Chapter 49: Self-Control

*Aria*

I woke up and groaned when my alarm went off the next morning. I'd arrived at the academy late the previous evening, and it felt as if I'd only just gotten to bed. I glanced at my alarm clock, hoping that somehow it had gone off early, leaving me time to get just a bit more sleep. But It was five in the morning, time to get ready to go to class again.

I started the coffeemaker in my room, wondering if anything would change now that I had won the championship. I had no idea if Rebecca would leave me alone or not. And what about Arthur? His very public defeat couldn't have made him happy.

As I sipped the fragrant brew, I thought about Atlas. His handsome smile. His hands on me, his mouth on my body. The way he always understood me without saying a word. The way he made me feel as if there was nothing I couldn't do. There was no doubt in my mind that he was my true mate, and the thought of it made me smile.

However, I frowned as I contemplated the danger inherent in