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

it then, the peels of laughter that come from me as I grab a

of the family now, Ben,” Rafe sighs when his laughter

cool.” Ben says with a shrug, reaching for my packet of peach rings on the table and grabbing one from the edge. “Plus, I like girls. It’s nice to have one around.” He sends me a little wink as he pops the candy into his

his voice a low growl again. “I said you’re family now, which means hands off

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

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

calls, and we all turn in time to see the door swing open, revealing Luca looking…devastatingly good in his

found you,” he says, leaning against the doorframe with a smirk, a little pasty box balanced in his hands. “Can I come in? I brought

As Luca walks in I take the opportunity to slip the velvet hair ribbon into my

my breath. God damn it, Luca in that high–collared black uniform, with the dark grey

to make it here, I

only I can hear the words as well as the humor

Sun, Tu Mar

Chapter 39

over,

we both laugh, because we know he’s

crazy aspect

it could be, but then the smell 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.

little as the food moves 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

over

–

to please send mine here. I didn’t think you’d mind.

cares,” Jesse murmurs, reaching eagerly for a plate and a set of silverware rolled in a white napkin. “Seriously, why are we still

eat.”

pour the glasses

a little better than water,” Luca murmurs when

sitting next to Luca on the couch and considering that though he might be right, I’m a little glad that we’re obliged to keep sober tonight. With

are those?” I ask noticing some folded up pieces of paper in the corner of the tray as Rafe hands me my plate. I balance the dish on my knees as I dig in to my meal steak, roasted potatoes, green beans lathered with butter, fresh brown rolls. A shiver goes through me when I realize how amazing

food really is better up here than it is in the barracks. I had no idea we’d be living in relative luxury

after the bath I took this afternoon and the evening meal tonight? I think I’m going to like life in