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

again. I can’t help it then, the peels of laughter that come from me as I grab a pillow

his laughter fades, shrugging and giving in to

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

it’s too nice,” Rafe says, his voice a low growl again. “I

me. “I don’t think I’m Princess Ari’s taste anyway.”

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

and we all turn in time to see the

says, leaning against the doorframe with a smirk, a little pasty box balanced in his

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

breath. God damn it, Luca

wolf howls inside me, 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 bother to respond. This secret…might as well just

I can hear the words as well as the humor lacing them, “I don’t think I’m the

Sun, Tu Mar

Chapter 39

up my face and lean over, smacking Ben hard on the arm.

we both laugh, because we know he’s dead

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

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

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 to

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 got here

–

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

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

eat.”

start to pour the glasses of water and hand them

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

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? I’d probably have to sit on my hands to keep myself from reaching out and stroking his face.

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 everything tastes.

barracks. I had no idea we’d be living in relative luxury candidacy really lowered my

I took this afternoon and the evening meal tonight? I think I’m going