Mated to alpha triplets at all-boys school Chapter 14

Ashley pov

Anno and I, we don’t protest at all. Although technically, we dropped a so-called bomb on the triplets, all of them still appear unbothered.

Elias leads the way into the forest, Everett is right behind him with Ethan at his side. Anno and I just follow their lead, exchanging glances while the rest discuss their plans.

Once we get far enough, Elias stops. “This is where we stop.”

I look around and bite my lip. I can see a few groups not far from us too. Then, I notice the loud speakers attached to the trees, along with some security cameras. So that is how they will watch the test then?

“Elias and Everett can start the fire. Ethan can get water for us and Anno and I will gather some berries for a snack. Later, when the fire is set, we can hunt for some food.” I say without thinking, already assigning the tasks as if I’m an elected leader of this group.

Regret comes far too late, only after I realize what I have done, but thankfully, neither of the men around me finds an issue with my words.

“I think that’s a neat idea. Way better than fighting for the tasks anyway. Listen to Ash and get to work.” Elias agrees.

Everett and Ethan just shrug and get to work. Soon after, Anno and I start walking away, seeking the berry bushes in silence.

When we finally come across some blueberries, Anno hands me a tray and holds one himself as we crouch to start on our task.

His eyes travel up and he frowns. “Not the best day for the survival test, if you ask me. Seems like the weather might go shit soon. If I’m right, the storm will be vicious too, not a regular rain, but downright terrifying with some serious damage.”

My eyes focus up at the sky. Not a cloud in sight, so I have no idea why he’s making assumptions all of a sudden.

“As much as I hate storms, especially with heavy rain, I don’t think you’re right. About the weather and day in general. First, there’s no cloud in sight, nothing really shows us the weather might change. Also, if it does anyway, I think it would be a perfect curveball for a survival test. Right now, we have it too easy to really test us and the skill we’ve been learning, you know.”

Anno hums, deep in thought. “I suppose you’re right. Well, either way, regardless of weather, we still need to gather these berries or the Alpha clones will hand us our asses.”

We both laugh at his remark. Thankfully, there’s no tension, no unwanted questions or awkwardness between us. The fact that he figured out who I am hasn’t changed our friendship at all. The Goddess actually is on my side.

Or not. At least that seems like a challenging thought once Anno’s prediction comes to life. The sky above us suddenly darkens as storm clouds pull over our heads, wiping away the brightness of the day.

“Told ya,” Anno grins and gets to his feet, pulling me along.

“I really fucking hate storms, more than I hate worms and flying bugs. And I hate the crawlers a lot. With passion. But storms, I hate them even more,” I keep muttering as Anno guides me back to our little camp where the triplets are waiting for us.

“We don’t have a fucking tent, damn it. The test was supposed to last until the evening and there was nothing mentioned about the weather change. The Academy didn’t predict this well enough, I suppose. None of the groups around us have tents either.” Elias says as soon as he notices us.

Before we can come up with an idea how to hide from the storm, the speakers in the forest crackle and soon, we hear our headmaster’s voice.

“Students of the Academy, the survival test has been canceled due to an unexpected weather change. We haven’t provided the needed equipment for the groups to sit through the storm safely and since our main priority is the safety of our students, we encourage you to return to the Academy or your dorms. Whatever you choose - get back to safety this instant. Check in with the coach so we know everyone has returned and take the rest of the day off, we will restart the test tomorrow.”

Just as his voice cuts off, a sudden bolt of lighting lights up the sky and thunder rumbles so loud, it seems to shake the ground. Shivers, cold and slimy, run down my spine as I glance at Anno in panic.

“Pack up, everyone,” Elias growls and we get to work, tossing everything in the bags he was carrying earlier and grabbing one each.

We barely toss the last things inside the bags when the storm hits us. Rain pours over us violently and the wind picks up, breaking branches off the trees, shaking us ass.

Anno was right - the weather really did go shit real quick. He tries to hold on to my hand and guide me after the triplets, but I’m soaked and so is he, so his grip on me keeps slipping.

I try to keep up with them, I really do, but once the ground soaks up the damn rain, I start slipping and falling every other step I take.

For a while, I still see them in the distance, but it doesn’t take long for the storm to get worse - to a point the rain turns into a white wall, blocking my vision from seeing anything that’s further away from me than the length of my arm.

Panic instantly consumes me. I try to listen to voices, but the rainpour coupled with the violent thunder is so loud, I can’t hear anything else.

Even just walking forward without taking any turns doesn’t bring me anywhere closer to the exit of the forest. I try my best to fight against the panic that keeps surging through my veins. I know if I give in, I’ll get lost.

A lump grows in my throat as I stop to look around and take a few grounding breaths. Until the storm ends, my ability to get to safety depends only on me. The triplets and Anno are nowhere in sight.

“Try to run, maybe you will catch up with someone who knows their way back to the Academy? I want to help, but can’t, the scent of the forest is overpowering my senses and the rain isn’t helping,” Sam suggests.

Her idea is better than nothing at all, so I grab it and hold onto her plan. Taking another shaky breath, I brace myself and take off, running in the direction I hope the triplets and Anno went.

Visibility is shit, my legs move almost desperately, but after running in circles for what feels like hours, I realize it’s no use. Until the storm calms down, I won’t get out of here.

Not unless someone finds me first.