The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 48

1

My eyes go wide as I gasp, spinning to see Alvez walking down the hall, completely nonchalant. But that was no ghost, sneaking an intimate touch when my brother’s back was turned.

“What is it?” Rafe asks, turning towards me.

“Sorry, I uh–just saw a spider,” 1 murmur. “Really big one.”

“Gross,” Jesse says, a shiver running through him. I grin at him, because Jesse hates spiders.

“Yeah, let’s get out of here,” Rafe says, nodding towards the elevator at the end of the hall. “Ari and I have to have a chat after all.”

“Really?” Jesse gasps as we step into the elevator. “What about!? Do I get to come. too?”

“No,” Rafe says, slinging an arm around my shoulders and glaring over at our cousin. “Siblings only for this one.”

Jesse hangs his head back as the elevator lifts us swiftly into the air. “That’s so unfair,” he groans. “Come on, I’m basically a sibling – our dads our brothers, our moms are sisters! Genetically, I’m pretty much the same

“Don’t be weird,” Rafe says, glancing over at Jesse with his brows knit as the elevator door opens and we start down the hall.

Jesse continues to complain all the way into the room but Rafe ignores him and I laugh, because Jesse can be such a baby when he doesn’t get his way. But eventually Jesse flops, defeated and depressed to be deprived of the gossip, onto his bed as Rafe pushes me towards the bathroom.

“Rafe, you can pee alone,” I mutter, tossing my chemistry book onto my bed as I

1. go.

“This is about secrecy not bodily functions,” he murmurs, shutting the door behind him and leaning back on it. “Which I’d think would be something you appreciated, considering this is a conversation about your mate. So?” He raises an eyebrow at me. “Spill.”

I sigh, closing the lid to the toilet and sitting down on it, taking off my cap and

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Chapter 48

taking a moment to massage my sore scalp under its tight braid. Rafe listens quietly and carefully as I tell him everything about Jackson about his apology in the bathroom that allowed me to see a different side of him, my impulsive invitation to breakfast, and then about his waiting to go into his obstacle course. with me, and the hint and the help he gave.

looking studiously down at the floor with his brows drawn, “do you think he’s like…figured it out? That he’s helping you because

against the toilet tank. “I mean, anything is possible, and I think he’s being nice to me because he does sense a connection. between us. But

so

me,” I say, but I smile at my brother because it feels nice to be able to talk

to get to know your mate,” he murmurs, “that’s important. But there’s so much at risk. And he

you have to try, Rafe,” I say quietly. “I don’t think he’s going to try to hurt me again. Honestly, if anything, it feels

if he doesn’t know he’s your mate, he’s got some impulse to protect you?” Rafe asks, looking up at me. “I mean, that makes sense…the way dad protects mom feels just like a part

little anxiety stirs in me at the comparison to dad and mom – because they

I…just met him.

And Luca?

prancing gleefully at the thought of them. And

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Chapter 48

Tu Mar

I murmur, swatting her playfully in the rump. She spins

right,” Rafe sighs, hanging his head a little with a big sigh. “I’ll try to be

him, but a knock comes

somewhere else, Jesse,” Rafe says, his voice exhausted.

advice, Rafe,” Jesse replies, dry, “but

up and eagerly pulling on my cap. Rafe gets to his feet too, but his eyes move

mine?” he asks, heading for it. “I want to take a minute to myself.”

it fit better. Rafe starts to strip off his shirt as I pull the door open, but I’m a little shocked to see Jesse

behind me. “You have a guest, Mr. Clark,” he

I follow Jesse’s gesturing hand towards there door, where I burst into a grin to see the seamstress here in the flesh, a black box in her hands.

I shout, scurrying over, excited.”Hi!” she says, beaming at me, “I’m so happy to see you! I

her hands and head for my nook. “Come over

and both the seamstress and I stop short in our tracks, our

little as I

of…figured it out

Chapter 48

face as she looks between my cousin and me. “Oh, a

little bit. “You can’t do this shit to me and

the seamstress asks, stepping closer to me as I put the box on my bed