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

breaths, his face tucked away against his palms, clearly putting the pieces of his reality back together. I press my hands

up at me. “Seriously,” he whispers,

I nod seriously.

“You’re sure?”

I nod again.

do you know?”

like people say. My wolf she knew instantly when I

know?” Rafe asks, exhaling deeply and dropping his hands from his

to confuse my scent, I think. Jackson figured out

me.”

you

Rafe cocks his head to the side. “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

blush coming to my cheeks. “What!? No! I don’t even know him! And!” I fling a hand out in the direction in which Jackson disappeared, “He keeps trying to

your mate!” Rafe’s face screws up in confusion.

to him for any like affection! I have no idea what’s

he murmurs.

week, all right? And then we’ll figure out this stupid mate stuff when we’re enrolled

– not because I can actually pull him up, he weighs way too much, but certainly as a sign of solidarity. When he’s on his feet, Rafe

close.

to hear him use my barrack nickname. “But we’re doing this on my terms now, okay? Which means you don’t go anywhere alone, and you stick

nod, looking earnestly up into

“And,” he

forbid it.”

eyes at me again. “You don’t say another damn word to your mate. I

he pulls his big brother card and bosses me around. “Can we

Rafe growls, grabbing my jacket and tugging me close

1

I groan, pulling away, but he doesn’t let me go.

glaring down at me.

him. But when he lets my jacket go, I stay close, hardly a hand’s breadth between us as we walk the short distance back

breakfast.

Jesse throws his hands up in the

it as Rafe fills his 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,

his boots before

looking up at

heave a sigh and ignore him, sitting next to Ben when I get to the table as far away from my other mate as I can

other half of my secret – not seeing how he reacted to

Jesse snaps, glaring at us. “I wake up

own,” Rafe growls, glaring

doesn’t get involved, but Luca lifts a spoonful of cereal to his mouth, blatantly watching our

“You know you’re not allowed to

me, all right?” I growl, flicking my