The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 49

“Okay, the question of boys aside,” Jesse says, clearly rankled by the diminutive appellation as he steps forward again, “seriously, can we trust you? This is…not a small secret.”

“I swear it,” the seamstress says, her eyebrows going up and her face sincere. “Beyond the fact that I will absolutely lose this job if anyone figures out that I kept this secret, I think it’s really cool that there’s finally a girl in the ranks. Plus,” she grins at me and gives me a shy little shrug, “I liked you immediately. And I, too, could use a friend. Gets lonely in this castle.”

“See?” I say, linking arms with her and turning to pout at Jesse. “We’re lonely, Jess. Are you going to deny us friendship?”

Jesse groans, tilting his head back and covering his face with his hands, but I just turn to smile at the girl.

“I’m Daphne,” she says, offering her hand, which I shake. “And I swear, I won’t tell anyone, ever. I want to help.”

“I’m Ariel,” I say in turn, though clearly she already knows that. “And thank you, seriously.”

“Anytime!” she says as Jesse takes a deep breath and drops his hands from his face. “Let me show you what I did –”

– a

Daphne quickly walks me through the details of my uniform modifications wider waist, more breathing room in the chest and the little sports bra that she quickly sewed for me, which she designed to flatten my already–smallish chest as much as possible.

“I’ll make you more of these,” she says, grinning at me, “as well as send you up any women’s products that you need, whenever you need them. Just send me a little note saying you popped a seam, I’ll figure it out.”

I beam at her and impulsively throw my arms around her in a hug, pleased and grateful. “You’re the best, Daphne,” I murmur. “Can you stay for dinner? There will be plenty of food,” I say, pulling back. But then I roll my eyes. “But also, many more boys.”

“That’s all right,” she says, shaking her head, her pretty blue eyes sparkling. “But,

Chapter 49

maybe I can come up later in the week on my day off? And we could…hang out?”

“Yes!” I say instantly nodding and feeling a bit sorry when I see the hope that swells in her eyes. This poor girl she’s probably even more starved for female company

than I am.

“We’ll be glad to see you,” Jesse says, his calm returned now as he slips his hands into his pockets and again steps close to Daphne, smiling down at her. “Though, try to come with it’s just us Sinclairs here in the room,” he murmurs. “We like to keep our secret close.”

“Or,” Daphne says, turning her head, again coy. “Do you just not want to share me with the other boys?”

you want to see them anyway?” Jesse asks, a subtle twist to

from me at the gall of him at this moment and I just shake my head, turning away. God, a few minutes ago I’d honestly thought Jesse was doing a good job of flirting with Daphne, but with that line

Duke?” Daphne says, her eyes wide and innocent. “Is that supposed to be

he likes that she’s actually pushing back. “Isn’t it?” he asks,

towards the bathroom, “isn’t there a Prince just

hands in my

to have gotten the better of him.

a hug – which I give her – before she heads for the door. “Ari, I’ll

leaves, but then I instantly spin

10

Chapter 19

say, pointing a delighted finger up into his face. “You are so

finger away. “Come on, you have a workout to do

“What?”

me between the shoulders

you hear about the Examination at the end of term? We’ve got to keep you fit if we want to

so Daphne keeps coming around,” I accuse, glaring at him over the shoulder as I drag my feet towards

for you,” Jesse says, smiling at me as we pass through the door and head for the elevator. “Though I do admit, the seamstress could be an

friend,” I snap as we climb back into the elevator.

not,” he says, his voice deadpan as the doors shut and we head down, down, down to the

a half later when Jesse and I get back to the room, me stumbling in exhausted and him casually strolling as

in case any other cadets want to come by and say hello, introduce themselves or whatever.“Hey!” Rafe shouts from the couch, where Ben and Luca are already sitting. Rafe glances up at the clock. “You’re pushing it close to dinner time,” he says,

Shrimpy here just needs to get faster, doesn’t he?” Jesse says, grinning at me and shoving me

–

a little – as ridiculous as it is for Luca to see me all red

10 Mar

Chapter 49

shower because while I’m in it my mind returns, perhaps. inevitably, to the way Luca’s face looked at breakfast this morning – his absolute

I towel off and pull my new uniform on- chic and fitted, as promised

I open the bathroom door, I almost moan at the scent of foot that immediately floods my nose.

to basically fight these guys to

unfortunately, right next to Luca. My attention immediately goes to the food in front of me – roasted chicken all wrapped up in soft flat bread, spread with

in with gusto.