The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 13

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.

perch on the side of my bed. “Time

the candidates getting ready at

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

softly, taking note of the single finger pressed to Jesse’s lips

going to be talking

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

choice but to be able to sleep through a great deal of

into the dawn light, the fresh morning air bracing as the

aren’t there any guards?” I ask, confused. “Like, why are we able to just walk in and out of this

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

and go at will?”

what we’re doing.” He gives me a wink and a little squeeze around

I scowl at him. “You said

lied,” he says, grinning at me and starting off on the track at a

then I hurry to catch up with my cousin, who I know

through my paces, making me stay by his side until I’m panting for air while he, infuriatingly, barely breaks a sweat. When we get to the top

me,” I gasp, glaring at him. “I

and I for this since we were kids.” He takes a deep breath, looking out over the

bastions of athletic prowess and I got to train to be a perfect wife and Queen.” I cross my arms, bitter as I stare out at the beautiful view. “A whole lot of

that engagement, Ari,” Jesse says gently, letting me have my bitterness while still pointing out the truth. “That was all you. Mom was pissed

my eyes wide.

– so why the hell would we let you go into a marriage that we knew would fail? But Aunt Ella said you had to be free

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

little and runs his hand through his hair. “I may

216

a little bit.”

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

says after he dodges my hand, still smiling at me. “You trained your whole life to be a Queen, 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 little baffled. “Honestly, I think it sounds a

whisper, nodding with him. “It feels like…grandma has a hand in it.”

inside joke

him use my full name in such serious tones. I raise my eyebrows, inviting him to say what he

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

a

– he hasn’t figured out who you

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