<b>Chapter </b>40


    And why does that sit ufortably with me. My wolf shifts around, agitated with that thought.


    I’m so involved in my thoughts that I’m not paying attention as I pull some of the heavier pots down from a shelf above my head. I didn’t realize there was more than one stacked on top of the other and as I pull the pot off the shelf, the second onees sliding off the top, straight at my head.


    I’m already lifting my arm to block the pot when I feel familiar heat at my back and one of Sebastian’s strong arms wraps around my waist while the other catches the falling pot.


    When I look up, his eyes are on mine.


    “We have the strength ss first thing tomorrow morning, Christina. I‘ d prefer it if my assistant wasn’t in the infirmary with a concussion.”


    James starts the tour where we always start the tour, in the dining hall, since it’s the first floor of the building where the dormitories are.


    I got downstairs early, and I’d seen her immediately when I walked into the dining hall. The kitchen is mostly open, and it wasn’t hard to spot her tall, lithe frame and long blonde hair that is once again up in a ponytail. I could tell she was distracted right away. She was focused on what she was doing. But while Laura and Mia were talking, she wasn’t engaging with them.


    From here, I could see that there was a second pot on top of the one she was pulling down and I’d started moving toward her befor consciously had the thought of helping her.


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    I’d wrapped my arms around her like she belonged there and damn if it didn’t feel like she does. So, I’d gone with my first instinct which was creating emotional distance rather than act on my desire to kiss away the frown between her eyes before taking that sweet mouth in the long. lingering kiss that I’ve been craving sincest night.


    “Thank you, Sebastian. I’ll try not to make a habit of bing the assistant who is a damsel in distress,” she says, righting herself and pulling out of my arms. My body instantly misses the heat of her skin next to mine and because


    of that, I step away, putting more space


    between us.


    “You are no damsel in distress, Christina. If anything, I’d want you to have my back in a battle.”


    I see something between surprise and pride sh in her eyes. By the time she finishes this semester, there will be no surprise when someonepliments her. She’ll own her strength and her power.


    “What’s for dinner?” I ask.


    “Lasagna,” she says.


    I frown, looking at therge pot. “What’s that for?”


    She raises an eyebrow at me. “Boiling thesagna noodles?”


    “Oh, right,” I say, slightly embarrassed.


    “Have you never cooked before, Sebastian?” she asks, her tone mocking.


    “I have. For ten weeks when I was at the Academy over two decades ago.”


    She bursts outughing. “Let me know if you want a refresher.”


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    “I may just take you up on that.” Because the idea of spending any time. with her excites me. I nod at the otherdies and head out of the kitchen to join James as everyone convenes before I do something stupid like press her against the wall and kiss her into oblivion.


    My favorite part of the tour is always showing the young Alphas the Beast. Admittedly, I’m looking at it a bit differently this semester. I’ve set myself and the other Alphas up to have to ride the damn thing every day if we’re challenged by the young Alphas. But in truth, we need to stay strong and on top of our game if we’re instructing our next generation of Alphas..


    As always. James saves the best forst, walking everyone through the ssrooms, letting Benjamin, Daniel, and Will know where their ssrooms are located. Then we go out to the sensory area. On the way, he shows everyone the Academy’s gym and the infirmary where I‘ m sure every one of them will spend some time. It’s impossible to push yourself to your absolute limits without injuring yourself, especially on the Beast. Many an Alpha have broken bones falling from that obstacle


    course.


    When he takes us out to the sensory area. I close my eyes and take a deep breath. This area is one of my favorites on the campus. There’s nothing out here and that’s the point. We use the natural forest around us as the ssroom to have our Alphas hone their senses. Because I’ve been here so long, I smell the herd of deer that lives close by, scenting the young fawn that was born right before the end ofst semester. There are also a couple of bears, but they keep their distance for the most part, some bobcats, coyotes, and lots of other smaller animals in the area.


    <b>288 </b>sich