The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 36

Chapter 36

I hurry along with my brother and my cousin, staring around at the stone hallway that meets in gothic arches above our heads, at the windows scattered along the right–hand wall that look out over the landscape.

I grin, because I thought I’d gotten used to the view from the barracks – but this high? I feel like I can see everything, and the wide grey landscape around the castle is desolate and gorgeous in its own way. My steps slow despite me as I wander over to one of the windows, which looks north towards the palace, towards home, where mom and dad are –

And Mark and Junic too – god, how long as it been since I thought about them I’m a bad big sister-

“Ari!” I jump a little at Rafe’s frustrated bark and then laugh and hurry along to catch up.

We wind our way up the staircase at the far end of the hall, two stories which I’m pleased to see takes my breath away less than I thought it would. I guess two weeks of workouts really has helped me out in regards to my fitness, at least a little bit.

But when we get to the top of the staircase – which must be the highest level of the

Rafe strides eagerly down the hall, leading us to a broad wooden door at the center. I glance around, but don’t see many other doors on this level.

castle

—

“Are we, like, alone up here?” I ask, curious.

“It’s a more private floor,” Rafe answers, inserting the key in the lock and deftly twisting it. “But, the suites are meant to accommodate more than one Cadet, so they’re a little larger.”

The lock clicks and Rafe grins at me before opening the door.

“Jesse, Ari,” he says, proud and eager, “welcome home.”

And then he pushes the door open, and my jaw feels like it hits the floor.

“Oh my god,” I breathe as I step into what has to be the most gorgeous room I’ve

ever seen.

on the floor along with my pack as I step in, spinning around to take it all in.

Chapter 96

his own joy. “This

striding in like he planned it all. Which, I mean,

my hands as I stare around the gorgeous room, which has high steepled ceilings like the arches outside. At the center of the room is a lovely little living area set before a huge hearth where the logs are already laid out for a

sits

are two huge beds to accommodate the two huge Alphas for which this room was designed. I grin as Jesse folds back the ornate wooden screen that sets his little bedroom area apart

snuggling into

down on the bed in the other corner, which has rich velvet drapes all around

coursework will

it, I turn,

do

mean, Jesse joked about a match box, but…I turn to the corner looking for it. “Over here, little

still to hear him refer to me as his sister, but

in here,” he says, passing me and moving towards the hearth.

freer with our words.”

adds helpfully from his place snuggled in his

blankets.

I can add any comment, though, Rafe moves to a little alcove next to the fireplace and pulls back a red velvet curtain, looping it behind an ornate brass hook

gasp softly as I peer into what is just….the sweetest little nook I’ve ever seen.

of drawers and the world’s tiniest, prettiest iron–and–wood desk situated neatly in the corner with an oil lamp attached to the wall above it for light. It’s simple, but it’s so

home, and instantly

his hair, “but we thought you’d want to room with us, and we wanted to give you a

myself at my brother and wrapping my arms around his waist. He stumbles back in surprise, but

head

big brother hugs me back, rocking me a little in his arms, and I rest my on his broad chest as we both study my nook. “Only takes two weeks in the

murmurs.

better than the palace,” I whisper,

mean, we’re not kids anymore, but it’s not like Rafe or Jesse or I ever really left home and got our own apartments or anything. For all of us? This is our first taste of independence, and I know we all feel excited about it, even if it

our beds that just

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