Filed to story: Shifter Academy: Taming Her Wild Mates (Ivy) Book PDF Free
“Ivy,” he sighs, shaking his head at me. “In your life you’ve only really spent time with men who really respect women and admire their mates. You’ve been a little bit sheltered, which is not a bad thing, but…not all men are like that.”
“Yeah,” I say, nodding and raising my eyebrows at him. “I learned that when I heard my fiancé’s secret conversation with his dad – and thank god I did.”
“I know,” Jesse huffs, looking off into the distance with a grimace as he, too, remembers what I dodged. “But see how easy it was to miss that? It’s just…not all guys are good to women – so many were raised to believe that women were born to serve them, or to be their second mom, or that women are inherently inferior. And a mate? He’s going to feel…so possessive over you, Ivy, from the start. I think, for you, I just want…”
“A little time,” I say, finishing his thought for him, as I so frequently do.
“Yeah,” he replies, turning to me with a little sad smile. “Time for you to figure out who this guy is and how you feel about him, before all this mate stuff gets in the mix as well. And for you to figure out if you actually want to like…date him. Let alone be mated to him.”
I laugh at this, shaking my head. Because Jesse’s right – I’ve never even had a boyfriend, let alone a mate. Let alone two mates. How on earth am I going to juggle all of this? “I think I want to just concentrate on getting into the Academy,” I say quietly, stepping close to my cousin and resting my head on his shoulder.
“I honestly think that’s a good plan,” he murmurs, wrapping an arm around me and giving me a little squeeze. “I think you’re here for a reason, Ivi – and I don’t think it’s just to meet your mate.”
“I feel that way too,” I say with a confused frown – and honestly, it’s true. “But I’m glad you know. And I’m glad you have my back.”
“Always, little Shrimp,” he murmurs with a happy sigh. After a long pause he speaks again. “Now. Are you going to tell me who this mate is?”
“Nope,” I say, a little smirk pulling at my own lips now. “I get to keep some mysteries to myself, don’t I?”
“Boo!” Jesse says, laughing and shoving away from me. “And now, just for that, I’m going to kick your ass double-time on this run back to the barracks so that we can make it for breakfast.”
“Nooo,” I moan, tipping my head back.
“Come on!” he whoops, starting down the hill at a full run. “Let’s raise that ranking, Shrimp! Plus, I heard there’s pancakes in the breakfast line today.”
“Damn it,” I hiss, shaking my head, and my stomach growls because damn it…I want those pancakes. And so I take a deep breath before I start to sprint after him.
Unfortunately, my determination to take a little space from my mate and concentrate on raising my rank is immediately foiled when Luca comes sauntering over to our table with a tray full of food.
“Hey,” he says, grinning at Rafe and Jesse with the trademark stunning smile that flares his dimples. “I come with a peace offering.”
Rafe raises his eyebrow as Luca takes a plate off his tray, sliding it onto the table. I take a sharp breath as I focus on the pair of little raspberry pastries Luca brought us – the tray was completely empty by the time Jesse and I got through in line and it broke my heart – But Luca? Luca got two.
“What for?” Rafe asks, smacking my hand when I immediately reach for one. I hiss, more in surprise than pain, and pull my hand back.
“I didn’t mean anything when I took Shrimp over to my bunk last night for a chat,” Luca says, his face more serious now as he gives a little shrug. “I didn’t realize it would piss you The Hidden Princess At All-boys Alpha Academyoff. I was just trying to offer my support – I know he’s low on the rankings, and I’ve got a soft spot for the underdogs.”
I narrow my eyes at Luca now, because he’s blatantly lying – but he’s also protecting my secret. Luca’s eyes flash to mine and the corner of his mouth quirks up in a grin.
“Ivi is ours to protect,” Rafe says, looking Luca over from head to foot before picking up the plate and holding it out to him. Luca blinks in surprise and turns his eyes back to Rafe. I don’t think he’s used to rejection – not with that face and his fame. “Ivi,” I break in, rankling a little at the possession in Rafe’s voice, “is a full person who can make friends with whoever he wants,” I say, rolling my eyes at my brother and snatching the plate of pastries out of his hand. “This was nice, Luca – thanks. No harm done.”
Rafe grumbles a little next to me but I elbow him, trying to remind him silently that I still have to fit in here. It won’t do us any good to make an enemy of Luca Grant by offending him.
Plus, I want pastries. And for my mate to stay close at my side for a few more moments – damn but his scent is amazing, almost better than these flaky little Danishes – “Want to sit?” Jesse asks, smiling at Luca and gesturing to the seat next to him. I pale a little – because, I mean, accepting a peace offering is one thing –
But Luca, having breakfast with us? That’s starting to cross a dangerous line.
Unfortunately, before I can think of a reason to protest, Luca cheerfully takes the seat and raises his eyes to mine, smiling at me a little deviously.
Shit. This was his plan. He still has questions for me, and he knows that he has to get on Rafe and Jesse’s good side if he wants to ask them.
Clever boy.
I scowl at him and take a big bite of the pastry. Unfortunately for me it’s delicious, which makes it very hard to be mad and wary of my stupid mate, who’s sitting across the table from me, smirking at his victory.
Jesse and Luca chat idly, introducing themselves even though they probably already know who each other are. Jesse ropes Rafe into the conversation too, though my brother only joins in begrudgingly. I concentrate on my pancakes, working very hard to ignore Luca.
It works for a while, until he ropes me into the conversation as well.
“So, what’s your plan?” Luca asks. “For getting Shrimp’s numbers up?”
My head snaps up. “Why?” I ask, my nose scrunching a little as I glare at him.
“I told you before, Shrimp,” Luca says, grinning at me. “I think you’re funny. It’s good for morale to keep the comic relief around.”
