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.”

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

the less thought

I hastily soap down and let the hot

am I ready for that? And even if I were…the Academy is notoriously

be an incredible distraction, if I even get inside the castle walls? Am I really willing to sacrifice

Or more?

I turn the 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.

I hope there is…even though the way Jackson smells, and

of both sends shivers down my

fatigues or something else to change into – I still haven’t decided what I think or feel about any of it. Jesse

murmurs, slinging an arm around my shoulders as the three of us head towards our bunks, my brother and

OP

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

I twist

and Jackson’s beds are, subtly considering that maybe it’s in my favor to be dirty, at

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 night in the twenty

on his bunk, patting the next

says, friendly but stern.

spot

I mutter, not able to look him in the eye, but desperately tempted to tell him. Jesse – he’s always been a friend and a great listener, and I’m dying to talk to someone

still if he knows? Will he make me

–

tell Rafe and let him interrogate you about it.

looking up at him with big pleading eyes that usually

“But when tackle me in bed and make me scent

I sigh, realizing that there’s no way out

and how the showers

falling back on his mattress.

even though he can’t

asks, dragging his hands down a little so he can see my face.

him about it. When my wolf gives

way too long – until I start

hiss, giving him a sudden shove on the

of it and sitting up fast. He grabs me by my shoulders.

deathly pale, his eyes wide and scared like I’ve told him the worst

heard.

Well, my

of me. At least you only