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.

Shrimp,” Jesse says quietly, grinning down at me from his perch on the side of my

here are a mess of noise, all the candidates

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

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

thing we’re going to be

quickly lacing them before Jesse and 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.

much choice but to be able to sleep through a

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

we able to just walk in and out

voluntarily and they’re all determined to hold themselves to the rules. Because the school is going to cut the bottom

and go at will?” I

run. Which is what we’re doing.” He gives me a wink and a little squeeze around the shoulders

before I scowl

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

at least had some coffee before this, and then I hurry to catch up with my

by his 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

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

out over the gorgeous, hazy countryside with a smile. I follow his gaze as my breathing comes easier, likewise admiring the way that the hills roll and the early–morning clouds settle low over

such crap, 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

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

ask, my eyes

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

this. “So, you knew the

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

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a little bit.”

but laughing as I do.

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

him. “It feels like…grandma has a hand in it.”

our inside joke of calling an all–powerful moon goddess “grandma.”

little surprised to hear him use my full name in such

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

a little confused.

mate – he hasn’t figured out