The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 21

1 stare wide–eyed at my brother, waiting for him to react.

But Rafe just…stares at me, his face ghostly–white, until I start to get seriously worried.

“Rafe,” I murmur, leaning forward a little, starting to reach out a hand to touch him.

“What the f**k Ariel,” Rafe whispers, so fast that the words all bleed together into one, so low that I can barely hear him. But the sentiment…is perfectly clear.

“Well it’s not like I asked for it,” I say, spreading my hands out, my eyebrows going up. “I didn’t do anything. Rafe!”

“We’re getting you out of here,” he says, his head snapping back towards the barracks, coming back to himself now and just like dad – immediately springing into action. “We’re calling mom – this

is over

“What!?” I gasp, and then I dart forward, smacking him as hard as I can on the arm,

“Rafe! No!”

He turns his head to me and growls, ready to retort, but I hit him again, which makes him pause.

“Rafe! You are not taking this from me just because that idiot doesn’t know how to handle himself! I want to be here I want to train as part of the Academy! This isn’t up to you anymore, you asshole!”

Rafe blinks at me in surprise – probably because I don’t think I’ve ever in my life sincerely called him an asshole. But I bare my teeth at him now, meaning it, because he kind of is being one. Rafe is not in charge of my future even if he thinks he is.

“He is going to kill you, Ariel,” Rafe growls, leaning forward and staring at me, making me see what’s at risk here.

“He’s known something was up since the first night, Rafe,” I counter, stubbornly crossing my arms. and glaring at him. “We’ve gotten through almost two weeks of him having no opportunity to hurt me – we can get through a few more days!”

“And then once you’re in the Academy?” he says, raising his eyebrows. “Because he’s f**king good, Ari he’s definitely getting in too.”

“When we’re in the Academy we’re allowed to carry weapons,” I say, speaking my ideas aloud as I think them because honestly I haven’t planned this far ahead

– – “I’ll learn how to protect myself!”

Rafe groans and buries his face in his hands, realizing that he’s not talking me out of here without a big fight – and also realizing, I think, that as much as I’m his little sister I’m grown now it’s

actually not his job to decide whether I stay or I go.

And damn it? I’m staying until they make me leave.

–

Chapter 21

Mar

face tucked away against his palms, clearly putting the pieces of his reality back together. I press my hands against my thighs, waiting,

me. “Seriously,” he whispers, his green eyes peeking over

I nod seriously.

“You’re sure?”

I nod again.

you

“It’s like people say. My wolf she knew instantly when

asks, exhaling deeply and dropping his hands from his face, resting them on his

out his mate is here, and that I have something to do with it. But

me.”

you

trying to kill you – because he thinks have something to do with keeping his mate away. But you know it’s him…so…” My brother studies me carefully, narrowing his eyes. “What?

I fling a hand out in the direction in which Jackson disappeared, “He keeps trying

screws up in

“But do not mistake my being mated to him for any like affection! I have no idea what’s going on! I am brand

should call mom,” he murmurs. “She has a

the week, all right? And then we’ll figure out this stupid mate stuff

too much, but certainly as a sign of

close.

little to hear him use my barrack nickname. “But we’re doing this on my terms now, okay?

nod, looking earnestly up into

“And,” he

forbid it.”

at me again. “You don’t say another damn word to your

his big brother card

growls, grabbing my jacket and tugging me close to

1

away, but he doesn’t let

glaring down at

when he lets my jacket go, I stay close, hardly a hand’s

breakfast.

throws his hands up in the air like we can’t believe what we’ve cut

his own tray and mine with whatever’s left, a random assortment of cereal and breakfast meats and granola. When another candidate leans over me to

his boots before muttering

say, looking up at him in shock as I pick up

towards our table. I just heave a sigh and ignore him, sitting next to Ben when I get to the table as far away from my

not need Rafe finding out the other half of my secret – not seeing how he reacted to

at us. “I wake up and you’re both gone? And

for a run on his own,” Rafe growls, glaring at me

lifts a spoonful of cereal to his mouth, blatantly watching our little cousin

“You know you’re not allowed

right?” I growl, flicking my eyes