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?”

anyway?” Jesse asks, a subtle

God, a few minutes ago

wide and innocent. “Is

as I watch his smile grow I realize that he likes that she’s actually pushing back. “Isn’t it?” he asks, boldly taking another step closer,

glancing towards the bathroom, “isn’t

doubling over and putting my hands in my knees at the way Jesse’s mouth

smiling up at him, pleased as punch to have gotten the better of him. And Jesse, to his credit,

hug – which I give her – before she heads for the door. “Ari, I’ll be in touch. And, your

but then I

Sun, 10

Chapter 19

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

away. “Come on, you

“What?”

he laughs, shoving me between the shoulders towards

the end of term? We’ve got to keep you

around,” I accuse, glaring at him over the shoulder as I

smiling at me as we pass through the door and head for the elevator. “Though I do admit, the

snap as we

he says, his voice deadpan as the doors shut and we head

still panting and gross with sweat an hour and a half later when Jesse and I get back to the room, me stumbling in exhausted and him casually strolling

from the couch, where Ben and Luca are already sitting. Rafe glances up at the clock. “You’re pushing it close to dinner

Jesse says, grinning at me and shoving me towards the

–

– as ridiculous as it

10

Chapter 49

while I’m in it my mind returns, perhaps. inevitably, to the way Luca’s face looked at breakfast this morning – his absolute shock at the realization that not only are our midnight dream meetings real, but that in the end I

pull my new uniform on- chic and fitted, as

almost moan at

fight these guys to keep them

to what is clearly becoming my little corner of the couch – a place which is, fortunately or unfortunately, right next to Luca. My attention immediately goes to the food in front of me – roasted chicken all wrapped up in soft

in with gusto.