The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 10

“Ari’s just curious, Rafe,” Jesse says, still laughing and grinning, looking around to see if anyone noticed, but there’s no one behind us in line for the shower stalls yet and everyone else is too busy to care. “He’s led a sheltered life.”

“And he’s going to continue to lead a sheltered life,” Rafe growls, glaring first at Jesse and then at me. “I’m serious, Ari – this is not…” he stumbles now, searching for words.

“A meat market?” Jesse whispers wickedly, making me blush again.

“Fine,” Rafe snaps, taking another step forward as another shower clears. “For a lack of a better term, yes.” He grabs my arm, leaning down to hiss in my ear. “We took you from home a virgin, Ariel, and whenever it is that you go home? You’ll be returning the same way. So, if you had any ideas otherwise, get them out of your head now.”

I gasp, appalled, and shove my brother away. “Ew, Rafe! How did that!?” I look between Rafe and Jesse, shocked.

– how do

how do you even know

“Oh, come on, Ari,” Jesse says, giving me a sad little smile. “When would you have had the chance? Uncle Dominic keeps you locked down –“

My jaw drops again as I stare between them, realizing that…that…

“Oh my god,” I gasp, looking between them. “Are you two…are you not virgins!?”

Jesse laughs and gives a little shrug, playing it off like it’s not a big deal, but Rafe just clenches his jaw and stares forward at the shower stalls. Only a faint touch of pink on his cheekbones gives away the fact that he’s hiding something from me.

“Rafe!” I shriek, swatting at him. “Who was it!?”

“Stop. Shrieking,” he snaps, glaring at me and knocking my hand away. I purse my lips, tucking my hands behind my back and admitting, at least internally, that – okay – maybe that was a little more girlish than I’d like. But still!

–

“Seriously, Rafe,” I say, lifting my chin at him and demanding an answer. “Who did – who did you

-“I blush again and curse my stupid cheeks.

“We’re not talking about this,” Rafe snaps, ending the conversation as he strides into a newly vacated shower stall, whipping the curtain closed behind him.

I spin on Jesse now, the same question in my eyes.

“I don’t kiss and tell,” Jesse says, shaking his head with a smirk. I glare at him and he laughs, but then he gestures forward to an empty stall. “Go on, Ari. I’ll see you on the other side.”

water run all over me, fuming over the hypocrisy of my brother and my cousin who are apparently insisting on my celibacy

less thought on that, the better.

still, as I hastily soap down and let the hot water do its work unwinding my

– but emotionally, am I ready for that? And even if I were…the Academy is notoriously rigorous, and there are more cuts once you’re admitted as a cadet. Half the reason that the academy is male–only is so that those enrolled

mates just be an incredible distraction, if I even get inside the castle walls? Am I really willing to sacrifice everything

Or more?

I feel or what I want. But…maybe I don’t have to decide today, right now.

hope there is…even though the way Jackson smells,

both sends shivers down my

to change into – I still haven’t decided what I think or feel about any of it. Jesse steps immediately

murmurs, slinging an arm around my shoulders as the three

OP

wrapped around their waists like most of the other candidates.

I twist

right to where Luca and Jackson’s beds are, subtly considering that maybe it’s in my favor to be

first couple of months – they give us hot breakfast in

his bunk, patting the next to him in invitation. Knowing I can’t avoid it, I sigh and sit down.

he says, friendly but stern. “Spill. I know something’s

spot

not able to look him in the eye, but desperately tempted to tell him. Jesse – he’s always been a friend and a great listener, and I’m dying to talk to someone about this. I’m having trouble

Will

–

either you talk to me about it, or I tell Rafe

up at him

tackle me in bed and make me scent mark

there’s no way out of this, and I…tell

I tell him some of it – about how I wanted to get clean, and how the showers were gross, and so I went out to the hot springs

his

my head even though

hands down a little so he can see my face. “Who

it. When my wolf gives me an encouraging little prod with her nose, telling me

way too long –

a

He grabs me by my shoulders. “Are you…are you

pale, his eyes wide and scared like I’ve told him the worst thing

heard.

Well, my

anxious circle inside of