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.

and sitting back in his chair. “I’m jealous, but I’m with Rafe on this one. Sitting out.”

an eyebrow at me.

eager, wondering really how much of a risk

out even over Ben and pushing me again against my seatback, “is staying in, and not

to me. “Shrimp makes his own decisions,” I say, mostly to be contrary. I mean, I don’t have any real intent to

rolls his eyes at me.

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

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 eagerly. I look up and around at them, well aware that nothing like this has happened to

clutch the note to my chest. “Away, you

at his hand and Ben takes my side, shoving Rafe playfully

see that it’s

I say, standing up with a happy sigh and stretching my arms languidly above my head. “Looks like my entire evening just got booked up anyway. I won’t be available

Rafe jumps to his feet, demanding to know what the hell is going on and making a mad grab for my pocket. I just laugh

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

through the doors of the Hall, but my laughter is cut short as

as my butt hits the floor, my hand going instantly

my god,” a voice says, “what

snap up because obviously, obviously it’s not

just my damn

in front of me, his eyes frantically scanning

I ask, taking my hand away from my face. I mean, there’s no blood on my hand, but I can’t really feel anything but rampant pain in

face back and forth, studying it. “You’re an idiot for running through the halls like that, but there doesn’t seem to

if you weren’t just lurking in the doorway,”

–

livid. “What the hell did you do to

hands up in front of him. “Clark did this to

brother. “I ran into him I wasn’t looking where I

who is as big as my brother,

Rafe will let me off the hook. “My face hurts, be nice to me.” I rub

eyes but letting him know that he’s off the hook.

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

shoulders go tense. I look up at Jackson with interest.