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

as I grab a pillow off the couch and hurl it at

Ben,” Rafe sighs when his laughter fades, shrugging and giving

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

growl again. “I said you’re family now,

me. “I don’t think I’m Princess Ari’s

appalled sputter, but before I can protest further

we all turn in time to see the door swing open, revealing Luca looking…devastatingly good in his black uniform.

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

take the opportunity to

to catch my breath. God damn

We’re never going to make it here, I

I can hear the words as well as the humor lacing them, “I don’t think I’m the Princess’s taste at all.”

Sun, Tu Mar

Chapter 39

screw up my face and lean over, smacking Ben hard

because we know he’s

this crazy aspect of on new life, and dash over to it. Even

the covered tray which I now realize holds some delicious dinner, but Rafe just laughs and swats my hand away.

cheerfully grab the pewter pitcher and the

cover from the tray. “Five!” I say, slipping over the back of the couch so that I’m sitting next to Luca, leaning forward with interest. “How did they know I mean, Luca just

–

“Asked them to please send mine here. I didn’t think you’d mind. I guess Luca

murmurs, reaching eagerly for a plate and a set of silverware rolled in a white napkin. “Seriously, why are we still talking? Everyone shut

eat.”

and start to pour the

murmurs when I

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 a few drinks in me and him looking like that?

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

I had no idea we’d

afternoon and the evening meal tonight? I think I’m going to like