The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy Chapter 73

The next thirty minutes are…the most indulgent of my life.

I think I groan in pleasure at least sixty times as I soak my body in the steaming hot water, as I soap every inch of my skin, as I finally – finally – wash my hair with real shampoo and conditioner instead of that horrible stuff we were supplied with in the barracks, which stripped my hair of all its oils and left it dry.

I find a little basket next to the tub that, like all the pillows outside, just shouts mom. There are lots of bath salts and scent bombs and oils – I mean, is this standard issue for new cadets, a gift from the Queen? Or…did mom somehow arrange for this to be waiting here for Rafe and Jesse, who honestly might not even notice it?

Either way, I spend a good long time adding bubbles to my bath, pouring in some nice salts to soften the new callouses on my skin, and finally sniffing all of the bath oils and adding my own particular cocktail of scents so that my bath becomes a blissful, delicious haven.

I rest peacefully for a long time in the bath, only interrupted when Rafe cracks the door open and shoves my uniform box in so that I’ll have something to change into when I come out. I call my thanks to him before I seat myself in the tub – there’s actually a seat at the far end, like a jacuzzi – and breathe deeply, closing my eyes and letting myself relax.

The past two weeks wash over me, and I shake my head, wondering if it was all a dream. So much has changed in that time. I went so abruptly from the engaged Princess who was eager to be a bride so that she could help her nation to, the next day, the Academy’s shrimp – lowest-ranked candidate and least likely to get through the doors.

And, I went from being engaged to a horrible man who completely fooled me to…

To what?

Having two mates, who think I’m a boy?

I sigh, resting my head against the edge of the tub and taking a second to try and piece my identity together.

I mean, I was the Princess, and then I was the Shrimp.

And now…who am I?

Who is Ariel?

My eyes slowly open as I start to realize that maybe…I don’t really have any idea anymore. I mean, I know Ari Clark is a cadet at the Alpha Academy, and I’m thrilled to be here. But…I’m not really Ari Clark either, am I?

So…

I laugh a little at myself, at these big questions I’m not going to be able to answer with the simple aid of a hot bath. But, it’s a good start –

And honestly, I’m really excited to find out.

As the water starts to cool I sigh and flick the switch for the drain, climbing out of the tub – there’s even a little set of steps! – and toweling myself dry as I hum softly to myself. Then I take my time combing my hair out, putting on moisturizer – also mom’s favorite brand, I smirk to see, waiting by the edge of the sink – and indulging in a good long moment to brush my teeth.

Feeling much refreshed and more at home in my skin, I finally dress in my black uniform, smiling proudly into the mirror as I take the time to braid my hair in a neat arch on top of my head instead of hastily just tucking it up onto my cap like I usually do when I don’t have time. The effect is much neater and more comfortable as I pull my cap on, exhaling a satisfied breath.

I give my reflection one last nod in the mirror, and then head out the door.

“Hey Rafe,” I say as I push into the room, “did you see that mom –“

“Ari!” Rafe says, interrupting me and smiling at me anxiously from his place on the couch. “Did you see? Our friend found us!”

And my eyes immediately move to Ben, who turns and waves to me from his spot on the couch. And I go dead pale, because…

Because I haven’t been scent marked yet.

“Cousin!” Jesse shouts, bounding across the room and grabbing me close, pretending to roughhouse with me a little bit, teasing me about hogging the bathroom for an hour as he subtly wipes his scent on all the usual parts of my body. I pretend to protest, laughing and pushing at him, but when I glance up into his face he gives me a wink, letting me know he thinks I’m safe.

So I smile, and nod, and head over to the fireplace where I flop into an armchair, grinning over at Ben and Rafe on the couch. “Are you close by, Ben? Do you like your room?”