Academy Of Mates novel Chapter 7

Chapter 7

With the thick trees of the entrance parting as if called upon to do so, appeared the most beautiful sight. The mansion’s garden is the welcoming area for the School of Love and it’s even more beautiful now that I’m here with everyone else. Garlands of falling flowers decorated the area with ancient stone carved statues, tall elegant fountains and beautiful gazebos everywhere.

The mansion and its even more famous Garden of Eden was a thing of beauty, a true marvel that made me wonder at how they managed to keep things so lush and vibrant and alive. Stunning flowers of all kinds and colors were everywhere, blossoming in every direction. The smell, the brightness of the mansion and the beauty of the gardens that it was famed for, and the sheer luxury of my surroundings seemed to lull me into a sense of pleasant, heart clenching, excitement.

I have been told of the beauty of this place, constantly, even, like a lullaby every night, a fairytale whispered by the pack elders, but it’s another thing completely to see it with my own eyes.

The majestic mansion built of heavy white stone, thick glass windows, and the beautiful French doors knocked the breath out of my lungs as the entire place looked like one big dream. Every angle was beautiful and aesthetic, glimmering and sparkling with the sun always in the right place.

Flower petals seem to fall from the sky the moment I take a step forward, floating all around me in slow motion. A blue crystal lake framed the property, creating this magical atmosphere that was only ever possible in dreams. The blow of the wind is gentle and soft, the smell of fresh air and nature tickling my senses.

I was still in the maze at this point, the back entrance, but the grandiosity of the entire place dried my mouth.

Surrounded by such decadence and the heaven like atmosphere, I felt out of place. Like I did not belong at such a perfect place.

After taking in this breathtaking place I’ll be calling home for a week, I started to notice my fellow attendees who stood around like decorations- like they were meant to be mere.

Women and men all dressed in white, from lace to silk and velvet and chiffon. It was a never ending extravagance.

Everyone was so beautiful… so out of this world. They peppered this Garden of Eden ike they belonged and I could only stare in amazement. felt extremely underdressed and was far from being perfect, making me feel like a pall of mush compared to the flawless people around me. I realized just how differently they were dressed, with their colorful bejeweled outfits fluttering about and their hair defying gravity. More and more I’m reminded that I was very far from home.

As the new arrival, everyone was looking. They stared and scrutinized me from head to toe. Women and men alike, picked me apart with their eyes and I felt very small.

They tried to find out who I was; someone important or someone forgettable? Worth the trouble or should be ignored?

I do my best to ignore them and it was easy as I was quickly captivated by other things I continued to glance around, enjoying how the white mansion looked with the crystal blue lake nearly surrounding it. Upon close inspection, there were small wooden boats on the shore, tied to trees. I let my fingers trace the oars, the handles etched with small scratches from the many hands that used them to row.

I wondered then if they let us swim? Would there be any time for that? Without needing to touch the shimmering water, I could tell it was the right kind of cool for this slight warm temperature.

A quiet conversation happening a few feet away takes me out of my thoughts of the tempting water.

“Do you know how many Betas or Alphas are coming?” A hushed whisper asked.

An equally inconspicuous voice responds. “You know they’re not allowed to release that information.”

“Still…” The first voice egged on.

A small laugh came from the second voice. “Of course I know.”

The two girls come into view then, pulling each other behind a big tree. They were dressed like girls from a very wealthy pack, all glamorous and beautiful, sparkling with every movement.

These girls were born stars… breathtaking and utterly beautiful. They’re all beautiful. All strong, pretty and coming from wealthy families. They would find good homes and powerful mates.

“They say there are two Betas coming and at least two Alphas.” The whispering continued but with big smiles on their faces.

As if on cue, they both turned towards the side where large pointed tents were erected. Soft fabric prevented me from seeing inside- a sort of area for important people that no one else was allowed to enter. “Well. Odette is already here. That makes one. Let’s hope the other Alpha bloodline is a man.”

The two girls rolled their eyes in unison. “You know Alphas. They follow their own schedules. The ones that matter come whenever they want.”

It’s rare for an unmated Alpha to come to these things. In fact, no unmated Alphas they patted down their hair to perfection.

I watch them go, staring at the big smiles on their faces, their dresses fluttering behind them.

That’s when I hear it: “Vareesa!”

It was Jeff.

He was standing in front of a long table full of refreshments and other delicious smelling things I’ve never seen before, his face on every single food he could get his hands on. “Come quick! It’s unlimited!”

Kelcey was standing next to him, giving him her best glare. “Keep it down. Don’t shout so loudly. The Alpha said not to attract any unwanted attention.”

But it was already too late, the majority of the people in the garden were already laughing and pointing at Jeff and his mouth that was stuffed full of everything, his face dripping of juices and sauces.

They can’t blame him.

This is the first time we can eat until we’re full.

I join them, smiling widely like the girls from before. Like they said, this weekend is about dancing and feasting and… maybe flirting. Feeling a little brave, I took a tall crystal flute filled with golden sparkling liquid and took a sip.

Oh my…

I finished the entire thing right away. The taste was mild. Sweet and slightly citrusy but with a kick of something bubbling on my tongue.

“That’s champagne.” Kelcey quietly tells me. “At least that’s what I heard the others call it. Is it good?”

“The best thing I’ve ever had.” I gushed, giving her a glass of her own. “Try it.”

Like me, she takes a hesitant sip before tipping it over like she had just tasted heaven.” Fuck, that’s too good. Is this made of gold or what?”

We turn to give one to Jeff but my heart sinks in my stomach when I see him grinning down at another girl. By the smell of her and the identifier on her wrist, she’s from another pack in our region. Poor just like us. Except she was pretty and petite and smiled widely at him.

She fluttered her eyelashes like her life depended on it.

And maybe it did.

“Jeff is a handsome name.” She whispered in a low voice. “Handsome like you.”

I could see the reddening of Jeff’s cheeks and hear the beating of his heart that was going crazy.

Suddenly, I didn’t exist to him anymore.

“You’re pretty too. A little too pretty.” He whispered back to her in a tone I had never heard from him before. As he says this, his hands reach over to touch the collar of her dress… silk and pretty just like her. It wasn’t hard to see that he was staring at her

breasts.

Foolishness dried my throat. I shouldn’t have expected.

I knew this was going to happen.

A soft reassuring hand reached for mine and when I turned back, Kelcey was offering me a small smile. “He wasn’t worth it to begin with.”

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