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.

me from his perch on the side of my bed. “Time to

Usually the mornings here are a mess of noise, all the candidates

of the bed. “We’re going for a walk and a chat.”

finger pressed to Jesse’s lips as he glances

only one thing we’re going to

I sneak 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 brother’s sleeping form, grateful again that he’s a good sleeper.

in our big crazy family there wasn’t much choice but to be

arm around my shoulders as we walk out into the dawn light, the fresh morning

I ask, confused. “Like, why are we able to just walk in and out of this place?”

are all here voluntarily and they’re all determined to hold themselves to the

we can just come and go at will?” I

morning run. Which is what we’re doing.”

scowl at

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

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

and I jog in silence for a long while as he puts me through my paces, making me stay by his side until I’m panting for air while he, infuriatingly, barely breaks a sweat. When we

are you so much fitter than me,” I gasp, glaring at him. “I do…ballet. I do

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, likewise admiring the way that

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, bitter as I

my bitterness while still pointing out the truth. “That was all you. Mom was pissed as hell when Aunt Ella let

I ask, my eyes

“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

turn my head to stare at him, baffled by this. “So, you knew the whole time too? And wait – they had this conversation in front of

hand through his hair. “I may have been eavesdropping. Just

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a little bit.”

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

that your mate is here? Training for the Academy at the same time you are?” he shrugs and grins at me, a little baffled. “Honestly, I think

I whisper, nodding with him. “It

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

I turn to him, a little surprised to hear him use my full name in such serious tones. I raise my eyebrows, inviting

sighs and puts a warm hand 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

ask, a little confused.

your mate – he hasn’t figured out