Shade Academy

Chapter 23

Why, of all people why him? I couldn't understand. Me, the girl who already has three wonderful mates, why add another? and a prince of all people. Ok, ya. the more powerful the witch the more mates she has, I got that. But does that also mean that the more powerful my mates will be? Do we really need that much power all together in a small group of five? 

"UGH!" I groaned, throwing myself onto my bed. "This can't be happening."  'knock, knock , knock'  I shot up, staring at the door in worry. Nope, not going to answer that. I thought to myself. "Anna, we know you're in there. We just want to talk." Alex's voice said from behind the door. "Who is 'we'?" I asked suspiciously. "Uh, well. Me, Axel, Samuel, Elana, and the Prince." My eyes widened to the point I thought they'd pop out of my head. "Ya, nope. Not going to happen." I said rushing off the bed. "Go away." I yelled. I knew I couldn't keep running, that I had to face him just not right now.

"Anna, I know this is new for you, your other mates told me you've never been involved in the supernatural world, but listen. I am not here to hurt you or steal you away. I just want to talk and figure this all out like you  do." Ashe's deep voice said. Damn his voice, it was perfect. I didn't know what I should do, should I open it? Should I take my chances and run again? I could always go back to my families estate. No one could get in there without me knowing. 

Finally after I thought a while I sighed in defeat, rolled off the bed and walked towards the door. Taking a deep breath I opened it. Sure enough there stood all five of them. They guys looked stoic and unsure, but Elana's eyes were bright and shining with the need to know everything. Her eagerness had her bouncing up and down like a mad woman. "Come on in." I sighed turning and walking back to the couch as I pulled my legs to my chest and rested my head on them. 

When Alex tried to sit next to me I narrowed my eyes at him and growled. "No. None of you get to sit next to me except Elana. You three betray me by leading him here knowing full and well I ran for a freaking reason." Elana smiled as she skipped to plop down in the seat next to me. I gave her a small smiled before turning to look at the four men. "You may speak." I said sarcastically. 

Ashe's eyes widened as he gave me a beaming smile. "Feisty, I like it." He mused. I just glared at him. "Feisty is the least of your concern Prince." Ashe shook his head. "So you know do you?" He asked lowly. His voice was filled with pain and hurt. It made me want to go to him and soothe him. "It was kind of hard to miss. I felt your power as soon as you stepped onto Academy grounds. Your power has been having effects on me all day, making me feel energized, like I was buzzing or something." I told him, my tone lighter in attempt to soothe him from afar. 

"How did you feel my power? I cloaked it before I made it here. I wanted to surprise the headmistress by arriving early. Even she didn't feel it." I just shrugged. "I couldn't tell you." I said honestly. His eyes now sullen and forlorn he looked down. "You don't want me do you?" He asked sadly. My head shot up and I stared in bewilderment. "I never said that. I just needed time. I already have three mates, adding a fourth surprised and quite frankly scared me." I admitted. 

He looked at me and his shone with sincere and undenyable hope. "I am the right age, I could join the Academy and we could get to know each, spend time with each other." His excitement and hope made me smile. 'Yes, I would like that." Ashe shot up from his seat and was in front of me pulling me into his arms and spinning me in circles in seconds. An odd squeal escaped my lips before bubbling laughter replaced it. "Thank you Anna." I patted his large shoulder. "Ok, ok put me down." I chuckled. 

I tried to ignore the electricity that shot through me when I touched him, but a gasp must have escaped me because Ashe looked at me smiling. "You felt it?" He asked with enthusiasm. "Kinda hard to miss." I said looking down at my hands. "I'm sorry if it surprised you, that was what my people call 'The telling' odd I know but it is how we know who is destined to be our other half, our soul mate." My eyes widened at his words as I looked between him and my other three mates. They looked upset and sad. "Hey, what's wrong with you three?" I asked worried. 

"We are worried Anna." Samuel said. "The more mates you have the more powerful you are or will grow to be. And with you having the Prince for a mate it is only a sign of how powerful you are truly meant to be." I just shook my head and smiled. "Everything will be alright." I assured them. "I am in this Academy to learn to use and control them." They nodded at me but their expressions didn't change. "Are you three worried he will take your place?" Their heads snapped up to me, but no answer came. I sighed "Guys, don't worry. If I am meant to have four mates then I will have room for all of you." I tried to assure. 

"Wow, Anna I am so jealous. You've found four mates and I haven't even found mine." Elana pouted. I smiled at her. "You will find him or them." I said. "Just give it some time." She nodded, still looking longingly at Ashe. "In the mean time, I suggest you not look so hungrily at mine." I warned. She turned to me sheepishly and I arched an eyebrow in response. "Sorry." She whispered. "I'm sorry." I sighed as I dropped into my seat next to her. "I guess, I get kinda...Possessive." I admitted. "It's alright." She said bringing me into a side hug. "I understand." 

"Ashe, are you sure that you joining the Academy is the best idea?" I asked. He was a prince after all and something told me he would bring unwanted or unneeded attention to the school. He thought about it for a few minutes before answering. "I will have to disguise myself in all honesty. If anyone found out that I was the Prince and had a mate here they would try and use you against me, and there is nothing I wouldn't do for you." He admitted. I however laughed which caused him to glare over at me. "No, no. don't get me wrong Ashe, I understand what you're saying. But what you fail to realize is even though I have only been training a fraction of the time as others I am far more advanced than anyone here. So they could try and use me against you, but they wouldn't get far." 

Ashe raised a brow. "It's true." Samuel put in. "She is far more advanced and powerful than any student here, some teachers even," He said with pride. I smirked and turned back to Ashe. "See? I am fully capable of protecting myself." Ashe chuckled. "Very well. I will be sure my classes start tomorrow and that I am in the same classes as you and we can get to know each other." I was stunned at his persistance but nodded my head anyway, there was no way I was going to tell a prince no, he has probably never had anyone tell him no before anyway. 

As everyone left and bid me goodnight, I fell into my bed mentally and emotionally drained. Not one, not two but four mates. How could anyone keep up with four men battling for their attention? I shook my head, vowing to settle this tomorrow as I drifted off into a fitful sleep.