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

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

to look up at me. “Seriously,” he whispers,

I nod seriously.

“You’re sure?”

I nod again.

you

like people say. My wolf she

Jackson…he don’t know?” Rafe asks, exhaling deeply and dropping his hands

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

me.”

you

head to the side. “That’s why he’s trying to kill you – because he thinks have something to do with keeping his mate away. But you know

I fling a hand out in the direction in which Jackson

Rafe’s face screws up in confusion.

I say, throwing my hands in the air. “But do not mistake my being mated to him for any like affection! I have no idea what’s going on! I

sighs, looking off into the distance. “Maybe we should call mom,” he murmurs. “She

to my feet, holding out my hand to my brother. “Let’s just…get through the week, all right? And then we’ll figure out this stupid

weighs way too much, but certainly as a sign of solidarity. When he’s on his feet, Rafe uses his grip on my hand to

close.

hear him use my barrack nickname. “But we’re doing this on my terms now, okay? Which means you don’t go anywhere alone, and

nod, looking earnestly up into his

“And,” he

forbid it.”

eyes at me again. “You don’t say another

sigh, scowling and pulling away from him, knowing it’s logical but hating the way he pulls his big brother card and bosses me around. “Can we get

jacket and tugging

1

away, but he doesn’t let me go.

glue. Ariel,” he snaps, glaring down at

But when he lets my jacket go, I stay close, hardly a hand’s breadth between us as we walk the short distance back to the barracks and inside

breakfast.

I predicted, Jesse is indeed freaking out. He’s watching the door like a hawk when we come in. Ben and Luca at the table with him. Jesse throws his hands up in the air like we can’t believe what we’ve cut it this close, but Rafe just

and granola. When another candidate leans over me to grab a yogurt, Rafe literally growls and snaps his teeth at him, making both of us

his boots before muttering his apologies and darting away,

up at him in shock as

between the shoulder blades and making me stumble towards our table. I just heave a sigh and ignore

I absolutely do not need Rafe finding out the other half of my secret –

Jesse snaps, glaring at us. “I wake up and you’re both gone?

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

involved, but Luca lifts a spoonful of cereal to his mouth, blatantly watching our little

Jesse breathes, staring at me. “You know you’re not allowed to

me, all right?” I growl, flicking