Academy Of Mates novel Chapter 52

Chapter 52

Chapter 52

The elder in front does his best to try and keep things together, but people are chattering away, standing from their seats and attempting to get a better view of the front. I stayed put, slowly processing what was happening all around me.

“Everyone please return to your seats or we will stop the ceremony and send you all home!” One of the elders shouted. “We’ve contacted all your Alphas and if you do not follow the rules, they have agreed to cut this Academy short with or without a mate.”

This stops everyone. At least everyone poor that can’t afford this Academy to be cut short.

Almost immediately, the rows at the back straighten themselves.

“Now that’s out of the way, let us continue finding everyone a mate. May we call up Miss Maria-”

Maria from Odette and Andrew’s pack was adorned in gold and silk. She walked up the stage like she owned it and, much to the anger of Odette, was instantly chosen by another member of her pack. She didn’t even last a second up there.

But she smiled widely, happily, at the man who chose her and I couldn’t help but be happy for her too.

She wasn’t worth as much as Odette, but the man that chose her, a very wealthy looking man, didn’t seem to

care what she had to give.

They looked perfect together.

More girls from the city came after Maria, all of them being chosen within at least five minutes. No one was chosen twice.

I watched as countless women went up, flashed their biggest smile and left with a man in her arms. I was really happy for them, quietly sending a prayer for a long and happy marriage.

The other packs came next and the first girl that wasn’t chosen broke into tears in front of us. She was offering her family’s house as a gift to whoever chose her but no one stepped up. I don’t know what it was. She was pretty. She looked capable enough.

A tear fell from my eyes at the sight of her returning to her seat, head bowed low. She had given up on trying to wipe away the tears in her eyes and let them pour like waterfalls down her beautiful face.

No one batted an eye at her after that, going back to the Academy like nothing happened. She was just another failure in their minds.

I don’t know why it’s such an issue. At least five girls before her refused the boys that chose them, shaking their heads and opting to try another year. The boys just shrugged and smiled like nothing had happened while the girls returned to their seats, unmated but with their chin up.

Meanwhile, I can still hear the girl that didn’t get chosen crying her eyes out from somewhere in the middle

row.

Another wave of nausea goes through me and I bury my face in the palms of my hand. It’s hard not to worry. It’ s hard to say I didn’t care about these things.

I know I would be just like her.

Jeff is unreliable and it makes me even more sick just thinking about our life together. Before the Academy, the idea of this was easy. Why was it so difficult now? Days ago I would have said yes to absolutely anyone, but now that it’s here…

And then there were the two Betas. I shouldn’t even be thinking about them. They’re on a completely different scale, but I do notice that they haven’t chosen anyone yet.

No.

I squash my thoughts before they can go anywhere else. It’s dangerous to hope in a time like this.

So I stopped and stared at my hands for the remainder of the Academy. I try to tune out name after name that’

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Chapter 52

s called… until I hear: “Kelcey from the pack in the farms. She is offering a necklace heirloom to whoever chooses her.”

I sat up, eyes wide and praying that five men would claim her. No. Not five. More. Like ten or twenty. She deserves to have everyone claim her.

Kelcey walks to the front with her head up. She’s wearing a donated dress that didn’t fit her well, the last of our outfits, and was torn on the wrist but she wore it like it was made for her. She made it beautiful and I couldn’t have been more proud.

She wasn’t nervous. Kelcey confidentially stood on the platform like she was the Alpha.

And then I waited.

And then I waited some more.

A few men stirred, checking her out from their seats, but none came forward.

But I didn’t lose hope. Not for her.

She’s the prettiest. She was actually worth something. She had smarts and confidence.

Surely…

“You may step down now, Kelcey.”

A gasp leaves my lips as well as a few tears, but Kelcey never wavers, her face the same as it was when she first walked up. If she was sad or hurt, she didn’t show it.

I didn’t try to get her attention. I didn’t want my crying face to be the first thing she sees after that.

When she finally got to her seat, she didn’t look any different. She kept her head up and her expression calm. Even then, I was proud of her. I can only hope I can be as strong as her when my time comes.

Fifteen girls stood between me and the platform. And I dreaded it when each of them were called. By the time number fifteen was called to the front, I couldn’t get air into my lungs anymore. I felt pale and sick and just ready to go home.

Too engrossed in keeping my stomach under control, I didn’t pay attention as they announced her.

“Oh my Goddess!” The crowd screamed. “I can’t believe it.”

Strange.

Why would people react like a miracle was happening?

I forced my eyes from my hands to the girl in front. Her eyes were wide like saucers and her lips were parted

in surprise. I followed where she was looking at and was confused when she was looking at me…

No.

Not me.

To something behind me.

But that can’t be because I’m the last one. No one should be behind me.

Curiosity getting the best of me, I twisted around and looked up and almost fell off my seat.

Sebastian.

My lips parted, confused why he was late and why he wasn’t sitting with the rest of us. I was about to tell him to find his seat when I heard it.

“It’s the Alpha.”

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