The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 13

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.

from his perch on

all the candidates getting ready at once. I sit up

on,” he whispers, hopping silently down from the side of the bed.

pressed

we’re going to be talking

on my boots and quickly lacing them before Jesse and I sneak quietly to the bathroom for our morning ablutions and then out the door of the barracks. As we pass

choice but to be able

door to the barracks and slips a friendly arm around my shoulders as we walk out into the dawn light, the fresh morning

guards?” I ask, confused. “Like, why are we able

we start out on a dirt track that leads towards the hills. “Candidates are all here voluntarily and they’re all determined to hold themselves to the rules. Because the school is going to cut the bottom 20% anyway, there’s no reason to stop candidates who want to take

come and

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

before I scowl

the track at a gentle jog.

this, and then I hurry to catch up with my cousin, who I know is only doing this for my benefit anyway. I really

stay by his side until I’m panting for air while he, infuriatingly, barely breaks

so much fitter than me,” I gasp,

Dom have 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

that you and Rafe got to become bastions of athletic prowess and I got to

bitterness while still pointing out the truth. “That was all you. Mom was pissed as hell when Aunt Ella let you move forward with

my eyes wide.

nods and smiles at me. “Yeah, she said that she had seen your future at your moonlight baptism and that guy was not your mate – so why the hell would

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

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

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a little bit.”

as I do. Jesse – he’s always been good

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

whisper, nodding with him. “It

little at our inside joke of calling an

full name in such serious tones. I raise my eyebrows, inviting him to say what

puts a warm hand on my shoulder. “I get 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

I ask, a little confused.

your mate – he hasn’t figured out who you are

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