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.

he says, looking studiously down at the floor with his brows drawn, “do

lean back 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 I think that if he knew I was his mate, he wouldn’t just…let it

all just so weird, Ari,”

it feels

your mate,” he murmurs, “that’s important. But there’s so much at risk. And he did seriously try to hurt you, which makes

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 like his instincts are swinging

like, even 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 of who

the comparison to dad and mom – because they feel just so

Jackson? I…just met him.

And Luca?

says, prancing gleefully at the thought of them. And very good looking.

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Chapter 48

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for you to say, I murmur, swatting her playfully in the rump.

big sigh.

thank him, but a

Rafe

replies, dry, “but actually our

Rafe gets to his feet too, but

mine?” he asks, heading for it.

heading for the door, eager to see what the seamstress did to my uniform to make 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 standing right there, waiting for

the door shut behind me. “You have a guest, Mr. Clark,” he says, his voice half devious and half angry. “Who is asking

eyes go wide as I follow Jesse’s gesturing hand towards there door, where I burst into a grin to see the

shout, scurrying over, excited.”Hi!” she says, beaming at me, “I’m so happy to see you! I made some modifications, but, um…” her eyes drift over to Jesse as

flapping a hand in his direction as I take the box from her hands and head for my

Jesse gasps, horrified, and both the seamstress and I stop

a little as I resume my steps. “I

of…figured it

Chapter 48

between my cousin and me. “Oh, a secret within

his hands and turning away from me, his—- shoulders shaking a little bit. “You can’t do this

stepping closer to me as I put the box on my bed and start