Academy Of Mates novel Chapter 50

Chapter 50

Chapter 50

Back in my room, laying down in bed, I stared at my ceiling the entire night. I watched as the shadows danced there until the sun chased them away and a new morning came.

But the morning brought only one thing… the reminder that my time at the School of Love was ending in a few hours.

Still, I did not move.

Still, I kept to my room and let the time pass.

Days passed, drink and food delivered to my room, eating and drinking myself silly, watching nights turn into new days.

I was aware that time was running out with every day that passed but I couldn’t find the will to care.

My heart felt like it was ripped apart.

I lost count on how many days have passed already, everything blurring together but somehow today I knew it was different when I opened my eyes at the morning sun that just rose from the sky.

Because today is the day of the choosing.

From what I heard from the older girls from our pack, the last day will start with brunch in the gardens. We will be given a few hours for ourselves, which is usually the time for the matches or potential matches to start discussing things.

At noon, the grand ceremony begins. This is the massive wedding that happens. We all take turns announcing who we choose to mate and do the traditional ritual for marriage.

Tonight, if everything goes well, I’ll be heading home with my husband… my mate.

The realization dawns upon me and I close my eyes. Usually, attendees choose for love and for attraction or, as many have said, a business deal. It wasn’t the same for me.

My problem was that I had none of those. What I’ve proven in my time at the School of Love is that my blood ranking is too low for any business deal and as far as love and attraction goes, there is no one that returns it. And if, by some miracle, I am chosen, I don’t have the time and the opportunity to refuse and be choosy. It is known that our pack has a lot of women that are unhappy with their matches, but they go through it anyway because being chosen by some horrible man is better than being unmated.

It is my duty to my father and the pack to be chosen by anyone. We cannot afford another unmated female. Our pack was already barely holding on and my father needed to retire, have his health checked and finally

relax.

I have been so busy chasing ‘fun’ and Betas that won’t ever choose me without even giving this Academy a fair chance… if I had any chances. And the last few days I had kept within my room, hidden away.

As much as everything still hurts, I couldn’t just stay here.

I was already a disappointment.

I didn’t need to add to that by not trying on my last day.

If it was going to be Jeff in the end, then that’s how it will be. Contrary to the name, the School of Love isn’t about love anymore. It is about survival.

And I will have to do my best to ensure that I do not become a burden to my pack and my father any longer.

Even if I didn’t want to, I decided to get ready for the day.

Hiding away wasn’t an option anymore. I had to brave it now.

For everyone else.

It didn’t take long to get ready, finding my way downstairs and being greeted by the usual glamour and beauty of the gardens where breakfast was being held.

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Chapter 50

Kelcey was immediately upon me when I arrived. “Where have you been? You were gone for five days! I was so worried. I was outside your door a few times but the organizers said you didn’t want to be disturbed. What was that about?”

I forced a smile for her benefit. “I just needed time to be alone.”

Kelcey brought me to a table and shook her head. “I get it. This has been a lot to take in but, in your time alone, did you know that Beta Benedict found out that Christy was the one trying to destroy your room? He had her banned from the Academy!”

I drew back. “Christy?”

Wasn’t she a friend?

Yet another heartbreak.

“Yeah, she was behind it all. You think you know someone!” Kelcey grumbled out. “Apparently she wanted Benedict for herself and she only got close to us to hurt you.”

On any other day, I might have cried but I only felt empty.

Suddenly, a chair from our table is pulled back and Jeff happily sits next to us. “It’s us three again huh? Just like how it started.”

Kelcey and I made a face, ready to say something back to him, except a hand placed on my shoulder stopped

“Hey, Vareesa?”

I was stunned to see him, even more for him to talk to me, especially since he was supposed to be with Odette now. They were leaving together weren’t they?

Jeff’s eyes widened at Andrew’s request and, from the look on his face, he did not approve. I can see it clearly in his expression.

“Sure.” I replied hurriedly.

“Perfect! We can walk along the trail in the woods?” He suggested, pointing in the direction of the entrance of the woodlands.

Jeff opened his mouth to no doubt say something rude.

“Sounds good.” I said, cutting off Jeff and standing from my seat.

I waved good bye without looking at Kelcey or Jeff. Andrew and I made it to the trail and walked side by side along it without touching. It’s clear he still remembers the last time we saw each other. Kissing me and then immediately appearing with Odette the next.

Just when I think I can forget these Betas, here I am walking with one.

“I saw you with Benedict during the Bachelor/Bachorlette party.” He begins, watching me for my reaction. “Are you choosing him?”

Funny. Very funny.

What gave him the right to ask this question?

I square my shoulders and though I am the last person to look intimidating, I still try to be. “You don’t get to ask me that question, Beta.”

He took my arm, pulling me to him. “I’m sorry. Everything that happened… I wish I could explain.”

“How you can go from saying you’ll choose me to suddenly choosing your Alpha?” I shot back at him.

“For duty.” He reasons, biting his lip.

I yanked my arm out of his grasp. “It doesn’t matter what for. It’s disrespectful to her and to me.”

Andrew rolls his eyes, throwing his arms up in exasperation. “I don’t know what you expect from me.” That’s what everyone says. School of Love. It’s all a game. “I expected better from a Beta.”

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Chapter 50

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