Page 12 of A Dove To Break

“Thanks, man. Wanna help recruit?” I ask.

“Let’s do it, but only because it was hilarious seeing her knock him down a peg,” he says.

We start going from person to person, gathering support from everyone in silence. By the time we have everyone but Fredrico on board, Charles is walking into the common area. “Oh God. What are you all up to?” he asks with a sigh.

“I think the girls should be in our rooms,” I say. “We all agree that if they are to learn the dynamics properly, it should be just as it would outside of here. We can create routines with them, teach them more about the dynamic casually, and…”

“Where is Fredrico?” Charles asks.

“Like I give a fuck,” I say bluntly. “Look. I won’t lie, this is also motivated by him. Alania has already been attacked once. She is afraid of him, and she shouldn't have to be. He will attack her, and if she survives, it will be a miracle. I give poor Gemma a week max before he injures her.”

“And you all agree?” Charles asks the others.

“Yes,” Raul says.

“I agree,” Eli says.

“So, save Alania at the cost of Gemma?”

“You did that,” I say. “You gave her a death sentence the moment you let him come back here. He has no business being here because it’s not conducive to their training.”

“Fine, but I will not change that all of you must have at least one lesson with each of the other girls,” Charles says. “I will monitor him and remove him if he becomes any more problematic.”

When Charles leaves, everyone goes and grabs their girls, but I go to Alania’s room to gather her belongings. Fredrico is sitting on one of the couches, glaring at me as I walk across the common area to my room. When I get to my room, I glance into Gemma’s and see that she is asleep in her bed. At least he is leaving her alone for now.

Chapter Six

Alania

Monday - Day 1

It’s Monday morning, andthe first day of classes. I woke up with Adrian’s arms wrapped around me and my belongings in the chair nearby. His room is a bit bigger than mine and is far more cozy. I didn’t expect it to feel so nice waking up next to him, but it does. I want so badly to hate this. To hate him. But I can’t. I tried. I woke up and tried to talk myself into being angry, butI was happy. It’s the kind of happiness that scares me, because I am not used to it.

I slept through dinner last night, so we got up and I took a quick shower before joining Adrian in the dining hall. When I got in here, he had me sit before leaving to get my food. I don’t know how I feel about him choosing my food for me, though. Luckily, when he returned, he had brought things I would actually eat. The meal was heavy on protein, so it was filling.

“Done?” he asks.

“Yes,” I say.

“I’m sorry?” he asks.

“Yes… Oh. Yes, Master,” I correct. Damn, that would have been the perfect opportunity to be a brat.

“Thank you. Take our plates up and meet me back here,” he says.

“Yes, Master,” I say. I stand from the table before collecting our plates. When I get to the window to drop the plates, Fiona smiles.

“Good morning,” she says sweetly.

“Morning,” I reply. “How are you?”

“Great. I am liking this more than I am willing to admit,” she says with a giggle.

“Me too, girl,” I reply, laughing with her.

When we get back to the table, Adrian frowns at me. I frown back, and he points to the floor in front of him. I sigh and go to him, but I am confused by his attitude. “Kneel,” he commands.

“No,” I scoff.