The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy Chapter 64

We’re all pretty spread out on the wide lawn at the base of the cliff on which the Academy castle is built, the entrance just a black door built into the wall of rock directly ahead of us. I curse my short stature again as I try to see between shoulders and torsos, but luckily we’re far enough apart that I get a glimpse of Rafe’s dark head rising high above pretty much everyone else’s. Near him at the front is Jesse, and down the line to their right is Jackson.

I spare a glance for Luca, and consider looking behind me to see if Ben has emerged yet, but then my eyes return to Jackson and I consider, again, why he helped me today.

But then my stomach sinks as I wonder…god, did he help me today?

I go over the events again in my mind.

Jackson waiting for me at the starting line.

Jackson telling me about a vague rule in the handbook – a handbook I’ve never heard of before.

Jackson kneeling at the base of the chains, which he must know is my worst obstacle –

And then the way he looked at me before setting his shoulders flat, basically inviting me to use him as leverage.

But…was it even real?

If it was – Jackson just gave me the boost I needed to get into the academy.

But if it wasn’t…I go white as I realize that Jackson – who basically tried to kill me twice – he may have just gotten me disqualified from candidacy. If it is actually illegal to use another candidate’s body as leverage, which seems like it should be…

Then Jackson just fooled me into breaking the rules during the last test.

My face goes white as I realize the risk I just took, and I curse myself heartily as a fool as I realize that I trusted him because he’s my mate –

But Jackson – he has no idea that I’m his mate. As far as he knows, I’m just the shrimp who is somehow keeping his mate from him - precisely the person he’d want to eliminate, precisely the person who he’d want to lure into complacency with an awkward apology and by accepting an invitation to eat at breakfast.

I press my eyes shut, stifling a moan, realizing just how stupid I’ve been today.

God, I shouldn’t have trusted him – I should have just tried to do it on my own, taken the penalty for being so slow…

Unless…

I mean, isn’t it just as possible that Jackson, like Luca, does sense a connection between us? That he might want to help?

“Candidates,” the Captain’s voice booms out, artificially amplified this time so that we’re all sure to hear him. “Congratulations on your completion of these two rigorous weeks. It is now time to announce the names of the 96 newest cadets at Alpha Academy. In order, those who have been accepted are as follows…”

And as the Captain pauses, reaching behind him for the official list of final rankings, I gulp dry air down around the lump in my throat.

Because in just a few minutes I’ll learn the truth: whether my mate truly saved me, or if he intentionally ruined my dream of becoming a cadet at the Alpha Academy.