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

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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.

mean, it’s a very basic, stupid plan. But it’s a

I step out, his arms crossed over the chest of his clean uniform, glaring at me beneath his freshly–washed hair. “You

Chapter 27

at him and giving him my best baby–cousin look. “Just can you scent mark me

my own wrists, perhaps a little more roughly than normal. “All right,

shout, and then I bolt–dropping my towel and running as fast as I can for the bunk room and the safety

shouts after me, pissed now- but the element of surprise did its job, as well as his week of training me to run faster, and by the time he reaches

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

I say, laughing and panting a little. “Just

a stop between our bunks and glaring at me, his eyes flicking to Rafe. And I look over 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 not going to break that

now, at

a little rat,” Jesse growls, reaching behind Rafe to

continues to wail on me half- heartedly until, laughing, I cry mercy and Rafe pulls me safely to his other

though he smiles at both of us.

rat cousin,” Jesse grumbles, giving me a little kick as he settles

stuck with me,” I say, peeking out from behind Rafe and

a little, but he smiles, and I know we’re all right.

on

telling about our days in the woods. 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 the story about how they couldn’t catch any fish and almost came up the time limit,

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. Anxiety is tight in my chest as I consider what this is going to do to his ranking, which

Chapter 27

cusp of failure.

and we stand up, all hungry and ready for

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 of food

the best yet- tonight must be some kind of celebration because there is tender steak, and gravy, and baked potatoes, and

I don’t even notice who sits down next to me until his arm brushes

look at Luca, his eyes are already on me. “Hungry tonight?” he asks, flicking a humor–filled gaze towards my

can’t help my smile. “Starving.”

–

each other for a long moment –

– someone across from me clears their throat. I turn my head to see

while I purse my lips and give Jesse what

the group, seamlessly. slipping into the conversation. Luca and I do the same after a moment, and honestly the dinner is

room.

and your final examination. Your semifinal rankings will be posted in just a moment. This is

time.”

sinks as he reminds me of what’s coming tomorrow – the obstacle course which I still can’t get through, not completely. That stupid chain climb…

“I sugge

a chance to clean up tomorrow before final rankings, which will be announced