from where I came from.

He laughed, but it wasn’t the funny kind. It was the kind that promised pain without caring for any of the consequences. “That fucker? Does he think he can do something to you with me here?”

‘Please, let’s just go.” I begged quietly. “Please.”

There was something in my voice.

Something that made him stop, but his face was still contorted.

Andrew takes my face in both of his hands, the tips of his fingers pressing against me tightly but not enough to hurt. He sucks in a breath, tired eyes closing before bringing nis forehead to mine. “Fine.”

sagged into his body in relief, putting all my weight on him. “Thank you.”

“But you have to drag me out of here.” He whispered gruffly, his breathing still uneven. Because I’m not leaving him breathing willingly.”

Knowing just how serious he was, I took the hands he had on either side of my face and tugged him forward. He doesn’t come easily, but after a few more tugs, he gives in. We don’t say anything more to each other until we get inside the mansion, the sight

Chapter 30

knocking my breath out of my lungs as if it’s the first time I’ve seen it all over again. It was literally glowing, the candles and lanterns lighting everything so magically.

The fresh flowers decorating the stairs only brought more life to this beautiful paradise.

“You love it.” He says. It wasn’t a question. He knew I loved it.

My gaze flickers at him. “You don’t?”

He wasn’t even looking at the magical world surrounding us. He was only looking at me. “My affections aren’t really focused on pretty mansions and gardens.”

“Eh? What are you focused on then?” I questioned, not believing him for a second.” The unlimited drinks that they keep giving us? Maybe the food that never ends? Or is it the pretty girls in equally pretty dresses?”

He doesn’t answer, only continues to stare at me.

It made me swallow.

My nerves were making me sweat.

He only smiled, taking my hand in his yet again and taking us towards the direction of my room. The halls are quiet with everyone having dinner and drinks.

It was just us.

And it didn’t take that long to make it to our destination. I wasn’t all that surprised that Andrew knew where it was too.

I yawned, exhausted, the tiring day full of rollercoaster emotions getting the best of me. All I wanted to do was crawl into bed and sleep.

“Hey,” Andrew stops me before I can open my door.

“What?” I murmured, ready to throw myself in bed right at that moment.

“Don’t sleep.” He urged, his hands on me again. “There’s something we have to do first.”

My eyes fought to stay open. “Huh?”

“I know your first two days haven’t been the most ideal but I think I can make up for it. We have a party to go to, cutie.” He teased, taking my hand again and pulling me towards the window, the sight of the lake and the moon in front of us.

“What are we doing?” I asked, taking a second for me to understand his words. “They said there’s no party tonight.”

He starts unbuttoning his top, fingers moving so fast before revealing a chest full of hair and muscle. “Not here.”

As much as I would like to say that his mention of a party woke me completely, it wasn’ t the reason. “What?”

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He places a hand on my hair, pushing it back from my face. “We’re going to the woods.”

I didn’t tell him that I was already wide awake. “But-”

“To run.” He says, leaning closer to me. “To drink. To party and lose our minds.”

“What?” I repeated with a frown. It was getting hard to understand things when he was this close.

“In the woods.” He explains patiently. “It’s a tradition.”

“But I thought shifting wasn’t allowed.” I didn’t just think it wasn’t allowed. I know it wasn’t. I’ve memorized the rules so well, I can almost see the words written in my invitation when my eyes are closed. “We’ll get sent home and we’ll be punished severely.”

He shook his head, pulling me up back down the empty hallway and when I didn’t budge, he only smirked, squatting low to wrap his arms around me and carrying me easily. “Don’t be silly. We’re not shifting but we are leaving the mansion grounds.”

I let out a yelp as he carried me away from my room. “Isn’t that against the rules still?”

He tugs the end of my gown, keeping my skirt from flying and showing the world my ass. “Tell me, Vareesa. Have you ever broken the rules before?”

I didn’t have to think. “No.”

“Ah, a good girl.” He teased like he didn’t already know. “Well, good girl, I’m about to teach you how to have fun and I will show you the best night of your life.”

I hesitated, not as quick to risk everything for a mere run in the woods. Plus, my last party though fun didn’t really end well. “Uh,”

“Let’s do something bad for you. Bad for both of us.” He urged. “You can’t always follow the rules or live in fear of breaking them. You’ll miss the best parts of life that way.”

I swatted his hand away, trying to weigh my options. “I don’t know,”

He placed me down then, at the staircase, his eyes staring into mine. “For us? For you?”

This time, I didn’t hesitate. “Okay.”

The smile on his lips was so broad. “Let

go.”

“Let me just get dressed first,” I said, wanting to go back to the room and change out of my new pretty dress. “I don’t wanna ruin this.”

He takes my hand and pulls me to his chest yet again. “No need. You’re perfect the way you are.”

“You mean barely dressed?” I argued, showing him how the dress barely hid anything.

He only points to himself, already topless. “All of us are barely dressed.”

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Biting my lip in contemplation, I shake my head. Something told me not to go and it

had everything to do with the fact that I felt those eyes again on me… watching closely.

The warning repeated in my head.

That Andrew is bad news.

Except… this was for me. I didn’t even give the eyes a chance to see more as I’m already running down the hall in excitement. Andrew races after me, still muttering things under his breath.

“Hurry!” But I didn’t care at this point, laughing at him, my lungs filling with the cold night air. I wasn’t wearing shoes or slippers, having left them in the front of my room, and now was running completely barefoot as I raced down the stairs with Andrew right behind me, finally laughing as well.

When he’s close enough, he takes my hand, holding it tight as we leave the mansion and head for the woods. The lights from the lanterns are still open, lighting our way in the otherwise dark night.

Andrew tilts his head back and lets out a deep guttural shout. It echoes through the trees, shaking branches. I copy him, feeling the pressure in my heart lessen just a little

bit.

Beside us were other attendees running through the woods and screaming up to the moon as well. They cursed, mentioning their families and lovers and whoever else into the night for no one to remember. I thought I would be badly dressed for the party, but everyone was barely wearing anything or nothing at all.

It was just us and the moon.

And nothing could be better.

E

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