Ch. 26..30: The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy Chapter 26-30

Chapter 26

Luca lets out a dark laugh and shoves his hands into his pockets. “Seriously?” he says, his voice a little exhausted. “You’re here?”

I grimace a little, taking a step back behind the tree. “Is that…bad? I can…go.”

“No.” he says, tilting his head and inviting me closer. “I guess…I mean, I’m not surprised. Who the hell else would I be dreaming about.”

I bite my lip a little, smiling and moving closer to him, stopping about five feet away. “What do you mean?” I ask, tilting my head, my eyes drifting over him and noticing that he’s dressed in cotton sweatpants and a black sweatshirt probably the sort of things he wears when he’s relaxed at home.

Clothes that make him look just…ridiculously good. Like the boxer he is, about to go train for the day.

“Well, it’s obvious, isn’t it?” he says, sighing and running a hand through his hair. “You’ve been on my mind all f**king day, Shrimp. Obviously my subconscious is trying to figure this out.”

Figure what out?” I ask, my smile deepening as I stare at him, my eyes roving over him a little more freely now. Damn, he’s so deliciously tall, and the way his shoulders fill out that sweatshirt….

“Whatever the f**k this is,” he says, his voice frustrated as he gestures between us with his hands, a little smile lighting his face.

“What?” I ask, my own smile falling a little bit. Because I mean obviously I know exactly what he’s talking about, but to hear him address it so blandly

But, I mean, Luca thinks that this is a dream.

“Seriously, Shrimp,” he says, shaking his head and stepping even closer to me now, so that there’s only maybe six inches between us. “What the hell is going on – I mean, I know that s*xuality is a spectrum, but I’ve only ever been into girls – I have never, ever been into a guy like this before –”

wide to hear Luca admit his attraction. My mouth pops open just a little bit.

–

My eyes go

“What,” he says, laughing and Oh my god lifting his hands to cup my cheeks in his palms, staring down at me. “Seriously? I know you feel it too- or, wait, because you’re an illusion my subconscious created…” he frowns down at me, “are you trying to talk me out of this or something?”

Luca cocks his head to the side, trying to figure it out as I gape at him, my mouth going dry as my mind whirs, trying to figure out what to say.

But I can’t think of anything.

Instead, my body moves beyond me, my hands lifting – shaking a little – and landing on top of his as his thumbs gently stroke my cheeks. I stare up at him, just…completely without words, without thoughts as the tingles that show up whenever we touch flare again.

Except this time, they’re not just under my skin they circle in the air all around us – little silver sparks, swirling around in the wind-

“See?” Luca murmurs, shaking his head. “I knew I couldn’t deny it. What the f**k is this?”

Luca looks at me, and then all around, and then back at me, his clear brown eyes filing my entire vision as my stomach turns over. My breath quickens, my heart pounding, because all I want

My eyes drift to his perfect mouth..my whole body flooded with sparks and butterflies as I unconsciously move closer to him, our bodies brushing against each other now as I tilt my head.

back in his hands.

Luca leans closer, bending his face over mine, and just the tiniest little moan stumbles from my mouth, because I – I like this I like the way my breath is coming short, the way my stomach feels just barely pressed against his

I like the way I can feel his breath against my lips

And god. I want more.

My eyes drift half shut and my wolf, somewhere in the distance, gives a heady howl of joy –

But then I gasp. her howl shaking me out of this, because…

Because this isn’t right

I take a stumbling step away. Luca he doesn’t even know that this is real that we are both actually, somehow, here! Conscious! That it’s not just him alone with his subconscious

“Wait,” I say, my voice shaking as I drop my hands, as I take a step back. “Luca, wait –”

“Don’t,” he murmurs, stepping forward and closing the distance between us, not taking his hands from my face, “Stop, Ari, I need to figure this out. Let me try this ”

And that does it.

He said my name.

Ari. Not Shrimp.

Ari.

“No!” I gasp, tearing my face from his hands and stunibling further away. God, I want this – it feels like my whole soul groans in regret as I give this up I want him to kiss me more than I think I’ve ever wanted anything –

But I want him to know he’s doing it. I want him to kiss me, not what he thinks is some figment of his imagination. It’s not right, and it’s not fair – not to either of us.

He looks at me in shock and surprise, hurt all over his face.

1239 Sun, 10 MAY

“What

what the hell is going on?”

“I’m sorry,” I say, shaking my head and backing into the trees, “I should not have done this- I’m so sorry Luca-

“Ari!” he shouts, starting after me, his steps frustrated, a little angry.

But I press my eyes shut, and beg the dream to end, and my wolf- understanding now, I think lets me go.

And suddenly my eyes fly open. I’m in my bed, my heart pounding, my breath coming fast.

I stare at the ceiling, panting for a moment, and then my head twists, my eyes going immediately

to Luca’s bunk..

The barracks are dark, quiet, no other groups coming in this late at night. As I watch, Luca sits up in his bed, slowly rubbing his head, the low lights of the room highlighting his n*ked stomach and chest.

My heart aches as he slowly turns, looking over at my bunk. But I don’t move, holding my hoping to hell that he can’t see me awake, staring back at him. Because this..

breath.

This is maybe all moving too fast, getting too real. As much as my attraction to my mate is undeniable – maybe inevitable…

He still can’t know. Not yet – and I don’t know what the right time would be but…it’s not now, now when we’re candidates, not while we could still be cut.

I clench

my

teeth and press my eyes shut, cursing myself for the fool I am, for letting it go too far. “Come on, Ariel,” I murmur to myself, “get yourself together.” And, despite myself, I spend the next hour or two wishing my big brother were here to keep me in line.

I don’t know when I fell asleep after that, though it must have been late because I was up for hours trying to avoid slipping back into the dream state.

I do know when the hell I wake up though, because Jesse launches himself onto my bed shouting “Shrimp!” at the top of his lungs and punching me twice on the shoulder before wrapping me in a big hug. “You survived!”

I shriek at the start of his assault, but I start to rain blows on him when I figure out it’s just my cousin saying hello and not some kind of vicious midnight attack. “Get the hell off of me asshole –”

you

Jesse just laughs at me, because he knows he’s not doing me any harm. He sits back, grinning at me.

back?” “You smell like campfire. No time for a shower? When did you get

“We got back in the middle of the night,” I murmur, looking around with a little bit of surprise to

see that the barracks are three quarters full.

“Didn’t sleep out?” he asks, interested and a little concerned.

“Nope!” I say, looking around for Rafe.

“He’s in the bathroom.” Jesse explains, looking over his shoulder. “Apparently they had to tramp through swampland to get back he’s gross.”

“Oh,” I say, interested. “Hey, how’d yours go?”

“Good!” he replies. “I’m glad we spent all those nights freezing with our dads in the wilderness, though. Made things easy. What about yours?”

“We did great.” Luca’s voice says from our side, and Jesse and I both start and turn to see Luca standing beside my bed. “We were first back.”

“Hey!” Jesse says, his face breaking into a broad grin as he leans forward to smack Luca’s raised hand in a high–five. “Glad you made it.”

“Shrimp did all the hard work,” Luca says, climbing up on the side of my bed like he did last night and smiling at Jesse. I note with anxiety that he studiously avoids looking me in the eye. “The fire and the boiling water thing.”

“He’s a shrimp of many talents,” Jesse says, turning to consider me with a mock seriousness.

“Get off of me, you big cow,” I growl, smacking at Jesse, who laughs and jumps down from the bed. Luca makes way, standing with Jesse on the floor as I climb down too. “I want a shower too, if Rafe’s getting one,” I say, looking at Jesse significantly, meaning he should take me.

“Same,” Jesse says, agreeing amiably and reaching into his bunk for his toothbrush kit. “Luca, you’re already cleaned up?”

“Yup,” he says, yawning and stretching his arms high over his head.

“Why are you so tired,” Jesse laughs, smacking Luca on his exposed stomach and making my mate laugh. “Didn’t you two get like twelve hours of sleep?”

“At least eight full,” Luca murmurs, still not looking at me and rubbing the back of his neck, contemplative. “But I had some… weird dreams.”

My cheeks instantly flush and I momentarily go still in the process of collecting a clean uniform from the compartment under the bunk.

“Really,” Jesse asks, his hands on his hips as he peers at Luca curiously. “I never remember my dreams. What was this one about?”

“Um,” Luca says, and as I stand up and turn – desperately curious – my eyes go wide to see that he’s blushing. “Nothing much. Just…weird.”

And still awkwardly rubbing his neck and blushing furiously, Luca’s eyes quickly dart to me. Frowning Jesse notes Luca’s strange disposition and follows his eyes to me – taking in my horrible blush as well. My eyes dart down to my feet and I stay totally still.

But Jesse’s gasp is clear.

He’s put the pieces together. He’s finally, finally figured it out

“Shower time” I say, a little shrill, pushing past Luca and hurrying towards the bathroom, desperate to avoid this awkward conversation with my cousin.

Behind me. I hear Jesse’s hurried goodbye to Luca and then his footsteps pounding after me.

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.

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

“Ari,” Jesse growls, standing right outside the stall as I step out, his arms crossed over the chest of his clean uniform, glaring at me beneath his freshly–washed hair. “You need to tell me. Now.”

“Fine.” I sigh, looking up at him and giving him my best baby–cousin look. “Just can you scent mark me first? 1 don’t want to.

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

“Can’t talk now, bye!” I shout, and then I bolt–dropping my towel and running as fast as I can for the bunk room and the safety of Rafe’s side.

“Ari!” Jesse shouts after me, pissed now- but the element of surprise did its job, as well as his week of training me to run faster, and by the time he reaches me? I’m already throwing myself into Rafe’s bunk alongside him.

“What the hell is going on?” Rafe asks, jumping a little as I dart behind him.

“Nothing!” I say, laughing and panting a little. “Just a race! I win!”

“Ari!” Jesse shouts again, skidding to a stop between our bunks and glaring at me, his eyes flicking to Rafe. And I look over Rafe’s shoulder at my cousin, my eyes pleading – because he did promise he’d keep my secrets, and even if I am desperately avoiding this conversation, I do trust that he’s not going to break that promise.

Not right now, at least.

“You’re such a little rat,” Jesse growls, reaching behind Rafe to smack at me.

Rafe bursts into laughter 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, protecting me beneath his well–muscled arm.

“Enough,” Rafe sighs, though he smiles at both of us. “We’re supposed to stick together

“I’m not sticking with that rat cousin,” Jesse grumbles, giving me a little kick as he settles against Rafe’s pillow.

“Rat or not, you’re stuck with me,” I say, peeking out from behind Rafe and grinning at him, trying to make peace.

Jesse shakes his head at me a little, but he smiles, and I know we’re all right.

on

We spend the next hour or two comfortably in Rafe’s bed, telling about our days 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 almost came up the time limit, but then he suddenly remembered that dandelions are edible and found a few sad little plants growing by their edge of their camp.

We grin, congratulating him 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 this is going to do to his ranking, which was already on the

cusp of failure.

But the doors to the dining hall open, and we stand up, all hungry and ready for dinner–and the rankings that are going to come along with it.

Spirits are high in the dining hall that evening at least, amongst the 80% of candidates who are relatively sure that they’re going to be admitted as candidates. Ben does his best, keeping his head high and laughing along with Jesse’s jokes as we move along the food line, filing our tray with a selection of food that makes my mouth water-

Seriously, this is the best yet- tonight must be some kind of celebration because there is tender steak, and gravy, and baked potatoes, and flounder so flaky and buttery it falls apart when you lift it onto the plate-

My stomach absolutely rumbles 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 through me.

When I whip my head up to look at Luca, his eyes are already on me. “Hungry tonight?” he asks, flicking a humor–filled gaze towards my heaping plate.

I can’t help my smile. “Starving.”

–

We stare at each other for a long moment – before

which 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 raised eyebrow.

Luca blushes beet red and looks down at his food, digging in, while I purse my lips and give Jesse what I hope is a very subtle, very fervent shake of my head.

Jesse just narrows his eyes at me before rolling them and turning back to the group, seamlessly. slipping into the conversation. Luca and I do the same after a moment, and honestly the dinner is a good time. We all have full bellies and high spirits by the time the Captain stands at the front of the

room.

“All right,” he says, clapping his 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. This is your last opportunity to know your spot before you go through the obstacle course one last

time.”

My stomach sinks as he reminds me of what’s coming tomorrow – the obstacle course which I still can’t get through, not completely. That stupid chain climb…

“I sugge

you get a good night’s sleep,” the Captain continues, a little bored. “You’ll have a chance to clean up tomorrow before final rankings, which will be announced in person, in order, and those who make the cut will be invited immediately into the Academy. Those who don’t will be sent

home.”

He nods once and walks away from the head table as our rankings flash onto the screen above him.

Every set of candidate eyes moves immediately to it, searching for their name and the names of their friends.

I scan down the middle of the list, knowing that I in there somewhere, and I exhale when I see that I’m ranked at 70–a respectable spot. My eyes move next to the top of the list, ensuring that my loved ones are still up there- and 1 smile when I see Rafe and Jesse in the top ten, though Luca- to my surprise has fallen to 11.

My heart stops, a little, when I see Jackson ranked above him at 8 because –

God, Jackson – 1 forgot all about him today. I mean, I had Luca to distract me but…

Am I happy that my other mate is going to be in the Academy? Or…

But I’m distracted by the thought when I see my brother and my cousin turning to Ben, patting him warmly on the back. “You’re gonna have to bolt thought that obstacle course tomorrow,” Rafe

murmurs.

I turn back to the screen, a little ashamed of myself for not looking for my friend first – but there he is, at 101.

“Maybe I can climb on your back, Rafe,” Ben murmurs, working hard to keep humor in his voice. “You can carry me through like a little monkey on your shoulder. Might be my only chance anymore.”

“You’re not slow, man,” Luca says to Ben, his voice kind. “I think you just get in your head. You just

– no hesitation.” need to go full wolf tomorrow, tear it to pieces.

Ben puts on a brave smile and nods to us before half–heartedly tucking into his food again.

“You do too,” Luca murmurs to me, giving me a nudge. And my stomach drops a little as I look up at him, because he’s right.

70- it’s not a bad spot, but it’s not in the clear, and the obstacle course tomorrow is heavily weighted in the final ranking. And considering that I consistently come in last?

I am absolutely in no way safe.

I nod and swallow against the lump that forms in my throat, looking down at my food.

“You’re going to do it, Ari,” my brother says, and I look up to see his steady gaze on me. He holds my eyes with his green ones, nodding to me once. “You didn’t come all this way to fail now. Don’t even let it into your head. Yes?”

I nod to him, forcing myself to smile, and then I square my shoulders and exhale a deep breath.

Because Rafe’s right.

Even if tomorrow is the trail of my life? There’s absolutely no way I’m letting this beat me.

Chapter 28

Our group sticks together as we head into the barracks for our final night, which pleases me because even though Jesse sticks close to my side clearly wanting a word with me there’s not opportunity for it with everyone around.

The five of us hang out for another hour or so around the Sinclair bunks, which pleases me, because honestly I think I’m starting to get an idea of what it would be like to all be together in the Academy. It feels like it would be really fun, honestly a lot of friendship alongside the incredible amount of work that we’re expected to perform. As I lean back against Rafe’s pillow, smiling around at my family and my friends, I think that…well, it kind of sounds great.

My mind wanders, dreaming a bit about what it will be like inside. Will there be like, gathering spaces for us to hang out like this? Or will our rooms be like little stone cells… I mean, it is an ancient castle retrofitted into a school. Where the hell do they put

at everyone?

Are fresh candidates relegated to the dungeons?

The lights flash once, letting us know that it’s very near time for lights–out, and Rafe curses as he sits up on the other side of the bed. “I need to brush my teeth,” he murmurs and we all agree, getting to our feet and gathering our wash–up supplies for one last trip to the bathroom before sleep.

Apparently, every other candidate in the barrack was likewise distracted, because it’s kind of a mad rush in there. Rafe, standing stoically by my side, finishes brushing his teeth first and glances anxiously at the urinals.

“Just go,” I mumble, waving him off with my mouth still full of toothbrush and toothpaste. “I’ll be ten feet away

“Fine.” he growls, glancing at me. “Stay right here, Ari,” and then he dashes off.

I sigh and continue brushing my teeth, my eyebrows going up when my gaze catches on Alan Wright, of all people, standing in the middle of the room, glaring at me. When our eyes meet, he frowns and draws a finger across his throat, a clear threat.

My face crinkles in distaste as I turn away from him, wondering what the hell his problem is. I mean, he’s still top ten with my brother and cousin –

But then my mind flashes back to the ranking list, and I remember seeing Perry Gibson and Graham Wright listed below me

Shit.

I bend over, spitting my toothpaste out, trying to move past the not–so–veiled threat at Alan Wright is making against me

Honestly, I’m just not used to people not liking me – as a Princess it was kind of my job to be well- liked, and whether or not people faked it they were generally pretty nice to me –

Mar

I sigh as I straighten up, feeling Rafe’s large form coming back to my side.

“Rafe.” I sigh. “I’ve got to tell you about Alan Wright –”

But as I turn, and his pine–and–ember scent hits me, and I tilt my head back to look up up and

up….

I realize that…it is not Rafe standing next to me.

forms

and

My eyes go wide and my mouth forms into a little o as I stare up into the gloomy face of my other

mate.

“Alan Wright’s been messing with you?” Jackson asks, his voice rumbling in his chest.

“Um, are you one to talk?” I hear myself spit out at him, and then I gasp a little, shocked that I would say that say anything to make him mad-

–

I step back, looking anxiously towards the door, when suddenly his hand wraps around my upper

arm.

It happens again, as it always does – the pulse that moves through the air- and my head spins back, staring up at him, wary –

“No.” he says, frowning at me, stepping closer as I pull back, “don’t –”

“Don’t what?” I breathe, my voice starting to shake a little as I tug against his hand. I mean, Alan Wright draws a finger across his neck, but Jackson tried to choke me yesterday –

–

“Don’t be scared –“Jackson says, his words faltering as he looks at me anxiously, almost like he’s fumbling for words.

I hesitate, but then tug again at my arm still in his hand. “Then let go of me,” I say, a little bit between my teeth.

He does, instantly. “Please don’t run,” he murmurs.

And I shock myself by…complying. Instead of bolting, I peer up at him, confused as hell but curious. “What the hell is going on, Jackson?” I hiss. “Yesterday you try to kill me and now you’re asking me not to run?”

“I wasn’t trying to kill you,” he says, frowning down at me like I’m a little stupid. “If I was trying to kill you, Clark, you’d be dead –”

“Great!” I say, my voice heavy with sarcasm as I look up at him with wide eyes. “Well, in an attempt

my bunk-” to avoid your next attempt, I’m going to go hide in

I start to move away but he takes a step forward. “God damn it,” he growls, angry but putting a hand out towards me, almost pleading – “would you just stay still? I’m trying to – to apologize…”

My eyes go even wider if that’s possible – god, they must be like saucers now –

“You’re what?” I breathe, fascinated.

“I’m trying to say I’m sorry!” he says, all in an angry rush. “And I’m not good at this – and you’re not making it easy-

“Oh, my bad for not making it easy, Jackson,” I growl at him, still thinking of the bruises that still blush purple on my neck.

Jackson loses a long, angry breath and shakes his head at me. “I am sorry,” he says through clenched. teeth, pushing forward even though…well, yeah, I am not being exactly receptive to this, am I?

“…I’m not really used to this,” he continues, frustrated, “and I’m not good at talking to people, and… and I was confused about a lot of stuff and I still have questions!”

My expression softens as I look up at Jackson, watching his confused face, the way he looks down at the floor instead of at me, like he’s a little kid stumbling through his first formal apology after getting in trouble.

–

“But,” he continues, flicking his grey–blue eyes back to me now, “I am…sorry. For hurting you and scaring you. I shouldn’t have done that I lost my temper, and I’m…” he sighs deeply, and shrugs helplessly, shaking his head like he doesn’t know what to say. “And I’m not going to do that anymore. Okay? So, you don’t need to be…afraid of me.”

Finished, he hangs his head, looking down at his shoes, clearly ashamed.

My anger drops away from me in a flash and, in its wake, my heart breaks.

Suddenly my mind turns back to all the times I’ve watched him, consciously or unconsciously, and my wolf whines inside me with pity. Because Jackson – he is always alone. He eats every single meal alone, and he doesn’t talk to anyone before lights out. He always just sits in his bed, silent, by himself.

And while I always thought that was a choice…

Well, what if it wasn’t? What if Jackson doesn’t have any friends…because he doesn’t know how?

“You’re forgiven,” I say, the words falling from my lips instantly, easily, and his head snaps up, his face the picture of surprise. I nod, reassuring him. “It’s okay. I forgive you. Um, we can just…move

on.”

“Okay,” he says, fighting a smile. “Thanks. Good.” He starts to move away, but I shock myself by reaching out and grabbing his sleeve.

Jackson stops, turning to me with equal surprise.

“Hey, why don’t you eat breakfast with us in the morning?” I say, my words rushed.

“Really?” he asks, his eyebrows going up. He turns his head a little then, hesitant. “I’m not sure that your… friends are going to be happy with that.”

12:40 Sun, Tu Mar

“Leave them to me,” I sigh, dropping his sleeve and crossing my arms with a shrug. “Just…come. If you feel like it. It’s not a big deal.”

He stands for a moment, staring at me, and then he nods once and turns, walking slowly out of the bathroom.

I turn then, looking for my brother, and I breathe a sigh of relief when I see him busy, distracted by a group of candidates who are talking to him over by the urinals. Because…well, Jackson’s right Rafe is not going to be happy about my impulsive invitation if Jackson shows up tomorrow. And I did break my promise to Rafe not to talk to him again.

But…well, he is my mate.

And he’s really hot, my wolf whispers unhelpfully, brushing up warmly against my heart and wiggling with excitement. He’s hot in like…a mean way – but did you see how cute he was when he apologized!? Go after him- maybe he’ll do it again –

I groan audibly, closing my eyes against her impractical – but admittedly tempting – impulses. But suddenly I’m broken out of my reverie by my brother’s voice at my side.

“You good?” he asks, his warm hand coming to rest heavy on my shoulder..

“Yup,” I say, my eyes flashing open as I grin up at him.

“Good,” he says, slinging his arm around my shoulder and leading me out of the bathroom and towards our bunks. “Because we all need a good night’s sleep. You’ve got to bust your ass

tomorrow.”

“Aye aye, Captain,” I sigh, walking with him and then climbing into my bunk just as the lights flick off, truly intent on getting a full night’s sleep.

But Jesse?

Jesse has other ideas.

 

Chapter 29

“Wake up!”

My eyes fly open as a hand slaps across my mouth, accompanying the whispered words. I gasp in a quick breath of air through my nose, but as soon as I realize that it’s Jesse –

“Asshole,” I breathe, though the word is muffled against his palm. I start to swat at him, wanting to

back to sleep.

go

“No way,” he whispers, grinning at me over the edge of my bed. “You’re coming with me – we are having this long–delayed chat.”

And before I can even protest, Jesse grabs me by the collar and starts to drag me from my bunk. I give a little gasp of surprise but then nk my uniform from his hands, turning and find my c way down before Jesse hauls me bodily to the ground. Because while Rafe will probably sleep through a couple of whispers, he is not going to sleep through my sound of my body hitting the floor.

And Rafe – he cannot know what Jesse knows. Not after yesterday’s surprise.

So I glare at my cousin as my feet hit the floor, scowling as I snatch my boots out of his waiting hand. He’s still grinning at me as he nods his head to the right and I nod, following him away from the bunks and towards the front of the barracks.

I glance over my shoulder at the bulk that is Rafe, sleeping soundly in the bottom bunk of our bed, and when we get far enough away that we probably won’t be heard I give Jesse a hearty shove on the shoulder.

“What the hell were you thinking,” I growl, stopping by the door to tug my

boots on.

“I was thinking,” Jesse says, pushing the door open and gallantly bowing me through into the night. air, “that we need a little cousin time, just to ourselves, to discuss a certain little secret

“Okay fine,” I hiss, pushing the barracks door hastily shut as soon as Jesse skirts out of the way, looking around to make sure that we actually are alone. Because, I mean, these doors are unguarded, and other candidates could be anywhere.

And this conversation? I desperately want it to be private.

“Come on.” Jesse says, still gleeful, and he heads for the path that we usually take in the morning when we go for our run, leading me to the top of a sparse hill where we can see for about fifty feet in every direction.

Up here on the top of the hill? We definitely, completely know that we’re alone.

“Jesse, I sigh, trying to figure out how I want to navigate this –

But he just shoves me, hard, on the shoulder. “Is Luca Grant seriously your mate!?” he demands.

glaring at me.

I heave a deep sigh, closing my eyes, realizing that Jesse is not going to give me any control of this conversation. He’s here to make demands.

So…I just give in.

“Yes, Jesse.” I say, hunching my shoulders and hanging my head a little bit. “Luca’s my mate. I’m sorry-

But before I can get any further, my eyes fly open because Jesse lets out a ridiculous whoop of joy.

“Yes!” Jesse shouts, pumping a fist up into the air. “This is amazing! This is the best, Ari! I’m so excited!”

My own face bursts into a grin because I mean – this is not what I expected. “What – Jesse –”

“Ari,” he e says, smiling so hard it seems to stretch his face in two directions “don’t you see how great. this is!?” He strides forward, putting his hands on my shoulders and giving me a little shake, “I mean, Rafe and I – we already like Luca – he’s already our friend! You could have been mated to anyone in here – a real loser, or a jerk! But it’s Luca!”

I laugh too – Jesse’s joy is infectious. But also because – I mean – I really like Luca too. I never dreamed that if I had a mate it would be someone who is so fun, and funny, and gorgeous.

“Soo…” I turn my head a little, looking Jesse up and down. “You’re not pissed?”

“Oh no, I’m pissed,” he says, laughing a little as he takes his hands from my shoulders and puts them on his waist, “you have been sneaky as shit, and you should have told me as soon as you knew, but I mean – I’ll get over that. But Luca – I mean, he’s going to be part of our family – he’s going to be, like, our brother–in–law! I love it!”

I blush when I hear Jesse’s words, and then I go completely red all over because –

I mean

I have not thought that far ahead.

– a mating ceremony. And while I guess that’s the natural conclusion of these things mate, Luca becoming part of our family, I mean – it makes sense –

with my

fated

“What’s wrong?” Jesse asks, his voice suddenly all concern.

“Can we just…slow down, Jesse?” I say, looking up at my cousin, whose face falls when he realizes his

mistake. “I mean –”

“No, I totally get it,” he says, reaching out a hand for my shoulder again, “I’m so sorry, Ari – that was very uncool of me, you just met the

guy-

“And he doesn’t even know that I’m…“I hesitate now, and then gesture at myself from top to

12347 SO, YO M

Chajar 20

bottom–at everything Lawa doesn’t know I am: his mate, a girl, a princess, the daughter of a seriously powerful Alpha who is not going to react well to meeting anyone who has a romantic claim on his little girl no maner how cute their dimples are.

“Wait, what?” Jesse breathes, his face lightening suddenly at the drama of it. Jesse, much more than Rate, loves a little gossip “He doesn’t know he’s your mate

“He doesn’t know anything. Jesse.” I say, raising my eyebrow at him and crossing my arms. doesn’t even know I’m a gul”

Jesse’s mouth drops open and then he bursts into laughter, running a hand through his hair and turning around to stare out into the sky, putting the pieces together.

“Wait,” he says, turning to look at me again, “but I thought you were using the drearn state with him

“Well, that was an accident,” I mutter, looing down as I scuff the toe of my boot in the dirt.

“An accident!?”

“Well, I didn’t know I invited him to the dream state, Jesse.” I say, looking up and rolling my eyes. “Until it was too late! And then my wolf wouldn’t let me out!”

Jesse stares at me for a long moment before cracking up again. And his laughter is so infectious that he gets me going as well, so much so that for about a minute or two we’re both just cackling on the top of a hill outside the barracks of the most elite military academy in the nation the night before we find out whether or not we’ll be admitted.

And, honestly.

It’s kind of the stress reliever I need. I laugh with my cousin until my stomach aches with it, his arm wrapped loosely around my shoulders in a brotherly hug.

“Okay okay,” Jesse says, catching his breath and sitting down on top of the hill, tugging on my arm so that I sit down across from him, our knees almost touching. “You’ve got to tell me everything right from the start. I need all of the details, little cousin.”

And so…I do. I tell him everything, only leaving out the details about Jackson – because honestly, it’s such a relief to talk to Jesse about Luca that I don’t really want to spoil it by adding that information in. And Jesse he’s thrilled for me to have Luca as my mate. For a moment, I just want to concentrate on that.

So I tell him about Luca finding me in the hot spring, and then him asking me hard questions about where his mate is, and how that struck up a friendship. Then I move on to describe the way that Luca and I are drawn to each other. Jesse smiles when I tell him about how well we connected during the survival test, but he can’t contain his laughter when I tell him about Luca admitting his attraction to me in the dream state when I again appeared as a boy.

“Oh man.” Jesse says, “you’re probably giving him a serious crisis about his s*xuality, Ari. And I

Chapter Ho

shouldn’t laugh, bun damn, that’s funny. I did not expect that.”

“I know.“I say, laughing too, wrapping my arms around my knees. “I feel really bad –”

“But you can’t tell him.” Jesse says, still smiling, cocking his head to the side. “I mean, right? You’ve got to keep this a secret”

“Jesse.” sigh, sighing a little “I mean, I’m certainly not going to tell him like, tomorrow, when we’re both still candidates – but I can’t keep this under wraps forever. I mean, I feel like even if Luca is confused and struggling with this, he’s not going to let it drop. Even if I don’t tell him, he’s going to figure it out.”

Jesse’s shoulders slump a little at this.

“What.” I say, considering my cousin closely. “Why is that bad?”

“Because,” Jesse says, with a little shrug. “I just…I know Grant’s reputation, Ari. And as much as I think that he’s going to respect you when he finds out that you’re his mate, I did kind of like the idea that you two were getting to know each other as friends first. Luca – he’s an Alpha. When he finds out you’re his mate, you’re going to be like…his mate.”

I sit up straight at that, frowning. “What do you mean by that?”

Chapter 30

I stare curiously at my cousin, waiting for my explanation.

“I mean he’s going to be possessive,” Jesse says, shrugging. “The same way Rafe would be if he found his mate, and me too, to an extent. He just won’t want anyone else’s hands on you, will want you all to himself. And, considering that you’re taking a very independent and somewhat dangerous path in your life…”

“Oh,” I say, thinking it through. Luca – his instincts are going to be to keep me out of danger. And if here I am, running off to war…

Jesse shrugs again, twisting his mouth to the side. “Maybe that’s another reason why our dads decided, at least initially, not to let girls into the school. Wolf affections – especially with our mates – they’re more complicated and aggressive than humans.”

“Well, I certainly don’t want Luca to like…hold me back.”

“Or push you into things you’re not ready for,” Jesse says, raising an eyebrow at me, and I immediately know he’s talking about s*x even if he’s not saying it.

“How do you know what I’m ready for?” I ask, narrowing my eyes at him even as my red.

cheeks grow

“Because, Ari,” Jesse replies, leaning forward and grinning at me, “you blush even at the inuendo. Which kinda suggests you’re not ready.”

I scowl and kick him a little, but Jesse just laughs at me and looks back to the barracks. “We should probably go in,” he murmurs, “get some sleep.”

“Well now I’m all awake,” I sigh, leaning back on my palms. “So, thanks for that. It’ll be your fault when I’m a mess at the course tomorrow.”

“Nah, that’s on you, Shrimp,” Jesse says, pushing himself to his feet and offering me a hand up, which I accept. As we turn back to the barracks, he slips that arm around my shoulder. “I really am happy for

you, Ari,” he says quietly, smiling at me in the dark..

“Thanks, cousin,” I say, wrapping an arm around my waist. “Since you like him so much, it’ll be your job to protect him when I finally have to introduce him to dad.”

Jesse laughs at this and agrees, but even as I smile at the joke….

Something picks at the back of my mind. Because even if everyone likes Luca and will be willing to convince my dad to let him have a chance…

Who would stand up for Jackson?

And…will I ever have the chance to introduce him to my dad as well? Do I even want that?

We’re all tense at breakfast, and I stifle a yawn even as I pick at my pancakes. Even though they have chocolate chips in them today my favorite – I can’t really convince myself to dig in. My stomach is already filled with anxious butterflies

Jesse and Rafe, of course, are chowing down across the table from me and Ben, who likewise picks. at his food. I glance to my right at Ben and he rolls his eyes towards the Alphas across from us, and then snorts like a pig, making me laugh.

But before I can add on to Ben’s joke, Laica slaps his tray down on my other side, making me almost leap out of my skin. I scowl as I look up at him. “Do you mind?” I ask.

“What, are we feeling jumpy today?” he asks, grinning at me and leaning close to me so that only I can hear his words, “didn’t get much sleep after sneaking out in the middle of the night with our

favorite cousin?”

I gasp a little and then shove Luca on the shoulder with the tips of my fingertips, which tingle as usual from the touch. “Creep,” I say, narrowing his eyes at him. “What, are you watching me?”

“You were clomping your way down the aisle in the middle of the night!” he counters, grinning at me as he takes his first bite.

“I wasn’t even wearing my boots!” I object, my jaw falling open.

“What’s this?” Rafe asks, suddenly narrowing in on our conversation.

Both Luca and I turn to Rafe, him grinning, me searching my mind frantically for an excuse -But, both fortunately and unfortunately, a convenient distraction arrives.

A mountain of a distraction, actually, his full tray balanced between his two gigantic hands.

As I look up at Jackson, my mouth falls open because I honestly didn’t think he’d take me up on my invitation to come to breakfast.

And…also because I kind of forgot that I issued it.

“Can I sit here?” he asks, his voice quiet but tense with what I now realize is anxiety, not aggression.

“Sure,” I say, my face breaking into a hesitant smile at the same moment that Rafe says “absolutely

not!”

I spin to look at Rafe, who is already glaring at me.

I narrow my eyes at my brother though, frowning, and then turn back to Jackson. “Of course you can sit, Jackson,” I say, waving a hand to the last chair next to Jesse.

Jackson starts towards it, but Rafe throws out a hand. “No way,” he says, shaking his head. “You can

“Rafe.” Jesse interrupts, staring at my brother, his expression shocked and a little appalled, “Aunt Ella raised you better than this.”

le’s eyes go wide with surprise and shame, but Jesse ignores him and turns a warm smile Jackson. “Please,” he says, nodding to the empty chair. “Have breakfast with us. I’m Jesse.”

up to

Jackson hesitates for one more second, but then puts his tray down and sits, introducing himself and shaking Jesse’s hand. Jesse goes through a bit of a farce now, introducing Jackson around to the table even though we’re all well aware of who he is, especially Rafe, who glares at me again even as he mutters a bitter hello.

But I just shrug at my brother, who has clearly figured out that I’m behind this but hasn’t yet figured out why. I know I owe him an explanation, but…well, there’s really no time for that now, is

there?

But it’s actually Luca’s cold voice that brings my attention away from Rafe.

“Hey, McClintock.” Luca says, looking Jackson up and down in a way that clearly communicates his distaste. “We haven’t really had the opportunity to interact since that first night, have we? Can’t really say that I’ve missed you.”

I go very idea.

still as I remember yet another reason why this breakfast might not have been the best

Jackson and Luca – they’re searching for the same girl, aren’t they?

Which, actually, is me.

And that…does not really make them potential friends, does it?

I sigh a little, turning my attention back to my plate, realizing that I have officially, truly stuck my foot in it this time.

“I guess we haven’t, Grant,” Jackson says, his low voice rumbling.

“Cool!” Jesse says, too cheerful in the awkward silence that reigns at our table now. But Ben laughs, and I look up to see – –

him shrugging because I mean what else is there to do? “So, Jackson,” Jesse continues, using his skills as a natural conversationalist to drag us all back together. “Anxious about the obstacle course today?”

Jackson replies that he’s not, and Ben asks Rafe something about best methods for low crawling through the sand pit, and I exhale a long breath, thinking that we might get through this breakfast without a brawl after all.

Luca stays tense and quiet beside me, but eventually things get lighter as the minutes pass by. Rafe doesn’t say anything to Jackson either, but Ben and I do, and honestly by the time breakfast draws to a close I’m much more worried about the final trial instead of whether or not my brother is going to beat up my mate, or if my mates are going to find out about each other, or any of the other thousand things can could potentially go wrong with my personal life.“Did you eat enough?” Rafe

asks, breaking out of my reverie, and I look up to see him looking at my full tray with concern.

T%

I glance down at my plate and realize that well, I probably didn’t. But I sigh and push the tray away

from me

Rafe sighs and pushes a carton of chocolate milk in my direction, but I just push it back, sticking out my tongue. “Rafe, unless you want me to barf chocolate milk up all over myself in about half an hour…”

Laica, at my side, laughs a little, clearly listening.

Rafe just grins and takes the carton back. “I just want you to have enough energy to get through the

course,

“We’ve got enough nervous energy to propel us,” Ben says, bumping his shoulder against mine. “Don’t worry about that, Sinclair.”

Rafe just shrugs, opening his mouth to say something else, but Luca beats him to it. “What about Beast Mode over here?” he says, his voice a dry and honestly a little bit nasty as he looks Jackson up and down. I frown at Luca, not sure that I like this side of him.

Jackson – he’s been quiet and a little awkward during breakfast, though not impolite. He answered who questions when asked, and he did his best – but overall? He just struck me as kind of a shy guy is feeling out his place in an established group made mostly of Alpha males, which is not the easiest thing to do.

And Luca? He seems quite determined to make sure that Jackson feels as uncomfortable as possible.

“Come on, McClintock.” Luca says, smirking at him as he pops a grape into his mouth. “You’re the only one giving Sinclair a run for his money on this course today, what’s your secret?”