Academy Of Mates novel Chapter 39

Chapter 39

Chapter 39

“Line up everyone, men to the left and women to the right.” The organizer up on the dais instructed, pointing to the opposite walls of the grand ballroom. “We shall now begin the dance.”

I wish I had been better prepared for what was just announced, because as soon as all of the attendees filed into the grand ballroom, the doors were closed and the music started to play. Drinks were handed out and finger food was offered as the organizer discussed the next event.

Standing in line between Christy and Kelcey, they were both downing drinks like their lives depended on it and maybe it did. I follow their lead, trying to inhale as much as I can, food and drink. Albeit, a little more drink than food.

I shoved three sandwiches in my mouth and pushed them down with a drink that made me wince. It wasn’t the most appealing sight in the world, but it was definitely the most rational.

The organizer urged the two lines to join in the middle as I swallowed another sandwich. All around me, attendees reach for one last drink from the revolving trays holding glasses of liquor. I took a deep breath as I stepped forward to stand in front of a man I hadn’t seen before.

He smiles kindly, though I know this wouldn’t be the case if Andrew and Benedict weren’t so nice to me, offering his hand. I take it, giving my own smile.

It should be this easy.

The School of Love should be easy.

Meeting and dancing and laughing with men, but my eyes weren’t focused on the man in front of me like they should be. My eyes were focused on Benedict, who was dancing with another girl or, on a pair of amber eyes somewhere, who I could feel was staring at us, or at Andrew, who was busy fending off a girl’s hand that slipped down his ass.

My dance partner is speaking to me but I am not paying attention. I can hear him say a few words but it’s like my body didn’t want to listen.

My heart didn’t flutter or anything of the sort.

Instead, it wanted someone else. Someone that wasn’t the man in front of me.

Ever since I was told about the Academy, all everyone has talked about was that feeling. That love. That knowing that this is the one.

I did not have that for the man that held me.

Before I knew it, the thirty seconds allotted for us were done and a gong could be heard as we were told to switch partners. The man that was previously in Christy’s arms was now in mine and, just like the last one, he didn’t smile.

I couldn’t bring myself to smile first, my mind already thinking of something else- of how I was going to face Benedict.

Partners switch again and again and again, hands taking mine, smiles offered and words whispered, but my heart is somewhere else.

It was wrong and I should stop, but it was like fighting a losing battle.

I know I should focus. I know I am running out of time. I know that this is my chance to make my pack proud, so I try, I try with all my heart to forget him, try to ignore the stares from a pair of amber eyes and try to stop hoping for Benedict to come sooner.

“They say you weren’t much to look at, but you’re very pretty in certain angles, Varessa.” The next man says as he takes my hand and dips me backward.

“Thank you?” I managed, forcing a smile at his not so nice compliment. “You’re not so bad yourself.”

But I haven’t even looked at his face yet.

1/4

Chapter 39

So I try to.

He was attractive like all of them are, but something in me just knew he wasn’t the one nor did he think I was the one for him. He just wanted what the Betas were fighting over. “Why do you think the Betas want you? Is it a game? Is it a bet? Will they even choose you at the end?”

I could feel his disappointment with my lack of interest in him and to answer his questions.

Another thirty seconds passed.

I jumped when I realized Jeff is my next partner. He is glowering at me.

“I’m disappointed in you but I’ll forgive you if you drop this game you’re playing and stay loyal to me.” He tells me sharply. “My mind has not changed. You are who I will choose and make no mistake. I will be the only one choosing you. No one else.”

I make sure to be as far away from him as possible. “I’d rather return home with no one.”

Jeff laughs and his breath smells sour enough to make my stomach twist. “Don’t lie. You nearly begged for me to choose you before we left for the Academy. You wanted me.”

“I thought you were my best friend.” I tell him honestly, my tone full of disappointment. “All you are now is some sleazy, disgusting guy from my pack who I will be forgetting.”

The cruel expression on his face makes me almost pull my hands away from his. “You really think they’ll choose you? These Betas? They won’t. They are rivals and you are but an afterthought to them. Something to fight over until they’re done and they’ll forget about you too.”

I mustered up the courage to stare him in the eyes. “I’m still returning home alone then.”

“And be a burden to your father and the entire pack.” He whistled mockingly. “Amazing. I know you. Desperate little Vareesa will be begging and waiting for me by the end of all this. I know it and you know it.”

Thirty seconds.

A gong.

And he was gone.

Not too long after, I see Andrew with Christy. He is holding her at as much distance as he can muster, a deep frown on his face. In contrast, her face was lit up like a Christmas tree, whispering something in his ear.

He closes his beautiful eyes, whatever she says makes him pale, his expression hardens and when the thirty seconds were up, he couldn’t get away from her fast enough. He quickly takes me by the waist and pulls us a little ways away.

“What did she say?” I joked, looking up at him.

His arms around me tightened. He held me close, closer than I had seen him hold anyone else. “Something I don’t dare repeat to a lady such as yourself.”

“You’re with me now. You can relax. I won’t try to squeeze your butt.” I teased as we held each other. “At least, I’ Il try not to.”

His nose scrunches up and brings his forehead against mine. He was so tall that he had to lean down just to press us together. “If you do it, I won’t mind it as much.”

A laugh leaves my lips. “That’s only because I sat on you for almost the entire day.”

“I didn’t complain.” He easily responds, as if carrying me was something he wanted to do. “I would have kept you there all week if I could.”

I tried not to stumble as he said this but I did cough- or more accurately, choke. I tried to gather myself, attempting to say something that wouldn’t give away how his words made me flush. “I’m sorry about how it ended.”

“I’m sorry for losing you in the crowd.” He says back, one of his hands sliding lower, down my wrist where his bracelet was. His lips pulled into a small smile, his fingers caressing the leather. “I tried to get to you but the guards kept everyone away.”

2/4

Chapter 39

“And I’m sorry about how we left things. I was… I was wrong to be like that.”

“And I’m sorry that… that I made you feel that way.”

As if sensing piercing eyes on me, a chill went down my spine as I felt a pair of sharp ones staring at us from afar.

I wonder why Sebastian told me to be careful with this man?

Andrew is annoying. We did not initially have a good meeting. He is rank sensitive and is boastful and too in love with himself but he is also kind and thoughtful.

Of course, Andrew has to choose his Alpha if the other Alpha doesn’t choose her.

He’s spoken for.

But just like Benedict, Andrew is a Beta. He’s the Beta of the richest pack in the world and he deserves more than me.

In fact, I want him to choose better.

He… he’s a good friend.

“And what are you looking for in the School of Love, Andrew?” I whispered as he pressed us close.

“Love.” He whispered back, sounding surprised with himself.

His words confused me.

Andrew is the last person I would think is here for love.

I don’t get to ask anymore questions as it is already thirty seconds and he has moved on to Kelcey.

It didn’t help that, as he danced with Kelcey, he was only looking at me the entire time.

And even when he moved from her and was on to the next, he still continued to look.

Multiple partners came and went until my hands were grasped by familiar ones. It made my breath halt and my knees weak.

“Blue is your color,” He said huskily, circling me slowly. Although it was part of the dance, it felt like something more as he stared at me. Time slowed as his eyes raked through my entire body. “It suits you.”

A blush creeped up my neck as I stared up at him. “Benedict,”

“Did you have fun dancing with Andrew?” He whispered, taking my hand in his to twirl me around. “Did you like him whispering in your ear?”

I could not answer as I was twirled and was suddenly pressed back into his chest. His lips were on the side of my face now.

“Wearing his bracelet too.” Jealousy dripped from each word he said. “You do know how to choose them.” “Like you know how to choose yours.” The words slipped out of my lips, mentioning the girl from the contest earlier. It was too late to stop myself so I pushed it. “You like yours a little unhinged?”

He looked at me like I was the one that was unhinged. “I do.”

I shook my head, unable to look at him. “Just shut up and let the thirty seconds pass quietly.”

He pulled me even closer to him, so close that I could feel his heart beating erratically. “I’m not the one for you.”

But why did his actions say otherwise?

Why did he hold me closer? And closer?

And closer?

Benedict takes my chin between his fingers and pulls me to his lips.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify