The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 14

Unfortunately, my determination to take a little space from my mate and concentrate on raising my rank is immediately foiled when Luca comes sauntering over to our table with a tray full of food.

“Hey,” he says, grinning at Rafe and Jesse with the trademark stunning smile that flares his dimples. “I come with a peace offering.”

Rafe raises his eyebrow as Luca takes a plate off his tray, sliding it onto the table. I take a sharp breath as I focus on the pair of little raspberry pastries Luca brought us – the tray was completely empty by the time Jesse and I got through in line and it broke my heart –

But Luca? Luca got two.

“What for?” Rafe asks, smacking my hand when I immediately reach for one. I hiss, more in surprise than pain, and pull my hand back.

“I didn’t mean anything when I took Shrimp over to my bunk last night for a chat,” Luca says, his face more serious now as he gives a little shrug. “I didn’t realize it would piss you off. I was just trying to offer my support – I know he’s low on the rankings, and I’ve soft spot for the underdogs.”

got a

I narrow my eyes at Luca now, because he’s blatantly lying – but he’s also protecting my secret. Luca’s eyes flash to mine and the corner of his mouth quirks up in a grin.

“Ari is ours to protect,” Rafe says, looking Luca over from head to foot before picking up the plate and holding it out to him. Luca blinks in surprise and turns his eyes back to Rafe. I don’t think he’s used to rejection – not with that face and his fame.

“Ari,” I break in, rankling a little at the possession in Rafe’s voice, “is a full person who can make friends with whoever he wants,” I say, rolling my eyes at my brother and snatching the plate of pastries out of his hand. “This was nice, Luca – thanks. No harm done.”

Rafe grumbles a little next to me but I elbow him, trying to remind him silently that I still have to fit in here. It won’t do us any good to make an enemy of Luca Grant by offending him.

Plus, I want pastries. And for my mate to stay close at my side for a few more moments – damn but his scent is amazing, almost better than these flaky little Danishes –

–

“Want to sit?” Jesse asks, smiling at Luca and gesturing to the seat next to him. I pale a little

– because, I mean, accepting a peace offering is one thing –

But Luca, having breakfast with us? That’s starting to cross a dangerous line.

Unfortunately, before I can think of a reason to protest, Luca cheerfully takes the seat and raises his eyes to mine, smiling at me a little deviously.

Shit. This was his plan. He still has questions for me, and he knows that he has to get on Rafe and Jesse’s good side if he wants to ask them.

Clever boy.

I scowl at him and take a big bite of the pastry. Unfortunately for me it’s delicious, which makes it very hard to be mad and wary of my st*pid mate, who’s sitting across the table from me, smirking at his victory.

into the

a while, until he ropes me

plan?” Luca asks. “For getting

“Why?” I ask, my nose scrunching a little as I

told you before, Shrimp,” Luca says, grinning at me. “I think you’re funny. It’s good for morale to keep

both know that’s not the truth, but I look away, not wanting Jesse to get suspicious

his voice low and derisive, clearly

bit and crossing his arms, studying me like

addition to the roster,” Jesse says, his voice dry.

sitting up straighter and looking between them. “Wait, what’s

glancing over at me. “It affects the

shit,” I breathe, shaking

rolling his eyes at me. “They told

a big secret,” Luca says, shrugging and finishing up a bowl of oatmeal. “There are all kinds of forums online where previous cadets spill the school’s secrets, if you know where to find them. Anyone who did any kind of prep at all to be here knows the schedule of candidate exams.”

eyebrow at me, clearly implying that I failed to do that essential research, but duh – of course I

this?” I ask, looking a little frantically between my

calm drink of his coffee. “They pit lowest against the highest

anxiety. “How does that help me? I can’t beat you’re a gorilla

you

GMS

to glare at me a little. “You just have to pretend to. I’m going to take the

I breathe,

says, his eyes wide as he stares at Rafe. “You’re going to give up the number one spot? For

reply, just shrugs and turns back to his tray, finishing off

of my cousins that much,” Luca says, glancing up

26

my hand on his shoulder. “You can’t do that – we

will knock me off

way. It’s

standing up with him

tugging me along with him and away from Rafe. “You have

the start of training. But inwardly, my mind whirs – because there has to be something that I can do that doesn’t put Rafe’s spot at the Academy at risk just to

day passes, I don’t come up with anything. We all troop into the gym together and are run through the horrible obstacle course twice as some kind of warm–up. The entire time I run it,

would be – would they just kick me out immediately? Or…is there any way I could subtly swap spots with another candidate so I’m fighting

would that do? And who the hell would agree to that, even if it were

in our ranking

it, I have no idea what’s going on, and

Captain booms out when we’re all standing quietly, “that the wooden staff is not a particularly high–tech or effective weapon in today’s battle climate. That’s why we chose it for this test. Our understanding is that very few people are proficient in staff work anymore. Today’s examination tests not only your physical prowess, but your ability to learn an unfamiliar fighting technique quickly. Though your sparring partner will for many of you be a