Chapter 10
I’m used to paying attention to everything going on around me. It’s one of the things that we teach in the Academy. Alphas have to constantly be aware of everything going on around them, it’s one of the most important parts of leading the pack.
But every time I try to focus on someone else, I somehow end up watching Christina. So, I’d seen her steering Haley away from us. I’d seen her talking softly to her. I’d seen Sylvie walk up to ask what they were talking about, and I hadn’t been surprised at all when Sylvie took charge. Then I’d watched Christina make sure Haley was okay before sending her to Will, which was the perfect thing to do. Not only is he Haley’s instructor this semester, but he’s the oldest of all of us and I can tell that he’s going to look after her and make sure that she’s okay this semester.
Having been an instructor for four years, I’ve seen the interactions between Sylvie, Mia, and Christina. Even though there is an age difference between the Lunas and Christina, they seem to be close. All three work hard and look after each other and the others at the Academy.
I turned my focus to Emma, watching as she tries unsuccessfully to flirt with Alpha Benjamin before turning her attention to Alpha Daniel. Alpha Daniel all but ignored her.
I could tell Daniel was surprised when Sylvie told everyone to tone
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down their auras, and even more surprised when James told them to comply.
“Alpha Daniel, things on the Train are more relaxed than in the packs,”
I tell him.
“So, I’m beginning to see.”
“It’s not for everyone, Daniel, but it is how we run the Academy. I have a meeting scheduled with everyone tonight after dinner to talk over the expectations of this group before the young Alphas start joining us tomorrow,” James says, just as Mia yells for Sylvie.
We all turn and look at her excited face as she announces that Christina is going to take the classes this semester. I take another sip of my drink, watching as Christina blushes slightly. It seems that she’s the only one who doesn’t realize just how incredible she is. To everyone else around her, it’s obvious, but she’s so busy living in her brother’s shadow, that she’s forgotten what it’s like to feel the sun shining down on her. I have every intention of dragging her out of her brother’s shadow and letting her shine like the incredible woman she is.
“I’m taking classes this semester too,” Emma boasts.
My eyes move to her and then to James. His lips are pressed tightly together. Josephine can’t get here soon enough in my opinion. I’m just glad Emma is Benjamin’s problem and not mine.
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“Have you decided which classes you’re taking. Emma?” James asks her. Yesterday, she didn’t even know what classes were offered and she was only here to meet some Alphas. Given the make–up, styled hair, and attire that she’s wearing. I’d say meeting the Alphas is still her priority.
“We haven’t talked about what classes are available,” she says.
“Aren’t all classes available to assistants?” Alpha Daniel asks.
“Yes, they are,” I say. I can see Benjamin and Daniel making their assessments about Emma as well. James will have to let Benjamin. know that he needs to keep a tight rein on her and to be very clear with expectations and shortcomings.
“Do you know what classes they teach at the Academy, Emma?” I ask. Normally, I wouldn’t put someone, especially a non–ranked member on the spot like this, but she put herself out there, trying to compete with Christina. Believe me when I say there is no competition.
I watch Emma struggle to maintain her composure and then something flashes in her eyes before she turns to the bar where Mia and Christinal are still talking.
“Christina, what classes are you taking this semester?” she asks a bit too sweetly.
“Yes, Christina. Do tell, because I want to watch as many of the classes.
that you are in as I can. I love watching a strong woman knock Alphast down a peg… or ten,” Sylvie says, smiling at James. It’s an obvious challenge for James and one that he readily accepts.
“Well, I’ll be taking the strength class, obviously. Sebastian and I still need to make sure I can assist him and have the time I need to participate,” she says.
“We’ll make it work Christina,” I say, glad I finally have a reason to focus on her.
“I’m taking the sensory class, the communication class, and Dealing with Crisis,” she says.
“Should I take it personally that you’re not going to take my finance class?” Will asks her. He slid into the easy hierarchy here very well. I hope he comes back again. I already like working with him.
Christina smiles at him. “As Sebastian and I have discussed, the Finance and Managing a Pack classes would only be helpful if I decided to take over my brother’s pack, which will never happen.”
“Unless you want a chance to get on the leaderboard, Christina,” James says. Because I’m so focused on her, I see something flash in her eyes. The Alpha in her wants to see if she can achieve what her brother has achieved. I mentally add that to my list of things to talk to her about tonight.
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I’m not sure if he sees it too, or if he is just interested in how an Alpha female would do in the Academy, but Daniel is the one who encourages her. “Dealing with Crisis isn’t usually necessary either unless you’re an Alpha or Luna of a pack, yet you plan to take that class. Perhaps you should consider taking all of them and see how well you do. At least then you’ll know.”
She looks at me, as if wanting my opinion. “I’ll think about it.”
“We can talk more about it later,” I tell her.
“So, Emma, which of those classes sound good to you?” Sylvie asks a little too sweetly. The Lunas have made their mind up about Emma and their conclusion isn’t a good one. Personally, I’d completely forgotten about her part in this conversation.
“Uh, I guess the sensory class?”
“What is your strongest sense, Emma?” Will asks her.
“Uh, how do I know?”
“What do you lean toward? Is it hearing, sight, or smell? Usually, a person has one that is stronger than the others,” Benjamin says to her.
“Wouldn’t I figure that out in the class?” she asks.
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“Christina, what’s your strongest sense?” I ask.
“Hearing.” she says with no hesitation.
I turn, wanting to include Haley in the conversation, but also wanting to prove a point to Emma. “What about you, Haley? Do you have one sense that stands out above the others?”
She looks around nervously. Will puts a hand on her shoulder to help calm her.
“I guess I’m visual. I usually see something before I hear or smell it,” she says.
“Maybe you should take the class too,” Will tells her.
“Oh. I don’t think so. I’m not an Alpha or even a ranked member.”
“That doesn’t matter,” Mia says, as she and Christina rejoin the group. “It’s a benefit of working at the Academy. Why not take the opportunity that you may never have again to strengthen your visual senses?”
“Yeah, don’t do what I’ve done and waste the opportunity,” Christina says. I see her glance at me before quickly looking away.
“Emma, you’re on dinner duty with me,” Laura says, walking out of the
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kitchen. She already has a film of sweat around her face from getting ready for dinner.
“Do we have to start already?” Emma asks.
I watch as, almost as one, the Lunas and Christina turn to look at her.
“Yeah, you sure as fuck do,” Sylvie says to her. “This isn’t a party train, this is a working train. If you don’t like it, you can get off at the next stop.”
“Fine, let me go change,” she says.
“No. You knew you were on dinner duty, and you chose to dress like you were going to a party. You’re already late helping with dinner preparation. When it’s your turn to work, you work. Let this be a lesson to you. Next time, dress accordingly,” Mia tells her.
“You can’t be serious,” she exclaims, looking around the room and finally stopping at James.
“You heard them. If you don’t pull your weight around here, you’re out. Figure your shit out or get off the train,” he tells her.
“Tell me she’s not assigned to me,” Alpha Benjamin says as Emma stomps towards the kitchen.
“She is, but we’ll talk.” James tells him.
“How many weeks until Luna Josephine said she could join us?” I ask
him under my breath.
“Too many.” James says.
