The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 13

I sigh and drop my head back on my pillow as I finish my sandwich, curling up tight and pressing my eyes shut, going over every moment of my conversation with Luca in my

head.

Thinking about his handsome face, the way his eyes fell to my mouth, the ran down his spine —

The fact that I did that to him…

This is…

I sigh, feeling suddenly overwhelmed.

Because this is getting into some dangerous grounds, isn’t it?

way

the shiver

Some wonderful grounds, my wolf corrects, curling into a little crescent and tucking her nose warmly beneath the edge of her tail. Sneak back over – let’s see if we can make him go all shivery again!

No, I growl inwardly, shaking my head. Because as much as I’m completely distracted and fascinated by my new connections, I have to resist the urge to explore them right now. There’s far too much at stake –

If I let Luca or Jackson in too much, I could get caught and then I risk losing my shot at trying myself in the Academy and I’ll risk having to go home and fulfill my promise to marry Prince Edward. As much as I’m intrigued…

I have to keep my distance. Which means doing my best to avoid my mates during the two weeks of candidacy.

I can do that, right? Mates are forever – I will have time to explore my connections with them later, and right now I need to turn my mind to other things.

I can do this, I tell myself with a steady nod, my eyes still pressed shut.

No you can’t, my wolf sighs sleepily, closing her eyes.

But I just ignore her, determined, and steady my breathing, willing myself to fall asleep.

When a hand shakes my arm the next morning, I gasp awake out of a much–needed deep.

in

Chapter 13

dreamless sleep.

me from his perch on the side of

the candidates getting ready at once. I

he whispers, hopping silently down from the side of the bed. “We’re going for a walk and a

blankets off and hop down softly, taking note of the single finger pressed to Jesse’s lips as he glances towards the still–sleeping Rafe. I grimace, realizing that if we’re going without my

we’re going

quietly to the bathroom for our morning ablutions and then out the door

then again, in our big crazy family there wasn’t much choice but to be able to sleep through a

a friendly arm around my shoulders as we walk out into the dawn light, the fresh morning air bracing as the door shuts behind us. But as we start to walk, I

I ask, confused. “Like, why are we able to just walk in and out of

all determined to hold themselves to the rules. Because the school is going to cut the bottom 20%

come and go at will?” I ask.

at me and shrugs. “Some cadets like to go for an early morning run. Which is what we’re doing.” He gives me a wink

scowl at him.

the track at a gentle jog. “Come on! You need to keep up!”

I hurry to catch up with my cousin, who I know is

my paces, making me stay by his side until I’m panting for air while he, infuriatingly, barely

fitter than me,” I gasp, glaring at him. “I do…ballet. I do

been prepping Rafe and I for this since we were kids.” He takes a deep breath, looking out over the gorgeous, hazy countryside with a smile. I follow his gaze as my breathing comes easier, likewise admiring the way that the hills roll and the early–morning clouds settle low over them.

know.” I say, crossing my arms and shaking my head, aware that my angry thoughts are in contrast to such a beautiful landscape. “I hate that you and Rafe got to become bastions of athletic prowess and I got to train to be a perfect wife

Ari,” Jesse says gently, letting me have my bitterness while still pointing out the truth. “That was all you. Mom was

I ask, my eyes

why the hell would

this. “So, you knew the whole time too? And wait – they had

hand through his hair. “I may have been eavesdropping. Just

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a little bit.”

out to smack him but laughing as I do. Jesse – he’s always been good

hand, still smiling at me. “You trained your whole life to be a Queen, and it didn’t work out in that way, but the fact that your mate is here? Training for the Academy at the same time you are?” he shrugs and grins at me, a little baffled. “Honestly, I think it sounds a little bit like

know,” I whisper, nodding with him. “It feels like…grandma

at our inside joke of

my full name in

that you’re a big girl now, and that I have no right to tell you what to do, and that you’ve already got an overprotective big brother to play this role. But…” he hesitates and I step closer, wanting to hear what he has to say.

a little

mate – he hasn’t figured out who you