The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 77

When I wake up the next morning. I am in an absolute daze of joy.

Rafe just smiles at me as he passes my nook on the way to the bathroom, happy to see me happy, but Jesse immediately knows what’s up as I stretch my arms over my head, unable to keep the smile off of my face.

“Ugh, it’s so unfair,” he moans, flopping back into his own pillow pile as the bathroom door closes behind Rafe.

“What, do you want to swap with me?” I ask him, teasing. “Make out with Luca in the dream state instead?”

“No, I don’t want to swap,” Jesse mutters, bitter, lifting his head to glare at me. “It’s just very unfair, Ariel, that you get to wake up in a sex haze while the rest of us are all pent up-

–

“No one is stopping you from making out with the other cadets, Jesse,” I say with a happy sigh, climbing out of my bed and starting to set out my clothes for the day.

“Well, considering they hold very few charms for me, it’s not precisely an appealing option,” he replies, deeply sarcastic. “And considering that you actively are cockblocking me from making out with the one person I do want to get naked with with in this castle.”

“Again, I am willing to share Luca,” I joke, sending him a little grin over my shoulder.

Jesse just rolls his eyes at me. “Please,” he says, sitting up and pressing his hands together in prayer, “please release me from my promise not to hit on Daphne. Even just let me flirt

with her!”

“Jesse!” I sigh, turning to him. “Do you actually like her? Or are you just hitting on her because she’s the only girl around.”

He sits up straight for a second, turning his head like he hadn’t considered it.

“I will invite her over,” I say, pointing a finger at his face and speaking slowly so he hears how seriously I am. “And you can pursue her if you actually like her. But don’t mess her around, okay?”

Chapter 77

“I promise,” he says, almost reverent.

she likes another boy instead of you,” I say, turning my head to the side and continuing my glare. “You have to

at me. “Did she

flick my eyes

Everyone likes Rafe until they realize that I’m the

she likes Rafe you have to let her like Rafe!” I say, speaking over him and throwing out my arms

fine,” he says, though I can already see his little mind turning, scheming.

and happy. “I’ll send her

hopping out of bed and darting across the room to wrap me in an enthusiastic hug, rocking me back and forth. “When is she

away,” I say, pretending to be sterner than I am and unable to keep from laughing. “She’ll come when

especially considering that Luca’s leg is pressed warmly against mine throughout the entire meal. The only dark point is when Jackson walks by and gives us a little nod of acknowledgement as he goes. I wave back to him, but I hesitate when Luca goes rigid

to him. “Guess we got…distracted, didn’t we?” I whisper, remembering our intent to have a little chat about Jackson last night in the dream

I suppose we did,” Luca says, narrowing his eyes a

taking in the stern set to

Chapter 77

I ask quietly mind–to–mind, and Luca’s face

course we’re okay, he replies, shaking his head slightly as he slips his hand into mine beneath

We’re fine.

then, pleased to hear

paces and I do my best to tuck the anxiety away, because I don’t want Luca to feel it.

soul with her nose. Not fair – he thinks he’s

her as I realize

break that to someone? I drop my eyes to the table, but look up again when Luca squeezes my hand. He raises an eyebrow at me and I put a smile

turning towards him.

going to be late?” he asks, turning

what?” I ask, completely

at me like I’m a bit of an idiot for letting it slip

“Oh my god,” I glance up at the clock on the wall,

–

to

“I scurry to my feet, and Luca stands too, dropping