The Alpha Train (Christina and Sebastian) novel Chapter 3

“You know who number two is on the leaderboard right?” he asks.

I hadn’t put the two together, but the lightbulb goes off. “Her brother.

“That’s him.”

“I want to push her. I think there’s more to her than she gives herself credit for.”

“What if she doesn’t want to assist you in the sex class?” he asks.

“That’s her prerogative, but she’s not some young, nubile she–wolf. I’m sure she’s had sexual partners before. If she’s got reservations, I’ll try to work through them. If I can’t, I’m sure I can get someone else to stand. in. Sylvie maybe,” I say, smirking because I expect the growl that I get.

As we’re talking, I see Laura jogging up.

“Hey Laura. How was your week off?” I ask her.

“Good, for me. Not good for this position. I found my mate. I told him I couldn’t back out from this semester but it’s my last one, Alphas.”

“Congratulations!” James and I say to her.

“Thanks,” she says, blushing. “Uh, is there any possibility of pairing me

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with a mated Alpha this semester?” she asks.

“Actually, I have you scheduled as the float. How do you feel about that?” James asks her.

“That would be perfect. And I’ll have to skip the sex class, I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. I’ll see if Sylvie or Mia know anyone who wants to fill in,” he says.

James turns back to me. “I’m putting you as lead instructor for The Beast,” he says to me.

“What are you trying to do, kill me?” I ask.

“You’re an Alpha. Suck it up, buttercup.

I shake my head as we hear the train whistle in the distance.

“There’s our ride,” I say.

“We’re missing two,” he says frowning.

“Who?” I ask.

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“A

new girl, Emma, and Benjamin,” he says.

“Ben took his mate on vacation before coming to teach, so he’s catching us at the third stop,” I tell him just as we hear tires screeching in the distance.

We all watch as a car comes racing into the parking lot and spins out, barely missing a light post. A young, perky girl gets out of the driver’s scat and huffs. “I thought I was going to miss the train.”

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“You nearly did,” James says, eyeing her. Neither of us have any tolerance for tardiness.

As the train pulls into the station, I grab my bags and get ready to board. James and I let the women enter before us and then we climb onto the passenger train. When we get on board, I can see that Christina has already started setting up the train. Her brother’s pack is closest to the first stop, and she usually has it mostly set up by the time the train gets to us.

“Christina!” James says by way of greeting as we get on the train. He and I also appreciate assistants who are conscientious, thoughtful, and mindful of what’s going on around them. Christina has always been

like that.

“Hello Alphas, hello Laura,” she says, turning to Emma. “We haven’t met, I’m Christina,” she introduces herself.

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“Hi, I’m Emma,” she says, and we go around and introduce ourselves to the others on the train, only three at the first stop. Our four make seven, so we should have four more joining us at the third stop, which we won’t get to until tomorrow.

“Dinner isn’t for a couple of hours, but did either of you want a drink?” Christina asks.

“The usual for me, Christina,” James says.

“And you, Alpha Sebastian? Whiskey neat?” she asks me.

“Yes, thank you, Christina.”

“I’d like a drink,” Emma says.

“You’re an assistant, you get your own drinks, that’s how it works,” Christina says. “Get settled and Laura and I will show you around. You start working the minute you get on the train.”

“Geez, okay,” Emma says. James and I look at each other.

“I’ll get a couple other names from Sylvie, just in case,” he says softly. I nod, as Christina brings our drinks over.

“You have plenty of time to get settled in before dinner Alphas,” she

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says.

“What’s for dinner and please, please, tell me it’s your chicken fricassee,” James says.

“You’re in luck, Alpha. It is, and apparently, Haley can make fresh pasta, so we’re having fresh gnocchi to go with it.”

“Oh, I think I might be in love,” James says, putting his hand to his

heart.

“You better not say that in front of Luna Sylvie, Alpha. She’ll have your balls,” Christina says, making me bark out a laugh.

“I feel like I’m out of the loop,” Alpha Will says, coming over.

“When you’ve been around as long as some of us have, it’s like creating your own little pack. Christina is a veteran, so she’s accustomed to me

and the others who have been around a while.

“Well, I’m looking forward to being part of the team this semester,” Will says.

I take a sip of my drink, watching Christina over the rim.

I’m looking forward to this semester as well.

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Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Christina

I already don’t like Emma. Who takes a job and then expects the waitstaff to wait on the waitress?

“I’ve got her,” Laura says, probably recognizing that I’m not thrilled with our newbie. Haley I already like. She’s ready and willing to work.

Emma…not so much.

“There’s something different about you,” I say, realizing that under normal circumstances, Laura would be irritated with Emma as well,

but she seems distracted.

She looks around and then she turns back, she pulls her shirt away from her neck. My eyes widen as I see her very fresh mate mark.

“You found him?” I ask.

“I did. I already told Alpha James and Alpha Sebastian that this is my last ride on the Train.”

“Oh, Laura, I’m so happy for you. But I’m going to miss you.”

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“Hey, I heard the Alphas talking while we were waiting for the Train. Alpha Seb wants you as his assistant this semester.”

“What? Why?” I ask. There’s something safe about being paired with a mated Alpha. We’re not allowed to fall in love with the Alphas, any of them. I’m too old for the up–and–coming Alphas, but I’ve always felt drawn to Alpha Sebastian. There’s something very sexy about the older Alpha.

“He said he feels like you’re not meeting your potential or something like that. And Christina, he’s teaching the sex class. I just wanted to, give you a head’s up.”

“Thanks, Laura,” I say as she goes to help get Emma settled.

Why does Alpha Sebastian suddenly want me as his assistant? Am I some sort of pet project for him? I hate the idea that he thinks that I might be lacking in some way, and he feels the need to push me to grow. It’s one thing for my brother to feel like I need to take the classes, but it’s quite another for one of the instructors, particularly Alpha Sebastian, to feel like I need to take them.

As I make some snacks for the Alphas, I think about that. Do I want to take the classes? If I’m being really honest with myself, the answer is yes, I do. I’m an Alpha. I feel the deep–seated need to compete and to win. Why haven’t I taken the classes? That answer is buried much deeper. I don’t want to disappoint my brother. He’s so perfect, such a good Alpha. I would hate to embarrass him by being mediocre.

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I finish making the snacks and I bring them out to Alpha James and Alpha Sebastian.

“Thank you, Christina,” they say as I hand them their drinks.

“You’re very welcome, Alphas,” I say.

“Christina, Alpha Sebastian has requested you as his assistant this semester,” Alpha James says.

I look over at Alpha Sebastian and I see him watching me closely as he sips his drink.

“I hope I can live up to your expectations, Alpha,” I say.

“I have no doubt that you can and will, Christina,” he says. There’s something in his tone, something that hints at expectations beyond the classes. I see Alpha James glance at him, but he doesn’t say anything.

“Alpha Sebastian is teaching the sex class this semester, Christina,” Alpha James says.

“I’d like for you and I to talk about it first if you have concerns, Christina. I understand that this would be your first time, and if you have any issues with being my assistant in that class, let’s talk about them. I’m willing to do whatever is necessary to help make it more comfortable for you, if you’re uneasy about being the subject of that

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class. So don’t answer now. Think about it, and if you have concerns, let me know and we can talk.”

“Yes, Alpha,” I say.

“If you agree to be my assistant, Christina, I’m just Sebastian, or Seb, when we’re talking.”

“Do I have to agree to be in the sex class right now to agree to be your assistant?” I ask him, already recognizing that I can’t back down from the challenge that I know he’s going to give me. It’s sparking my interest and the Alpha in me, even making my wolf stir excitedly.

“No, you can agree to be my assistant and then think about the sex class. But again, I want you to come talk to me if you have concerns. We’ll talk anyway, before the class. I want you to have a very clear understanding of what to expect, especially since you’ve never been in the class before.”

“I think it would be good for me to fully understand the expectations that you have for me in that class, Alpha.”

He raises an eyebrow. “I thought you were agreeing to be my assistant, Christina.”

“I am…Sebastian.”

His smile is quick and wide and oh so sexy. “I think we’re going to have a great semester, Christina. But let’s meet after dinner and you and I can talk.”

“Very well.” I say. looking at Alpha James.

“So, that’s a yes?” he asks.

“Yes,” I say, looking back at Alpha Sebastian who winks at me. Damn, I need to get my hormones in check. We’re all werewolves with enhanced senses, but he’s an Alpha which means his are better than most. It was one thing to admire him from afar, but quite another to be getting turned on when I’m working beside him day after day.

I turn and begin walking away, hearing Alpha William asking who is going to be assigned to him.

“You’re going to be assigned Haley. She’s new,” Alpha James says.

“Oh, I met her. We’ll get along fine,” he says.

I finish making dinner with Haley, Emma finally getting to the kitchen right as the food was ready to be served. I hand her two plates and Haley takes a third as Laura finishes making another round of drinks and we carry the drinks and food back out to the dining car.

When we get there, Alpha James and Alpha Sebastian make room for

us, Alpha Will following their example.

“Oh. Christina, you’re a woman after my own heart.” Alpha James says. I just shake my head.

“I’m pretty sure that spot is taken. Alpha, but thank you.” I say.

“And Haley, you made this gnocchi?” he asks.

“Yes, Alpha. I hope you like it,” she says, blushing sweetly.

“Sweetheart, if you weren’t young enough to be my daughter. I’d have to take you as a mate. As long as you cooked for me every night.” he says, making her giggle. Alpha James is very much tied to Luna Sylvie, at least while they ride the Train. What they do when they have their week off, I don’t know. But most of their time is spent at the school and in that time, they are practically inseparable. In all my semesters riding the Train, Alpha James hasn’t had an assistant other than Luna Sylvie.

“So, Haley, Emma, tell us a little bit about yourselves, what brought you to the Train?”

“I wanted to meet some Alphas,” Emma says. I’m shocked that this is her response and that she doesn’t realize that these Alphas will only be short–term, if at all. Usually, she–wolves who only want to meet Alphas don’t get accepted on the Train.

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“And I want to take some classes,” she says when we all stare at her.

“What kind of classes?” Alpha Sebastian asks her before I can. He smiles at me to let me know he saw that he beat me to it.

“Oh, uh, well, I haven’t seen the course roster yet,” she says.

I look at Laura and I can tell that she’s thinking what I’m thinking. This one won’t last long. In the two years I’ve been on the Train, I’ve only seen it happen twice. The Alphas are usually pretty good about screening out the ones who are solely here because they’re hoping to become Lunas. This isn’t the time for a young Alpha to get trapped by someone because he got her pregnant. None of them, at least not when they get on the Train, are old enough to sense their mates.

“What about you, Haley?” Alpha James asks, redirecting all of us from our thoughts about Emma.

“Well, I’m trying to earn money to put myself through medical school. I want to become my pack’s doctor.

“What if you meet your mate and move to a new pack?” Alpha Will

asks her.

“Well, every pack needs a good doctor, right?” she asks.

“Very true,” Alpha Sebastian says.

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“Smart and you’re a good cook? I might have to rethink my age. requirement,” Alpha James says, winking at Haley.

“I’ll be sure to let Luna Sylvie know that you’ve made some changes to your requirements Alpha. It’ll be the first time I’ve seen an Alpha

neutered,” Laura says, popping a bite of food into her mouth as she smiles at Alpha James.

“A good point, young lady. I like my balls right where they are,” he says. Alpha James is harmless. He’s sweet and flirtatious, but he’s very serious when it comes to training these Alphas. I’ve watched him push young Alphas to the brink of exhaustion and somehow, he draws even more out of them. They all leave here stronger because they learn that they can endure more than they thought they could when they arrived.

Alpha Sebastian is the same, but his methods are different. Where Alpha James is more of a drill sergeant, Alpha Sebastian is the kind of man who expresses his disappointment in you. Somehow, he establishes early that you don’t want him to be disappointed in you, so each of the Alphas in his class strives to achieve perfection so they don’ t disappoint him.

“What about you, Alpha Christina? What’s a young Alpha female doing riding the Train?” Alpha Will asks me. The new Alphas are always curious about me. Alpha females are in high demand, even as chosen mates.

“I never found my mate and I didn’t want to be a burden on my brother.

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I searched for my mate for several years, even considered working this. Train back then to see if I’d find him. But, over time, I began to assume my mate was killed in battle. Now, I’m twenty–eight. If he is out there, he’d have taken a chosen mate by now. For me, this helps me to make my own way, and I like it. I’m independent and I don’t feel like at burden to my brother or the pack.”

“I doubt he feels that you’re a burden, Christina,” Alpha Sebastian says.

“No, he doesn’t,” I say, smiling and looking down. “My brother is a good Alpha, one of the best.”

“Number two on the leader board, Will,” Alpha James tells him.

Alpha Will whistles low. “So, he really is one of the best?”

“He is,” I say proudly. It’s true, my brother is an amazing man, brother, mate, father, and Alpha. He’s the total package.

When I look up, I see Alpha Sebastian watching me closely. His gaze is intense, and I get the feeling that he’s very much like my brother. I expect when we meet later, it will feel like there is no one else in the world but me, that no one and nothing is more important to him than me at that moment.

And that is very dangerous for me and my heart.