The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 6

I wake up in the middle of the night and groan a little with pain from my stiff muscles and my aching face. I prod at my nose, pleased to find that it’s already much better – the speed of wolf healing really is great, even though my nose is still too swollen to truly smell anything.

But as I sit up, I realize that the real problem here is that I am…grimy.

I’m completely covered in sweat and blood and my body feels…disgusting. I stick out my tongue as I survey myself, not even really able to believe that I was able to fall asleep like this. I mean, how much pain had I even been in?

A lot, my wolf reminds me, nudging me with her nose. Can we go find them now?

I scowl and mentally push her away, not able to think of it – or maybe just not wanting to, not right now. I mean, what the hell does it mean what do I even feel about any of this?

Did I imagine it?

–

Or did…did two mating bonds actually snap into place yesterday afternoon, the day after I left Prince Asshole at the altar?

But no. That’s impossible. You get one fated mated – just one! And most people don’t even get that!

I don’t even know what one mating bond snapping into place feels like, let alone two. My wolf must be wrong – whatever happened must have just been…I don’t know, some kind of hormonal reaction to being around so many boys all at once.

I’m not wrong! she growls, snapping her teeth at my denial. But I ignore her again.

I quickly move to the wide communal bathroom at the end of the room. I grab a set of supplies from the waiting shelf and dash towards the shower stall. But when I pull back the curtain I gasp – actually gasp – in horror at the site before me. The floor and walls are covered in muck, and boy hair, and oh my god, is that even blood in the corner?

–

I scowl at myself, hating this side of me that’s decidedly a Princess..

have to get

I remember what Jesse said on

a long, hot bath all by myself. To get clean, and to refresh myself – I just know it’s the one thing that

about five minutes of searching for the hot springs, I

be. Clean, fresh water – smelling just slightly of sulfur – bubbles out through a set of rocks, creating a little steaming pool that’s just deep enough to sink into. With a quick glance over my shoulder to check that I’m actually alone, I strip off my clothes and fling off my hat, running my fingers through my hair as I wade into the pool, moaning a little at the luxurious warmth of it enveloping

the castle against the sky as I start on my body. As I run the bar of soap all over my skin, pampering myself a little as my muscles unwind, my mind turns to the question of battle magic, and just how

gift from our Grandmother, the Goddess. Mom and Aunt Cora told us each about it when we turned sixteen, but…none of us have manifested anything yet. Mom is an incredible healer, and Aunt Cora can control

much as a spark, no matter what we’ve tried. Mom tells us not

bring something like that out in me? And if so… what form would

imagination spins as I consider the possibilities as I soap myself down and I smile a little, staring to feel, finally, like myself again. I even hum to

the soap aside and splash a handful of water

hell are you doing here?”

and instinctually dipping low into the pool so that I’m up to my chin in the opaque water, staring up at the dark figure standing at the edge of the

terrified but unable to

pool, terror streaking through me, the cloud covering the moon

Another candidate

–

not my brother or

as I realize, quite suddenly, that it’s Luca

down and looking all around. “What are you even doing

my long hair knotted at the back of my neck, or any details

girl right now because in soaping myself down I washed

luckily my mouth responds without me. “Um,” I say, pitching my voice a little lower.

the boxer says, standing and sighing as he shoves his hands in his pockets. “I’ve been getting

I say again, hesitating and rubbing at my nose, desperate now to be able to