The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy
Chapter 154

Chapter 154

Chapter 0254

We basically have to sprint across the field where the candidate barracks are to get down to thetrain tracks in time. The sleek train is waiting there, puffing steam, filling with cadets all eager to gethome for winter break. As we run I mentally thank my mother again for her healing powers – whowould have thought that two days ago I was basically dead over Jackson’s shoulder, and now here Iam dashing across a field with my best friends, a mostly- empty bag bouncing on my back?

When we get down to the tracks I see that the platform itself is getting sparse, pretty much all thecadets already having boarded, and I dart immediately for a door to the train, wanting to get in andget a seat. But before I can even grab the little handle to lift myself into the closest train car, Jessegrabs my arm.

“Ari, what are you doing!?”

I spin, stumbling a little as I look up at him. “I’m getting on the damn train, Jesse!”

My cousin just grins down at me and gestures down the tracks. “Come on,” he says, laughing. “Ourseats are back here.”

“What?” I let myself be lead down the line, frowning the whole way, but then my face shifts quicklyinto surprise and delight when I see the bright red caboose attached to the end of the train.

Because of course. Of course mom and dad sent the royal car for us to take back to the city.

“Oh my god,” I murmur, my hands going to my cheeks, my embarrassment competing with mypleasure and losing immediately. “That’s…that’s so nice of them.”

“Whoa,” Luca says at my side, and I jump a little when I realize that it’s him standing there. Andthen I burst into a grin as he slips an arm around my waist and pulls me tight for a second before

turning his gaze back to the train itself. I watch his eyebrows raise as he takes in the beautifulcoach with its cheerful, shiny red sides, its gilt details. “We are traveling in style today.” His voiceis a little breathless.

“Wait till you see inside,” Rafe laughs, glancing at Luca and Ben, who is also staring at thecoach, dazzled. But before we can get any further a group of guards step onto the platform infront of us, a handcuffed cadet between them.

And all of us simultaneously go still because…

Well, because it’s Wright.

1/3

+15 BONUS

And god, but he looks like shit.

Wright’s face lifts at the sudden silence before him and he flinches immediately back when he seesRafe, Jesse, Luca, and Ben at my side – all of my Alphas, who bare their teeth and take defensivestances, ready to spring at him if he even takes one wrong stumbling step in my direction.

But when his eyes fall on me, Wright can’t help the cruel snarl that twists his face. He doesn’t say aword, but the hate radiates off him, nearly palpable in the air. As he stares at me I know without adoubt that he doesn’t regret a damn thing. In fact, if he had the chance? He would absolutely try tomurder me again, his reasons for committing the crime now only compounded in his mind.

Still, despite his venom and his determination, something about this – about Wright shackled andbeaten while I stand, healthy and hale, with my best friends and my family all

around? 2

I realize, now, my power. That even if Wright can kill me with his bare hands…

Well, I’ve got much more than bare hands to defend myself with, don’t I?

“Hey, Wright,” I say, far too cheerful as I put on my best Princess smile and step forward to greethim, my hands innocently tucked behind my back. I purse my lips a little in mock pity as I look himover, taking in each and every one of his bruises. “Did you have…a rough couple days?”

The snarl that rips from Wright’s mouth is vicious and deadly, but one of his guards just cuffs himover the back of the head and he stumbles forward, moving along.

“Have a nice winter break!” I call over m

shoulder as my enemy walks away, a little gleeful at my victory over this terrible man. Luca,pleased, laughs and puts an arm around my shoulders giving me a squeeze.

“He’s going to have an absolute shit winter break,” Rafe murmurs, slipping his hands into hispockets and watching Wright go as Jesse and Ben climb up the

ttle set of gilt stairs and into our train car. “He’s being incarcerated over the holidays, so he’ll be ina cell while we’re all celebrating. But his trial will be held after the holidays pass, but before wereturn to school.”

―

and he totally tried to murder me he was allowed to “So, even though he was accused take thecandidate finals?” I ask, looking up at my brother, curious.

Te

Rafe slowly nods, meeting my eyes. “It’s all still allegations at this point, Ari. If he is declaredinnocent, he’ll return to school. They had to let hi

take the tests to see if he’d