The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 21

1 stare wide–eyed at my brother, waiting for him to react.

But Rafe just…stares at me, his face ghostly–white, until I start to get seriously worried.

“Rafe,” I murmur, leaning forward a little, starting to reach out a hand to touch him.

“What the f**k Ariel,” Rafe whispers, so fast that the words all bleed together into one, so low that I can barely hear him. But the sentiment…is perfectly clear.

“Well it’s not like I asked for it,” I say, spreading my hands out, my eyebrows going up. “I didn’t do anything. Rafe!”

“We’re getting you out of here,” he says, his head snapping back towards the barracks, coming back to himself now and just like dad – immediately springing into action. “We’re calling mom – this

is over

“What!?” I gasp, and then I dart forward, smacking him as hard as I can on the arm,

“Rafe! No!”

He turns his head to me and growls, ready to retort, but I hit him again, which makes him pause.

“Rafe! You are not taking this from me just because that idiot doesn’t know how to handle himself! I want to be here I want to train as part of the Academy! This isn’t up to you anymore, you asshole!”

Rafe blinks at me in surprise – probably because I don’t think I’ve ever in my life sincerely called him an asshole. But I bare my teeth at him now, meaning it, because he kind of is being one. Rafe is not in charge of my future even if he thinks he is.

“He is going to kill you, Ariel,” Rafe growls, leaning forward and staring at me, making me see what’s at risk here.

“He’s known something was up since the first night, Rafe,” I counter, stubbornly crossing my arms. and glaring at him. “We’ve gotten through almost two weeks of him having no opportunity to hurt me – we can get through a few more days!”

“And then once you’re in the Academy?” he says, raising his eyebrows. “Because he’s f**king good, Ari he’s definitely getting in too.”

“When we’re in the Academy we’re allowed to carry weapons,” I say, speaking my ideas aloud as I think them because honestly I haven’t planned this far ahead

– – “I’ll learn how to protect myself!”

Rafe groans and buries his face in his hands, realizing that he’s not talking me out of here without a big fight – and also realizing, I think, that as much as I’m his little sister I’m grown now it’s

actually not his job to decide whether I stay or I go.

And damn it? I’m staying until they make me leave.

–

Chapter 21

Mar

of his reality back together. I press

look up at me. “Seriously,” he whispers, his green eyes peeking over

I nod seriously.

“You’re sure?”

I nod again.

do you

shrug. “It’s like people say. My wolf she knew instantly when I

exhaling deeply and dropping his hands from his

out his mate is here, and that

me.”

you

“That’s why he’s trying to kill you – because he thinks have something to do with keeping his mate away. But you know it’s him…so…” My brother studies me carefully, narrowing his eyes. “What? Are you like…in love with

don’t even know him! And!” I fling a hand out in the direction in which Jackson disappeared, “He keeps

he’s your mate!” Rafe’s face screws up in confusion. “Doesn’t that

the air. “But do not mistake my being mated to him for any like affection! I have no idea what’s going on! I am brand new to this as well!”

“Maybe we should call mom,” he murmurs. “She has a

I sigh, and then I push myself to my feet, holding out my hand to my brother. “Let’s just…get through the week, all right? And then we’ll figure

not because I can actually pull him up, he weighs way too much, but certainly as a sign

close.

smirk a little to hear him use my barrack nickname. “But we’re doing this on my terms now,

looking earnestly up

“And,” he

forbid it.”

me again. “You don’t

away from him, knowing it’s logical but hating the way he pulls his big brother card and bosses me around. “Can we

and

1

pulling away, but

he snaps, glaring

when he lets my jacket go, I stay close, hardly a hand’s

breakfast.

we come in. Ben and Luca at the table with him. Jesse throws his hands up in the air like we can’t

own tray and mine with whatever’s left, a random assortment of cereal and breakfast meats and granola. When another candidate leans over me to grab a yogurt,

boots before muttering his apologies and darting away, wide–eyed.

need to cool it, Rafe,” I say, looking up at him in shock as I pick up my tray.

table. I just heave a sigh and ignore him, sitting next to Ben when I get to the

Rafe finding out the other half of my secret – not seeing

you,” Jesse snaps, glaring at us. “I wake up and you’re both gone? And you almost missed breakfast!”

decided to go for a run on his own,” Rafe growls, glaring at me but not saying anything else.

doesn’t get involved, but Luca lifts a spoonful of

staring at me. “You

all right?” I growl, flicking my eyes