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.

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

chest of his clean uniform, glaring at me beneath his freshly–washed hair. “You need to

Chapter 27

him my best baby–cousin look. “Just can you scent mark me first? 1

reaches out his wrist, rubbing it across my neck and my own wrists, perhaps a little more roughly than normal. “All right, with Ari,

shout, and then I bolt–dropping my towel and running as fast

surprise did its job, as well as his week of training me to

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

laughing and panting a little. “Just a race! I

Rafe. And I look over Rafe’s shoulder at my cousin, my eyes pleading – because

now,

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

as I shriek 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,

at both of us.

not sticking with that rat cousin,” Jesse grumbles, giving me a little kick

out from behind Rafe

me a little, but he smiles, and

on

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

on his 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

Chapter 27

cusp of failure.

and we stand up, all hungry and ready for dinner–and the

candidates. Ben does his best, keeping his head high and laughing along with Jesse’s jokes

and gravy,

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

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

help my smile.

–

other for a

is just becoming our thing, I guess – someone across from me clears their throat. I turn my head to see Jesse looking at both of us with a

digging in, while I purse my lips

the same after a

room.

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.

time.”

me of what’s coming tomorrow – the obstacle course which I still

“I sugge

which will be announced in person, in