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 me.

lean forward, eager, wondering really how much of a risk it would be –

pushing me again against my seatback, “is staying in, and

scowl, glancing at my brother, who glares heartily back to me. “Shrimp makes his own decisions,” I say, mostly to be contrary. I mean, I don’t have any real intent to go drinking in Luca’s room,

his eyes at

as I smirk at my brother, wondering how long I can torture him with this, I’m interrupted when a waiter comes over with

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

you

swat at his hand and Ben takes my side, shoving Rafe playfully back as I quickly unfold the

and pull away, quickly scanning the 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

my arms languidly above my head. “Looks

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

There’s no way he’s going to let me wander off into the palace tonight all by myself. But I sure as hell am going to enjoy torturing him with the information for as long as I

as I get through the doors of the Hall, but my laughter is cut short as I slam into a big piece of

going instantly to my nose. I gasp, my eyes smarting

a voice says, “what the

up because obviously, obviously it’s not a piece of granite

my damn

front of me, his eyes

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

closely, taking my chin between his thumb and his. finger to turn my face back and forth, studying it. “You’re an idiot

if you weren’t just lurking in the doorway,” I sigh, putting my hands

–

behind me, instantly livid. “What the hell did

in front of him. “Clark did this to himself,” he insists. “I am

feet and nodding to my brother.

my mate, who is as big as my brother, if not even half an

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

eyes but letting

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

shoulders go tense. I look up at Jackson with