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.

Jesse says, sighing and sitting back in his chair. “I’m jealous, but I’m with Rafe on this

Luca says, cocking an eyebrow

much of a risk it would be –

me again against my seatback, “is staying

own decisions,” I say, mostly to be contrary. I

rolls his eyes at me.

this, I’m interrupted when a

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 any of us before.

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

Ben takes my side, shoving Rafe playfully

the note and grinning when I see that it’s from Daphne, inviting me to come down to her room tonight

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 for contraband or for hanging

making a mad grab for my pocket. I just laugh and grab my book satchel, making a mad dash for the doors to the Hall, loving

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 hell am going to enjoy torturing him with the information for as long as I

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

hits the floor, my hand going instantly to my nose. I gasp, my eyes smarting as

voice says, “what the hell are you

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

my damn

of me, his eyes frantically

it bleeding?” 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 my face right now.

his. finger to turn my face back and forth, studying it. “You’re an idiot for running

would have been fine if you weren’t just lurking in the doorway,” I sigh,

–

booms behind me, instantly livid. “What the hell did you do to

up in a flash, putting his hands up in front of him. “Clark did

brother. “I ran into him I wasn’t

to my mate, who is

I know Rafe will let me off the hook. “My face hurts,

Jackson, sighing and rolling his eyes but letting him know that he’s off the

his attention to me again. “I

tense. I look up at