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.

quietly, grinning down at me from his perch on the side of my bed.

noise, all the candidates getting ready at once. I sit up and look around, realizing

the side of the bed. “We’re going

blankets off and hop down softly, taking note of the single finger pressed to Jesse’s lips as he glances towards the still–sleeping Rafe. I grimace, realizing that if we’re

thing we’re going

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

wasn’t much choice but to

light, the fresh morning air bracing

I ask, confused. “Like, why are we able to just walk in

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

we can just come and

cadets like to go for an early morning run. Which is what we’re doing.” He gives me a wink and a little squeeze around the shoulders before dropping his arm and starting to stretch.

scowl at him.

grinning at me and starting off on the track at a gentle

my cousin, who I know is

side until I’m panting for air while he, infuriatingly, barely breaks a sweat. When we get to the top of a hill he signals to me to take a break

I gasp, glaring at him. “I

were kids.” He takes a deep breath, looking out over the gorgeous, hazy

you know.” I say, crossing my arms and shaking my head, aware that my angry thoughts are in contrast to such a 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, bitter as I stare out at

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

ask, my eyes wide.

that guy was not your mate – so why the hell would we let

my head to stare at him, baffled by this. “So, you knew the whole time too?

his hand through his hair.

216

a little bit.”

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

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?”

nodding with him. “It feels like…grandma has a hand in

his head a little at our inside joke of calling an

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

what to do, and that you’ve already got an overprotective

ask, a

figured out who you

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