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.

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

and narrowing his eyes at me. “Did she

flick my

that. Everyone likes Rafe until they realize

let her like Rafe!” I say, speaking over him and throwing out my arms

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

sigh, feeling very generous and happy.

wrap me in an enthusiastic hug, rocking me back and forth. “When

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

warmly against mine throughout the entire meal. The only dark point is when Jackson walks

we?” I whisper, remembering our intent to have a little chat about Jackson last night in the dream

we did,” Luca says, narrowing his eyes

sigh, staring into his pretty brown eyes, taking in the stern set

Chapter 77

quietly mind–to–mind, and Luca’s face instantly

he replies, shaking his head slightly as he slips his hand into mine beneath the table. I’m not mad at you I just don’t trust that guy. But you and

We’re fine.

then, pleased to hear it.

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

tell him, she says to me, nudging my soul with her nose. Not fair – he thinks he’s

as I realize that she’s right.

Luca squeezes my hand. He raises an eyebrow at me and I put a smile on my face, nodding and turning back to the food as Rafe calls my

turning towards

to be late?” he asks, turning his head

what?” I ask,

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

I glance up at the clock on the wall,

–

to

“I scurry to my feet, and Luca stands too, dropping my hand so Rafe doesn’t