The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 67

I stand back, looking confusedly between Rafe and Jesse. “What?” I ask my brother and my cousin, “what’s so funny?”

“Ari,” Rafe says, shaking his head at me as he puts a hand around my elbow and tugs met towards the door. “Not hitting on your friends? That has never been a rule.”

“That has always been a rule!” I gasp, staring up at my brother.

“Well,” he says, grimacing at me a little. “Then that is a rule which Jesse has never followed.”

“What!?” I snap, trying to spin and stare at Jesse but hauled along by Rafe. “Who – who have you hit on?!”

“Who haven’t I hit on?” Jesse replies, still grinning at me, wicked.

“Jesse!” I shout, truly scandalized and betrayed. “Annie? Rebecca? Padme!?” Jesse just grins. and I gape, looking up at Rafe for confirmation.

“He hooked up with them all too,” Rafe informs me, dry.

I let out a loud screech of protest, spinning to stare at my cousin, who just shrugs at me like he couldn’t help it.

“You bring around these nice girls, Ariel, who fall for all my lines!” Jesse exclaims, holding out his hands and shaking his head like he couldn’t help it. “Pretty ones too it is like a buffet. And you expect me to do nothing!?

“Stop making out with my friends, Jesse!”

“No, don’t make me promise that it’s my favorite hobby –

–

“Jesse!” I lash out, trying to smack him, but I’m too far away. Rafe sighs, hauling me further

towards the door.

“Did you seriously make out with Annie and Rebecca?” I call over my shoulder, desperate.

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Jesse just shrugs, innocent. “Someone had to do it, Shrimp.” He clasps an honorable hand to his chest. “I was happy to fall on that sword.”

away. Rafe sighs and

Theresa!?” I shout, spinning to look

Jesse groans, throwing himself on the couch. My jaw drops as he covers his face with his hands, moaning like he’s mourning the loss of

out a scandalized gasp, but Rafe just tugs me

way, cousin!” Jesse shouts after me just before the door snicks. shut. “The best possible way! Rafe can tell

brother, whose cheeks blush a guilty pink. For the next ten minutes as we wend our way through the

finally get to Daphne’s door, crossing my arms and glaring up

a smile. “I can make that promise for myself, but Jesse? Don’t

mutter, reaching out to knock

I hear a

Daphne says, beaming at me.

up at my brother standing next to me. Her mouth makes a little “o”

giving her his best Prince

“It’s nice to meet you, Daphne “fe, Heir to the Throne

out

Chapter 67

out to shake his hand and smiling up at him nervously. raise my eyebrows in surprise she handled herself beautifully with Jesse. Honestly, I’m at little shocked by this reaction to Rafe. “I mean,” she says, blushing as she

her warmly, a little used to people reacting this way it’s been the same since we were kids. He moves on with the conversation so that she has a chance to find her feet again. “Will you send word up when you and Ari are finished with your visit? I can come back

says, and I’m glad to see her relaxing a bit. “I can walk Ari

room.”

he doesn’t believe either of us can protect the other for a second. Daphne, coming back to herself as the moments

putting her hands on

Rafe asks. “What’s your secret?”

with a shrug, making both of us laugh. “No, but really,” she continues with a grin, “servants‘ corridors. Honestly,

expect him to agree to that so easily I guess our little two–second chat earlier really hit its mark. He turns to me

–

Daphne. “An hour? Maybe two?”

says, wrinkling her nose at me. I grin and nod to Rafe,

the door shut behind us and leaning

“Don’t be so impressed – it’s just Rafe,” I say with a shrug. “Plus,” I gesture to myself, “Nation’s princess!

bed and gesturing for me to sit down. “But you’re

in dismay, standing up straight at the offense.

at me as she crosses the little room. “You’re very pretty, Ariel, but you just don’t do it for me.” She reaches up to a shelf and grabs a bottle of wine as well as two small glasses. “Can I persuade you?” she asks. “I know it’s technically illegal

as you promise not to tell my brother,” I say, eyeing the bottle – because honestly, a glass of wine sounds fantastic right