Ch. 11..15: The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy Chapter 11-15

Chapter 11

“Cut the crap, Rafe,” dad snaps, and my eyes go immediately wide because dad only uses that tone when he’s really mad. “What the hell are you doing at the Academy when you told us two nights ago that you were taking your sister somewhere safe?!”

Jesse visibly gulps while Rafe struggles to keep his composure under what is probably dad’s most menacing glare. While the three of us obviously know that he loves us, he’s still probably the scariest man on the planet. Only mom is completely immune to him.

“Rafe, you look so cute!” My face bursts into a smile when I hear mom’s voice coming through the video call. “Show me Jesse! Oh my god, your little uniforms!”

“Ella -” Dad says on a sigh, reminding her that they called for a reason.

“Oh right. Yes! Boys, where is your sister!?”

“It’s fine, mom,” Rafe says, and I know that he feels more secure now, talking to her. Rafe

we’ve got and mom have always had a special bond, just like me and dad. “I promise you everything under control, Ariel’s doing great

–

“How is that possible,” dad grumbles, cutting him off, “when you are at a military Academy and she is – Rafe! Where the hell is she?!”

I wrap my arms around my legs and stare up at my brother, wondering if he’s going to break under the pressure of dad’s glare. Deep down I desperately hope he doesn’t – I’m not done here, not nearly.

“We’ve got

it all under control, Uncle Dom,” Jesse says, reaching out and turning the tablet so that my parents can see him. “We promise – we’d never let her be in any danger, and it’s actually safer if we’re the only ones who know!”

“You have to trust us, dad,” Rafe snaps, turning the tablet back to him, starting to glare back at our parents now. “You know that we would both rather die than let anything bad happen to Ariel. So, either you call us all back right now, or you trust the three of us together.”

The other line is silent for a moment and I go tense with hope.

“We trust you, Rafe,” mom says, her voice thick with emotion. “If you promise that she’s safe and that you’re taking care of her? I believe you.”

Rafe and Jesse shift their eyes, clearly looking at dad now. His answer takes longer.

–

“She’s my little girl, Rafe,” dad says, his voice cracking on the words in a way that makes my entire stomach tie in knots. “I know she’s growing up – you all are but god damn it, if you let anything happen to her “

“I won’t,” Rafe says, giving a single nod and looking steadily into the camera. Jesse nods too, sealing his promise as well.

“All right,” dad growls, clearly unhappy with how this went but determined to trust his kids.

“Good luck, babies!” mom calls. “Don’t let them beat you up too much! And don’t

–

But then I hear dad sigh, and mom laughs, and a little smile pulls at my lips because I can almost see him shaking his head at her. Rafe and Jesse smile now too, saying their final goodbyes before Rafe turns the tablet off, tossing it on the bed before looking around to see if any of the other candidates have been listening in or figured anything out. When he decides they haven’t, he slips his hands in his pockets and turns his glare on me.

“You’d better not make a liar out of me, Ari,” he growls, shaking his head.

“What did I do!?” I gasp, sitting up straight and glaring right back. “I’m just going along with the plan!”

–

“What I mean,” Rafe growls, stepping towards me now and glowering over me – an act that just makes me roll my eyes because he’s been doing that to me since we were six – “that you’d better not do anything stupid that makes dad tear me to pieces because you got hurt, or killed, or pregnant.” He delivers the last word in a vicious whisper–hiss.

“Oh my god, Rafe,” I snap, jumping to my feet from Jesse’s bunk and glaring back at him. “I’m not doing anything but trying to get into the academy just like you

“I wasn’t the one staring at the other candidates like they were prime cuts of meat –”

“Ew!” I shout, slapping my hands onto his chest and shoving him, hard. “Rafe, you’re being ridiculous –”

Behind my brother, Jesse just raises an eyebrow at me, his face unusually grave. Because now…well, he’s probably figured out what, precisely, I was looking at.

God, can he have already guessed who?

I burst into a vivid blush for what feels like the hundredth time tonight, and before either of them can say anything else I grab my toothbrush kit from the edge of my bed and start to storm off to the bathroom, needing a moment alone.

“Where the hell do you think you’re going!?” Rafe shouts, storming after me.

“To brush my teeth, Rafe,” I growl, turning stop so abruptly that he smacks into me and makes me stumble a few steps back. His mouth pops open in surprise and I see the apology on his tongue for almost knocking me over, but I wave a hand in his face, dismissing it. “What, I can’t even do this alone!?” I snap, shaking my head at him as I step closer enough, close enough for him to hear my whisper. “Or is the risk of me getting pregnant, and ruining my entire life, too high!?”

He glares at me again, but I can see him processing my words, realizing that he has perhaps. stepped a little over the line between protective big brother and complete asshole tonight. So I nod curtly once more and turn on my heel, storming into the bathroom alone.

I pointedly refrain from looking towards the showers, where a few cadets are catching the final now–icy showers, and instead stalk right to the row of sinks where I furiously squeeze toothpaste onto my brush and stare blankly at the wall while I scrub my teeth.

Stupid idiot brother, I think to myself, anger still pulsing through me.

He just loves you, my contrary little wolf says, brushing her warm fur up against my soul and making me sigh in defeat, because I know she’s right.

Can’t you just let me be mad? I ask, leaning over to spit my toothpaste into the sink with a scowl. Sometimes a little anger can be very therapeutic.

Nope! She replies, suddenly standing up straight and swishing her tail. Cheer better things to concentrate on!

up

–

we’ve got

What? I ask, standing up straight, but before I can even fully consider her words, a hand grabs the fabric at the back of my uniform and begins to haul me along, away from the sinks. I drop my toothbrush in surprise.

“Come on, Shrimp,” Luca says, smirking down at me as he pulls me towards the door. “You and I are going to have a little talk.”

“What!?” I gasp, and then as the surprise fades I snarl, putting my weight back into and trying to get out of his grasp. “Let go of me! I’m not going anywhere with you!”

my heels

Go! My wolf howls, prancing around inside of me, maybe he’ll kiss you – maybe he’ll take his shirt off! But I hastily shove her away, glaring up into my mate’s face. He doesn’t let of me at all, instead grabbing the front of my uniform now and leaning closer to whisper to

1. me.

go

“You either come willingly,” he says, raising his eyebrows, “or we go have this little conversation about what you were really doing out last night in front of your over- protective cousins, who I’m starting to realize don’t know anything about your midnight. bath and would probably not be thrilled to hear of it.”

crap – if he’s figured out that

My eyes narrow at Luca even as I inwardly shriek, because Rafe and Jesse are overprotective, that means he’s been watching me.

And he’s right. After Jesse and Rafe’s little chat with mom and dad? They definitely don’t need any more information about my midnight adventure not tonight.

But Luca – he’s not letting me out of this either.

I take a moment to assess before I lift my chin at him. “Fine,” I snap, stepping back and jerking my uniform out of his hand. To my surprise, he lets me go. “But let me get my toothbrush,” I insist, pointing to where it clattered into the sink.

To my surprise, Luca laughs. “They’ll give you a new toothbrush, Shrimp

“That’s wasteful,” I murmur, sending him a nasty glare over my shoulder as I go to retrieve my kit and come back to his side.

Still smirking, he nods to me and wraps his hand again around my arm –

The moment he touches me, even with fabric between us, a tingle runs through me, spreading from his hand all up and down my arm. My eyes widen and I look up to find him frowning down at me.

He feels it too! This is so great! My wolf spins in a thrilled circle within me.

Luca stares at me for a long moment, but he doesn’t drop my arm. Instead, quite gently, he guides me from the bathroom, putting himself between me and my family so that they can’t see where I go. My heart starts to pound for a thousand reasons

Rafe’s going to kill me –

Jesse’s going to figure out Luca’s my mate

My whole body is tingling –

–

And crap – where is he taking me?

–

I’m going somewhere alone with my mate, what if he smells my scent!?

Chapter II

I’m basically panting with anxiety by the time I realize that Luca’s walking me over to his bed – my wolf lifts her nose with joy, howling a single high note to the sky as her toes tap in a skittering dance.

Chapter 12

I gulp as we approach Luca’s lower bunk because I am completely out of my element never, ever been in a boy’s bed before except, obviously, a member of my family –

—

I’ve

But Luca, to my relief, gestures me towards the head of his bed before sitting down on the other end, lounging back against the metal footboard with one leg bent at the knee, his arm wrapped casually around it. I grimace a little inwardly to see that his left boot is sole–down on his blankets. Slowly I lower myself onto the bed, perching on the edge, my eyes unblinking as I watch him.

“Make yourself comfortable, Shrimp,” he says, raising his chin and indicating that I should relax. “I’m not going to bite.”

My wolf gasps. Do you think we could get him to do that? He could give us his mark!

Mentally I smack her on the nose and she gives a little yelp, but it does nothing to defer her excitement.

Slowly I do as Luca bids, leaning back against his pillow a little and curling my bare feet beneath me. I don’t say anything though, letting him start the conversation.

He grins at me, lifting his other leg and stretching it out along the length of the mattress, effectively pinning me in on my left side. I glance down at his gigantic foot, which is just inches from me now, before raising my eyes back at him. Without intending to, I wrinkle my nose.

Luca bursts into laughter.

“Are you like, a clean freak or a germaphobe, Shrimp?” he asks, turning his foot so that he taps me with the dirty toe of his boot.

“No!” I protest, even as I flinch away from his boot – mostly because I don’t want any more tingles but, also, yes! Because it’s a dirty boot!

away.

“You totally are,” he says, grinning at me from the other end of the bed but turning his foot

“First you go

take a secret bath in the middle of the night, then the only time I can get you alone is when you’re brushing your teeth, and now you’re scared of a dirty boot?” He raises an eyebrow at me, clearly entertained.

“Did you ever consider that you’re just dirty, Luca?” I ask, leaning forward and flicking my eyes deliberately to where his shoe is pressed into his clean blankets. “Because I think that

S

wanting a hot bath and brushing my teeth just makes me normal.”

“So,” he says, leaning forward to peer at me, his smile deepening. “You know my

I sit back, fast, blushing a little to have been caught out.

name.”

“Don’t worry,” he says, laughing again as he, too, leans back. “I know yours too, Shrimp.”

“It’s not Shrimp,” I say, renewing my glare.

“I know, Ari Clark,” he says, tilting his head at me. “I just think Shrimp suits you better.”

I don’t let my inner victory show, because of course he doesn’t know my real name.

Tell him! My wolf ridiculously prompts. Maybe he’ll say it! Maybe he’ll whisper it!

I swat at her again, but she dodges my blow and continues to run in excited circles. I sigh inwardly because she’s making it hard to concentrate.

But frankly, so is he.

Because, god damn it, but he is handsome. The way he’s sitting there, with his powerful body so relaxed – and how his scent is coming off of him in waves after his shower?

God, that shower – I’m suddenly hit with the memory of him running his fingers through his wet hair-

“So,” Luca snaps and I blink, gritting my teeth as I realize that I was just staring at him, thinking about what he looks like n*ked. No wonder he thinks I’m so weird. “What were you really doing out last night?”

“I was just taking a bath,” I reply, my voice cold. “Like I said. Now are you going to let me go back to my

bunk?”

“What are the chances,” Luca says, ignoring my question, “that you and my mate would be outside at the same time? Just…coincidentally.”

100% chance, I think to myself wryly, my eyelids lowering a little at the irony of his question.

“My cousins are going to be pissed when they find out you kidnapped me,” I say, not bothering to answer, even as my body settles back against his pillow a little. Because as much as my mind knows I’ve got to get back to my bed? My body…wants to stay right here.

Being lightly interrogated by my gorgeous mate.

My wolf yips in agreement.

“What did she look like?” he asks, ignoring my comment and speaking swiftly, all pretense

gone.

“She’s really ugly,” I snap in reply, something in me wanting to piss him off.

He bursts out laughing. “No, she’s not,” he says, shaking his head. “Come on, tell me.”

“I don’t know,” I lie. “I didn’t get a good look at her.”

“Why did you say she went north, and then when I pointed south, you confirmed that that was her direction?”

“What?” I breathe, confused.

–

“I was testing you – you sent McClintock in one direction and me in another,” he says, leaning forward. “Why?”

“I don’t know –” I spit out, frustrated with myself for not catching that. I remember, suddenly, the moment he’s talking about – after Jackson ran and Luca stayed crouched by the pool. I didn’t look where he pointed, I just said yes to whatever direction he was indicating. I just wanted him to go –

“Why won’t you just tell me?” Luca asks, his tone suddenly changing as he leans forward further, studying my face. “Seriously, Shrimp – why are you holding out? Is she…is she in trouble or something? What bad thing would happen if you just told me why you were out there – ”

“I’m not lying –” I protest.

“You are lying,” he says to me, stating a simple fact that’s frustrating because it’s true. It’s bizarre – like he can already read me or something. “You know something, Shrimp, and I can’t figure out why you won’t spill.”

“If she ran from you,” I say quietly. “Maybe she doesn’t want to be found.”

“Why wouldn’t someone want to meet their mate?” Luca asks, leaning forward, staring at my face.

I go silent for a long moment, torn. Because on one hand I am the girl he’s talking about –

அ

the one who’s running from him, trying to keep our bond a secret. And on the other hand… I’m sitting here in his bed. And I could shout for Rafe, or just get up and run.

But instead I’m sitting right here, and we’re staring at each other in silence, and I know that there’s absolutely no place I’d rather be in this moment.

Except…well, except maybe a little closer to him…

Shit, I think, shaking my head a little. I am…I am in trouble here.

And Luca, even though he doesn’t know what I know, he stares right back at me and the silence between us grows warm and comfortable. He turns his head a little in curiosity as he studies me and his eyes narrow, like he can’t…can’t quite see me or something. I watch, fascinated, at how his chest rises and falls as his breathing starts to deepen –

–

Some silent impulse comes over me – I don’t know what

I don’t know what – and as he watches I slowly run my tongue over my lower lip before pressing my lips together, wetting them. And then I leave my mouth slightly parted so that my breath rushes out over my lips as I exhale a deep breath I didn’t know I was holding.

Luca’s eyes drop subtly then, fastening on my mouth

And I swear to god, a shudder passes through him, traveling all the way down his spine.

I sit up straight, suddenly realizing –

But I don’t know what the hell I realize because a new hand wraps around my arm now and yanks me out of Luca’s bed.

“What the hell are you doing here,” Rafe growls, glaring down at me as I scramble for my feet.

“He made me!” I shout, pointing at Luca. “He – he –”

I hold myself back from saying anything else – because one, Rafe doesn’t need to know, and two, he’ll probably punch Luca or something ridiculous.

So I sigh and, not knowing what else to do, snap my mouth shut.

“Hey, Sinclair,” Luca says, and I turn to see him grinning at my brother with a calm equanimity that makes me wonder if I imagined everything that just passed between us

I stare at Luca as he leans back against his footboard, lifting his arms to tuck his hands

–

casually behind his head as he smiles at my brother.

“Shrimp and I were just catching up,” Luca says, nodding his head toward me though he definitely, almost pointedly, does not look at me. “Always good for the little guy to make friends, especially with someone who can protect him.”

“Ari’s got all the help he needs,” Rafe snaps, glaring first at Luca and then at me. “Are we good here?” he snarls, asking me in not–so–veiled code whether or not Luca needs to be punched.

“We’re fine,” I say, rolling my eyes, my toothbrush kit still clasped in my fist.

“Then let’s go,” Rafe says, pulling me along with him as he strides across the room.

“Rafe,” I sigh, trying to figure out how the hell I can explain this as we get to our bunks.

–

“I don’t want to hear it,” he snaps, spinning on me and pointing his long finger in my face. “But you’re not going a single place alone ever again, Ari – not even to brush your teeth.” And with that he bends down and grabs me by the waist, his other hand reaching behind my knee, and I shriek as he basically launches me up into my bed.

I hit the mattress hard, the breath leaving me for a second as I hear Jesse burst out in laughter from his bunk.

“Rafe!” I shout in protest, starting to get pissed – I hate it when he throws me around just because he can

“Good night, Ari!” he shouts, ending the conversation before he gets even angrier.

And I open my mouth to protest just as the lights flick off, which feels like a sign. So, I heave a sigh and flop back against my pillow, staring at the dark ceiling. I jump and give a little shriek as something hits my stomach. My hands fly to whatever it is, touching cellophane…

“Eat your dinner,” Rafe grumbles.

“I already brushed my teeth

“Fine! Do whatever you want!” The bed shakes as my brother throws himself onto the bunk

below me.

My hands wrap around the sandwich though, because I realize quite suddenly that I am hungry. I was just too distracted by the events of the evening to realize it.

“Night, cousins!” Jesse laughs, his words almost lost in the clatter of the rest of the candidates turning in alongside us. “Love you!”

Neither of us reply. I just scowl, turning in my bed and quietly unwrapping my sandwich, taking a bite as I peering into the darkness towards Luca’s bed. And even though I can barely see anything at all, I swear I see his silhouette still sitting at the end of the bed, not having moved an inch.

Except for his head – which is now turned towards me.

Chapter 13

I sigh and drop my head back on my pillow as I finish my sandwich, curling up tight and pressing my eyes shut, going over every moment of my conversation with Luca in my

head.

Thinking about his handsome face, the way his eyes fell to my mouth, the ran down his spine —

The fact that I did that to him…

This is…

I sigh, feeling suddenly overwhelmed.

Because this is getting into some dangerous grounds, isn’t it?

way

the shiver

Some wonderful grounds, my wolf corrects, curling into a little crescent and tucking her nose warmly beneath the edge of her tail. Sneak back over – let’s see if we can make him go all shivery again!

No, I growl inwardly, shaking my head. Because as much as I’m completely distracted and fascinated by my new connections, I have to resist the urge to explore them right now. There’s far too much at stake –

If I let Luca or Jackson in too much, I could get caught and then I risk losing my shot at trying myself in the Academy and I’ll risk having to go home and fulfill my promise to marry Prince Edward. As much as I’m intrigued…

I have to keep my distance. Which means doing my best to avoid my mates during the two weeks of candidacy.

I can do that, right? Mates are forever – I will have time to explore my connections with them later, and right now I need to turn my mind to other things.

I can do this, I tell myself with a steady nod, my eyes still pressed shut.

No you can’t, my wolf sighs sleepily, closing her eyes.

But I just ignore her, determined, and steady my breathing, willing myself to fall asleep.

When a hand shakes my arm the next morning, I gasp awake out of a much–needed deep.

in

dreamless sleep.

“Morning, Shrimp,” Jesse says quietly, grinning down at me from his perch on the side of my bed. “Time to get up!”

“What?” I mutter, confused because it’s so quiet. Usually the mornings here are a mess of noise, all the candidates getting ready at once. I sit up and look around, realizing that everyone’s still in bed. So…

“Come on,” he whispers, hopping silently down from the side of the bed. “We’re going for a walk and a chat.”

“Oh god,” I sigh, but I pull my blankets off and hop down softly, taking note of the single finger pressed to Jesse’s lips as he glances towards the still–sleeping Rafe. I grimace, realizing that if we’re going without my brother…

There’s only one thing we’re going to be talking about.

I groan, pulling on my boots and quickly lacing them before Jesse and I sneak quietly to the bathroom for our morning ablutions and then out the door of the barracks. As we pass my bunk I smile at my brother’s sleeping form, grateful again that he’s a good sleeper.

But then again, in our big crazy family there wasn’t much choice but to be able to sleep through a great deal of noise.

Jesse pushes open the door to the barracks and slips a friendly arm around my shoulders as we walk out into the dawn light, the fresh morning air bracing as the door shuts behind us. But as we start to walk, I glance back at it.

“Why aren’t there any guards?” I ask, confused. “Like, why are we able to just walk in and out of this place?”

“Because,” Jesse says, looking around happily at the pretty morning as we start out on a dirt track that leads towards the hills. “Candidates are all here voluntarily and they’re all determined to hold themselves to the rules. Because the school is going to cut the bottom 20% anyway, there’s no reason to stop candidates who want to take themselves out of the running.”

“So we can just come and go at will?” I ask.

He looks down at me and shrugs. “Some cadets like to go for an early morning run. Which is what we’re doing.” He gives me a wink and a little squeeze around the shoulders before dropping his arm and starting to stretch. “Ready?”

My jaw drops open before I scowl at him. “You said walk!”

“I lied,” he says, grinning at me and starting off on the track at a gentle jog. “Come on! You need to keep up!”

I groan, desperately wishing I at least had some coffee before this, and then I hurry to catch up with my cousin, who I know is only doing this for my benefit anyway. I really do need to get faster.

Jesse and I jog in silence for a long while as he puts me through my paces, making me stay by his side until I’m panting for air while he, infuriatingly, barely breaks a sweat. When we get to the top of a hill he signals to me to take a break and I put my hands on my knees, catching my breath.

“Why are you so much fitter than me,” I gasp, glaring at him. “I do…ballet. I do sports!”

He grins at me and laughs a little. “You have hobbies, Ari. Dad and Uncle Dom have been prepping Rafe and I for this since we were kids.” He takes a deep breath, looking out over the gorgeous, hazy countryside with a smile. I follow his gaze as my breathing comes easier, likewise admiring the way that the hills roll and the early–morning clouds settle low over them.

“That’s such crap, you know.” I say, crossing my arms and shaking my head, aware that my angry thoughts are in contrast to such a beautiful landscape. “I hate that you and Rafe got to become bastions of athletic prowess and I got to train to be a perfect wife and Queen.” I cross my arms, bitter as I stare out at the beautiful view. “A whole lot of good it did me, in the end.”

“No one forced you into that engagement, Ari,” Jesse says gently, letting me have my bitterness while still pointing out the truth. “That was all you. Mom was pissed as hell when Aunt Ella let you move forward with it.”

“Really?” I ask, my eyes wide.

He nods and smiles at me. “Yeah, she said that she had seen your future at your moonlight baptism and that guy was not your mate – so why the hell would we let you go into a marriage that we knew

would fail? But Aunt Ella said you had to be free to make your own choices.”

I turn my head to stare at him, baffled by this. “So, you knew the whole time too? And wait – they had this conversation in front of you!?”

He laughs a little and runs his hand through his hair. “I may have been eavesdropping. Just

a little bit.”

“Jesse!” I shout, reaching out to smack him but laughing as I do. Jesse – he’s always been good at being sneaky.

“But seriously, Ari,” Jesse says after he dodges my hand, still smiling at me. “You trained your whole life to be a Queen, and it didn’t work out in that way, but the fact that your mate is here? Training for the Academy at the same time you are?” he shrugs and grins at me, a little baffled. “Honestly, I think it sounds a little bit like fate – like you’re meant to be here.”

“I know,” I whisper, nodding with him. “It feels like…grandma has a hand in it.”

He laughs, shaking his head a little at our inside joke of calling an all–powerful moon goddess “grandma.”

“But Ariel,” Jesse says, and I turn to him, a little surprised to hear him use my full name in such serious tones. I raise my eyebrows, inviting him to say what he wants to say.

Jesse sighs and puts a warm hand on my shoulder. “I get that you’re a big girl now, and that I have no right to tell you what to do, and that you’ve already got an overprotective big brother to play this role. But…” he hesitates and I step closer, wanting to hear what he has to say. “Just…maybe give this whole mate thing a little breathing room, yeah?”

“Why?” I ask, a little confused.

“Well, your mate – he hasn’t figured out who you are yet, right?“.

Slowly, I nod.

“Maybe…” Jesse says, shrugging, “let it stay that way for a while – just until you learn more about him. I mean, I’m sure he’s great, but…”

“Just say it, Jesse,” I say, frowning at him.

“Ariel,” he sighs, shaking his head at me. “In your life you’ve only really spent time with men who really respect women and admire their mates. You’ve been a little bit sheltered, which is not a bad thing, but…not all men are like that.”

“Yeah,” I say, nodding and raising my eyebrows at him. “I learned that when I heard my fiancé’s secret conversation with his dad – and thank god I did.”

“I know,” Jesse huffs, looking off into the distance with a grimace as he, too, remembers what I dodged. “But see how easy it was to miss that? It’s just…not all guys are good to

women – so many were raised to believe that women were born to serve them, or to be their second mom, or that women are inherently inferior. And a mate? He’s going to feel… so possessive over you, Ariel, from the start. I think, for you, I just want…”

“A little time,” I say, finishing his thought for him, as I so frequently do.

“Yeah,” he replies, turning to me with a little sad smile. “Time for you to figure out who this guy is and how you feel about him, before all this mate stuff gets in the mix as well. And for you to figure out if you actually want to like…date him. Let alone be mated to him.”

I laugh at this, shaking my head. Because Jesse’s right – I’ve never even had a boyfriend, let alone a mate. Let alone two mates. How on earth am I going to juggle all of this?

“I think I want to just concentrate on getting into the Academy,” I say quietly, stepping close to my cousin and resting my head on his shoulder.

“I honestly think that’s a good plan,” he murmurs, wrapping an arm around me and giving me a little squeeze. “I think you’re here for a reason, Ari – and I don’t think it’s just to meet your mate.”

“I feel that way too,” I say with a confused frown know. And I’m glad you have my back.”

—

and honestly, it’s true. “But I’m glad you

“Always, little Shrimp,” he murmurs with a happy sigh. After a long pause he speaks again. “Now. Are you going to tell me who this mate is?”

“Nope,” I say, a little smirk pulling at my own lips now. “I get to keep some mysteries to myself, don’t I?”

“Boo!” Jesse says, laughing and shoving away from me. “And now, just for that, I’m going to kick your ass double–time on this run back to the barracks so that we can make it for breakfast.”

“Nooo,” I moan, tipping my head back.

“Come on!” he whoops, starting down the hill at a full run. “Let’s raise that ranking, Shrimp! Plus, I heard there’s pancakes in the breakfast line today.”

“Damn it,” I hiss, shaking my head, and my stomach growls because damn it… I want those pancakes. And so I take a deep breath before I start to sprint after him.

Chapter 14

Unfortunately, my determination to take a little space from my mate and concentrate on raising my rank is immediately foiled when Luca comes sauntering over to our table with a tray full of food.

“Hey,” he says, grinning at Rafe and Jesse with the trademark stunning smile that flares his dimples. “I come with a peace offering.”

Rafe raises his eyebrow as Luca takes a plate off his tray, sliding it onto the table. I take a sharp breath as I focus on the pair of little raspberry pastries Luca brought us – the tray was completely empty by the time Jesse and I got through in line and it broke my heart –

But Luca? Luca got two.

“What for?” Rafe asks, smacking my hand when I immediately reach for one. I hiss, more in surprise than pain, and pull my hand back.

“I didn’t mean anything when I took Shrimp over to my bunk last night for a chat,” Luca says, his face more serious now as he gives a little shrug. “I didn’t realize it would piss you off. I was just trying to offer my support – I know he’s low on the rankings, and I’ve soft spot for the underdogs.”

got a

I narrow my eyes at Luca now, because he’s blatantly lying – but he’s also protecting my secret. Luca’s eyes flash to mine and the corner of his mouth quirks up in a grin.

“Ari is ours to protect,” Rafe says, looking Luca over from head to foot before picking up the plate and holding it out to him. Luca blinks in surprise and turns his eyes back to Rafe. I don’t think he’s used to rejection – not with that face and his fame.

“Ari,” I break in, rankling a little at the possession in Rafe’s voice, “is a full person who can make friends with whoever he wants,” I say, rolling my eyes at my brother and snatching the plate of pastries out of his hand. “This was nice, Luca – thanks. No harm done.”

Rafe grumbles a little next to me but I elbow him, trying to remind him silently that I still have to fit in here. It won’t do us any good to make an enemy of Luca Grant by offending him.

Plus, I want pastries. And for my mate to stay close at my side for a few more moments – damn but his scent is amazing, almost better than these flaky little Danishes –

–

“Want to sit?” Jesse asks, smiling at Luca and gesturing to the seat next to him. I pale a little

– because, I mean, accepting a peace offering is one thing –

But Luca, having breakfast with us? That’s starting to cross a dangerous line.

Unfortunately, before I can think of a reason to protest, Luca cheerfully takes the seat and raises his eyes to mine, smiling at me a little deviously.

Shit. This was his plan. He still has questions for me, and he knows that he has to get on Rafe and Jesse’s good side if he wants to ask them.

Clever boy.

I scowl at him and take a big bite of the pastry. Unfortunately for me it’s delicious, which makes it very hard to be mad and wary of my st*pid mate, who’s sitting across the table from me, smirking at his victory.

Jesse and Luca chat idly, introducing themselves even though they probably already know who each other are. Jesse ropes Rafe into the conversation too, though my brother only joins in begrudgingly. I concentrate on my pancakes, working very hard to ignore Luca.

It works for a while, until he ropes me into the conversation as well.

“So, what’s your plan?” Luca asks. “For getting Shrimp’s numbers up?”

My head snaps up. “Why?” I ask, my nose scrunching a little as I glare at him.

“I told you before, Shrimp,” Luca says, grinning at me. “I think you’re funny. It’s good for morale to keep the comic relief around.”

My glare deepens, because we both know that’s not the truth, but I look away, not wanting Jesse to get suspicious about the connection between us. Frankly, I’m shocked Jesse hasn’t figured it out already – Luca’s making it so obvious.

“And how do you propose to help?” Rafe asks, his voice low and derisive, clearly suggesting that it’s impossible, “on a day like this?”

“I know,” Luca says, shaking his head a little bit and crossing his arms, studying me like I’m a lost cause. “It’s a shame he came in so unprepared…”

“He was a last minute addition to the roster,” Jesse says, his voice dry.

“Unprepared for what?” I ask, sitting up straighter and looking between them. “Wait, what’s today? What am I unprepared for?”

“Today ends in another combat competition,” Rafe says, glancing over at me. “It affects the rankings. One–on–one, though, not bracket style this time.”

“How do you know this shit,” I breathe, shaking my head as I stare at him.

“Our dads made the school, Ari,” Jesse says, rolling his eyes at me. “They told us. Nepotism for the win.”

“Not like it’s a big secret,” Luca says, shrugging and finishing up a bowl of oatmeal. “There are all kinds of forums online where previous cadets spill the school’s secrets, if you know where to find them. Anyone who did any kind of prep at all to be here knows the schedule of candidate exams.”

He quirks an eyebrow at me, clearly implying that I failed to do that essential research, but duh – of course I didn’t. I was busy planning my wedding.

“Well how the hell am I gonna get through this?” I ask, looking a little frantically between my brother and my cousin.

“Don’t worry about it, Ari,” Rafe says, taking a calm drink of his coffee. “They pit lowest against the highest for this one. So, you’ll be facing me.”

“So!?” I ask, my voice squeaky with anxiety. “How does that help me? I can’t beat you’re a gorilla – you’re twice my size!”

you

GMS

“You don’t have to beat me,” Rafe snaps, turning to glare at me a little. “You just have to pretend to. I’m going to take the fall.”

“What?” I breathe, shocked.

“Whoa, man,” Luca says, his eyes wide as he stares at Rafe. “You’re going to give up the number one spot? For your cousin?”

Rafe doesn’t reply, just shrugs and turns back to his tray, finishing off his food.

“I don’t like any of my cousins that much,” Luca says, glancing up at the clock. “Shit, we’ve got to go –

“Rafe,” I say, putting my hand on his shoulder. “You can’t do that – we have to figure something else out —“

“It’s done, Ari,” he says, glancing at the clock as well and starting to stand up. “It’s not like it will knock me off the board – it will just drop me down a few spots and bring you up about

half way. It’s worth it.”

“Rafe!” I protest, standing up with him and gathering my tray.

“No time to debate,” Jesse says, tugging me along with him and away from Rafe. “You have to let him do this, Ari. It’s the only way.”

I sigh, not fighting him on it as the four of us bus our trays and head for the door just as a bell sounds, signaling the end of breakfast and the start of training. But inwardly, my mind whirs – because there has to be something that I can do that doesn’t put Rafe’s spot at the Academy at risk just to save mine.

Unfortunately, as the day passes, I don’t come up with anything. We all troop into the gym together and are run through the horrible obstacle course twice as some kind of warm–up. The entire time I run it, I push my mind to come up with something – anything –

I mean, can I fake sick and make Rafe go up against someone else? But I don’t know what the the results of that would be – would they just kick me out immediately? Or…is there any way I could subtly swap spots with another candidate so I’m fighting someone easier?

But what would that do? And who the hell would agree to that, even if it were allowed?

I’m panting and defeated in two ways at the end of the second run of the obstacle course, which just… really feels like a kick in the face. My time improves, but I’m still dead last. When we’re finished the run, we’re lined up in our ranking order and lead into a sparring gym next door, which has mats already laid out ready for our bouts. We’re spread out at even distances and each handed a long wooden staff before we’re taught a series of moves that it takes hours to perfect.

By the end of it, I have no idea what’s going on, and I’m anxious as well as exhausted.

“You may have noticed,” the Captain booms out when we’re all standing quietly, “that the wooden staff is not a particularly high–tech or effective weapon in today’s battle climate. That’s why we chose it for this test. Our understanding is that very few people are proficient in staff work anymore. Today’s examination tests not only your physical prowess, but your ability to learn an unfamiliar fighting technique quickly. Though your sparring partner will for many of you be a mismatch, the unfamiliarity of the weapons evens the playing field.”

Bullshit, I think, glancing at the front of the room where Rafe stands with his staff like an extension of his damn arm. No matter how unfamiliar the weapon, he’s still going to take me out with it.

Unless he really intends to go forward with his idiot plan to throw the bout in my favor?

I shake my head, realizing that the only acceptable plan is for me to throw it first. I nod to myself, decided. That’s the plan.

“The bouts will be paired with highest taking on the lowest – though some small variations. have been made in order to ensure fair play.”

My eyebrows raise at this announcement.

Wait wait what?

–

What does that mean?

“When your number is called, pair up in your designated circle,” the Captain continues, sounding a little bored as panic flares in my chest. “In Circle 1 we have #1 against #119,” the captain says, pointing towards it.

Rafe spins to look back at me, his eyes wide. My eyes snap to the candidate next to me, a small guy named Ben Ternicki, whose dark hair that falls into his face. He exhales a long breath, pushing his hair back under his cap as he looks over at me and shrugs.

“In Circle 2,” the Captain snaps, “#2 will face #120.”

The breath leaves me in a rush as I figure out, immediately, what they’re up to.

–

They know Rafe is related to me my cousin, we reported it on the intake form. So they rearranged the pairings so that he can’t face me in the bout.

Which means…

My eyes fall immediately on my opponent as he moves towards our circle, taller than the staff that’s in his hand.

Jackson McClintock.

My bout is against Jackson, my second mate.

“Good luck with that,” Ben murmurs to me as he looks between Jackson and Rafe. “Honestly, we’re both f**ked either way, but at least Sinclair probably won’t beat me to a pulp in the process,” he says, giving me a shrug as the Captain continues to call out names and the candidates start to move around the room.

“Oh god,” I moan, leaning into Ben’s hand a little as he pats my shoulder consolingly. “I’m

so screwed.”

“Come on,” he says, heaving a little sigh. “Let’s go get the shit kicked out of ourselves.”

Chapter 15

“Ari,” Rafe hisses, trying to get my attention in the sparring circle next to me.

But I can’t take my eyes off of Jackson, who stares at the floor in front of us, rolling his shoulders back. God why is he even stretching – it’s not like he’s going to have to expend any energy at all to push me out of this circle – he could probably just growl at me and I’ll run screaming out of it myself –

“Ari!” Rafe hisses, and I snap my attention to him. “You can’t forfeit,” he whispers hastily, searching my face to ensure I understand. “If you do, you’ll be disqualified. Just try not to fall, all right? Just engage once, stay on your feet, and let him push you out –”

“Begin!” the Captain shouts at the front of the room.

–

Rafe hesitates, glancing between me and Ben, who steps into the ring, his staff clutched in his hands.

I nod hastily to Rafe, letting him know that I understand.

Then I look at Jackson – or, more correctly, up at Jackson, whose eyes are on me now. God, he just seems to keep going up, like a mountain – did he get like, taller? Since the last time I saw him?

Did I shrink?

“Come on,” Jackson grumbles, his voice flat as he nods towards the center of the circle, telling me to get inside. “Let’s get this over with.”

I stare at him, my legs locking in fear – or in something –

–

Because, as much as I need to concentrate on surviving this getting out of this ring as fast as I can – I just can’t stop wondering…

– on doing what Rafe

says and

…what the hell my grandmother the Goddess was thinking when she picked this guy as my

mate.

My eyes sweep over him again, and while he is obviously an impressive physical specimen, he’s just so brutal. There’s absolutely nothing about Jackson McClintock that looks capable of being soft, or kind, or making me laugh. Everything about him looks built for violence and cruelty- there is nothing there that’s sweet.

When I think about fated mates, I think about mom and dad, or Aunt Cora and Uncle Roger, whose personalities seem to have been made for each other. Mom’s soft side evens out dad’s harsh edges, but still deep down, they’re both fierce, dedicated, and loving. They even have the same weird sense of humor.

This guy? He’s…he’s supposed to match me?

I just stare at him, shaking my head in disbelief when he snaps his eyes up to mine.

“Would you get in here!?” he snarls, the blue of his eyes flashing in demand, his words harsh enough to make me almost literally jump. My palms are sweaty as I take a single step forward, gripping the staff.

His eyes sweep over me, his lip rising a little in distaste. “Are you even going to raise that?” he asks, nodding towards my staff. “Or should I just come…push you over?”

And something in the way he says that, the complete derision in his eyes…

Well. It kindles something in me.

My wolf growls in my chest, as pissed as I am. This guy might be twice my size and

undoubtedly going to win the easiest bout of his life, but he doesn’t have to be a jerk about

1. it.

Don’t let him talk to us like that, my wolf snaps. Even if he’s our mate, we’re in charge.

I nudge her sometimes.

away, because while her sentiments are right, she says ridiculous things

“Fine,” I say, raising my chin and tightening my hands on the staff, falling into the stance they just spent hours teaching us. “Let’s do this.”

“Your funeral,” Jackson murmurs, his words barely audible over the sounds of sticks banging against each other and bodies hitting mats all over the room. Then he falls into his own stance, and our bout begins.

Get out fast, I say to myself, remembering Rafe’s words. Don’t let him get me to the mat.

Jackson and I start slowly for a moment, circling each other, looking for openings, but he strikes quick as a cobra, taking advantage of his larger size and charging for me with a wide swing of his staff. Panicked, I leap to the side with a little yelp, ducking to avoid the of wood that probably would have cracked my skull if it had landed.

sweep

Some instinct in me kicks in, either from the quick lesson we just received or my years of casual sparring with Rafe and Jesse, and I move in closer, knowing that he has $ chance of hurting me if he can’t use his whole range. Quickly, I use the butt of my staff to jab at the outside of his knee, connecting solidly.

Jackson gives a little gasp of pain and his leg buckles slightly, but my victory is short–won, because before I can comprehend what’s happening he gives a bellow, spins his staff in his hands and sweeps it behind me, hitting me hard behind my knees and taking me down.

The air rushes from my lungs as my back smacks against the mat. As I gasp for air all I can think is shit – shit Rafe told me not to fall

I roll onto my stomach, hoping that I can get to the edge of the circle, that if I get close Jackson can push me out and end the bout-

But suddenly he’s on top of me, holding his staff in either hand and looping it over my head so that it presses against my neck. When he pulls back, I’m lifted onto my knees, my back pressed to his chest, the staff choking me so that I can’t get any air

–

Something electric passes between us as our bodies touch but I can’t concentrate on that as I gasp, desperately pressing my hands against the staff, trying to get it away from me, but he’s so much stronger than I am –

“Yield!” Jackson demands, shouting the word above me. I nod frantically, trying to yield, but he doesn’t let me go.

“Ari!” I hear someone shout – Rafe but I can’t see.

“Do not interfere!” someone snaps.

–

“I told you,” Jackson continues, lowering his head so that his mouth is close to my ear now, “to yield –”

I drop my shaking hands, trying to do whatever I can to communicate that I’m giving up – that he’s won

–

When suddenly he goes rigid behind me, and then slack, and the staff falls away from my neck.

Immediately, I collapse onto the floor, coughing and gasping for air. My eyes are shut as my face presses to the mat. I press my palms flat, letting air flood my lungs –

But something grabs my shoulder, spinning me – my back hits the floor hard and terror

runs through me as my eyes fly open to see Jackson crouched above me, his eyes flaring. I gasp as I realize that he’s losing control – that he’s going to shift into his wolf in moments if he doesn’t contain himself

Because if he does that, I’m a goner – he’ll shred me to pieces –

“No!” I shout, my hands going up, pressing to his chest, desperate to – I don’t know him off of me? Or to remind him that he’s a man and that he can’t kill me

–

to get

As soon as my hands touch him a pulse pounds between us in the air, like a shock wave or a…….god, I don’t know how to describe it. Jackson’s eyes go wide as my mouth falls open, as my hands begin to heat where they touch him.

Jackson’s eyes fly to his chest and he whips one hand upwards, seizing both of my wrists and yanking them backwards, pinning them up above my head as he looms over me, snarling, pinning me to the floor with the weight of his body.

I

gasp in fear, turning my head away and pressing my eyes shut.

“Ari!” I hear Rafe’s shout again, and then the noise of pounding feet.

“What,” Jackson snarls, and I can feel him movinging closer to me, hear him taking a deep sniff of my scent. “What the f**k are you!?”

I sob a little gasp of fear, shaking my head, having no idea how to answer that or if I’m about to die –

When suddenly…

There’s nothing holding my wrists anymore. And the weight lifts off my body. And then the shadow retreats, and light presses against my closed eyes.

I stay perfectly still for a moment before I peek through my lashes to see…

Nothing. No gigantic wolf bent on my destruction.

Nothing.

I look around for him, frantic – what is he planning, some kind of second attack!? But he’s not there. I sit up, confused, looking for him, terrified for what’s coming next…

And suddenly I spy him across the room, stalking towards the door.

My face goes slack because I…I don’t understand it…

“The bout in Circle 2 goes to 120,” a dry voice says next to me, and I spin my head to see a Lieutenant marking his clipboard before walking away. And suddenly Rafe is kneeling at my side, his hands on my cheeks, his eyes moving over me frantically.

“Are you all right?” Rafe gasps, his eyes moving over me frantically, looking for wounds and broken bones. “Did he –”

“How did…” I start, shaking my head to clear it, “how did I win!?”

“Because,” Rafe growls, falling back on his ass and shaking his head at me when he realizes I’m okay. “You’re still in the ring. He’s not.”

My eyes go wide as I look around me and realize that Rafe’s…Rafe’s right.

I’m still within the circle. And Jackson is…gone.

“Welcome to the top 80% of candidates, Ari,” Rafe says, shaking his head at me, as baffled as I am. “I don’t know what kind of mystical intervention just happened, but it may have just saved your ass.

I groan and flop back on the mat, wishing to hell I had some idea what on earth is going on.