The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 27

I hurry my own pace, darting for an empty shower stall now, willing to take whichever is free- however filthy-

“Ari!” Jesse hisses behind me. “Are you – are you kidding me-

is he your

I squeak a little in dismay. “Don’t know what you’re talking about. Jesse!” I hiss, darting into the stall and yanking the curtain closed behind me.

“Ari!” Jesse shricks, and then he lowers his voice. “Are you with him?”

– are you f**king using the dream state

“I can’t hear you!” I shout, desperate, flipping on the water even though I’m still dressed. Jesse starts

1

to tug at the curtain but I snap it shut. “You can’t come in here!” I protest. “I’m n*ked!”

“ARI!” Jesse shouts, completely freaked out.

But suddenly he goes silent, and I

go still.

“What the hell is going on here?” Rafe’s voice asks, just outside the stall.

My eyes dart around as I pray pray that Jesse holds his tongue

“Nothing.” Jesse says, laughing and playing it off. “Ari just…played a prank on me. Lunchmeat…in my bed.”

“That’s not a prank,” Rafe says, confused. “That’s just…gross.”

“Yeah well.” Jesse murmurs. “He needs to….work on his practical jokes. I guess.”

“Whatever,” Rafe says, sighing, his voice tired as he moves away, heading back to the bunks. “You guys got this? I’ll see you in a few?”

Jesse calls confirmation over his shoulder before turning back to my curtain. “This conversation is not finished, Ari,” he says, spitting my name out like it’s a dirty word.

I don’t say anything, but when I hear his angry mutters move away, I exhale a deep breath and begin to strip down, using the entire length of my very long, very hot shower to decide what the hell I’m going to say to my cousin.

When I finally step out of my stall, damp but dressed and tugging my hat down over my head, I have a plan.

very basic, stupid plan. But

as I step out, his arms crossed over the chest of his clean uniform,

Chapter 27

up at him and giving him my best baby–cousin look. “Just can you scent mark me first? 1 don’t

rubbing it across my neck and my own wrists,

I bolt–dropping my towel and running as fast as I can for the bunk room and the safety of Rafe’s side.

surprise did its job, as well as his week of training me to run faster, and by the time he reaches me? I’m already throwing

is going on?” Rafe asks, jumping a little as I

say, laughing and panting a

Rafe’s shoulder at my cousin, my eyes pleading – because he did promise he’d keep my secrets, and even if I am desperately avoiding this conversation, I do trust that he’s

now, at least.

growls, reaching behind Rafe to smack

figuring out my plan, continues to wail on me half- heartedly until, laughing,

he smiles at both of us. “We’re supposed to stick

with that rat cousin,” Jesse grumbles, giving me a

from behind Rafe and

at me a little, but he smiles, and I know

on

It’s quite cozy, really, pressed warm against my brother’s side. Ben comes over too, sitting on the edge of the bed and telling us

last–minute pass. Ben looks down, though, even if he smiles. Because, technically, his team didn’t fully pass – they didn’t make the ten–mile hike home.

Chapter 27

cusp of failure.

stand up, all hungry and ready for dinner–and the rankings that are going to come along with

at least, amongst the 80% of candidates who are relatively sure that they’re going to be admitted as candidates. Ben does his best, keeping his head high and laughing along with Jesse’s jokes as we move along the food line, filing our tray with a selection

gravy, and baked potatoes, and flounder so flaky and buttery it falls apart when you lift it onto the

and I don’t even notice who sits down next to

on me. “Hungry tonight?” he asks, flicking a humor–filled gaze towards my heaping plate.

can’t help my smile.

–

at each other for

clears their throat. I turn

looks down at his food, digging in, while I purse my lips and

and I do the same after a moment, and honestly the dinner is a good time. We all have full bellies and high spirits by the time the Captain stands at the front

room.

he says, clapping his hands twice for silence. “Tomorrow is the last day of your candidacy and your final examination. Your semifinal rankings will be posted in just a moment. This is your last opportunity

time.”

coming tomorrow – the obstacle course which I still can’t get

“I sugge

before final rankings, which will be announced in person, in order, and those