The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 33

I’m shaking as the Captain places the list on the podium in front of him, all thoughts leaving my mind as he studies the names. Because as much as I’m desperate to figure out what happened, all I can do is listen and wait.

“The cadet in the number 1 position,” the Captain says, his voice completely without emotion, “is Rafe Sinclair.”

A shout goes up from the gathered candidates as their champion walks forward to shake the Captain’s hand and pass through the doors into the Academy. And even as anxiety still rolls within me, I can’t help the smile that bursts onto my face.

No one is surprised at his taking first – Rafe has stayed at the top of the list this entire time, and as Dominic Sinclair’s son and near–identical replica, he was sort of a shoe–in for the spot. But I’m prouder than all of them, because he’s my big brother and as much as Rafe made it look easy, he worked his ass off for this his

whole life.

Rafe deserves it, and I couldn’t be happier or prouder of him. My eyes well with tears even as I cheer for my brother, because I wish mom and dad were here to see it. That’s not allowed, of course, but still.

I know they’d be so proud they could burst.

Jesse is called third, and I cheer just as hard for my cousin alongside everyone else as I catch sight of his cheerful face as he shakes the Captain’s hand. Jesse lets out a good–spirited whoop that makes me laugh as he dashes for the doors, clearly so eager to get inside he can’t help but run.

My eyes return to the Captain then, and I lose track of time as I listen to the names go by, watch hands shake as cadet after cadet is admitted. Jackson’s name is announced next, coming in at S – I expected him to be higher, but he must have lost time on the obstacle course either helping me or screwing me over.

I scowl as Alan Wright is called, but the distaste is wiped away when Luca’s name is announced soon after, a big cheer going out for our resident celebrity. Luca showboat that he is riffs a little bit, waving out to the crowd of candidates as he walks to the Captain’s podium to shake his hand.

–

The Captain rolls his eyes a little at Luca’s vanity as he shakes his hand, but he can’t help but smile either. Luca – he’s a little bit irresistible, isn’t it? I bite my lip a little

Chapter 33

as I watch him pass through the doors, because I am well aware that I’m the one who is the least able to resist his charms.

The numbers pass in a haze now through the twenties, the thirties, the forties and fifties – I don’t even pay attention, because I know I didn’t get that high. Pretty much everyone ahead of me on the field has been cleared out by now, which makes sense.

As the numbers hit the late sixties, though, my stomach starts to turn. Because some of the young men behind me have been called, having risen in the final ranking, which means that some of us who were safe before the final ranking are going to be cut.

The Captain reaches the seventieth name. And it’s not me.

A boy behind me moves forward, rushing across the lawn to shake the Captain’s hand.

My heart sinks. Because, I mean, I knew I was going to take a hit in the ranking, but seventy was my spot.

I hold my breath as the guys to my right are called, as the numbers make their way through the seventies.

As number eighty is announced, and it’s not me, my heart sinks.

The numbers continue to crawl upwards.

me. I mean – he’s clever, I always knew he

Still not me, and still not Ben. I turn now, risking it, knowing that there can’t be any consequences worse than being cut from the Academy.

every inch of me and Ben feels precisely the same. Thirty–four people are still left standing on this field, and only ten of us will

both

that

Chapen a

wolf unhelpfully supplies, and inwardly I scowl at our propensity for fast math. But

Shit. I mean, I know it’s more than just a random selection – that our previous rankings come

the Captain continues to announce names? Our odds continue to

go

down.

announces number 90 and I hang my head, wondering what the hell I’ll do next. I mean, I guess I’ll go home, but how the hell will I get there? Rafe and I we never even

mean, there’s a train,

91,” the Captain says, his voice bland and a little

a phone I

“Ari Clark.”

head whips up

Because-

That’s-

my name –

mean, it’s not my name, but –

–

small, half–hearted cheer goes up – nothing like the cheering at the beginning,

I hurry my pace, eager to get across the lawn and shake his hand before he does

I’m a girl

and suddenly I’m right in front of him, reaching

surprise even as he clasps my hand

inside.”

still shocked, as the Captain releases my hand and continues on

with the names.

of me inside? What

the Academy are

Because…I mean…

I did it.

at them, really realizing for the first time

I belong here.

and accept my spot as number 91, Ari Clark. Cadet of Alpha

door, and I gasp as someone grabs me off my

know instantly, by touch and feel, by scent,

give a little shriek of happiness and wrap my

and shout for the joy of it.