The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 39

I continue glaring at Jesse, but Rafe moves on with his interrogation of Ben.

“What makes you think Luca hasn’t figured out that Ariel’s a girl?” Rafe says as he leans forward, eager for Ben’s answer and apparently deciding to trust him.

“I don’t think Luca knows because he hasn’t tried to hit on her yet,” Ben replies, laughing. “Didn’t you see him this afternoon with the seamstress? Luca loves women – he’s dying for some female attention. If he knew Ari is a girl, he’d be all over her.”

“True,” Rafe murmurs, leaning back against the couch cushion and staring into space a bit as he thinks it through.

Jesse’s eyes sparkle as he again catches my eye. My mouth draws to a thin line as I stare at him, shaking my head at him because he is loving this just a little too

much.

God, I want to smack him right now.

But that would give way too much away.

“Well, how did you know?” Rafe asks, blinking back to reality and turning his attention back to Ben.

“Because,” Ben says, turning to smile at me. “I have four younger sisters. You guys – you protect her the same way I’d protect my sisters if they were sleeping in a communal room with a bunch of guys for two weeks. Plus,” his smile widens now as he settles onto the carpet and leans back on his hands, clearly feeling more relaxed. “You laugh like a girl, Ari.”

“What!?” I shriek.

And Ben bursts into laughter at my reaction, and then Rafe and Jesse do too, and I blush, because I hear it now – it was a very girly shriek.

And so I start to laugh too, and we all laugh harder as we hear it, because my laugh – it really does hit higher notes than theirs, lilting above over their low, resonant

tones.

My face reddens even further, and I press my hands to my cheeks. And then, experimentally, I try a lower laugh, seeing if I can make it more boyish

Chapter 39

peels of laughter that come from me as I grab a pillow off the couch and hurl it at Rafe’s face, because he’s laughing the hardest. But he just catches it out of the air and tucks it behind

part of the family now, Ben,” Rafe sighs when his laughter fades, shrugging and giving in to it. “Thanks for keeping our secret.”

my packet of peach rings on the table and grabbing one from the edge. “Plus, I like girls. It’s nice to have one

go thinking that it’s too nice,” Rafe says, his voice a low growl again. “I said you’re family

don’t worry,” Ben says, continuing to grin at me. “I

in a little appalled sputter, but before I can protest further a

the door swing open, revealing Luca

smirk, a little pasty box balanced in his hands. “Can I come in? I

As Luca walks in I take the opportunity to slip the velvet

Ben greet Luca but I don’t say anything, because…honestly, I’m still trying to catch my breath. God damn

rolling onto her back like she’s been knocked out cold. We’re never going to make it here, I whisper to her, laughing inwardly, but she doesn’t even

his voice low enough that only I can hear the words as well as the humor lacing them, “I don’t think I’m the

Sun, Tu Mar

Chapter 39

face and lean over, smacking Ben hard on the

because we know he’s dead right.

as the bell to the dumbwaiter rings again. I perk up, completely fascinated by this crazy aspect of on new life, and dash over to it. Even though Rafe beats me there. I’m in time to see him

hits my nostrils and I groan, reaching immediately for the covered tray which I now realize holds some delicious dinner, but Rafe just laughs and swats my hand away. “That’s too heavy for you,” he says, smiling at me cheerfully and lifting the whole silver tray out with his big hands, balancing it carefully as he maneuvers around me. “You get the drinks.”

away and my stomach growls – I didn’t realize that I was starving. But I cheerfully grab the pewter pitcher and the little metal cups that come along with it, surprised to see that there are five, not three, as I’d have

the tray. “Five!” I say, slipping over the back of

–

Ben says, looking up at me and shrugging. “Asked them to please send mine here. I didn’t think you’d mind. I guess Luca

rolled in a white napkin. “Seriously, why are we still talking? Everyone

eat.”

the glasses of water and hand

it was something a little better than water,” Luca murmurs when I hand him his cup. “We’re celebrating,

to keep sober tonight. With a few drinks in me and him looking

me my plate. I balance the dish on my knees as I dig in to my meal steak, roasted potatoes, green beans lathered with

than it is in the barracks. I had no idea we’d be living in relative luxury candidacy really lowered

evening meal tonight? I think I’m