Academy Of Mates novel Chapter 31

Chapter 31

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We don’t stop running, our smiles wide and our laughter loud, but there must have been a couple dozen of us here. I didn’t know which direction we were running, trusting Andrew, who led me there.

It felt like minutes before we got to our destination, but it was probably almost an hour or so because I couldn’t feel the mansion or its gardens close anymore. We only stopped when I saw a cave up ahead, a light from a fire coming from it.

And then more laughter came, mostly from the cave as someone danced around the fire, the shadows on the walls and trees giving it away.

I turned to Andrew, a little confused. “What is all this?”

With his hand still on mine, Andrew takes me towards the wide cave. “A few years ago, the attendees of the Academy wanted an escape from the ever watching organizers, the pressure surrounding it all and found the cave, seeing an opportunity. They stole bottles and bottles of alcohol from the mansion, trays of food and set up shop here. It’s a place we can be ourselves. Away from all that.”

“Do the organizers know about this?” I asked, seeing so many of the attendees around us who were giggling and already drunk. It wasn’t a pretty looking cave but I suppose that was the point. It was far from the mansion that reminded us of the choice we had to make at the end of the School of Love and most likely never see each other again.

“Of course they do. But they let us.” He explained, taking two bottles of whatever liquor was on the pile on the floor and giving me one. “They were attendees too before they became organizers and some part of them luckily understand how important this is. People need a break from it.”

I opened the cap, finding a seat near the mouth of the cave. Squinting ahead, I could not see the beautiful mansion anymore. There were trees and shadows. “How far are we?”

He takes a seat next to me, our legs pressed together. “Exactly on the territory line of the Academy.”

A song from a crappy sounding radio starts to play from inside the cave, making everyone cheer and stomp.

Andrew extends his hand for me to take and I do, with bottles of hard liquor in our hand, we dance to the scrappy music. It was loud and full of static, not really knowing what I was dancing to, but I was giggling, actually giggling at how silly we both looked- how everyone looked.

Some have come straight from dinner, the dresses and suits removed, tossed on top of a pile somewhere, wearing nothing but the masks on their faces.

I spotted Kelcey and Christy at one point. They gave me air kisses, continuing to dance with their own partners. They were boys I didn’t recognize, but the girls smiled up at them happily, making me happy in

return.

For the first time, it felt like people that are here don’t judge. That everyone is just taking a break and enjoying themselves.

My head was spinning as we drank more, danced harder and laughed louder. Andrew’s hand was on me the entire time, keeping me close as things got a little blurry.

17:04 Sat, Apr 18 M

Chapter 31

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As the night grew late and the laughter subsided to puking and the likes, I pressed my back against the cold cave, breathing hard. My thoughts were muddled, my feelings were a mess. It was the drinks. I drank too much.

I kept thinking about my dad, the Academy where I had to choose my mate, Benedict and how stressful today was. One moment, I’m worried, the next I’m excited and happy, then disappointed and embarrassed.

Left by Benedict.

Humiliated by Jeff.

The endless worries of coming home as a failure..

But, at least, I had Andrew.

He had his own demons… problems that I didn’t want to think about but he was also a friend to me.

He gave me that hope.

Not for a future together, but hope that it won’t be all bad in the Academy.

“You okay?” He asked, smiling down at me.

He smelled like bottles of liquor we were drinking, sharp and sour at the same time, but he didn’t look the least bit drunk.

Unlike me.

Since we arrived he hasn’t moved from his spot beside me, his hand holding mine.

Always holding me.

If only it was easy… simple.

But it wasn’t.

At the end of the day, he was still a Beta of the richest pack in the world.

“Do you wanna go back?” He offered when I didn’t answer, leaning low so he could press his forehead on mine.

My entire body was heating up, wanting to press closer to him.

Most of the people around us were already passed out and the music from the radio was still blaring out some kind of tune that would keep my next words to him for just the two of us.

“Let’s talk, Andrew.” I said to him, my words a little slurry but still understandable.

His face froze, the expression causing my heart to squeeze. “You’re drunk.”

“No.” I insisted, letting out a hiccup. “I want to talk about it. We’ve had our fun.”

17:04 Sat, Apr 18 M..

Chapter 31

Something inside of me told me to stop.

To not push it.

Stop.

Don’t do this to yourself.

Let it go on for a little bit longer.

Have him for just a few more days until it’s all over.

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I wanted to stop, I wanted to listen to myself, but I couldn’t. I just couldn’t. I wanted answers and he was going to give them to me.

His hands were on my face again, staring into my eyes as his fingers brushed against my cheeks. “Let’s not do this now. Please, I beg,”

He was pleading with me.

I should stop.

Now.

But I didn’t. I couldn’t. The liquor in my empty stomach fueled my courage, fueled the impending heart break. “Please, answer, do you want to be with me?”

He flinched, pulling away from me like he had been burnt by silver. “Vareesa,”

“Do you want to be with me?” Blood was pumping into my head, my ears heating up. “Andrew-“

His cold voice cut through my heart with a knife. “I have responsibilities.”

“I know you do but at the very least… did you ever consider it?” I don’t know what I was saying. I was hurt and confused and so many more things. “Tell me you haven’t thought about it?”

He took a step back from me as though he couldn’t stand me all of a sudden. “But it can’t happen. You know why. I have expectations that—“

“I don’t care.” The corners of my eyes stung but I held them back. “This is our choice, your choice. Not the pack’s. Not your Alpha. Ours.”

“I can’t.” He snapped in a tone he had never used on me before.

I was grasping for anything to steady me, to steady my heart, to keep my emotions at bay. But my voice cracked as I felt like my throat was closing. “But-”

“Don’t say it.” He warned almost hatefully. “And don’t you dare cry on me. Don’t do it.”

But I thought, if this was it, if this was my last chance, I might as well say everything. I might as well tell him what I felt at the moment, no matter how scary. “Why… am I really that bad? Why can’t you…”

17:04 Sat, Apr 18 M…

Chapter 31

“I can’t!” He bellowed loudly, his fists balled up tight and turning white. “You know I can’t.”

“But-“I almost said his name, but his eyes turned black, enraged, making me stop.

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“Enough. It is out of my hands.” He dismissed me angrily. “Don’t make this harder for the both of us.”

I felt my entire body give but I kept standing, my pride keeping me up. “That’s it?”

“That’s it.” He confirmed, turning away to grab another bottle and drinking it quickly. “Let me take you back and-“

But I was already walking away.

Like I always do.

I was warned about him. I knew about him. This wasn’t new. This wasn’t surprising. But why did it still hurt? I never imagined heartbreak to feel so literal, that my heart was indeed being torn to shreds, ripped into pieces as he stomped on it.

I heard him try to approach me but, without looking at him, a growl left my lips. It was vicious, so vicious that I couldn’t believe it came from me. “Don’t come close. Don’t ever come close.”

Behind me, I heard him suck a breath. He sounded in pain or was that regret? I didn’t care, continuing to walk

away.

Tears started to pool along my eyes but I forced it back with every fiber of my being.

The walk was long, longer now that I’m alone. The entire walk was just me fighting the tears, fighting the emotions and quietly cursing at my stupidity.

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