Chapter 52

Anila’s POV

Xaden looked at me with a frown for a moment; as he studied me, I felt my face growing way too hot for comfort and I lowered my gaze, staring at the ground almost sheepishly. It’s not like I asked anything bad or did anything wrong. So, why did I feel like I did?

“Aren’t I helping you with your magic?” He finally asked, breaking through the silence that consumed us.

“Yes,” I answered simply. “But you failed to tell me about these challenges.”

His eyes narrowed as he ran his fingers through his hair.

Sighing, he said, “Rapport might have mentioned the possibility of you competing in the challenges,” he finally said after a long pause.

“And you didn’t think that’d be something I’d like to know?” I asked, raising my brows. I wasn’t trying to sound mean, but I was genuinely hurt that my boyfriend hadn’t bothered to tell me I would be competing in challenges in a few months.

“I didn’t think it was important to tell you right now,” he corrected. “You haven’t even gotten your wolf yet, Anila. Everything you are learning now is to prepare you for your first shift. Once you get your wolf, then you will be training for the challenges.”

“Professor Howl thinks it’s better to be prepared now rather than later,” I told him. “That’s why I’m in an advanced class.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you,” he said, dropping his voice to a whisper. “I didn’t want to overwhelm you and I didn’t even think that was officially decided. Principal Rapport was only talking about it but he didn’t decide anything when I last spoke to him. He thinks because your powers are so strong, that you could be ranked higher in the school database. These challenges are meant to test your best abilities and show the board what you can truly do.”

“It’ll decide if I’m a top student or not,” I said, meeting his gaze. “I was told that these challenges were for 3(rd) year or higher.”

He nodded.

“Usually yes. The only other first-year that participated in the challenges was Zach last year. He knocked William Ortega off the top student list,” Xaden said, shaking his head at the memory. The way he spoke, wasn’t with malice toward his brother. He almost sounded proud, and I found myself arching my brows as I peeked up at him. “Zach had always been good at athletics.”

“What made Zach so special last year?” I asked, cocking my head to the side. “Why was he able to participate.”

“Well, if you asked Zach, it’s because he was one of the best at all things athletics that Principal Rapport was so impressed that he signed Zach up for the challenges,” Xaden said, a low laugh escaping his lips.

“And what if I asked you?”

He met my eyes.

“Our father pulled some strings,” Xaden said, shrugging. “I was with him when he did it. He wanted Zach to participate in the challenges and assured the board that they wouldn’t be disappointed in his son’s natural ability.”

My mouth practically hit the ground.

“Are you telling me the same father that chose you to be Alpha over Zach? I would have thought they didn’t have a good relationship because of that,” I said, my eyes large with wonder.

Xaden ran his fingers through his hair again, undoing all the gel that was once keeping it together.

“It’s complicated,” he murmured. “My father never hated Zach; he loved him. Zach only thinks our father hated him.”

“Why would Zach think that?” I asked the question despite already knowing. It was obvious to me the relationship dynamic between Zach and Xaden and I’m starting to realize that Xaden might have a bigger part in it than originally said.

“Again… it’s complicated,” Xaden murmured.

I wanted to pry some more, and I almost did. But Xaden pulled me into his arms and held me close to his body and all thoughts soon escaped my mind. I couldn’t even remember what we were talking about, which was probably what he wanted.

He buried my face in his chest and planted small kisses around it.

“To answer your question by the way, yes. You can train with Damien. But only if it’s just training and not the kind of training we do.”

I raised my brows as I peered up at him, confused by what he meant. But a glimmer of humor in his eyes made me smile.

“No study breaks,” he added, kissing the bridge of my nose.

I soon realized exactly what he meant, and I gasped, hitting his arm playfully.

“Xaden Gresham!” I scolded, but I laughed at the same time.

He scooped me into his arms and lifted me off the ground to twirl me; I threw my head back and laughed. My heart was so full; I felt loved, desired, wanted… and for once in my life, I felt special. Xaden was the reason for that, and it made me love him so much more. I know he has a past and there are things he won’t tell me yet, but I know when he’s ready he will open up to me and maybe I can help him fix his relationship with his brother.

But until then, Xaden was mine and I was his. That’s all that mattered to me and that was okay for right now.

I pressed my lips to his and allowed our kiss to linger as we took one another in. His body relaxed against mine and I felt so content. He placed me back on the ground and when we pulled apart, I felt cold and craved his touch again.

As if he could read my thoughts, he took my hand into his and entwined our fingers.

“I’ll take you back to the dorm,” he told me. “You are probably tired.”

I was starving because we missed dinner while training, but I didn’t bother telling him that. I would just get some food in the shared kitchen at the dorm.

Once we got back to the dorm, I kissed Xaden goodnight before going to my section. When the elevator doors opened and I stepped into the community living room of my section, I paused when I saw Penny seated at one of the tables with a book perched on her lap. She looked like she was reading intently but when I stepped into the room, her gaze lifted, and her eyes met mine.

She gave me a polite smile as she bookmarked her book and closed the cover, placing the book on the table.

“Hey,” she said, keeping her voice low because some girls were studying on the couch. “You look exhausted.”

“I feel exhausted,” I admitted. “But I’m also starving. I skipped dinner.”

“There are premade sandwiches in the fridge,” she pointed to the shared kitchen.

I walked into the kitchen and pulled open the fridge to see a bunch of premade sandwiches all wrapped in plastic wrap. My stomach growled eagerly as I grabbed a sandwich and a soda can before making my way back to the living room. I slid into the seat in front of Penny and then I started to unwrap my sandwich.

I felt Penny’s eyes on me though and I lifted my gaze to meet hers.

“What?” I asked, my brows pinched together.

“How was training?”

I blushed at the memory of training, and I bit my lower lip.

“It was fine,” I said, trying to sound casual. “Why do you ask?”

She shrugged.

“Just curious. I also wanted to know if you decided what you are going to do with all your mates,” she said, giving me her best award-winning smile which made me snort.

I sighed and leaned back in my seat, taking an impossibly large bite of food which made Penny give me a pointed look.

“Spill it,” she said, her eyes flashing with interest. “I’m fully invested in the saga.”

I chewed for a bit longer and then swallowed the food in my mouth; then, I sighed. If I couldn’t talk to Penny, then who could I talk to?

“I’m still confused,” I admitted. “I mean, Zach is acting like a dick. Harley barely acknowledges me, and Damien is being my friend I guess.”

“You guess?”

I shrugged.

“I’m not really sure where I stand with Damien. I think he just wants friendship. Which makes sense because he’s with Sarah…” The words were bitter on my tongue, but I swallowed it down.

“For now,” she muttered. “They are terrible together. Sarah’s been cheating on him for months and she’s not even subtle about it. I don’t get why he doesn’t just dump her now. He’s not that dense.”

“I don’t really get it either,” I said, feeling defeated. “But I can’t force him to dump his long-time girlfriend just because I’m his mate. Especially since I’m also mated to 3 other guys. It’s not fair to him.”

She rolled her eyes.

“Oh, please. I doubt any of your mates are going to let you go that easily. It’s too bad you can’t just be with all of them like the Moon Queen.”

Her words felt heavy in my chest. I put my sandwich on the table, not feeling very hungry anymore. Reading my sunken expression, Penny clapped her hands and stood to her feet.

“You know what we need?”

I looked up at him, frowning.

“What?” I asked.

“A girl’s night!”

“A girl’s night?” I asked out loud. I’ve never had a girl’s night before; I’ve never even had friends to do a girl’s night with.

She nodded and grabbed my hand to stand me to my feet.

“I’ll gather everyone, and we will meet in our dorm room,” Penny said with a large smile spreading across her lips.

“Tonight?” I asked.

“Hell yeah! Let’s fucking party!”