The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 68

“Because,” Daphne says, giving a happy little sigh and taking a long sip of her wine, “you’re

–

right the boys here would throw themselves at my feet just because I’m the only girl here

– at least, the only admitted girl here.”

I raise my glass in toast to her, conceding the point.

“But,” she continues with a shrug, “I’m not going to throw myself at the first boy I find myself attracted to – fall in love, get wrapped up in a marriage I haven’t really considered, find myself ten years from now tied to a life that I didn’t want. I want to be more careful than that.”

I nod, understanding. “So, you want to choose your boys carefully. Clever work, Daphne.”

She grins at me, accepting the compliment. “Seems a waste sometimes, though. All these boys for the pickings and I just….leave them on the vine.”

“A job perk left unused,” I murmur, agreeing. “Is the job worth it, besides that? You seem really isolated here.”

“I am isolated,” she says, shrugging before grinning at me, “which is partially why I’m so

–

glad you’re here now seriously, you’d better make it through to the spring semester, I’ll be desolate if you leave me after only a couple months.”

“I’ll do my best,” I say, nodding seriously, “just for you.”

She laughs along with me but then I tilt my head to the side, considering her again, wondering about her past. “Daphne, how did you end up here?”

“My uncle got me the job,” she says quietly. “He was the tailor here before me he brought me in two years ago, when his heath started to fail and he couldn’t keep up with the work. And then when he died, they gave me his spot, because I’m fast, and I work hard, and I know the uniforms inside and out.”

“I’m sorry,” I say quietly, realizing that she really is all alone here now that she’s lost her

uncle as well.

calls only

Chapter 68

98%

15:23

so

I ask, genuinely curious. “Total

whatever I want, whenever I want to,” she sighs, her eyes going a little far–off at the idea. “I don’t need a big mansion or anything – just…the ability to travel where I want, to support myself. Maybe

of that as a possibility

says quietly.

and giving her a little

–

laugh. “Every girl in the nation. human and wolf- has had a crush on Rafe Sinclair since he hit puberty. That height? Those shoulders, those eyes?” she sighs, leaning back against her pillows.

her but laughing anyway, “you wouldn’t think he’s so cute if you had to listen

know Rafe’s reputation in the world I’ve seen the tabloids, and I’m aware that my brother

resting my head against the wall. “You’ll break

your Jesse needs to have his heart

him so much, and I know his heart. is

Chapter no

deserves some loyalty, after all. “Jesse’s not

“I just think he’s maybe a little bit… dangerous. A little too easy to fall in love with, that one you’ve got to watch your step around him before you find

Rafe?” I

–

impossible,” she says, grinning at me. “Nobody actually expects Rafe Sinclair to look their way. You cousin the duke,” she shakes her head, “a little too

huff a sigh through my nose as I look down at my wine, not precisely disliking learning about this side of my brother and my cousin that I

forward and smacking me on my knee. “Tell me everything. Ari – how

her perk up a little, her intuition tingling, when Luca’s name starts to be

to lean forward and

bursting into a laugh and grabbing the bottle to refill my glass of wine, just a little bit. “Just…you light up a bit, when you talk about Luca Grant.”

not,” I protest, but my