Academy Of Mates novel Chapter 80

Chapter 80

Chapter 80

We were so awkward.

The worst it’s ever been.

And if we ever thought we were going to prove everyone wrong, that nothing was going on between us, this wasn’t the way.

This was definitely not the way.

Benedict and I stood so far apart, barely looking at each other and most definitely not saying a word to each other. We looked worse than enemies, we were strangers. Pretend strangers.

It’s ridiculous.

As we were walking. I tripped on a slippery rock and he let me fall, muttering an apology without even looking my way, yet his hands were still out to try and catch me like he wanted to help but couldn’t because we were being stupid.

This whole situation was stupid.

It feels like only hours ago I was at the School of Love with Benedict in that lake. The next second, I’m on the platform knowing I’ll be sent home unmated, and then I blink and I am being marked by Sebastian and suddenly destined mates with Benedict. It was just too much. Everything was happening so fast that my heart couldn’t keep up.

But I’m trying to be strong, trying to hold it together and keep positive.

It’s no easier for Sebastian or Benedict.

I know they’re both trying to do their best too.

The last thing we all needed was to make things worse.

This is stupid.” Benedict finally says, helping me up and quietly cursing at himself. “We were friends before this all happened. We should… stay that way.”

“Agreed.” I said, dusting myself off. “Friends. Surely.”

“Surely. He nodded before letting out a laugh that sounded more like a cry for help. “What the hell is happening to us?”

Benedict held his head in his hands, a muffled shout coming from it as he leaned against a tree. He looked so distraught that I couldn’t look at him without my neck burning… calling to him.

All I wanted to do at that moment was wrap him in an embrace, but I knew better, so without any other option, I picked up a stick on the ground and poked him in the chest with it.

“Hey, stop that.” I said, poking him again.

He grabs the stick and swats it away. “Stop what?”

I poked him harder. “Stop making me want to hug you.”

Benedict scoffed, sticking his tongue out, but I could see it. All he wanted was to be hugged too. “As if I would let you: I don’t have a death wish.”

We both rolled our eyes. A second of silence passes and, as if on cue, we look up at each other at the same time and erupt laughter. I shove him with the stick and he easily breaks the branch in two.

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Chapter 80

“Let’s go to the training area.” He says after some time. “Like nothing happened.”

“Like nothing happened.” I repeated, knowing full well everything has changed and it will never be the same anymore. But we will pretend it isn’t. We will pretend all is well.

“Everyone in the pack is required to train how to fight. Lucky for you,” Benedict looked at the position of the sun. “You’ll be training with our main fighters.”

“No pressure.” I whispered under my breath.

“They’re nice. You’ll like them.” He says, seeing my face fall. “You’ve met most of them in the School of Love.”

Flashes of men and women making bets against Benedict and Andrew came to mind. The smiling and shoving group that kept chanting Benedict’s name.

I remained quiet, following behind him. The walk wasn’t long, but it was filled with silence which made it feel like it was longer. And then, the trees started to thin and I found myself on a flat land filled with werewolves of every shape and size. Laughter was in the air, as well as shouts and grunts. All of them were either fighting each other or were on the side giving encouragement and advice.

They don’t turn to look at us, all busy with their own things.

“When was the last time you shifted?” Benedict asked, bringing us to the center of the flat land.

“Years and years ago.” I say sheepishly, watching everyone else train. They made it look so easy, almost like breathing. One girl was shifting back and forth between her human and wolf forms so fast and she wasn’t even flinching.

“That means we have to train your human form first.” Benedict tells me, his voice lowered. “The strength of the wolf comes from the strength of the human.”

My eyes glanced back at the girl, seeing how strong and dependable she was, how the men three times her size looked up to her… I wanted to be just like her. A new determination washes over me. “What do I have to do?”

Benedict smiles, seeing my earlier nervousness turn into a new found purpose. “Basics for now. Like building stamina.”

“Okay,” I don’t get to say more as Benedict looks around until he finds the girl I was looking at.

“Shannon! Come here!” Benedict hollered, cupping his hands together around his lips, making his words echo through the entire training area. “Hurry!”

The girl turns to face us, her expression lighting up. “Yes, Beta!”

My eyes widened, horror filling my bones as I glared at Benedict. “What are you doing?”

“Training you.” He insists, a secretive smirk on his lips.

I frowned, realizing what he was doing. “No. You’re…”

“Introducing you to your pack? Showing them their amazing Luna?” He offered, eyebrows going up and down. “Shannon. Have you met our Luna yet?”

“I haven’t had the pleasure.” She bows low in greeting, her bubbly personality infectious. “Hello, Luna. Fin Shannon. The new Delta.”

My lips parted, eyeing Benedict in surprise before smiling, completely understanding “Th. I’m Vareesa.”

“The Luna needs a training partner. I was wondering if you would mind helping her? She’s working on her stamina right

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12:37 pm Pppp.

Chapter 80

now.” Benedict starts, helping us get acquainted. “And then maybe towards self defense soon.”

Her entire face came alive with excitement. “Of course, of course! Leave it to me, Luna.”

“I find that the best way to build stamina is through jogging.” Benedict suggests, waving his finger around. “There’s a small path around here that’s perfect for that.”

Another man approaches Benedict and they quickly engage in deep conversation, with Benedict looking up to check on me from time to time.

“It really is nice to meet you, Luna.” Shannon bowed again. “I’ve heard nothing but great things.”

I wasn’t quite so sure about that, but she looked so genuine that I took her hands in mine and pulled her up from her bow. “I’m sorry for you getting roped into this, but I have to say after I saw you train earlier, I think I’m in great hands.”

She blushed, her skin bright red, but her smile was big and proud. “It’s an honor to be able to help the Luna. I am at your service.”

Shannon took the lead, bringing me to the path that Benedict spoke of and helped me into a few stretching positions. I was very confused, but I followed her lead and soon when she said I was ready, we started a slow jog around the clearing.

If I was being completely honest with myself, I was already roasting and panting out of my mind by the first lap, but Shannon and the other people that were jogging as well didn’t even look like they broke a sweat, so I kept quiet, held my panting to a minimum and pushed myself.

I thought I was used to physical labor, spending most of my days working nonstop from dawn until dusk, but it seems this was a completely different thing. But I wasn’t about to embarrass Sebastian by asking Shannon to stop though she did ask me three times if I needed a break.

“No. I can do more.” I said through haggard breaths. “This pace is perfect.”

It was not perfect.

I was dying.

Nearly six feet under.

But I couldn’t show them.

I don’t think I’ve ever sweated this much in my life and the places I sweated from were parts of my body I never thought was physically possible. This was so different from my life before. My chores every day were tiring, but it wasn’t like this. I used to cook, clean the house- the houses of everyone in the pack, sweep the entirety of our small town, gather wood, find usable herbs, wash and mend everyone’s clothing.

But now, doing this, as much as I felt like I was going to die any moment, it felt good.

I felt good.

And I find myself liking it very much.

I have lost count on how many laps we have done when I see Sebastian return. He was hard to miss. He was the largest of them, exceptionally tall, with eyes looking dark and haunting despite being a bright amber Waves of power tumbled out of him, his presence capturing the entire training area.

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