Mated to alpha triplets at all-boys school Chapter 66

Ashley pov

After I down enough food for Elias to smirk and announce it’s fine, all I want is to lay down and forget the planet doesn’t stop spinning on a whim.

Sadly, instead of getting some rest, what I need to do is get going and attend the next class. Okay, perhaps I’m not that awfully sad after all because it’s magic class next and I sure do enjoy those.

However, even while I plaster a smile on my face and pretend to be excited, I’m so distracted by everything, I don’t pay attention to anything the Professor says.

I realize it’s a bit too late to ask the Professor to repeat what he has said only after the bell rings and everyone is dismissed. Everyone but me, to be precise.

“Ash, can I talk to you? Alone?” Nathan’s smooth voice reaches my ears and all the tension that suddenly invaded my senses disappears in a heartbeat.

Even my body relaxes, but unlike me, Elias takes a completely different approach to Nathan’s question.

He becomes defensive and shows off how clearly on edge he is. “Is it anything regarding Ash not paying attention during the class? If so, I can take the blame. Ash got hurt during our last mission because I wasn’t paying attention then and whatever the consequences might be, I take those on me.”

Elias’ attempt to shield me even from academic trouble is truly heartwarming, but I know that isn’t the case at all, not with Nathan.

So, slowly, I place my hand on Elias’ shoulder and shake my head. “No need. The Professor promised to show me a couple of new techniques; I’ve been waiting to learn more about those for ages. I’m fine, not in any trouble, especially because of you.”

“You sure? I can talk to the headmaster for you, I’m sure he won’t mind giving you a few days off. Classes are getting more intense ever since the king announced his wish to hand pick some of the students from here and it only makes sense if you get to lay down while others remember what hard work really means.” All the time Elias speaks, his eyes remain on Nathan, not me, as if he’s trying to prove a point the Professor clearly couldn’t see.

“I’m sure I speak on behalf of Ash when I say there is no such need, Elias. Of all my students in the many years I’ve worked here, Ash is the most promising one and has kept pushing despite whatever comes his way. Also, just like Ash said, we’re about to go over some techniques Ash has shown more interest in. I assure you, Ash won’t get hurt and I won’t overwork him, it’s unnecessary to argue, really.” Nathan insists.

My eyes dart between the two men who look like they’re about to rip each other’s heads off, if it happens that one does as much as says the wrong word.

Somehow, I manage to squeeze myself between the two overgrown fools and force them both to back off. “Elias,” I snarl.

He looks down at me with a puzzled expression, one eyebrow raised and the corner of his mouth twitching in an amusement he’s trying to hide. Elias clears his throat and plasters a serious look on his face before he barks, “what?”

I roll my eyes and push him away with all my might. “Please, wait outside if you want, but I need to talk to the Professor first. Is this really too much to ask for?”

Elias frowns at me, glares at Nathan and growls. “Fine. But don’t come looking for me if you get in trouble. I tried to help and you rejected my attempt, so that’s on you.”

With that being said and another unpleasant look thrown Nathan’s way, Elias storms out of the room and finally leaves us in some privacy. I swear, I almost collapse, too tired of this clear bullshit attitude.

Nathan, however, seems to find the situation rather amusing as he crosses his arms in front of his chest and chuckles. “The boy’s got it bad for you, doesn’t he?”

My eyes widen in shock - I must look like some bug, and the look paired with my jaw that hits the floor has to be amazing too.

“No? What? No!” I nearly shout. “Have you lost your mind?”

My little outburst doesn’t faze Nathan as he raises an eyebrow at me and grins. “No, you say? I beg to differ, Alpha. The boy is crazy, has been crazy ever since he joined the Academy so I won’t comment on that much, but up to this moment, he has never shown much interest in you. But now, would you look at how the tables have turned - he’s trying to protect you and if I can judge by how fiercely he stood up for you, yeah, there has to be some feelings involved.”

All I can do is shake my head in denial. Elias is an ally, if he’s even that much and he will never become more. Once he figures out we’re mates, he’ll reject me on the spot. I know it, I can feel it deep in my gut.

“Come to think of it,” Nathan drags the words and hums. “I have a feeling he might have figured out who you are. Not completely sure, of course, but the nagging feeling is there. What do you think?”

I really want the ground to open and swallow me whole here. The last thing I want is to explain how Elias came to know everything about my gender and some details, but if I want to keep Nathan on my side, I must reward his loyalty with the truth.

My shoulders slump as I groan and explain everything to Nathan, without excluding a single detail about the experience. I have to reassure him more than once that I trust Elias with my secret and the guy won’t share it, but Nathan, even the ‘optimist’ is hard to pursue.

“I’m still worried about prince Kaiden. What if Elias slips up one day and the prince finds out?” Nathan voices his concern.

Just hearing his name makes shivers run down my spine and goosebumps cover my skin. I can’t imagine a world where Kaiden wouldn’t disgust me.

But since Nathan raises a legit concern, I admit that some things about Kaiden scare me too. I can hide my scent for as long as I can and since he’s technically my ex-mate, he still might be able to sniff me out.

Nathan decides it’s best to show me some tricks on how to use magic to hide my scent, with the only downside being that the spell doesn’t last for long. It’s literally the best short-time escape I have for now so I take it.

By the time we finish, I feel like I’m beat and decide to head straight back home. To my relief, Elias isn’t waiting around, so I have some time to process some concerns Nathan brought up.

Stepping back into the triplets apartment, my former and ‘for the time being’ home, I have mixed feelings. I want to be here just as much as I want to escape this place.

And while I’m glad to see that all three men have their doors closed and are probably sleeping already, what I’m not happy to see is a massive envelope on the table in the hall - big, bold letters spelling my name on it.

My hands shake as I open the envelope and pull out what looks like an invitation. I barely hold back the pained groan that gets stuck in my throat as I read what it says. That asshole prince is hosting a grand banquet at the school and everyone must attend. It’s not ‘if you wish’ or ‘if you have time’, it’s a ‘MUST’.