Academy Of Mates novel Chapter 42

Chapter 42

Chapter 42

“So how did you make the Betas so interested in you? Are you talented in bed? Because I can’t see how you can be interesting any other way. You’re poor. You’re rankless.”

I forced a smile, trying my hardest to be nice and to be open, but I held my cup to my chest a little tighter than I should be- showing the opposite.

Honestly, I wasn’t asking for much. I wasn’t looking for sparks, butterflies, fireworks or love. I did not care for money, power, looks or fame. The sad reality of my situation was being chosen by literally anyone from anywhere is better than returning home a failure.

The man sitting across from me reaches over the table I was eating at and tugs at the bow in my hair playfully.

It was supposed to be endearing and cute.

It was more than I was honestly expecting but I just knew this man won’t be choosing me anyway.

The worst part is, I kept hoping he was Benedict instead.

Another terrible part is that I almost wish it was just Sebastian instead. At least I feel comfortable with him even if he will just use him or whatever it is he’s doing right now.

The surprising thought had me slam my cup of hot chocolate down the table a little too loudly, my cheeks flushed, but it had nothing to do with the man in front of me.

“Everything okay?” The man asks, concerned.

I smiled, nodding my head. “Yes, uh, I just drank too fast.”

He reaches over and does it again, only this time, he touches my hair, his fingers playing the strands.

Maybe it isn’t me.

Maybe what’s putting me off this man is how his neck has about a hundred different love bites on his neck.

I gently removed his hands, giving him an apologetic look.

He wasn’t the one for me.

“They were right about you.” He says when he sees that I had no interest in adding to the collection on his neck.

I leaned back in my seat, getting ready for the worst of it. “And what’s that?”

He stands, shooting me a glare. “That you’re a fucking prude and a bore. I don’t see what they see in you. Maybe you are just a toy for them.”

His words did not hurt as much as he wanted them to.

“I would have had a lot more fun talking to a wall.” He growled, his face contorted in anger. “You’re such a waste of-”

A laugh leaves my lips as I take a deep breath. That was the seventh man to approach me during breakfast and all of them turned out the exact same way.

They wonder what the Betas want from me, they pick up on my disinterest and then say something mean before leaving me alone.

“Hello, Vareesa.” A boy with soft eyes greeted me. “It’s my first year and I wanted to introduce myself officially to you. I come from a pack living by the seas.”

I perked, appreciating the nice way he introduced himself. “Hi, it’s nice to meet you.”

His eyes went low. “You have heard that you have very huge breasts.”

And then, just like that, it was over.

Fuck’s sake.

I stood up from the table and did my best- my absolute bestest, to force an expression that didn’t look like I

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Chapter 42

was going to kill him. “Thank you for introducing yourself. I am leaving now.”

Feeling hopeless, I walked to the open grounds of the garden.

Before entering the open garden, which was this beautiful hillside overlooking the lake, there was a neatly stacked table full of blankets, baskets full of sandwiches and fruit and cheese, and then books, thick leather

bound books.

I take a blanket and a basket of food. Thumbing through the titles of the books, I settle for a classic that I’ve only ever been told about through someone’s memory of it and find a spot among the other picnic goers.

The perfect spot was right under a tree, far away from everyone else, almost completely hidden out of sight. I laid my blanket there before leaning against the trunk of the tree with the book in my hands.

Munching on a strawberry, I dive into the book, smiling at myself and the peace I have found.

A shadow hovers over me after some time. “Business or pleasure?”

I looked up a little startled, my mind taking its time to adjust from the world I was in. “Andrew?”

He smiles down at me, holding two plates in his hands. “Lunch?”

With much difficulty, I craned my neck over the trees and shrubs, my eyes swept through the gardens to see everyone eating. I had not realized how long I had been sitting there until I noticed the sun far lower in the sky than it had been when I began reading. “What time is it?”

“Two, almost three in the afternoon.” He says with a face that knows I haven’t been paying attention to my surroundings. The orange hues from the rays made his face glow as I stared up at him. “So you’re reading for pleasure then? If you’re that invested in what you’re reading.”

I lifted the book up to show him the title. “What do you think?”

“The Long History of Werewolves,” He reads, putting down the plates. “Pleasure. Definitely pleasure.”

I shared his smile, laughing a little as I made room for him on the blanket so he could sit down. When he finally settled down, his back leaned against the tree, making a home for himself on the roots, one leg extended, and the other pulled up in front of him. With fast hands, he took the book from my hands and held it above his head, far out of my reach. “That’s enough of that. You should eat. You can’t skip meals if you’ re going to drink the way you do.”

“Wait, that’s mine. I was just finishing a chapter.” As I leaned closer to him to reach for the book, I was hit by his scent that wasn’t completely there but I could still smell a hint of something masculine in him. It made me flush, my cheeks burning all over again.

The way his large body loomed over my smaller one did not help the rush that heated my entire body. “While l’ m sure the history of werewolves is mind boggling, you should at least take a few bites before you continue.”

“Fine,” I breathed out, sitting back on my spot. “You win.”

“I know.” His eyes seemed to sparkle as he said this. With that triumphant smile, he places the book between us and reaches for the plates. “I got a little of everything.”

I put the plate on my lap and, from the corner of my eye, watched him take a bite of a carrot. “Are you sure you want to feed me? After seeing me last night with my head out the window like that?”

He continued to eat, unbothered as he glanced at me with that sort of naughty look on his face. “I don’t remember that ever happening.”

My lips parted, ready to say something back, when a girl walked up to us. Her head was bowed really low and her hands were behind her back.

“Excuse me, Beta Andrew?” She was blushing. I could see the flush of her neck as she shook.

Andrew doesn’t react, barely noticing her, but he does move a little bit closer to me, our sides touching.

But she pushes on despite the shaking. “I wanted to give you something.”

Oh.

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Chapter 42

My heart stalled, knowing she was about to give him the arts and crafts project we all did yesterday.

The symbol that she was going to choose him by the end of the week.

I stayed quiet, finding the situation very awkward, especially since I was right there.

His silence was piercingly loud and he wasn’t even looking at her. Taking pity on the girl, I elbowed him in the side and gestured to her.

He looks at me, the first time he actually looks up and blows out a tired breath. “I’m sorry, I can’t accept this.”

He didn’t even see what it was.

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