Academy Of Mates novel Chapter 43

Chapter 43

Chapter 43

What?

I was so confused.

So very confused.

The nerve wrecking intensity of his gaze only made me realize that I didn’t hear him wrong.

My throat dried as I stared at this man and I cannot believe what just came out of his lips.

Because surely he didn’t just say that?

I am just mistaken.

“I’m sorry?” I don’t get to voice this out quite as well as hoped.

His lips pulled into a genuine smile. “Do I have to say it again?”

“No,” I blurted out a little too quickly. I do not think I can survive if he says it a second time. “I just, I just…”

He leaned closer and the words just left me. “I’m not expecting anything from you right now, Vareesa. You were just very insistent for me to accept the other girl’s gift when I only wanted yours.”

Oh my Goddess.

My insides swooped and I could tell I was bright red, flushed beyond belief.

I didn’t expect this at all.

We made such a good team as well and… he chose me. He continued to choose me.

“I thought I was obvious enough.” He jokes, his lips trying hard not to smile for my benefit. “But I suppose I need to be more direct when it comes to you.”

I shake my head. “But what about your Alpha?”

Andrew smiles at me and it is so wide and bright and hopeful. “It seems that I’m free. She’s choosing someone else or at least that’s what she tells me.”

“The other Alpha.” I whispered quietly, remembering Benedict talking about him.

He nods. “Yes. And I can finally do what I want. To choose you.”

I can only blink at him, unable to fully accept it. “But… you’re a Beta of the richest pack in the world and I’m… nothing.”

“It’s my fault. I know I haven’t been the best person when it comes to those things and you’ve seen it first hand.” His words were spoken with such certainty, with such a solemn air that I could feel the power and truth of them. “But I don’t care about it anymore. You’ve made me not care about it. These titles and blood ranking when it comes to my future mate? I told you last night. I only want love and you made me feel that.”

I couldn’t believe it.

A Beta wants me.

It wasn’t just my imagination anymore.

He was saying it now.

And I want to say more but all I can do is embrace him, feeling this immense emotion go through me. As I’m embracing Andrew, Benedict decides to walk into the open gardens, his eyes sweeping through the picnic goers. It was hard not to notice how his normally handsome features were now replaced by the obvious distress in his expression. His throat was slimmer where it met his jaw and there was a hollowness to his cheeks that I had never seen before.

Apparently, I wasn’t the only one lacking sleep these past few days. The area around his eyes had darkened considerably, making them look as though his eyes had sunk into his skull. His hair was disheveled to the point that it was unsettling, for he loved his hair and his hair had its own fan group at home.

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Chapter 43

I know I shouldn’t and that last night’s conversation was fresh in my heart, but I worried about him.

It didn’t help that in his hand, he was clutching a basket full of chocolates and for some reason I knew it was for me.

He came to the garden for me.

And when he did see me, embracing Andrew, his pain was evident.

He didn’t linger, dropping the basket to the ground and turning away. He was shaking as he walked away and it took everything in me not to run to him.

I realized then that I do not love Andrew the way I love Benedict.

But that didn’t matter anymore.

Because love can grow.

And I am lucky, beyond lucky, to even be considered by Andrew.

“But we just have to wait, okay?” Andrew says, pulling away. “I’m… I just want to wait until everything is signed and secure. I didn’t plan to tell you right now but I just couldn’t help myself. We just have to wait.”

It took me a second to remember what we were talking about.

And I feel terrible for it.

“My legs must have really done you good, huh?” I find myself whispering, trying to keep the mood light.

His eyes scanned mine and he cursed quietly, gently, a mere breath of words. “Fuck,”

Slowly, he inched closer, his eyes on my lips and suddenly all I could see was his lips as well. Full and plump and… kissable.

And then I was looking at his hair, the strands so fine and soft, I just knew that when I ran my hands through them it would feel terribly good. A few strands were on his forehead, over his eyes, and I had to fight to keep my hands to myself.

He was still looking at my lips. His eyes, those beautiful orbs, memorizing them.

He was so close.

So damn close that I can’t breathe.

I can almost feel his lips on mine now…

Almost.

The anticipation of it was causing little tremors up and down my arms and legs.

I wonder if he tastes like his favorite chocolate. Sweet and addicting.

Through all this, my foolish mind conjures Benedict. I think of his kiss and his arms. I think of how softly he pressed his lips on mine and how gently he held me. I think of his smile and how he always made me feel safe, even though at times he was the one I was scared of.

Just before our lips touched, Andrew drew back, his eyes staring at something behind me.

I turn to look at what he saw but he holds me in place and tugs on my hand, urging me to stand.

“Let’s go,” His throat was tight, that sadness that was hidden was now back and prominent. “Please, hurry.”

I stand and each time I attempt to look back, he only tugs me to face him. “What is it?”

He looked like someone had punched him in the gut. Repeatedly. “Nothing. Just trust me.”

With his hand tightly on mine, he tugs me towards the woods, away from the mansion- our picnic abandoned, my book forgotten. We didn’t stop, his hand pulling me behind him as he went deeper and deeper into the woods.

The air seemed thicker as I took the deepest of breaths to calm myself down, to wrap my head around what was happening.

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Chapter 43

My heart was beating out of my chest, a mixture of confusion and worry pulsing through my body. We were walking so deep into the woods that the mansion was out of sight and the sounds of life, of the never ending party that I think could not ever be quiet, were silent.

A clap of thunder was the last straw, the dark clouds looming over our heads causing me to yank my hand out of his grasp. “What’s happening?”

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