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.”

run all over me, fuming over the hypocrisy of my brother and my cousin who are apparently insisting on my celibacy even if

thought

still, as I hastily soap down and let the hot water do

wolf basically salivates after them all day – but emotionally, 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 that the academy is male–only is so that those enrolled can concentrate

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

Or more?

my head, not knowing at all how I feel or

Jackson smells, and the way

both sends shivers down my spine.

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 decided

arm around my shoulders as the three of us head

OP

around their waists like most of the other candidates. “Nobody’s going

I twist

where Luca and Jackson’s beds are, subtly considering that maybe it’s in my

t–shirt and a pair of soft pants that he’ll sleep in before 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 water at

down on his bunk, patting the next to him

but stern. “Spill. I know

spot

and a great listener, and I’m dying to

still if he knows? Will he make me leave?

–

sighs. “Ari, either you talk to me about it, or I tell Rafe and let him interrogate you about it. Pick your

you just trust me?” I ask, looking up at him with big pleading eyes that usually

when tackle me in bed and make me scent mark you at 2 AM, panting like you’ve just

there’s no way out of this, and I…tell

clean, and how

covering his face with his hands and falling back on his mattress. “Who caught

I say, shaking my head even though he can’t see

hands down a little so he can see my face.

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

way too long – until I start to

giving him a sudden shove on the shoulder.

and sitting up fast. He grabs me by my shoulders. “Are you…are you serious?

deathly pale, his eyes wide and scared like I’ve

heard.

Well, my

inside of me. At least you