Chapter 11 An interesting start

*Atlas*

“Aria, do you have any diseases?” I asked slyly, and she looked at me curiously.

My mate looked so cute when she was confused. Her nose scrunched up, and she folded her arms in front of her. She always looked cute but especially cute when she was trying to act defensive.

“No, I don’t,” Aria said sharply and then sighed. “I’m perfectly healthy…”

I wondered why that would be a problem and then realized she’s probably looking for reasons why she’s wolf-less. My heart ached in my chest. I hated seeing my mate so sad. My wolf Alex also hated being unable to comfort her wolf. If there was anything I could do I would.

“Well, hypothetically if you were to have something I could write you a sick note for my class,” I explained. She got a conflicted look on her face and hummed, looking down at her feet to think for a moment before meeting my gaze again.

“How long would that work?” She asked.

“Usually it’s only for one month, but I could get you two. Any more than that and you’d have to be dying or have cancer,” I promised, and she looked hopeful for the first time I had ever seen her. The idea of breaking the bad news to her after this hurt me. “But you’d have to get the highest score on the final exam for battle class for me to do this for you.”

She mulled over the idea.

“That may not be enough time,” she said confidently, the tension in her was obvious. I stepped closer, putting my hand on her shoulder. When I had earlier, it was like I could see the stress leaving her body. It had a similar effect this time, she let out a shaky breath before continuing. However, she shook my hand off her shoulder and gave me an incredulous look. The switch-up was so quick.

I could see the fight between her head and her heart. I wish she could accept that we were meant to be together.

“You, you read my file. That can’t possibly be okay for a professor to do.” She pressed and I was surprised by this turn.

“So, you know who my father is?” Her voice was cold and controlled. I went to pull her closer, but she moved back, putting more space between us. I frowned. I had just offered to help her, why was she doing this?

“Yes, I do, Miss Maxim.” I teased her, and she pursed her lips. I could see the wheels turning in her mind.

This was my mate, there was not a single doubt in my mind. She was so cunning, so strong, so beautiful.

“He’s officially in the running as of this month,” Aria started explaining. “And next month, they will be sending the Alpha Board to evaluate his pack and family. The home, me, everything, it needs to be perfect.” She started sounding a little softer at the end but then straightened her back. Looking up into my eyes with determination.

“I’m sure the head of the school wouldn’t like hearing that you go through student records, Atlas.” She said firmly. Was my mate trying to blackmail me? It would be adorable if my job at the academy wasn’t so important to me. I was only trying to help my mate, why was she doing this?

As much as I believe the Alpha of the North was the true king, I could see that this election was extremely important to Aria. It seemed like she was killing herself with stress over it. If it would help her feel better, I would do anything. I’d do anything for my mate, even if it meant betraying the North. She didn’t need to blackmail me.

I also had some other ideas of how I could help her relax, but I pushed those to the back of my mind and kept my wolf at bay while we talked.

“We have to pass that test.” She whispered and then stepped a little closer, adjusting my shirt collar as she continued. “I’m sure you catch my drift. You do what I need, I keep your secret.”

I chuckled at her. So strong and unable to accept help. I was happy she had trusted me in her own way, though.

“You aren’t worried about getting the highest score on the battle test?” I asked, amused by her confidence. She waved off the idea of getting anything less than a perfect score. I knew the prowess of her mother well and if Aria was anything like her then it wouldn’t be a problem. Her wolf having problems worried me though…

“That won’t be a problem. I’m a fast learner,” Aria declared confidently and smirked.

“Didn’t seem too fast in class…” I teased and she shot me this very cute indignant look. She started blushing as well. I loved seeing her all bashful like that. What a good choice in mate my wolf made. We were silent for a moment, just gazing into each other’s eyes. Icy blue and dark golden brown mingling together.

“What do you want for all the help?” she asked softly and I moved closer again, running my thumb along her jaw. She bit her lip and looked up at me adorably. I waited for her to push me off or step back, but she didn’t. We were both transfixed.

“For you… a kiss should suffice,” I said charmingly, and she smacked my chest before taking a few steps back finally. She looked offended and then softened, going back to looking bashful before frowning down at the ground.

“I’m sorry for kissing you before,” Aria apologized. “But I’m saving the rest of them for my mate. I haven’t found them yet.”

My wolf protested in my chest, jealous at the idea of anyone else being Aria’s mate. I pushed him down again and decided to not push the issue. There seemed to be enough revelations for one day and I wasn’t going to force my mate to do anything. I found it funny that she didn’t know I was her mate. I couldn’t help but laugh at her, and she got that angry, scrunched up nose expression again.

“What’s funny?” She demanded hotly, and I just laughed harder.

“Nothing, Aria,” I said. “I need time to think about everything. Since you don’t have a disease, you’ll have to get a fake diagnosis, will you be able to handle that?” I asked. She nodded quickly at me and smiled wide.

She turned and went to leave my office. I was sad to see her leave, if I had my choice I would spend all my time around her. She opened the door but stopped short of leaving, hand on the door knob. I waited to see what she would say.

“Thank you for the help, Atlas,” Aria said simply and then left, closing the door behind her.

My mate sure had a lot of attitude. It filled me with excitement.

My mate was Alpha Rick’s daughter. I am the new Alpha of the Blood Storm Pack. This was going to be an interesting semester.