The Alpha Train (Christina and Sebastian) novel Chapter 14

Chapter 14

I hadn’t planned on taking all of the classes. Even when Sebastian and I talked before, he said the Finance and Managing a Pack classes weren’t needed unless I intend to take over Dane’s pack and I would never do that. I would never undermine my brother that way, nor would I take one of the best Alphas alive away from our pack.

My nervousness spikes as I stare at the picture of my bio on the page.

“We can talk more tonight,” Sebastian says quietly. I nod, forcing my attention back to Alpha James.

“Let’s go

ahead and start with Christina, since we’re on the topic and we have our Alpha here to answer any of your questions,” Alpha James. says. I’ve never been on this side of the review before, being considered as a student, not an assistant. I’ve always listened objectively to what was told to me, but now, being the one who is being discussed, I realize just how personal this is.

“How old were you when your parents passed away, Christina?” Alpha Will asks me.

“I was fifteen, Dane was seventeen.”

“So, he took over before he was eighteen?” Alpha Benjamin asks.

“He had to, but everyone understood it was interim position until he could go to the Academy. Unlike Sylvie’s son, Dane didn’t have our mother to help him. He was alone, young, not quite ready to be Alpha, and now straddled with an underaged sister to care for. He didn’t go to the Academy until nearly five months later. He stayed to make sure that I was okay, that the pack was okay before he left for three months. And then he made damn sure that he passed the Academy, and no one could contest him taking guardianship of me,” I say proudly.

It was a terrible time in our lives. I don’t know how Dane did it, but it’s just the man he is. He somehow managed to take care of me, our pack, deal with his grief, take on the responsibility of becoming an Alpha before his time, and then he came to the Academy and took number one on the leaderboard.

“What is it you call that Sebastian,” Alpha James asks.

“Chasing ghosts,” he says, looking at me. “I believe that Christina is chasing the ghost of her brother.”

“You have to admit those big shoes to fill,” I say, feeling vulnerable talking about my family in front of the group here. I need to get used to it. Part of going to the Academy is stripping the Alphas down to their core, then building them back up. I’ve heard Alpha James say it every time we start a new semester.

“They aren’t your shoes to fill, though, are they?” he asks me. “That’s why I intend to push you this semester. I want you walking in your

own shoes,” he says with an intensity that I want to shy away from but instead draws on the competitive nature of my Alpha wolf

“Okay, let’s move on,” Sylvie says, and I could kiss her. Everything became very intense, very quickly.

I can feel the heat of Sebastian’s gaze, but I don’t look up from my packet.

“Right, next up is Alpha Logan. He’s the son of Alpha Leo. If he’s anything like his father, he’s going to be arrogant. He’ll be big and strong, but not flexible and will probably struggle in the sensory and communication classes because he focuses most of his energy on being strong and protecting the pack, not being a well–rounded Alpha.”

I look at the picture of the tall, muscular Alpha with short dark hair. Even his smile is arrogant. I decide quickly that he’s no competition for

1. mc.

“Next up, we have Alpha Liam, son of Alpha Felix. Felix is a good Alpha, but not a great Alpha. I expect that if Liam is like his father, he‘ ll do well, but he won’t excel,” Alpha James says.

In my first couple of semesters, I thought Alpha James was being judgmental by making decisions about these Alphas before they arrived and he gave them a chance. However, I quickly learned that on his week off and even before that, he studies these young Alphas so he knows what to expect and he is prepared to train them to be better and stronger than they are.

I look at Liam’s picture. He’s another large, arrogant Alpha. I put him in the same category as I put Logan no competition.

“Next is Alpha Noah, son of Alpha Finn. Finn lost his mate two years. ago and he’s been drilling it into his son to be ready for the Academy so he can step down as Alpha ever since.”

Sebastian looks up at James. “Are you talking with him about becoming an instructor?”

“I plan to visit him at the end of this semester,” Alpha James says.

I look at Noah’s bio. He looks like all the other Alphas, big and brawny, but he doesn’t have the same arrogant look that Logan and Liam had. I make a note on his bio to look up Alpha Finn. If he becomes an instructor, I’ll want to know more about him. I see Sebastian look over and smile at my note.

“Our fourth Alpha is Alpha Ezra, son of Alpha Kai. Kai is a good Alpha. He’s strong and was number five on the leaderboard. I expect good things from Ezra, and I believe he’ll push himself hard this semester.”

I put a star next to his face. He could be my competition this semester. His hair is a light shade of brown but unlike the other Alphas, his face doesn’t hold the arrogance that young Alphas usually have. He looks confident and determined.

“And finally we have Alpha Tyler Alpha Tyler is the son of Alph Emmett and the brother of Alplan Tanner.” Alpha James says

min. Daniel, Min, and Mylvic all suck in an

“What am I missing?” Laura anks, looking up

“Alpha Tanner is the Alpha that died in that horrible accident about four months ago.” I tell her

“Oh no,” she says.

“I’m sorry. I don’t understand,” Haley says sweetly, looking around.

“His brother was the oldest son and became Alpha. He died and now the pack has no Alpha. Tyler is having to take over the pack for his deceased brother,” Will explains kindly.

“Add to that, Alpha Tanner is still on the leaderboard,” Sebastian says grimly.

“Son of a bitch. No offense Christina but, to use Sebastian’s term, you won’t be the only one chasing ghosts this semester,” Daniel says.

“Correct. We all need to be prepared to support the young Alpha. Emmett is suffering, his mate is suffering, and Tyler will definitely be suffering,” Alpha James says, turning to me. “His story is similar to Dane’s. He didn’t lose his parents, but he’s having to take over a pack

when he didn’t expect to.”

I nod and look at picture. He’s built like the others, but I can see the pain and sadness in his eyes, like he can’t face the truth of what is happening in his life. I put stars all around his picture. If he’s anything like Dane, he’ll make it to the leaderboard this semester.

Tyler just became my biggest competition.

“The bios are there. Please become familiar with the Alphas. The first two will join the Train tomorrow at the first stop. Now, there are some things we need to go over as a group before they join. First, Haley, Emma, and Christina, all of you are joining the sex group for the first time this semester. I need to hear from all of you that you are not virgins. Virgins are NOT allowed in the sex class. Haley?”

She’s blushing a bright shade of red. “No, Alpha.”

“Emma?”

“No, Alpha.” she says, and he turns to me.

“No, Alpha,” I say, giving him a smile,

“I have to confirm, with witnesses, Christina,” he says, smiling at me.

Chapter 14

“I understand.”

I would hope that no one thought that at twenty–eight I was still a virgin, but since I’m not mated, I understand that Alpha James can’t make that assumption.

“Second and this is of the utmost importance, do NOT fall in love with these Alphas. They are not here to find relationships. None of them are old enough to sense their mates yet and believe me when I tell you, that no matter how much they think u no matter how much they think they love you, when they find their mate, any feelings that they have for you will pale in comparison.”

I notice Sebastian watching Emma and I swear I see his head nod as if he just confirmed something to himself. When we talk later, I want to find out what he confirmed about her.

“Sex is allowed. It’s expected in the sex class. All of you have signed acknowledgement forms, consent forms, and acceptance forms for the class, except you, Christina. Once you agree, you’ll sign the forms. However, just because you’ve consented to the sex class, it does not mean that the Alphas have unlimited access to you. You control when and how you agree to let them practice for the class. If at any time,

time, you feel that your assigned Alpha is taking advantage of the class or is in any way acting inappropriate with you, you come to me. Understood?”

I nod. I don’t need the reminder, but it’s good for Haley and Emma. I know Sebastian would never be inappropriate with me and he’s the only Alpha that will be touching me this semester.

“As I said, sex is allowed. We have plenty of condoms on the Train and at the Academy. Use them. Do not think that you will trap an Alpha into a mate bond by getting pregnant. It is forbidden. Unacceptable behavior such as this will be dealt with harshly,” Alpha James says. This is new and I have to believe that it’s for Emma’s sake, not Haley’s.

“Your assigned Alphas for the sex class are in your packets. Emma, you have Noah. Haley, you have Tyler. If you have any problems with that, please talk to Alpha Will or me, we will work around your we will work around your

concerns.”

Haley nods, and I watch her pull Alpha Tyler’s bio back out. I already know that her sweet nature will want to help Tyler this semester, so I doubt she’ll have a problem being paired with him.

“Mia. you have Liam and Sylvie, I paired you with Logan.” I’m not surprised that Alpha James paired the two most experienced women with the most arrogant Alphas in this semester. Those boys are about to get schooled.

“Charlotte will be with Ezra and Christina, if you agree, you’ll be Sebastian’s assistant.”

I nod, letting him know that I understand.

“We’ll be having a similar conversation with the Alphas once they’ve all boarded the train in three days. But if you have any questions, please see your assigned instructor, Sebastian, or me. We are all here

to work hard and to make sure that these Alphas focus on becoming the best they can be. But we also act like a family. This is a small group and in three weeks, we get very close working side by side all day every day. Again, if it becomes too much, if you need a break, please come see one of us and we’ll talk it through with you and decide what the best course of action is. Any questions?”

When no one has any, he nods. “Let’s have a great semester! Dismissed.”

“Are you still good meeting in my room, Christina?” Sebastian asks.

“Yes.”

“Good, give me about ten minutes.”

“Okuy.”

“Should I make you another drink?” he asks. I look at my empty glass. I shouldn’t, but the first stop tomorrow isn’t until one o’clock.

“Sure.”

“See you in a few,” he says, reaching out to take the glass from my hand. His warm, strong fingers brush against mine as he takes the glass and I’m thankful I have a few minutes to wash the arousal off of me again before I meet with him.