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.

basic, stupid plan. But it’s a plan.

growls, standing right outside the stall as I step out, his arms crossed over the chest of his clean uniform, glaring at me beneath

Chapter 27

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

reaches out his wrist, rubbing it across my neck and my own wrists, perhaps a little more roughly than

my towel and running as fast as I can

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 me?

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

say, laughing and panting a little. “Just a race! I win!”

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 –

right now, at least.

rat,” Jesse growls, reaching

and Jesse, figuring out my plan, continues to wail on me half- heartedly until, laughing, I cry mercy and Rafe pulls me safely to his other side, protecting me beneath his well–muscled

Rafe sighs, though he smiles at both of us. “We’re

grumbles, giving me a little kick as he

from behind Rafe and grinning at him, trying to make

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

on

edge of the bed and telling us the story about how they couldn’t catch any fish and almost came up the time limit, but then he suddenly remembered that dandelions are edible and found a few sad little plants growing by their edge of

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.

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

the dining hall that evening 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

is tender steak, and gravy, and baked potatoes, and flounder so flaky and buttery it falls apart when you lift it onto the plate-

rumbles as I sit down at our table, and I don’t even notice who sits down next to me until his arm brushes against mine and that familiar tingle runs through me.

at Luca, his eyes are already on

can’t help my

–

each other for

across from me clears their throat. I turn my head to see Jesse looking at

I purse my lips and give Jesse what I hope

back to the group, seamlessly. slipping into the conversation. Luca and I do the same after a moment, and honestly the dinner is a good time. We

room.

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 to know your spot before you go through the obstacle

time.”

– the obstacle course which I still can’t get through, not completely.

“I sugge

be announced in person, in order, and those who make the cut