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.

chair. “I’m jealous, but I’m with Rafe on this one. Sitting

cocking an

how much of a risk

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

me. “Shrimp makes his own decisions,” I say, mostly to be contrary. I

rolls his eyes at me.

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

note, peering down at my name neatly written on the front as all the boys at the table lean. forward eagerly.

note to my chest. “Away, you jackals,” I say, scowling at them all.

reaching for it, but I swat at his hand and Ben takes my side, shoving Rafe playfully back as I quickly unfold the paper before Rafe can grab for it again.

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

happy sigh and stretching my arms languidly above my head. “Looks like my

what the hell is going on and making a mad grab for my pocket. I just laugh and grab my book satchel, making a

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

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

breath is all swept from my chest as my butt hits the floor, my hand going instantly to my nose. I

god,” a voice says, “what

because obviously, obviously it’s not a piece of granite in the hall.

damn gigantic mate.

in front of me, his

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

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

been fine if you weren’t just lurking in the doorway,” I sigh, putting my hands on the ground to push myself

–

the “Rafe’s voice booms behind me, instantly livid. “What the hell

putting his hands up in front of him. “Clark did this to himself,” he insists. “I am not responsible for any of this.”

and nodding to my brother.

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

being kind of a baby about it because I know Rafe will let me off the hook. “My face hurts, be

Jackson, sighing and rolling his eyes but letting him know

says, turning his attention to me again. “I

tense. I look up at Jackson