The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 9

“Oh god,” I groan, sinking my face into my hands, my dreams of becoming an Academy cadet suddenly slipping through my fingers.

“Don’t worry about it, Ari,” Jesse murmurs, wrapping an arm around my shoulder and giving me a manly squeeze. “We’ll train you up good. You just had one bad day, and they didn’t measure any of the things you’re actually good at.”

“He’s right,” Rafe says, and I raise my head to see my brother looking at me seriously. I blink a little, emotion swelling in me because Rafe looks so much like dad when he looks at me like that, with a mix of stern expectation and love in his eyes. “We’ll get your number up fast, Ari, you just need…a little more training.”

“Not like you two have to worry,” I sigh, leaning into Jesse for just a second before glancing up at the board again. “You two are…” and then I scoff a little in jealousy because their numbers are one and four. “Seriously, guys!?” I say, pouting at them. “You had to show me up that bad?”

“Someone had to uphold the Sinclair name,” Rafe murmurs, smirking a little as he finishes off his plate, shoveling the food into his mouth. “Seriously, Ari, eat up,” he says, gesturing towards my plate with his fork. “You need the energy today!”

I sigh and eat the sausage in two bites, finishing up the orange as we bus our trays and head for the door. But as I swallow the last little bit of orange, I realize that I didn’t even look –

I spin at the last minute, my eyes roving over the rankings for their names –

Luca Grant – that one’s easy. Number five, right at the top, right under Jesse. Does that mean…did Jesse beat him in the bracket yesterday? Surely he would have mentioned

But Rafe – if he beat my other mate in the final match that means…

Number two.

My eyes dart up the chart, fastening on his name.

Jackson McClintock.

That’s him, I think, even as Rafe grabs my arm and hauls me out of the room.

Jackson. Luca and Jackson.

–

–

My mates.

towards the gym… I can’t help but feel

stomach. Because I know who they are.

in

idea

not yet.

candidates who stand before what looks like a gigantic obstacle course. “Thanks, guys,” I whisper, suddenly overwhelmed by a rush of gratitude. Because honestly, if anyone can get me raised up

thank us yet,” Rafe says, shaking his head down at me.

I sigh, and Jesse grins at me to let me know I’m right. But I square my shoulders and nod to them, ready to

Rafe’s prediction turns out to

thank them.

–

to do with fighting anyone, as far as I could see. And it certainly was not an activity that played to my skill set. Thankfully, nothing today

I was seriously, pathetically bad at all of it. I gritted my teeth as I pulled myself through the final obstacle – a sand pit that I had to crawl through under a set

that I got a good whiff of his scent as he pulled ahead, an experience that made me emit an embarrassing moan as my arms gave out so that I faceplanted in the sand, completely overwhelmed by exhaustion and lust. God damn it, having mates while running an obstacle course makes me look even more pathetic

Clark,” a Lieutenant said as I got to my

is ranked second, and he barely made it out

brow in my direction. “McClintock

thinking longingly of the hot shower that I’d get to

next-

the whole time. Honestly, I had thought I was a good runner – I’m usually pretty fast – but my exhaustion, combined

with a hand under my arm to help hold me up,

I grumble, glaring at

Jesse breathes, his words barely audible from his stupid smirking mouth, “you’re the one that wanted to be

my eyes to

in turn. “You gave up. A lot. If you’re going to make

with their long strides. “I can do it. I just need more sleep.” And to not have my wolf howling after my mates

nods eagerly and we all pick up our pace as we enter the barracks. When we get to our bunks we all yank off our boots as

and soap again – I see Jesse and Rafe look longingly at the tiled rows of open showers which are already spurting hot water. But then they glance at me, sigh, and join the short line for the three curtained showers with me again standing between them.

showers, hoping desperately that there’s still hot water by the time we have a chance to get in – and that the shower