The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

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?

Chapter 30

a yawn even as I pick at my pancakes. Even though they have chocolate chips in them today

glance to my right at Ben and he rolls his eyes towards the Alphas across from us, and then snorts like a pig,

on my other side, making me almost leap out of my skin. I

grinning at me and leaning close to me so that only I can hear his words, “didn’t

favorite cousin?”

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

your way down the aisle in the middle of the night!”

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

asks, suddenly narrowing in on our

to Rafe, him grinning, me searching my mind frantically for an excuse -But, both fortunately and unfortunately,

his full tray balanced between his two gigantic

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

I kind of forgot that I issued

voice quiet but tense with what I

my face breaking into a hesitant smile at

not!”

at Rafe, who is

then turn back to Jackson. “Of course you can sit, Jackson,”

towards it, but Rafe throws out a hand. “No way,” he

Chapter 30

brother, his expression shocked and a little

ignores him and turns a warm smile Jackson.

up to

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

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

there?

cold voice that brings my attention away

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

very idea.

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

searching for the same girl, aren’t they?

is

them potential friends, does