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.”

cousin a glare and hurry into the stall, yanking the curtain closed and stripping down before letting the hot water run all over me, fuming over the hypocrisy of my brother and my cousin who are apparently insisting on my celibacy even

I guess the less thought

let the hot water do its work unwinding my muscles, I wonder…

to my mates is undeniable, and my wolf basically salivates after them all day – but emotionally, am I ready for that? And even if I

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

Or more?

knowing at all how I feel or what I want. But…maybe I don’t have to

the way Jackson smells, and the way Luca

both sends shivers down my spine.

– a little chagrined that I didn’t realize that I should probably have brought a set of fresh fatigues or something else to change into – I still haven’t decided what I think or feel

your dirty clothes,” Jesse murmurs, slinging an arm around my shoulders

OP

candidates. “Nobody’s going to be able to smell your

I twist

subtly considering that maybe it’s in my favor to be dirty,

sleep in before heading off to the mess hall. Evening meal is simple for the first couple of months – they give us hot breakfast in the morning and a big lunch, but it’s just

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

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

spot

able to look him in the eye, but desperately tempted to tell him. Jesse – he’s always been a friend and

he knows? Will he make

–

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

up at him

in bed and make me scent mark you at 2 AM, panting like you’ve just run a

way out of

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

face with his hands and falling back on his mattress. “Who caught

shaking my head even though he

little so he can see

talk to him about it. When my wolf gives me an encouraging little prod with her nose, telling me to trust him, I lean forward. “Jesse,” I whisper, “it was my mate –”

at me in shock, his mouth hanging open for way too long – until

a

He grabs me by my shoulders. “Are

deathly pale, his eyes wide and scared like

heard.

Well, my

in an anxious circle inside of