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.”

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

I guess the less thought on

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

my attraction to my mates is undeniable, and my 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

the castle walls? Am I really willing to sacrifice everything the Academy offers just to…I don’t

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

way Jackson smells,

both sends

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 –

you’re wearing your dirty clothes,” Jesse murmurs, slinging an arm around my shoulders as the

OP

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

I twist

to where Luca and Jackson’s beds are, subtly considering that maybe it’s in my favor to be dirty, at least for a little while.

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 minutes before lights out. Candidates eat in bed or gathered in small groups around

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

on, Ari,” he says, friendly but stern.

spot

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 about this. I’m having trouble processing how

still if he knows? Will

–

it, or I tell Rafe and let him interrogate you

me?” I ask, looking up at him with big pleading eyes

in bed and make me scent mark you at 2 AM,

way out

to get clean, and how the showers were gross, and so I went out to the

back on his mattress. “Who caught you?”

head even though

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

or not to tell him, but I’m bursting to talk to him about it. When my wolf gives me an encouraging

shock, his mouth hanging open for way too long – until I start to worry that he’s like…frozen like that

I hiss, giving him a sudden shove on

out of it and sitting up fast. He grabs me by my shoulders. “Are you…are you serious? Your mate

his eyes wide and scared like I’ve told him the

heard.

Well, my

an anxious circle inside of me. At least you only told