The Alpha's pretend mate

chapter 21

AVELORA

"Jealous?" Khyrix repeated.

"I don't think you understand what is going on or how high the stakes are," he added. I didn’t think I needed to be in here right now. He was dealing with things that only he understood.

"I'm going to the library with Miles," I announced. I walked toward the door, my eyes set. I had finally made a new friend, I wasn't going to let Khyrix destroy it with whatever demons he was fighting.

"Call me when you've cooled down," I said when he didn't move. His face was a mask that gave nothing away. It felt like whatever emotion had slipped a few minutes ago had been a mistake he was already fixing.

"Or when we can talk about whatever is wrong." He still didn’t answer, so I left.

I headed toward the library, the only shared area that wasn't divided into upper class and lower class in the whole school. But you still needed a student ID to enter. I reached into my pocket and felt the plastic edge of the badge I’d taken. I might have stolen Khyrix's ID just to make sure I didn't have to use my formal position as a cleaner to get past the gates.

It wasn't hard to spot Miles. His hair was special, a bright target if I ever wanted to gun him down, and he was already surrounded by a crowd. I approached the table, studying their individual faces. I couldn't identify any of them.

They hadn’t been in the Sovereign Hall earlier. Their clothes were a dead giveaway that they weren't part of the upper class, they weren't wearing the designer brand names you could identify from a mile away.

That surprised me. This school was big on hierarchy, students didn’t joke about who they were seen with. Your associations determined your entire social life. The question was why someone as high-status as Miles was hanging with this group. Why was he so chummy with them?

"Oh!" Miles spotted me, waving immediately. "I thought you weren't going to make it."

"And miss a chance to get invited to the Eastern Territory? No, I don’t think so."

He chuckled and pulled out a chair for me. The table went dead quiet as soon as I sat down. They looked at me like I was an alien attacking their peaceful haven.

"Hello, everyone," I said, trying to break the tension. Miles’s sudden laughter made me turn to him. This was beyond awkward.

"Everyone, this is your Luna. Luna, this is... well, everyone," he waved his hand dismissively. "You'll get to know them."

It wasn't hard to tell they were scared of me, or maybe just wary. Even with smiles on their faces, they looked ready to bolt.

"Come on, everyone loosen up," Miles nudged them. "We are studying for resumption."

I realized then that I needed to be studying, too. The only classes I’d been attending were introductory. Khyrix said I was going to join his own classes and that he’d help me catch up. I didn’t know how I was supposed to catch up on more than four years of work, but Khyrix said he was a miracle worker when he wanted to be.

I bit the inside of my cheek, realizing my thoughts had once again spiraled back to him.

"It’s nice to meet you all," I said. A chorus of "Nice to meet you too" followed.

"Hi, Luna. I'm Tiana, a freshman from one of the northern packs." I smiled, extending my hand to greet her.

"It's nice to meet you, Tiana. But please, call me Avelora."

"Sorry to say this, but being the Alpha's mate is a very big deal," another girl spoke up. "No, we can't call you by your name, that’s disrespectful. And two... shouldn't you be walking around with some kind of protection?"

I smiled as soon as she got the nerves out of her system. "Yes, I'm the Alpha's mate. And Miles is protection enough. What is your name?"

"Oh, I'm Minara. A freshman seer. Although my abilities aren't that developed yet..." She trailed off, looking at Miles to explain.

"Minara is just nervous," someone else added. "She blabbers when she is."

I nodded, understanding. "Well, Minara, don't worry. The Alpha isn't going to storm in here and kill you for calling me by my name. Miles here does it, and his head is still intact."

I tried to lighten the mood, but most of them just looked like deers caught in headlights. I decided to change the topic. "So, what book do you advise me to focus on? The hardest class of all?"

"I'd say Botany," Minara pitched in, her nervousness finally calming.

I wanted to be accepted by them. This group felt genuine, not like the people around Khyrix who would throw me in a pit the second he gave the word.

"Actually, my pack is big on herbs, so I know a lot about that. Come to me if you need help," I offered. Thanks to my mum forcing me into the mountains to cut medicinal herbs, I wouldn't be failing a Botany class any time soon.

Minara squinted at me. "You look very familiar."

I smiled. "You might have seen me in the kitchen. Maybe once or twice."

Miles shifted beside me, leaning closer. "I don't think they need to know that," he whispered.

I chuckled. I wasn't ashamed of what I had to do to stay in school, I just hated how everyone treated me like that was the only thing I was.

"Yes, I remember now!" Minara said, her eyes widening. "Last year when Natalia... "

"Goddess, Minara, can you keep quiet?" another person snapped.

I shrugged it off. "Natalia did have it out for me last year. Speaking of her, I haven't seen her since the last time she tried to kill me."

Everybody glanced at Miles before looking back at me. The air shifted. "Is there something...?" I turned to Minara, but nobody said a word.

"When it’s the right time, I'll tell you," Miles said finally. "Either way, she’ll be back in school before classes start."

That was definitely not a relief to hear.

They were still on edge, but they were warming up to me, and that alone made me feel like I belonged. I checked the time, it was already seven. We had been talking for so long I had forgotten about Khyrix entirely.

The thought of facing the Council in two days hit me again. No matter how hard I tried to escape that thought, it just kept coming back. I looked at the library doors, wondering if Khyrix was still standing in that room, or if he was already looking for me.

I bid them alll goodbye, they promised me they were going to invite me to their next hangout.

Miles escorted me to the Alpha's residence.

I stood by the door about to tell him thank you for introducing me to his friends but the door to the room opened.

I turned

A hand locked around my wrist, and before I could scream, I was yanked inside.