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.

fine,” Jesse says, sighing and sitting back in his chair.

says, cocking an eyebrow at

wondering really how much

Ben and pushing me again against my seatback,

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, even if my wolf perks up at

just rolls his eyes at

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

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

clutch the note to my chest. “Away, you jackals,” I

reaching for it, but I swat at his hand and Ben takes my side, shoving Rafe playfully

the note and grinning when I see that it’s from Daphne, inviting me to

stretching my arms languidly above my head. “Looks like my entire evening just got

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

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

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

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

my god,” a voice says, “what

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

just my damn gigantic

his eyes frantically

hand away from my face. I mean, there’s no blood on my

taking my chin between his thumb and his. finger to turn my face back and forth,

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

–

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

go wide as he stands up in a flash, putting his hands up in front of him. “Clark did this

sigh, pushing to my feet and nodding to my brother. “I ran into him I wasn’t looking where I

did you miss him!?” Rafe sputters, gesturing to my mate, who is as big as

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

eyes but letting him know

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

tense. I look