Mated to alpha triplets at all-boys school Chapter 19

Ashley pov

As the winners, we were allowed to spend the rest of the day resting, which was great. Anno and I took long showers, cooked food and watched the stupidest romance movies together.

Since I’ve been sharing many secrets with him, he shared one with me too. As it turns out, Anno is attracted to guys. I suppose Ethan would have a reason to suspect something if I were a guy after all.

Around midnight, Anno walked me to my dorm and waited at the door as I sneaked inside to grab a few things. He insisted I stay over to avoid more unnecessary drama, if only for a few days.

I can’t say I was surprised to see Ethan, sitting on my bed, waiting. He had a lot to say, but being the unfair and spiteful person I apparently am, I zoned out and didn’t pay attention to his words.

“Hey, where are you going?” Was the only full sentence I actually heard before I left him in my room.

The rest of the night was uneventful and for once, I didn’t have nightmares.

But that.. That was yesterday and today is already hitting me with a new weight. As soon as I open my eyes, I want to close them again - preferably forever.

“Good morning, sleepyhead. Slept well?” Anno peaks inside the room and grins at me.

“Actually, I think I did. Don’t want to get out of the bed today, though,” I groan and kick the covers off me.

Yesterday, Anno gave me his pajama pants and a t-shirt, the most comfortable clothes I’ve worn in a while. Ten out of ten, would recommend.

“Come on, they’re having that weird thing today. Remember, the opportunity to learn about magic and get better training? I, for one, will try my hardest to get in that program. My aunt is a witch, she would be so proud if I had more in common with her,” Anno beams as he steps inside the room and leans against the wall.

“Breakfast, coffee first and then, we can discuss this new thing. How does that sound?” I groan.

With a chuckle, he pushes himself off the wall. “So Ash of you. Alright, take a shower, get dressed and come to the kitchen, I’ll make something light so you don’t end up wobbling around like a fat penguin.”

I move fast - grabbing the pillow off the bed and tossing at him, but Anno is sneaky, he manages to get out of the room before the pillow hits him and leaves laughing.

At least the morning hasn’t started with another shit situation. I do as he tells me, take a shower and change into baggy clothes. For a moment, I think about getting another pair of pants from Anno, but decide against it.

I already have Ethan on my back with stupid accusations, I don’t need more shit from him.

Once I’m done, I head for the kitchen and beam at Anno when he places a bowl of fruits in front of me. “I figured this is better. Sugar or whatever is in fruits will give you energy, but it’s not a heavy food so you won’t have difficulties moving today.”

“Thanks,” I mutter and grab a strawberry to plop it in my mouth.

“How are you feeling? I don’t mean the sleep part at all this time. I mean you. After yesterday and everything, you know,” Anno mutters, looking somewhere in the distance.

“I’d rather forget yesterday,” I try to cut the conversation.

“I know, but..” He drags the words and eventually, just shakes his head.

“But?”

“What if Ethan feels something? You said it yourself - they’re your second chance. What if they will feel the pull soon? Have you thought about that? Yesterday, he insisted he wants to be your friend desperately, but what if there’s more to it than just what he said?”

My stomach drops. Food is the last thought on my mind now. Anno has a point and I fucking hate that. Despise even.

“I’m not hungry anymore, let’s go,” I mutter and get up from my seat.

“I’ll drop it for now. Just think about it.” Anno agrees and heads for the door.

Thankfully, we’re the only ones out so we still have time to discuss some private matters before we reach the training area.

Nearly everyone has gathered around the coach, who is explaining how this race will work. Plenty of obstacles to test our abilities, thinking and knowledge about various tools, and weapons.

The biggest shock comes when the coach tells everyone that we can pair up with one person or go solo.

Some students instantly pair up, but Anno and I, we just glance at each other and grin. “Solo,” we both say at the same time.

We stand aside for another five or so minutes until the coach reaches us and hands us some paper to sign. “What’s this?” I ask before I accidentally sell my soul to the devil or something.

“Just a formality that you kids understand how dangerous this obstacle course can be and you agree not to do anything stupid. In short, you sign this and agree that your safety is your own concern, not the Academy’s responsibility.”

While Anno signs the paper right away, I frown at it.

“Any issues, Kingston?” The coach asks.

“No, not at all. I’m just wondering why we are the ones responsible if technically, we’re forced into this weird activity. The headmaster told us yesterday that losers will be expelled from the Academy, so it’s not like you guys are leaving us with much choice regarding this.”

The coach rolls his eyes at me and thrusts the paper in my hands, “sign the damn paper and take your position, smartass.”

Yeah, logical thinking clearly isn’t his strong side. Shrugging, I do as I’m told and get in my place, slowly scanning the faces of everyone in the attendance.

I’m not sure if I’m relieved or horrified by the fact that I don’t see Ethan and his brothers in the crowd, but maybe their absence is better for now. I can’t afford distractions.

As the horn goes off, I almost miss the start. The competition takes off first, so by the time I reach the first checkpoint to choose a weapon, only pretty much the shitty ones are left.

My eyes scan the various things on the massive table until I notice a bow and a few arrows, which is the weapon of choice for me. Just in case, I grab a few knives with me and follow the red arrows in the direction of the next checkpoint.

There are plenty of students ahead of me, some shitheads very openly try to mess up others’ results, so I try to act like I’m not there with them. If no one notices me around, at least there’s a bigger chance I might end up somewhere in the middle of the list and keep my spot in the Academy.

In the second checkpoint, we have to attack the closest person to us. Sounds messed up, but we can’t question the stupid rules. Not surprisingly, Steven goes for me.

He looks so happy to atack, especially since I don’t show him I’ve noticed him nearing me. However, right before he can swing his massive ax at me, I grab my knife and point it at his throat. The overgrown fool barely stops before the knife slices through his neck.

“Kingston, clear for the next checkpoint. Steven, new target, move your ass,” the professor overlooking the checkpoint screams.

With a victorious smirk across my lips, I almost hop away happily. Looks like the obstacles are more about thinking than strength after all.

If the rest of the course goes on like this, I might survive this.

As I run towards the next checkpoint, I hear someone call after me. Of course, my luck would have it that the person is Ethan. He keeps calling my name, but again, I can’t afford distractions, so I start running faster, praying to the Goddess I can reach the checkpoint before Ethan catches up with me.