The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 10

“Ari’s just curious, Rafe,” Jesse says, still laughing and grinning, looking around to see if anyone noticed, but there’s no one behind us in line for the shower stalls yet and everyone else is too busy to care. “He’s led a sheltered life.”

“And he’s going to continue to lead a sheltered life,” Rafe growls, glaring first at Jesse and then at me. “I’m serious, Ari – this is not…” he stumbles now, searching for words.

“A meat market?” Jesse whispers wickedly, making me blush again.

“Fine,” Rafe snaps, taking another step forward as another shower clears. “For a lack of a better term, yes.” He grabs my arm, leaning down to hiss in my ear. “We took you from home a virgin, Ariel, and whenever it is that you go home? You’ll be returning the same way. So, if you had any ideas otherwise, get them out of your head now.”

I gasp, appalled, and shove my brother away. “Ew, Rafe! How did that!?” I look between Rafe and Jesse, shocked.

– how do

how do you even know

“Oh, come on, Ari,” Jesse says, giving me a sad little smile. “When would you have had the chance? Uncle Dominic keeps you locked down –“

My jaw drops again as I stare between them, realizing that…that…

“Oh my god,” I gasp, looking between them. “Are you two…are you not virgins!?”

Jesse laughs and gives a little shrug, playing it off like it’s not a big deal, but Rafe just clenches his jaw and stares forward at the shower stalls. Only a faint touch of pink on his cheekbones gives away the fact that he’s hiding something from me.

“Rafe!” I shriek, swatting at him. “Who was it!?”

“Stop. Shrieking,” he snaps, glaring at me and knocking my hand away. I purse my lips, tucking my hands behind my back and admitting, at least internally, that – okay – maybe that was a little more girlish than I’d like. But still!

–

“Seriously, Rafe,” I say, lifting my chin at him and demanding an answer. “Who did – who did you

-“I blush again and curse my stupid cheeks.

“We’re not talking about this,” Rafe snaps, ending the conversation as he strides into a newly vacated shower stall, whipping the curtain closed behind him.

I spin on Jesse now, the same question in my eyes.

“I don’t kiss and tell,” Jesse says, shaking his head with a smirk. I glare at him and he laughs, but then he gestures forward to an empty stall. “Go on, Ari. I’ll see you on the other side.”

closed and stripping down before letting the hot water run all over me, fuming over the hypocrisy of

less thought on that,

down and let the hot water do its work unwinding my muscles, I

am I ready for that? And even if I were…the Academy is notoriously rigorous, and there are more cuts once you’re admitted as a cadet. Half the reason

incredible distraction, if I even get inside the castle walls? Am I really willing

Or more?

water off, shaking my head, not knowing at all how I feel or what I want. But…maybe I don’t have to decide today, right now. There’s

there is…even though the way Jackson smells,

of both sends shivers down my spine.

in my dirty clothes – a little chagrined that I didn’t realize that I should probably have brought a set of fresh fatigues or something else to change into – I still haven’t

you’re wearing your dirty clothes,” Jesse murmurs, slinging an arm around my shoulders as the three of us head towards our bunks, my

OP

wrapped around their waists like most of the other candidates. “Nobody’s going to be able to smell your girl scent

I twist

are, subtly considering that maybe it’s in my favor to be dirty, at least for a

heading off to the mess hall. Evening meal is simple for the first couple of months – they give us hot breakfast in the morning and a big lunch, but it’s just wrapped sandwiches and bottled

on his bunk, patting the next to him in invitation. Knowing I can’t avoid it, I sigh

on, Ari,” he says, friendly but stern. “Spill. I

spot

Jesse – he’s always been a friend and a great listener, and I’m dying to talk

Will

–

or I tell Rafe and let him interrogate you about it. Pick your

you just trust me?” I ask, looking up at him

I would, cousin,” he says, bumping his shoulder into mine. “But when tackle me in bed and make

there’s no way out of this, and

wanted to get clean, and how the showers were gross,

groans when I say that, covering his face with his hands and falling back on his mattress. “Who caught

say, shaking my head even though he can’t

dragging his hands down a little so he can see

a second, deciding whether or not to tell him, but I’m bursting to talk to him about it. When my wolf gives me an encouraging little prod with her nose, telling me to trust him, I lean forward. “Jesse,” I whisper, “it was my mate –”

at me in shock, his mouth hanging open for way too long – until I start to worry that he’s like…frozen like that or something.

giving him a sudden shove on the

he says, snapping out of it and sitting up fast. He grabs me

his eyes wide and scared like I’ve told him the worst thing he’s ever

heard.

Well, my

anxious circle inside of me. At least you only