The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 13

I sigh and drop my head back on my pillow as I finish my sandwich, curling up tight and pressing my eyes shut, going over every moment of my conversation with Luca in my

head.

Thinking about his handsome face, the way his eyes fell to my mouth, the ran down his spine —

The fact that I did that to him…

This is…

I sigh, feeling suddenly overwhelmed.

Because this is getting into some dangerous grounds, isn’t it?

way

the shiver

Some wonderful grounds, my wolf corrects, curling into a little crescent and tucking her nose warmly beneath the edge of her tail. Sneak back over – let’s see if we can make him go all shivery again!

No, I growl inwardly, shaking my head. Because as much as I’m completely distracted and fascinated by my new connections, I have to resist the urge to explore them right now. There’s far too much at stake –

If I let Luca or Jackson in too much, I could get caught and then I risk losing my shot at trying myself in the Academy and I’ll risk having to go home and fulfill my promise to marry Prince Edward. As much as I’m intrigued…

I have to keep my distance. Which means doing my best to avoid my mates during the two weeks of candidacy.

I can do that, right? Mates are forever – I will have time to explore my connections with them later, and right now I need to turn my mind to other things.

I can do this, I tell myself with a steady nod, my eyes still pressed shut.

No you can’t, my wolf sighs sleepily, closing her eyes.

But I just ignore her, determined, and steady my breathing, willing myself to fall asleep.

When a hand shakes my arm the next morning, I gasp awake out of a much–needed deep.

in

Chapter 13

dreamless sleep.

from his perch on the side of

quiet. Usually the mornings here are a mess of noise, all the

on,” he whispers, hopping silently down from the side of the bed. “We’re going for a

softly, taking note of the single finger pressed to Jesse’s lips as he glances towards the still–sleeping Rafe. I grimace,

only one thing we’re going to

quietly to the bathroom for our morning ablutions and then out the door of the barracks. As we pass my bunk I smile at my

much choice but to be able to sleep through a great deal of noise.

the door to the barracks and slips a friendly arm around my shoulders as we walk out into the dawn light, the fresh

are we able to just walk in

to hold themselves to the rules. Because the school is going to cut the bottom 20% anyway, there’s no reason to stop candidates who want to take themselves out of

and

“Some cadets like to go for an early morning run. Which is what we’re doing.” He gives me a wink and a

drops open before I scowl at

lied,” he says, grinning at me and starting off on the track at a gentle jog. “Come on!

I at least had some coffee before this, and then I hurry to catch up with my cousin, who I know is only doing this for my benefit anyway. I really do need to get faster.

he, infuriatingly, barely breaks a sweat. When we get to the top of a hill he signals to me to take a break and I put my hands

are you so much fitter than me,” I gasp, glaring at

and laughs a little. “You have hobbies, Ari. Dad and Uncle Dom have been prepping Rafe and I for this since we were kids.” He takes a deep breath, looking out over the gorgeous, hazy countryside with a smile. I follow his gaze as my breathing comes easier,

beautiful landscape. “I hate that you and Rafe got to become bastions of athletic prowess and I got to train to be a perfect wife and Queen.” I cross my arms,

pointing out the truth. “That was all you. Mom was pissed as hell when Aunt Ella let you move

my

me. “Yeah, she said that she had seen your future at your moonlight baptism and that guy was not your mate – so why the hell would we let you go into a marriage that we knew would fail? But Aunt Ella said

knew the whole time too? And wait

hand through his hair. “I

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a little bit.”

shout, reaching out to smack him but laughing as I do. Jesse – he’s always been

and it didn’t work out in that way, but the fact that your mate is here? Training for the Academy at the same time you are?” he shrugs and grins at me, a

“It feels like…grandma has a hand

head a little at our inside joke of calling an all–powerful moon goddess

turn to him, a little surprised to hear him use my full name in such serious

on my shoulder. “I get that you’re a big girl now, and that I have no right to tell you what to do, and that you’ve already got an overprotective big brother to play this role. But…” he hesitates and I step closer, wanting to hear what he has to say. “Just…maybe give this whole mate thing a little breathing room, yeah?”

a little

your mate – he hasn’t figured out who you