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.”

curtain closed and stripping down before letting the hot water run all over me, fuming over the

less thought on

hot water do its work unwinding my muscles, I

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 can concentrate

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

Or more?

I turn the water off, shaking my head, not knowing at all how I feel or what I want. But…maybe

Jackson smells, and the way Luca looks when

sends shivers

change into – I still haven’t decided what I think or feel about any of it. Jesse steps immediately forward and subtly scent marks me at my neck and wrists while Rafe watches, his

around my shoulders as the three

OP

other candidates. “Nobody’s

I twist

to the side, glancing to the right to where Luca and Jackson’s beds are, subtly considering that maybe it’s in my favor to be dirty, at least for a little while.

– they give us hot breakfast in the morning and a big lunch, but it’s

Jesse finishes dressing and sits down on his bunk, patting the next to

on, Ari,” he says, friendly but stern. “Spill. I know something’s up.”

spot

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 processing how I’m

Will

–

“Ari, either you talk to me about it, or I tell Rafe and let him interrogate you about it. Pick

I ask, looking up at him with big pleading eyes that

bed and make me scent mark you at

sigh, realizing that there’s no way out of this,

and how the showers were gross, and so I went out to the hot springs –

that, covering his face with his hands and falling back on his mattress. “Who

my head even though he can’t see

little so

him, but I’m bursting to talk to him about it. When my wolf gives me

hanging open for way too long

him a sudden shove on

it and sitting up fast. He grabs me by my shoulders.

wide and scared like I’ve told him the worst thing he’s ever

heard.

Well, my

anxious circle inside of me. At least you