I quickly nce through them until I find number five. Talia. She’s beautiful. She has the look of a well–adjusted Alpha female and even in the image, her confidence radiates through.


    I feel the sick, twist of jealousy in my stomach. She’s been with Christian. She’s seen him naked, felt him inside her body, touched him in ways that he’s unwilling to touch me or allow me to touch him.


    “That’s my graduating ss,” he says from behind me making me jump. I hadn’t heard him walk in.


    “I see that. Were you friends with all of the top five in your ss?” I


    ask.


    “Yeah. It’s hard not to be friends. I know that sounds weird, since we’re allpeting against each other, but the Academy does a good job of forcing you to be vulnerable and still strong at the same time. Number two is Tanner. We’ve been friends our whole life. I wasn’t surprised that he was my biggestpetition. His father was number one on the leaderboard too,” he says, walking over to look at the picture over my shoulder.


    “The other three were new friends that I made. I hope when Shane and Sebi go, we see both of them with numbers around their necks,” he says, taking my drink from my hand and sipping it before handing it back. It’s a casual intimacy, one that I know he doesn’t share with many people, and it makes me feel warm inside.


    “If Sebastiana has anything to say about, he will. My brother is a typical Alpha, verypetitive. I couldn’t remember if you liked ice in your bourbon, so I didn’t put any in yours,”


    “I say.


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    “Thank you. I prefer it neat like my father.”


    He goes over to the bar where I left his ss and takes a sip. I set my drink down and remove my bathrobe. I know if I don’t make the first move. Christian will shut things down before they begin.


    When he turns around, he grits his teeth, but his eyes drink me in from head to toe and back again.


    “We need to talk, Enya.”


    “I know you’re concerned about the Council being here tomorrow, Christian. I know you’re worried that I don’t know how to act appropriately while they are here,” I say, walking slowly toward him. “I am not a fool, Christian. I’m not going to do anything to put this job or your future in jeopardy. But the Council isn’t here right now and being in your arms is the only thing that keeps the sadness and the memories at bay. Please don’t deny me,” I say, stepping into his space and putting my hands against his chest. I can feel his heart pounding against my palm.


    “We cannot have sex, Enya,” he growls.


    “I’m not talking about sex, Christian. I want you to hold me. I want you to kiss me. I want you to make me forget everything but you.”


    I hold his gaze, as he wars with what he wants versus what he thinks he should do. Then he shoots the bourbon and sets the empty ss aside.


    “Are you going to behaye while they’re here?” he growls.


    “I promise I will,” I whisper.


    The words are barely out of my mouth before his arms are wrapped around me and his mouth crashes against mine. I slide my arms around


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    his neck and let him take the lead.


    T