The Alpha Train (Christina) novel Chapter 17

Chapter 17

I’m thrilled that Christina agreed to sign the consent forms. Now it’s just a matter of building trust and having her let me learn how she does and doesn’t like to be touched. I already know her muscles are tight.

Over breakfast, I develop a plan for our evening talk and massage. I’ll see if she’s willing to remove her shirt and let me massage her neck and shoulders while sitting on the floor in front of the couch. I can’t wait until we get to the Academy, and I can have her relax on the table while I take my time learning every line, every knot, and every sensitive area of her body.

After breakfast, I meet with Will, Benjamin, and Daniel to talk about. the course work. I haven’t taught the sex course before, but I’m usually the back–up for James, so I’m familiar with how the class runs. However, I want to be sure that I maintain a level of decorum, that I lead through example, and in that class more than any other, it’s a very fine line.

Almost before I know it, the whistle is blowing that we’re coming up to today’s stop. I pack up my things, wanting to spend lunch and the afternoon with the new Alphas as they join the Train. I’m interested more in Ezra than Logan. I watched Christina take notes last night and she put a star next to Ezra’s picture. After talking to her about why she considers Tyler her biggest competition, I realized that she considers Ezra to be in the running as competition too. I’m glad to know that she doesn’t consider Logan competition. I doubt he’s anywhere close to her

Chapter 17

H

league of Alpha.

As the train comes to a stop, I step out of my cabin and walk to the entryway where the others have congregated. I’m less surprised to see Emma dressed like she’s ready to party than I was seeing her actually showing up to work at breakfast. I wonder if Benjamin is already having a positive effect on her. I hope so.

James is at the front, ready to greet our new Alphas.

“Alphas, welcome to the Alpha Train. I’m Alpha James, the lead instructor at the Academy and the biggest hard ass you’ve ever met,” he says, by way of greeting.

“Alpha Logan,” Logan says, introducing himself. I watch him look Emma up and down, deciding that she’s an easy lay before turning to

1. me.

“Alpha Sebastian. And I’m pretty sure I’M the biggest hard ass you’ve ever met,” I say, making James snort as he greets Ezra.

I watch Ezra glance at Emma and immediately dismiss her. Christina and I were right. He’s here to learn and to get his name on the leaderboard.

“Well, hello beautiful. What’s a pretty little Alpha like you doing riding the Train?” Logan asks, obviously talking to Christina. I feel my blood boil and my fists clench at my side for no good reason. Alphas

always hit on Christina She’s an unmated Alpha female and no matter the age difference, unmated Alphas want her. Apparently, I’m not excluded from that desire. Somewhere deep inside me, my wolf snarls, ready to challenge the young Alpha for Christina. I rein myself in. knowing that Christina is perfectly capable of taking care of herself. She doesn’t disappoint.

“Alpha Logan, my name is Christina. I’m much too old for you and besides that, I’m not interested,” she tells him.

“You sure about that, beautiful? I’m pretty sure I could rock your world,” he says, trying again.

“Since I happen to know that you’re here to learn how to rock any woman’s world, I’ll take my chances,” she says.

I see Ezra smile. He likes her spunk.

“I’m Alpha Ezra, Alpha Christina. It’s nice to meet you.”

“You as well, Alpha. And in the Academy, I’m just Christina.”

“Oh, I doubt that you’re ‘just‘ anything,” he says. It’s a way to state that he’s interested in her without being offensive like Logan. Yeah, I’ll be keeping my eye on that one.

“Lunch is ready. Alphas. Have a seat,” Sylvie says to them.

“Can I get you something to drink, Alphas?” Haley asks

“Yes, Alpha Logan. Can I get you something to drink?” Emma asks, bending over to give him a view of her cleavage. I look at James.

“We need to talk,” I say quietly to him.

He sighs and nods.

The Alphas sit, obviously prepared to eat with the instructors, but James and I pull up chairs and I notice that Will does as well. Benjamin and Daniel watch, then follow our lead.

“How many Alphas are on the Train?” Ezra asks frowning at the number of chairs.

“The assistants cat with us. They aren’t omegas, and even if they were, on the Train and in the Academy, they aren’t treated as such,” I say.

The first few days on the train are the hardest since the young Alphas expect that they’ll be treated with reverence like they are in their packs. and that the assistants will wait on them like omegas. They learn quickly that that’s not the case. Here, everyone is equal. Everyone can succeed or fail on their own merits.

Not surprisingly, Emma seats herself between Logan and Ezra.

12

Christina doesn’t sit next to me, she sits beside Daniel, which would bother me except it puts her directly across from Ezra. I fight my smile. She’s sizing up her competition.

“So. Alphas, tell us about yourselves,” Mia says, as we all start eating.

Both Alphas noses go up in the air.

“Luna, what would you like to know?” Ezra asks.

“Alpha Logan, what do you expect to learn at the Academy this. semester?” she asks. This is typical. Usually, Mia, Sylvie, and Christina ask the Alphas questions. It’s not so much their answers, it’s how they answer and how they speak to them that they are interested.

1. in.

“How to run a pack. I mean, isn’t that why we’re here? To take over from our fathers.

Mia, unimpressed, turns to Ezra. “And you, Alpha Ezra?”

He finishes swallowing the food in his mouth then turns his full attention to Mia. I look at James. Ezra has already been practicing focused attention when communicating.

“Luna, I’ve reviewed the different courses that we will be taught during the Academy. I would be interested in finding out which instructor

13

will be teaching each class. But to answer your question. I expect that I’ll be driven to become physically stronger, that I will learn proper communication skills along with how to manage a crisis, and how to manage a pack including fiscal management of the pack. Along with that, my understanding is that the Academy teaches Alphas to be the best lovers they can possibly be. Did I miss anything?” he asks. It’s not arrogant, but there’s a bit too much confidence behind his question.

“Don’t forget the sensory class, Alpha Ezra,” James says. “And I’m teaching that one.”

“What about the others? Are we allowed to know who is teaching what class this semester?” he asks.

“You are. You’ll receive a packet Sunday night when we meet at the Academy. But for now,” he says and goes around the table, listing off the classes that each of us is teaching.

“Do you know what I’d like to know?” Alpha Logan asks, his focus. turning to Christina. “What’s an Alpha female doing riding the Train?”

Before she can answer, I feel the need to step in. “An interesting question, Alpha Logan, made more so because Christina has decided to take the classes this semester. She will be in all your classes and competing alongside you this semester.”

I see Christina glance at me, but it’s Ezra’s narrowed eyes that I focus

1. on.

“How old are you, Alpha?” he asks her.