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.”

and turn away. Rafe sighs and grabs the door

what about Theresa!?” I shout, spinning to look

drops as he covers his face with his hands, moaning like he’s

scandalized gasp, but Rafe just

Jesse shouts after me just before the door snicks.

a guilty pink. For the next ten minutes as we wend our way through the halls I pepper him with questions. He answers everything I want to know about Jesse, but

my arms and glaring up into. his face. “But this one is off limits, okay?”

to me with a smile. “I can make that promise for myself, but Jesse? Don’t hold your breath waiting for him to agree to it.”

out to knock on the

stand quietly while wait, and I hear a set of footsteps inside. Then, the door swings open.

Daphne says, beaming at me. “Welcome, I –”

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

her his best Prince

Daphne “fe, Heir to the

out

Chapter 67

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

Rafe,” he says, smiling at 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

glad to see her relaxing a

room.”

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

says, putting her hands on her hips. “And not once have I been accosted.”

asks. “What’s your

but really,”

didn’t expect him to agree to that so easily I guess our little two–second chat earlier really hit its mark. He turns to me then. “How

–

over at Daphne. “An

and nod to Rafe, who sketches a little bow and turns

god,” she says, pressing the door shut behind us and leaning back against it for support, “that was Rafe

laugh, shaking my head at her. “Don’t be so impressed – it’s just Rafe,” I say with a shrug.

I know,” she says, laughing and grabbing my arm, tugging me over to the bed and gesturing for me to sit down. “But you’re not nearly

squeak in dismay, standing up straight at the

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 but,” she shrugs and

say, eyeing the bottle