The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 63

“Wait,” I say at breakfast, half a piece of bacon already on its way to my mouth, “what do you mean we don’t have class tomorrow?”

“It’s Friday, shrimp cousin,” Jesse says, smirking at me. “Are you aware of these things they call weekends?”

“Don’t be cute, Jesse,” I snap, glaring at him, which only deepens his smirk. “I just didn’t know the Academy acknowledged them. I mean, it didn’t when we were candidates out in the barracks.”

“Probably to prevent brawls,” Rafe says, pouring himself another cup of coffee as Ben, between us, nods in agreement. “Can you imagine those barracks if they didn’t keep us busy every day?”

“I think we should have a party tonight,” Luca says, raising an eyebrow and looking around at us. “Get our hands on some contraband liquor? Really let loose?”

“Get ourselves kicked out, you mean?” Rafe says, immediately putting the dampener on Luca’s idea. “I will go shot for shot with you during winter break, Grant, but I am staying sober here. Too much at risk.”

“Does this mean I’m invited to the palace for the holidays?” Luca says, his brows raising in interest.

“Of course you are,” Jesse answers, instant. “You too, Ben. Bring your families, if you like, there are a thousand rooms in the palace.”

“Nice of you to invite them to our house,” Rafe says, glowering at our cousin, but then he turns his attention back to Luca and Ben. “But yes, of course you’re invited. We’ll show you a good time, and our parents would love to meet you.”

“Okay, so, sake bombs at Midwinter,” Luca says, “but nothing tonight?”

Rafe solemnly shakes his head, decided.

“Boring,” Luca says with a sigh.

“I’ll drink with you,” Ben says, shrugging and looking over at Luca. “Your room, if the Sinclairs are too straight–laced to participate?”

I burst into a grin, looking between Ben and Luca. Ben he’s always a surprise, isn’t he?

“Seriously?” Luca says, smiling at him. “Sweet, I’ll set it

1. up. See you tonight.”

“This is not a good idea,” Rafe says, sitting up to his full height and looking between them, worried.

be fine,” Jesse says, sighing and sitting back in his chair. “I’m jealous,

an eyebrow at

really how much of a risk it would be –

me again against my seatback, “is staying in, and not participating in contraband.”

say, mostly to be contrary. I mean, I don’t have any real intent to go drinking in Luca’s room, even if my wolf

rolls his eyes at me.

how long I can torture him with this, I’m interrupted when a waiter comes over with a little folded

Cadet Clark,” he murmurs, holding it out to me. I murmur my thanks and take the note, peering down at my name neatly written on the front as all the boys at the table lean. forward

“Away, you jackals,” I

and Ben takes my side, shoving Rafe playfully back

contents of the note and grinning when I see that it’s from Daphne, inviting me to come down to her room tonight to hang out for an hour

up with a happy sigh and stretching my arms languidly above my head. “Looks like my entire evening just got booked

and making a mad grab for my pocket. I just laugh and grab my book satchel, making a mad

course, I think to myself as I streak across the room, hearing Rafe jump to his feet behind me. There’s no way he’s going to let me wander off into the palace tonight all by myself. But I sure as

get through the doors of the Hall, but my laughter is cut

my butt hits the floor, my hand going instantly to my nose.

my god,” a voice says, “what the hell are you doing!?”

obviously it’s

my damn gigantic

front of me, his eyes frantically scanning my

blood on my

his. finger to turn my face back and forth,

the doorway,” I sigh,

–

booms behind me, instantly livid.

putting his hands up in front of him. “Clark did this to himself,” he insists. “I

brother. “I ran into him I

Rafe sputters, gesturing to my mate, who is as big as my brother, if

it because I know Rafe will let me off the hook.

rolling his eyes but letting him know that he’s off

Jackson says, turning his attention to me again. “I was looking for

I look up at