Ch. 6..10: The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy Chapter 6-10

Chapter 6

I wake up in the middle of the night and groan a little with pain from my stiff muscles and my aching face. I prod at my nose, pleased to find that it’s already much better – the speed of wolf healing really is great, even though my nose is still too swollen to truly smell anything.

But as I sit up, I realize that the real problem here is that I am…grimy.

I’m completely covered in sweat and blood and my body feels…disgusting. I stick out my tongue as I survey myself, not even really able to believe that I was able to fall asleep like this. I mean, how much pain had I even been in?

A lot, my wolf reminds me, nudging me with her nose. Can we go find them now?

I scowl and mentally push her away, not able to think of it – or maybe just not wanting to, not right now. I mean, what the hell does it mean what do I even feel about any of this?

Did I imagine it?

–

Or did…did two mating bonds actually snap into place yesterday afternoon, the day after I left Prince Asshole at the altar?

But no. That’s impossible. You get one fated mated – just one! And most people don’t even get that!

I don’t even know what one mating bond snapping into place feels like, let alone two. My wolf must be wrong – whatever happened must have just been…I don’t know, some kind of hormonal reaction to being around so many boys all at once.

I’m not wrong! she growls, snapping her teeth at my denial. But I ignore her again.

I quickly move to the wide communal bathroom at the end of the room. I grab a set of supplies from the waiting shelf and dash towards the shower stall. But when I pull back the curtain I gasp – actually gasp – in horror at the site before me. The floor and walls are covered in muck, and boy hair, and oh my god, is that even blood in the corner?

–

I scowl at myself, hating this side of me that’s decidedly a Princess..

…but I have to get clean.

And quite suddenly I remember what Jesse said on the way in that there are some hot

springs over the far hill. I breathe out a little moan, instantly wanting nothing more than a long, hot bath all by myself. To get clean, and to refresh myself – I just know it’s the one thing that will set me right..

After about five minutes of searching for the hot springs, I find them.

They’re everything I hoped they would be. Clean, fresh water – smelling just slightly of sulfur – bubbles out through a set of rocks, creating a little steaming pool that’s just deep enough to sink into. With a quick glance over my shoulder to check that I’m actually alone, I strip off my clothes and fling off my hat, running my fingers through my hair as I wade into the pool, moaning a little at the luxurious warmth of it enveloping my exhausted and battered body.

When that’s finished, I tie my hair back in a knot at the base of my head and I take a deep breath, closing my eyes and turning my face up to again stare at the castle against the sky as I start on my body. As I run the bar of soap all over my skin, pampering myself a little as my muscles unwind, my mind turns to the question of battle magic, and just how the Academy might teach something like that.

Because Rafe and Jesse and I – we’re all supposed to have some kind of magic, a gift from our Grandmother, the Goddess. Mom and Aunt Cora told us each about it when we turned sixteen, but… none of us have manifested anything yet. Mom is an incredible healer, and Aunt Cora can control the weather, but the three of us?

Not so much as a spark, no matter what we’ve tried. Mom tells us not to worry about it, that the Goddess will reveal her gift in time…

But the Academy…would it have a way to bring something like that out in me? And if so… what form would my magic take?

My imagination spins as I consider the possibilities as I soap myself down and I smile a little, staring to feel, finally, like myself again. I even hum to myself a little bit, carried away by how good this feels.

Of course, the feeling is short lived because just as I set the soap aside and splash a handful of water up against my face, a voice rings out behind me.

“What the hell are you doing here?”

And I gasp, spinning and instinctually dipping low into the pool so that I’m up to my chin in the opaque water, staring up at the dark figure standing at the edge of the pool. I push

myself away from him through the water, terrified but unable to see who it is –

But as I reach the far side of the pool, terror streaking through me, the cloud covering the moon skates away revealing…

Another candidate

–

and not my brother or cousin.

My eyes go wide in shock as I realize, quite suddenly, that it’s Luca Grant – all six–foot–two of him, staring down at me –

“Seriously, Shrimp,” he says, crouching down and looking all around. “What are you even doing here? And did you see a girl running around? I’m looking for her.”

My mouth drops open a little as I realize that…that in the dark he can’t see my long hair knotted at the back of my neck, or any details about my body underneath the water.

And, simultaneously, I realize that I smell like all girl right now because in soaping myself down I washed off all of the scent Jesse rubbed on me, which was covering me up –

My mind whirs, but luckily my mouth responds without me. “Um,” I say, pitching my voice a little lower. “No, I haven’t seen anyone.”

“Shit luck,” the boxer says, standing and sighing as he shoves his hands in his pockets. “I’ve been getting bits and pieces of her scent all day…she’s got to be around, but I can’t figure out where…”

“Why…” I say again, hesitating and rubbing at my nose, desperate now to be able to smell something – “why are you looking for her?”

“Cause,” he says, sighing in frustration. “She’s my mate.”

“Impossible,” a growling voice snaps, making both of us jump and spin towards the hulking figure that comes out of the shadows next. And my eyes go wide when I realize that…

That it’s the huge, scarred brute that Rafe beat in the last bout disappointment in his bunk

–

who hung his head in

“Pardon?” The boxer says, raising an eyebrow at the bigger candidate who comes close to glower over him. To his credit, Luca doesn’t flinch.

“She can’t be your mate,” the brute snarls, glaring down at Luca and not even sparing me a second glance. “Because she’s mine.”

Yes! Yes! Yes! My wolf yelps within me, spinning in eager circles, holding her tail high like a banner. Our mates! Both of them!

But my reaction is the opposite.

“Ohhhh no,” I whisper, shaking my head as I look between them.

Two mates both looking for me?

–

And neither of them realizing that I’m treading water right here!?

How the hell am I going to get out of this?

Chapter 7

“Wait a second,” Luca says, cocking his head and looking the larger candidate up and down. “How do we even know we’re looking for the same girl?”

I snap my attention to the other guy as I subtly move further back into the pool, seeking shadow. God, if the moon could just slip back behind the Academy…

“Don’t be an idiot, Grant,” the taller one growls, advancing on Luca another step. “Do you seriously think that there are two girls wandering around the candidate barracks of Alpha Academy?”

“Point taken,” Luca says with a shrug, not giving any ground even though the larger

candidate looks like he outweighs him by at least thirty pounds of solid muscle. “But let’s be sure – what’s your girl smell like?”

My eyes flick between them as they share notes on my scent, coming to the conclusion that they are indeed both chasing the same girl who smells of smoke and cloves and honey. Is that seriously what I smell like? I wonder absently as my mind focuses on the more important thing: coming up with a plan to get the hell out of here.

Yes, my

wolf replies, preening as she prances, we smell very nice.

And suddenly, as the boys again begin to argue about whose mate she is, I realize exactly what I need to do.

“Um,” I say, pitching my voice louder to be heard over their argument. The boys stop talking and snap their gazes immediately to me, which makes me sink deeper into the water, even though my wolf nips

me internally, urging me ridiculously to just climb n*ked out of the pool and go to them. “You’re looking for the person who smells like cloves and honey?”

“What do you know about it,” the big guy snarls, stepping towards me with narrowed eyes as if he’ll leap into the pool and beat me to a pulp if I say anything out of line.

“Nothing!” I protest, putting my hands up, even though just my fingertips stick out of the water. “Um, sorry – I didn’t get a good look – I didn’t even realize it was a girl – I only saw like, a silhouette.”

“Well, where did she go,” the larger cadet growls, and as I look up into his face I’m suddenly shaken by…

Well, by how incredibly gorgeous he is beneath his scars and his snarl. Besides being so large that he could toss me around like a rag doll, his face is shaped by a square jaw and a long, straight nose beneath dark brows. And his eyes…

Despite myself, I take a step forward, peering closer –

Because I think they’re blue – the darkest, most gorgeous shade of sapphire blue, such an unusual contrast with his chestnut hair….

“Is something wrong with you?” he spits out, looking at me in shock and rage.

I flinch back, realizing that – oh my god – I was just gazing into his eyes when he’s ready to kill me –

“Nope!” I squeak, shaking my head and backing up again into the shadow. “Sorry, yeah, she went that way!” I point out into the distance, away from the barracks.

“What did she look like?” he growls.

Opposite of me, I think, frantic. “Um, really tall! With like, lots and lots of long curly black hair.”

Luca keeps his eyes on me, curious, but the other snaps his head in the direction I indicated. He shoots a glare at Luca but sets off at a run, clearly eager to get to this mystery girl first.

Shit, shit, I think, staring unblinking at Luca now as he studies me. Why isn’t he going too!?

“Seriously, Shrimp,” Luca says, leaning forward and narrowing his eyes, trying to get a better look at me. “Why are you out here?”

“I…needed a bath,” I say, sputtering out the truth because I can’t think of anything else to say. Besides, maybe if I answer his questions quickly he’ll go –

“Why didn’t you just take a shower, like the rest of us?”

“Because they were gross,” I hear myself say, and then I gasp at how stupid I’m being and duck half my face under the water to hide my instant blush. Luca’s face bursts into a grin.

“You’re really weird, Shrimp,” he says, shaking his head and smiling at me, “but you’re funny. I like funny.”

My wolf sits down on her haunches and lifts her nose to the sky, howling in her grief that

I’m not hurling myself out of this spring and into his arms –

–

Because that smile oh my god, something in me melts at the sight of it. I actually have to force myself to not swim towards him.

When I don’t say anything, Luca just laughs again and shakes his head. “Anyway,” he continues, “thanks for the tip on the girl. That way, you said?”

I nod vigorously, not even looking where he points because I don’t care – I just want him to

go-

He grins again and nods to me one last time before turning and running off.

I stay in the shadows for a few minutes, casting out my hearing and making sure that it’s absolutely silent around me for a few minutes. And then, when I hear nothing in the around me – not even a single cricket-

—-

–

grasses

I spring from the pool and pull on my clothes as fast as I can – seriously, I’ve never gotten dressed faster – I have no idea if my pants are even on the right way –

Then, grabbing what’s left of my bathing kit, I sprint for the barracks.

–

My breath is ragged in my lungs, my heart pounding in my chest with more than just exertion – because any second I expect a hand to grab me by my collar, yanking me backward, demanding an explanation

—

But I know, above all things, that secrecy is still absolutely necessary. No one can find out that I’m a girl – no one can find out that my mates are here – no one can find out that the Princess is in hiding at Alpha Academy, or else I’ll be forced to marry that jerk or start a war

God, I’ve been so stupid and reckless tonight, I should have listened to Rafe

–

You should have invited them into the pool with us, my contrary wolf grumbles. Then we could have

–

But I shove her voice away as I reach the barracks, my feet stuttering to a stop as I reach the door. I force myself to take slower, softer breaths as I grab the handle and pull it open because I’ve got to be quiet in here.

And, well, I’m not precisely quiet as I dart to the back corner of the room, my feet slapping against the floor. I’m way too full of frantic energy to help that, but I hope that wakes up just thinks I’m a candidate running for the bathroom or something –

anyone who

stuff

I hurl my

up onto my bunk, grateful that it lands silently, and then leap ungracefully onto Jesse’s bed, slamming my hand over his mouth.

His eyes fly immediately open and fear, then rage, then wonder pass over his face in a series of flashes as he sees me above him, a single finger pressed to my lips, my eyes begging him to be quiet. He

shouts my name, but it’s muffled by my hand, and I glance over at Rafe’s bed, shaking my head frantically, letting Jesse see that we can’t wake Rafe up.

Because Rafe? He’ll kill me.

Or worse, he’ll be disappointed in me.

I don’t want to put this on Rafe’s shoulders anyway.

–

not yet. And Jesse – he’s the one I need

I lean close to Jesse now that he’s fully awake and move my hand away from his mouth. “Jesse,” I whisper frantically, my mouth close to his ear, “I took a bath!”

“So what, Ari!?” he hisses, pissed. “Did you seriously need to scare the shit out of me to tell me that!? Congratulations! You’re clean!”

I glare at him for a second and then roll my eyes. “No, you idiot, you have to scent mark me! I forgot – I didn’t realize that I was going to smell all girly when I washed your scent away!”

He

groans then, putting his hands over his face for a second before lifting his wrists to wipe at my neck and my own wrists.

“More,” I insist, grabbing his wrist and wiping it down my face. “I can’t smell like fricking cloves and honey anymore –“

66

“Ari!” Jesse snaps, snatching his wrist away from me. “What the hell is going on!? Why are you being so weird!?”

I take a second to look around the room, scanning in particular for a wide set of shoulders under glowering eyes, or a body that falls naturally into a boxer’s stance…

But the room is…still. Silent.

I…I made it back. Unnoticed, at least for now. I take a second to make sure, but then relief rushes through me.

“It’s nothing,” I whisper, shaking my head. “I’m sorry, Jesse. Just…um, don’t tell Rafe, okay?”

“Don’t tell him what?” Jesse whisper–snaps as I jump off of his bed and start to climb up into my own bunk. “That you’ve gone insane overnight?”

“You dreamed this all!” I call back over my shoulder, keeping my voice low. “It never happened! Go back to sleep, I love you!”

And then I slip under my blankets fully dressed and put my hands over my face as I curl into a ball.

Two mates and they know I’m here! And they’re looking for me!

–

How the hell am I ever going to keep

Secret when I’ve got two guys looking guys – out there, doing everything they can to sniff me out?

Chapter 8

– two really good-

“Would you get up!?”

I start awake to see Rafe’s face peering over the edge of the bunk, frowning at me. “Seriously, Ari! The bell rang like ten minutes ago – I have no idea how you’re still asleep!”

I glare at my brother a little, already in a bad mood, wondering how he’d feel if he got about two hours of sleep after getting the crap beat out of him the day before. Rafe rolls his eyes at me and hops down, getting ready for the day.

I was up for hours after I got back in bed last night, trying to figure out how I feel about all of this. At the core of me, I know that keeping my secret is the most important thing. But still…

Two mates, in the same place, at the same time! And me here by what feels like chance –

God, it’s almost like…fate or something.

I mean, our family does have a history of this sort of thing happening – mom and Aunt Cora’s mother is the Goddess, after all, and she definitely threw some twists into their lives. But still – it’s all just so… bizarre.

had almost drifted off to sleep again last night when the barrack door opened and a tall figure came in – his shoulders almost wide enough to fill the doorway itself. He’d moved slowly across the room in complete silence, but when he laid down in his bed his body language was…miserable.

Luca came in a little later, not bothering to be stealthy. He too had moved to his bed, but had paused for a second, looking towards my corner of the room.

I had hastily whipped my covers over my head, holding my breath, desperately praying that he wouldn’t come over to me.

Because even though my wolf howls for him – for them? I am so not ready to face this. Not with everything that’s at stake – and not with my enrollment at the Academy at risk, and certainly not with how…

Well, I blush to think of it, but how naïve I am about all of this boy stuff. I mean, I know that I was supposed to get married, but part of what I had thought was so appealing about Edward was that he didn’t push me for anything more than a chaste kiss. Even though he revealed that he had other plans once we were married, I had thought that he would give

me the slow–burn romance I need.

But mate stuff?

From everything I’ve heard, it’s like lightening.

And I am…not ready to be struck. I mean…am I?

“Seriously, Ari!” Rafe shouts, reaching out and grabbing the front of my uniform. I gasp as he hauls me off my pillow. “Get up! We have to get to breakfast in two minutes!”

“I’m already dressed, Rafe!” I snarl, batting his hand away and throwing my legs over the side of the bed. “I just have to put my shoes on

Rafe’s eyes go wide and he grabs me again, hauling me down off the bed and bumping my body hard against the metal rails as he does. I give a shriek as I go down.

“Ari,” my brother growls, holding me tight against him. “Where the f**k is your hat!?”

I gasp, my hand going to my head as I realize that my hair is still tied in a bun at the base of my head

not exactly spilling around my shoulders in a way that screams girl but certainly

visible –

–

“It’s on my bunk!” I squeak. Rafe glares at me and takes his own cap off, shoving it hard on my head before jumping up to grab my cap. Then he grabs my boots off the floor, shoving them against my chest. “Put your shoes on, you idiot,” he growls, “and learn to be more careful!”

I’m blushing hard now as he pulls my cap onto his own head. I pull on my boots, not bothering to tie them before beginning to tuck my hair up beneath the brim of my cap.

“Heyyy cousinnnns,” Jesse says, coming over to beam at us way too cheerfully, clearly aware that there’s drama but ignoring it. “Did you guys sleep well?” He turns his wicked grin on me. “I had a really weird dream.”

“No time,” Rafe snaps, grabbing my arm the second I finish tucking my hair in and hauling me to my feet. “We go now or we miss breakfast. And if we miss breakfast, we miss rankings, which we desperately need to know. So, let’s move!”

Jesse still smirks at me as we both hurry along behind my brother, raising an eyebrow and clearly demanding an explanation for my midnight assault. But I just hastily shake my head and glance at Rafe, silently begging Jesse to keep it a secret. Jesse shrugs, tacitly agreeing but letting me know he’s not happy about it.

The three of us barely skirt through the door before it closes. A few candidates call out behind us and bang on the door, but the Captain clearly wasn’t kidding about getting to breakfast on time. I move through the line with my brother and my cousin, filling my tray with food, but being last through means slim pickings. I get a sausage, two cartons of apple juice, and a very sad little orange.

When we take the final three seats at the edge of a long table, Rafe rolls his eyes at me and shoves two biscuits onto my plate.

“Hey!” I protest. “I don’t even like biscuits –“

“It isn’t about like, Ari,” Rafe mutters, tucking into what looks like a bowl of cold oatmeal. “It’s about calories, and you need them, so eat up.”

I do as I’m told, forcing myself to chew the dry biscuits and washing them down with apple juice. Passively, I hope that the food at the Academy is way better than this. As I eat, I look around, and as much as I pretend that I’m not looking for them…

Right over there, my wolf cheerfully points out, focusing my eyes immediately on Luca, who laughs at the center of a group of guys two tables down, and then the other one, who sits by himself, moodily eating a gigantic plate of food.

I quietly peel my orange, letting my eyes drift between both of them, studying their movements, wondering why on earth my grandmother the Goddess picked them out for

me

–

When Rafe stands up to get a napkin, Jesse elbows me, making me jump.

“What the hell is going on with you?” Jesse hisses, and I blush, shaking my head.

“Nothing,” I murmur, concentrating on my orange. God, I can’t believe I just let myself stare at my mates

what was I thinking –

–

–

“I know something’s up Ariel,” Jesse growls, and I spin to look at him wide–eyed, not only because he used my real name but because my sweet–tempered cousin never growls.

“Jesse,” I say, my eyes pleading. “Look, I’ll tell you, all right? But…” I nod hastily at my brother, who is on his way back.

Jesse sighs, clenching his jaw. “You promise you’re all right? And you’d tell me if you weren’t?”

“I promise,” I say, my voice pleading. Jesse sighs, nods once, and then turns back to his

nearly empty tray. Rafe sits down with a fist full of napkins, looking suspiciously between

1. us. But before he can say anything, all heads in the room turn towards the Captain, who has just stood up at the head table.

“Candidates,” he says, his voice booming out over us. “Today we will post the first ranking.” He points above his head at a giant black screen, indicating where the ranking will be listed. “Rankings will be calculated according to your performance in all training activities, as well as aspects like adherence to the rules, prompt attendance, and decorum. At the end of the first two weeks, the bottom 20% of

candidates will be dismissed from the academy. As this is an entering class of 120, that is the bottom 24 candidates. I suggest you take your rank seriously.”

The Captain glares around at all of us and then nods once. “Agility training is next. You have five more minutes for breakfast, and then will report to the gym at 08:00.”

Without another word the Captain leaves his place at the head of the table and, as if on cue, the screen flashes on, our names already arranged.

My eyes fly over the board and my heart sinks to find my name exactly where I thought it would be.

Spot 120. Ari Clark.

Chapter 9

“Oh god,” I groan, sinking my face into my hands, my dreams of becoming an Academy cadet suddenly slipping through my fingers.

“Don’t worry about it, Ari,” Jesse murmurs, wrapping an arm around my shoulder and giving me a manly squeeze. “We’ll train you up good. You just had one bad day, and they didn’t measure any of the things you’re actually good at.”

“He’s right,” Rafe says, and I raise my head to see my brother looking at me seriously. I blink a little, emotion swelling in me because Rafe looks so much like dad when he looks at me like that, with a mix of stern expectation and love in his eyes. “We’ll get your number up fast, Ari, you just need…a little more training.”

“Not like you two have to worry,” I sigh, leaning into Jesse for just a second before glancing up at the board again. “You two are…” and then I scoff a little in jealousy because their numbers are one and four. “Seriously, guys!?” I say, pouting at them. “You had to show me up that bad?”

“Someone had to uphold the Sinclair name,” Rafe murmurs, smirking a little as he finishes off his plate, shoveling the food into his mouth. “Seriously, Ari, eat up,” he says, gesturing towards my plate with his fork. “You need the energy today!”

I sigh and eat the sausage in two bites, finishing up the orange as we bus our trays and head for the door. But as I swallow the last little bit of orange, I realize that I didn’t even look –

I spin at the last minute, my eyes roving over the rankings for their names –

Luca Grant – that one’s easy. Number five, right at the top, right under Jesse. Does that mean…did Jesse beat him in the bracket yesterday? Surely he would have mentioned

But Rafe – if he beat my other mate in the final match that means…

Number two.

My eyes dart up the chart, fastening on his name.

Jackson McClintock.

That’s him, I think, even as Rafe grabs my arm and hauls me out of the room.

Jackson. Luca and Jackson.

–

–

My mates.

And as we pass head towards the gym… I can’t help but feel a little thrill of excitement twist

my stomach. Because I know who they are.

in

But they have noooo idea who I am.

At least, not yet.

I look up at my brother and my cousin on either side of me as we walk into the gym, moving towards the group of candidates who stand before what looks like a gigantic obstacle course. “Thanks, guys,” I whisper, suddenly overwhelmed by a rush of gratitude. Because honestly, if anyone can get me raised up from number 120? It’s them. “Thank you for believing in me.”

“Don’t thank us yet,” Rafe says, shaking his head down at me. “Training is about to kick your ass. You ready for this?”

“Probably not,” I sigh, and Jesse grins at me to let me know I’m right. But I square my shoulders and nod to them, ready to try.

By the end of the day, Rafe’s prediction turns out to be correct: I have absolutely no urge to

thank them.

–

Training today was brutal. I don’t even know why they call it training – it was just a lot of running through obstacle courses, throwing ourselves over barriers, and climbing chains an activity at which I completely failed. None of it had anything to do with fighting anyone, as far as I could see. And it certainly was not an activity that played to my skill set. Thankfully, nothing today counts towards rankings – we’ll run the obstacle course again at the end of the two weeks, which is when it will actually affect our rank.

And I was seriously, pathetically bad at all of it. I gritted my teeth as I pulled myself through the final obstacle – a sand pit that I had to crawl through under a set of low ropes. As I hauled myself forward with my burning forearms, I was shocked to see Jackson passing me, barely giving me a glare as he went.

He was close enough that I got a good whiff of his scent as he pulled ahead, an experience that made me emit an embarrassing moan as my arms gave out so that I faceplanted in the sand, completely overwhelmed by exhaustion and lust. God damn it, having mates while running an obstacle course makes me look even more pathetic than I really am.

I spit out a mouthful of sand as I crawled out of the pit.“Dead last, Clark,” a Lieutenant said as I got to my feet, raising an eyebrow at me.

“How can I be last!?” I panted, gesturing towards Jackson. “McClintock is ranked second, and he barely made it out before me!”

“Because,” the Lieutenant said, raising a snide brow in my direction. “McClintock went through twice, while you did it once.”

I groaned, tilting my head back, thinking longingly of the hot shower that I’d get to take

next-

But no. Rafe grabbed my arm and hauled me towards the last task of the day: a five–mile run that left me gasping for air because Jesse and Rafe refused to let me finish last again and made me keep up with them the whole time. Honestly, I had thought I was a good runner – I’m usually pretty fast – but my exhaustion, combined with my lack of sleep, combined with my realization that Jesse and Rafe really have been going easy on me all these years?

Let’s just say that when they drag me back to the barracks, each with a hand under my arm to help hold me up, they’re not doing it for show.

“I hate this,” I grumble, glaring at them. “I hate boy stuff.”

“Yeah, well,” Jesse breathes, his words barely audible from his stupid smirking mouth, “you’re the one that wanted to be a boy.”

Rafe just glares down at me, drawing my eyes to him. “What?” I ask, frowning. “I tried!”

“You didn’t,” he says, frowning at me in turn. “You gave up. A lot. If you’re going to make it, Ari, you’re going to have to give it your all. You’re going to have to –”

“Oh, shut up,” I grumble, yanking my arms from theirs and willing myself to walk on my own, pushing myself to keep up with their long strides. “I can do it. I just need more sleep.” And to not have my wolf howling after my mates constantly.

“That’s better,” Rafe snaps, his eyes again focused forward. “Hurry up, we want to get good showers – the hot water will be gone if we’re last.” Jesse nods eagerly and we all pick up our pace as we enter the barracks. When we get to our bunks we all yank off our boots as fast as we can and then hurry into the bathroom, beating the majority of the candidates there.

As we grab bathing packs off the shelf – just towels and soap again – I see Jesse and Rafe look longingly at the tiled rows of open showers which are already spurting hot water. But then they glance at me, sigh, and join the short line for the three curtained showers with me again standing between them.

I scowl, hating that they’re again giving up what they really want to stand with me, and T glance at the long row of open showers, hoping desperately that there’s still hot water by the time we have a chance to get in – and that the shower stalls aren’t disgusting already. like they were yesterday –

་

But suddenly my mouth drops open as I realize what I probably should have noticed instantly –

Which I only didn’t notice because I’m a naïve idiot who had the sense knocked out of her in training –

But all the guys that are standing in front of the open showers?

They’re completely n*ked.

My jaw drops open with what I swear is an audible click as my eyes go wide and scan the line of n*ked boys in front of me, some of them laughing and chatting with each other as water streams over their

bare shoulders, the skin of their backs

–

Some of them are quiet though, clearly thinking through their day as they run the bar of soap over their muscled chests, dipping between their legs –

My eyes go even wider as one guy half turns towards me, tilting his head back and closing his eyes as he takes the spray of water on his face. Because it’s…it’s Luca.

1. Stop. Breathing.

My entire world narrows to the sight of him before me – to the way that the water runs down his muscled chest, and ripples along his abs, drifting like a river all the way down to the defined v–shaped muscles alongside his hips –

Luca twists his bottom half away before my eyes can drift any lower, but this just allows my gaze drifts over his perfect ass – god, I didn’t even know there was anything to like about a guy’s ass before today – but then my attention moves to the swell of his biceps, and then to his hands, which run lazy strokes through his water–darkened hair as he exhales a deep breath, water dripping down his cheeks – over his lips –

Rafe and Jesse step forward.

I do not.

I stand transfixed, staring, practically drooling at the sight of my mate –

Rafe suddenly turns back to me and goes still, his eyes flaring. “Oh my god,” he groans, grabbing me and yanking me forward before smacking me lightly on the back of my head. Jesse frowns at us for a second and then, realizing what happened, bursts out laughing.

“Ari,” Rafe growls, pushing me in front of him and turning me decidedly away from the view of my gorgeous, n*ked mate. “What is wrong with you!?”

I blush horribly and don’t answer, doing everything I can to cool the reddening of my entire face before someone else notices.

Chapter 10

“Ari’s just curious, Rafe,” Jesse says, still laughing and grinning, looking around to see if anyone noticed, but there’s no one behind us in line for the shower stalls yet and everyone else is too busy to care. “He’s led a sheltered life.”

“And he’s going to continue to lead a sheltered life,” Rafe growls, glaring first at Jesse and then at me. “I’m serious, Ari – this is not…” he stumbles now, searching for words.

“A meat market?” Jesse whispers wickedly, making me blush again.

“Fine,” Rafe snaps, taking another step forward as another shower clears. “For a lack of a better term, yes.” He grabs my arm, leaning down to hiss in my ear. “We took you from home a virgin, Ariel, and whenever it is that you go home? You’ll be returning the same way. So, if you had any ideas otherwise, get them out of your head now.”

I gasp, appalled, and shove my brother away. “Ew, Rafe! How did that!?” I look between Rafe and Jesse, shocked.

– how do

how do you even know

“Oh, come on, Ari,” Jesse says, giving me a sad little smile. “When would you have had the chance? Uncle Dominic keeps you locked down –“

My jaw drops again as I stare between them, realizing that…that…

“Oh my god,” I gasp, looking between them. “Are you two…are you not virgins!?”

Jesse laughs and gives a little shrug, playing it off like it’s not a big deal, but Rafe just clenches his jaw and stares forward at the shower stalls. Only a faint touch of pink on his cheekbones gives away the fact that he’s hiding something from me.

“Rafe!” I shriek, swatting at him. “Who was it!?”

“Stop. Shrieking,” he snaps, glaring at me and knocking my hand away. I purse my lips, tucking my hands behind my back and admitting, at least internally, that – okay – maybe that was a little more girlish than I’d like. But still!

–

“Seriously, Rafe,” I say, lifting my chin at him and demanding an answer. “Who did – who did you

-“I blush again and curse my stupid cheeks.

“We’re not talking about this,” Rafe snaps, ending the conversation as he strides into a newly vacated shower stall, whipping the curtain closed behind him.

I spin on Jesse now, the same question in my eyes.

“I don’t kiss and tell,” Jesse says, shaking his head with a smirk. I glare at him and he laughs, but then he gestures forward to an empty stall. “Go on, Ari. I’ll see you on the other side.”

I give my cousin a glare and hurry into the stall, yanking the curtain closed and stripping down before letting the hot water run all over me, fuming over the hypocrisy of my brother and my cousin who are apparently insisting on my celibacy even if they themselves…

Well. I guess the less thought on that, the better.

But still, as I hastily soap down and let the hot water do its work unwinding my muscles, I wonder…

Is that even something I want to do? I mean, my attraction to my mates is undeniable, and my wolf basically salivates after them all day – but emotionally, am I ready for that? And even if I were…the Academy is notoriously rigorous, and there are more cuts once you’re admitted as a cadet. Half the reason that the academy is male–only is so that those enrolled can concentrate completely on their studies.

Won’t having two mates just be an incredible distraction, if I even get inside the castle walls? Am I really willing to sacrifice everything the Academy offers just to…I don’t know, kiss them?

Or more?

sigh as I turn the water off, shaking my head, not knowing at all how I feel or what I want. But…maybe I don’t have to decide today, right now. There’s time, right?

At least I hope there is…even though the way Jackson smells, and the way Luca looks when he’s n*ked?

God, the memory of both sends shivers down my spine.

When I emerge from the shower fully dressed in my dirty clothes – a little chagrined that I didn’t realize that I should probably have brought a set of fresh fatigues or something else to change into – I still haven’t decided what I think or feel about any of it. Jesse steps immediately forward and subtly scent marks me at my neck and wrists while Rafe watches, his arms crossed.

“Probably good you’re wearing your dirty clothes,” Jesse murmurs, slinging an arm around my shoulders as the three of us head towards our bunks, my brother and cousin just

OP

dressed in a towel wrapped around their waists like most of the other candidates. “Nobody’s going to be able to smell your girl scent in those.”

I twist

my head to the side, glancing to the right to where Luca and Jackson’s beds are, subtly considering that maybe it’s in my favor to be dirty, at least for a little while.

“I’ll go get dinner,” Rafe says, quickly pulling on a t–shirt and a pair of soft pants that he’ll sleep in before heading off to the mess hall. Evening meal is simple for the first couple of months – they give us hot breakfast in the morning and a big lunch, but it’s just wrapped sandwiches and bottled water at night in the twenty minutes before lights out. Candidates eat in bed or gathered in small groups around our bunks.

When Rafe strides away, Jesse finishes dressing and sits down on his bunk, patting the next to him in invitation. Knowing I can’t avoid it, I sigh and sit down.

“Come on, Ari,” he says, friendly but stern. “Spill. I know something’s up.”

spot

“It’s nothing,” I mutter, not able to look him in the eye, but desperately tempted to tell him. Jesse – he’s always been a friend and a great listener, and I’m dying to talk to someone about this. I’m having trouble processing how I’m feeling about it all by myself.

But still if he knows? Will he make me leave?

–

Jesse sighs. “Ari, either you talk to me about it, or I tell Rafe and let him interrogate you about it. Pick your battle.”

“Can’t you just trust me?” I ask, looking up at him with big pleading eyes that usually work.

“Normally I would, cousin,” he says, bumping his shoulder into mine. “But when tackle me in bed and make me scent mark you at 2 AM, panting like you’ve just run a race? I’ve gotta know.”

And I sigh, realizing that there’s no way out of this, and I…tell him.

Well, I tell him some of it – about how I wanted to get clean, and how the showers were gross, and so I went out to the hot springs –

Jesse groans when I say that, covering his face with his hands and falling back on his mattress. “Who caught you?” Jesse’s words are muffled by his palms. “Did they figure out that…”

“No,” I say, shaking my head even though he can’t see me. “Secret’s safe.”

“So?” he asks, dragging his hands down a little so he can see my face. “Who was it?”

I bite my lip for a second, deciding whether or not to tell him, but I’m bursting to talk to him about it. When my wolf gives me an encouraging little prod with her nose, telling me to trust him, I lean forward. “Jesse,” I whisper, “it was my mate –”

Jesse stares at me in shock, his mouth hanging open for way too long – until I start to worry that he’s like…frozen like that or something.

“Jesse!” I hiss, giving him a sudden shove on the shoulder.

“Ari,” he says, snapping out of it and sitting up fast. He grabs me by my shoulders. “Are you…are you serious? Your mate is here!?”

His face is deathly pale, his eyes wide and scared like I’ve told him the worst thing he’s ever

heard.

Well, my

wolf says, turning in an anxious circle inside of me. At least you only told him

about one of them…

I hesitate, scared of his reaction and wanting to take it all back, but before I can say anything Jesse’s eyes flick to the side.

“Whatever you do, do not tell Rafe,” my cousin hisses, leaning forward to make me hear him. “He will kill every guy in this room rather than let one of them touch you, let alone

claim you

“What?” I ask, shocked. “Why does he

—

“Promise me!” Jesse snaps, shaking me once, hard.

“Okay!” I burst out, surprised into agreeing. “Okay, I won’t tell him!”

Jesse lets out a long breath and lets me go, turning away just as a wrapped sandwich lands in my lap.

“Roast beef,” Rafe says, his face pleased. I look down at the sandwich in my lap, but I don’t touch it or say anything. I mean, I know my brother and my cousin are protective of me,

but –

“What’s going on here?” Rafe says, and I look up to see him staring between Jesse and me. “What’s wrong?“

shake my head, not saying anything, but Jesse fumbles out some lie about being worried about the rankings. Rafe looks at me sympathetically, leaning forward to give me some kind of pep talk or advice, but before he can start a Lieutenant suddenly appears at the end of the bed, a tablet in his hands.

“Candidate Rafe Sinclair?” the Lieutenant asks.

“Yes?” Rafe asks, standing, suddenly all business.

“A video call,” the Lieutenant says, holding the tablet forward, “from…the Palace.”

My eyes go wide because…well, obviously I know who’s calling.

“Thank you, Lieutenant,” Rafe says, nodding to the man and dismissing him even though he clearly outranks my brother.

Rafe turns to me and Jesse, and I can see his mind working fast. He beckons Jesse forward, but I stay on the bed. When Jesse’s standing next to him and I’m sufficiently out of frame, Rafe presses the button to take the call.

“Hey mom,” he says, pasting a big smile on his face. “Hey dad. What’s up?”