Academy Of Mates novel Chapter 51

Chapter 51

Chapter 51

The time has come.

This was it.

All those days have come to this.

“All attendees must proceed to the gardens for the final ceremony.”

The announcement from the speakers was loud and clear. Everyone within the mansion would be able to hear

My stomach felt uneasy and I felt sick.

I convinced myself that it’s just the alcohol from the continuous drinking I’ve been doing. It simply did not have a connection with the fact that in just a few minutes, I would be more or less taking Jeff as my mate.

My stomach lurched for the third time today and I ran to my bathroom vomiting what’s left of my brunch on the toilet.

I’m strong. I can do this. I’ve faced greater challenges than a stupid wedding. My father made sacrifices for me. It’s part of life. It’s part of being a good family and pack member. I will handle this wisely and gracefully.

Jeff is Jeff. I’ve known him since I was little. Despite what happened these past few days, there’s history between us. A friendship if I can even call it that. And… and it’s not like I can’t live with it.

Feeling more confident than I was when I first came into my room, I stood from my kneeling position on the toilet and flushed its contents. I brush my teeth and try to salvage my face.

When I’m finally a bit more presentable, I leave my room and descend the stairs to the ground floor.

Kelcey is waiting for me at the entrance. She has always been a firm believer of ‘fuck the men that try to take advantage of us’. “You don’t have to do this.”

“Kelcey, I’m fine. How are you? I didn’t get to ask if you found someone.” I asked, looping our arms together. “Don’t change the subject.” Of course she caught me. Kelcey is smart, too smart. “Tell me right now that you don’t want this and I can choose you and have us marry each other instead.”

A laugh leaves my lips. “Kelcey, as much as I would want that, I’m really okay. Thank you for the lovely offer.” Kelcey stands her ground. “We only truly bonded in our time here but I know I already care too much about you to let this happen. You’re a fucking saint and have gone through too much already. But this stupid boy-” “Jeff.” I offered, despite knowing full well she knows him.

She scowls in distaste. “Who cares what his name is?”

“He’s a pack member.”

“Moon fart!”

“Stop that.” I groaned at her. “It’s really sweet of you to worry and I appreciate all of what you’re doing, but it’s not necessary. I’m fine. I’ve dealt with worse. But there is something… do you think you can do something for me?”

Kelcey’s stubborn lips trembled. “What?”

“It will help a lot if we just push through this as fast as possible. Like a bandaid.” I see her start to protest and I raise my hand. “Please? For me?”

My eyes felt watery and Kelcey must have seen it because she closed her mouth. “Let’s find our seats.” The officials have done it yet again. They’ve successfully transformed the outdoor welcoming area from yesterday into a jaw dropping garden wedding.

A podium stands at the very front facing countless wooden seats that had a flower garland division in the middle to separate the boys from the girls. I felt sick to my stomach when my eyes locked on Jeff, looking extremely excited chatting away with other boys. Benedict and Andrew are seated at the very front, right next

Successfully unlocked!

1/4

Chapter 51

to each other. They weren’t speaking and made sure never to touch by scooting as far away as they could in their chairs.

One vacant seat was at the very front, for Benedict’s Alpha that I had never seen yet, across that was Odette all dolled up like a walking chandelier. She is beautiful as always. As if she demanded to be looked at, every pair of eyes turned to gaze upon her beauty. Odette seemed to glow while everyone paled in comparison.

She turns to look behind, to look at me, her eyes narrowed. She doesn’t say anything. I wasn’t worth the words, but she certainly melted me with her glare.

I forgot that this was done by hierarchy. The Alpha chooses first, followed by the Betas and so on. If, by some chance, someone doesn’t want to choose, all it takes is a simple shake of their head when they’re called.

A simple shake of the head will mean that one passes from the choosing. Higher ranks will propose first and if they choose someone below them… that person has no legal choice but to accept. Lower ranks cannot propose to higher ranks. It’s to minimize rejections. Years ago, all forty lower ranking males proposed to one female Alpha and it took forever. The ceremony lasted until early morning of the next day.

Thankfully, a new rule was applied after that.

If someone wants to propose to someone higher, a prior understanding should be done before the ceremony in which the higher position of the two will propose to the lower instead.

In this way, it’s a lot faster.

Kelcey squeezes my hand before settling on a seat three rows in front of mine. I waved at her and forced a smile. It wasn’t hard to find my seat: the last one at the very back.

There is no exaggeration when I say my seat is almost outside the actual gardens. I was closer to the lake than I was to the podium.

If I was being honest, I could barely see the front from the sea of heads sitting in front of me, but that’s how it is. I am the lowest rank in the entire Academy.

The wait is nerve wrecking. All the attendees are already present but the organizers seem to be in dismay about something.

My hands couldn’t stop shaking and my mouth felt bone dry despite the water bottle that I had just finished. I’ ve caught sight of Benedict several times whenever the sea of heads moved to the side just right. He turns to look at me and immediately goes to look away. Andrew tries to get my attention but I sink deeper into my seat. If I speak or move in anyway, I think I might actually hurl.

Jeff is easier to spot. He’s around three rows ahead of me too.

He winks whenever his eyes find me.

I’m definitely going to hurl.

What in the werewolf’s balls are we waiting for? I seriously feel like there isn’t enough oxygen in this garden.

Just as I felt my stomach turn for the forty seventh time, an elder goes up to the raised platform. “We apologize for the wait. There have been some complications which have now been solved.”

I can only imagine what kind of complications they were fixing. The majority of the attendees can be heard sighing dispassionately. Odette in particular voices her disdain.

She stands up from her seat and points to the empty seat across from her.

“Where is he?” She demands, her Alpha voice booming. “Do not start without him. He will be choosing me and

I am not moving until he comes.”

So it’s about him.

The Alpha that no one has seen.

I almost thought that he wasn’t real.

But if she was still waiting for him… what did that mean for Andrew who already proposed to her?

Is she only making Andrew her second option?

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify