Mated to alpha triplets at all-boys school Chapter 75

Ashley pov

The morning after the disastrous party, I wake up with a headache worse than migraine. It’s so all-consuming, I barely fight back the insane temptation to stay in bed for the rest of the day.

Maybe, I could pull it off if I acted some to convince everyone that the pain is worse than it is, but since today we’re having another magic class, I don’t want to miss it. Perhaps I also don’t want to disappoint Nathan, but that’s a story for another day.

Somehow, I force myself out of the bed and drag my sore body to the shower. After I’m done, I get dressed for the day and leave my bedroom only to find the common area in our apartment empty. There are no sounds, no indications that the triplets are around, so I assume they left for the day early.

Without any rush, I eat a breakfast sandwich and drink some freshly squeezed orange juice. I need to thank the Goddess for Elias more often, the man is godsent, that’s for sure.

In fact, he has even left me a note to explain his absence. Apparently, the triplets are having an early call training session which I don’t have to attend due to my recent injury. Score!

After I eat and check if I’m somewhat presentable, I head for my magic class. Although I’ve been slow as a snail today, I arrive the first one.

“Good morning, Alpha, punctual as always, I see,” Nathan beams at me as he pulls me into a quick hug. “We’ll need to discuss something whenever we can get some privacy, it’s too risky to talk now, but we should very soon,” he whispers and I nod.

As soon as he releases me, I sit down in my regular seat and soon after, students start joining the room. When the chair at the table next to me is pulled out, I don’t pay any mind to it, but I react when I realize it’s Everett who sits down.

“Good morning, class. Today, we are working on our ability to remain in the fantasy land built up by our minds, so please, recall everything we have learned about it and this time, manage the task without my help. I know this sounds like a lazy day for me, which it kind of is, but the assignment will affect your grade, so don’t slack off.” Nathan speaks over the murmur of voices, earning a collective groan from everyone.

It seems I’m not the only one struggling today. Most Alphas were drinking and partying their asses off yesterday, so I kind of get where they are coming from.

“Best of luck!” Nathan calls out and sits down at his desk, his eyes scanning the students until they focus on me and he flashes me a quick smile. Thankfully, no one pays attention to the Professor so no one but me notices his stunt.

“Best of luck, indeed,” Everett mutters next to me and when I look at him, he does the same thing Nathan did just a second ago. Weird, but whatever, I suppose.

“Yeah,” I whisper and clear my throat. “Best of luck to you too.”

Closing my eyes, I focus on the task and build yet another world in my mind, instantly traveling there and leaving my body for the time being.

§§§

I open my eyes and grin at the view. Instead of a forest and flowers, I see nothing but bright blue sea and sand. My feet are bare, I can feel the sand as my feet slowly sink into it.

The view is breathtaking and even the air around me smells fresh. The light breeze that plays with my hair feels as real as one can be, and at one point, I can’t help but give into the temptation to lay down and watch the sky, if only for a little while.

The feeling of ease washes over me far too soon, because once again, my fantasy is ruined by the arrival of none other than Everett. He grins like a Cheshire cat as he drops down next to me and takes my hand in his.

“What’s on your mind, Ash? You’ve been acting so secretive lately, so out of character, I’m getting worried about you.” He breaks the silence, his voice a mere whisper.

I bite my lip and close my eyes. This is nothing but a fantasy, right? He never recalled the experience we shared, or I built up in my head, the previous time, so this couldn’t hurt me.

“I’m worried. I’m scared. I’m stuck in a dead-end situation and I see no way out. That’s why I’ve been so weird lately,” I admit.

Everett remains silent for a moment and then asks another question. “Okay, but why? What is it that worries you so much that you can’t even sleep peacefully anymore? Don’t think I haven’t heard your screams. We all have. The night terrors are getting worse.”

I don’t think about the possible consequences as I lay out all the facts for him. Starting with the experience Elias and I had during our assignment, to explaining my deepest, darkest fears and some worries. I speak so fast, I stop only when my throat goes completely dry and I can’t force another word to escape my lips.

Everett doesn’t offer his opinion on the matter or ask more questions, he remains silent and patiently waits for me to tell him more.

But should I? If I do, will this experience backfire on me one day? I like the fact that I can lay out all of my grievances like this, without thinking and worrying about the absurdity of my words’ it’s like a small therapy session, but even despite all that, I still worry.

“Everett?” I choke out his name. “Don’t you have anything to say? More questions? Anything? Don’t scare me and please react. I don’t care how or how strongly, but please, at least show any reaction. I think I need it more than I need oxygen right now.”

And again, nothing. Complete silence.

As I open my eyes, I realize the bright blue sky with the fluffy clouds has disappeared and all I can see is nothing but pitch darkness. Looking around, I try to remain calm and recall how Nathan guided us to exit the fantasy world, but it’s of no use because soon enough, it starts shattering around me.

§§§

The fantasy is broken and when I open my eyes again, I am face to face with a frantic looking Everett. The class around us is empty, only the two of us left. His hands are cupping my cheeks and there are tears rolling down his.

I suck in a sharp breath, readying myself for the worst, but the only words that leave his lips are, “was it true? Is it true, Ash? Is what you just said the truth?”