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.

of you,” I say, turning my head to the side

going still and narrowing his eyes at

flick my

that. Everyone likes Rafe until they realize

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

I can already see

feeling very generous and

the room to wrap me in an enthusiastic hug, rocking me back and forth. “When is she coming over? Tonight? For

be sterner than I am and unable

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

intent to have a little chat about Jackson last night in the

suppose we did,” Luca says, narrowing

his pretty brown eyes, taking in the stern set to his mouth.

Chapter 77

we okay? I ask quietly mind–to–mind, and Luca’s

course we’re okay, he replies, shaking his head slightly as he slips his hand into mine beneath the table. I’m

We’re fine.

then, pleased to hear

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

to me, nudging my soul with her nose. Not

like howling alongside her as I realize that she’s right.

but look up again when Luca squeezes my hand. He raises an

turning

you going to be late?” he asks, turning his head

I ask,

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

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

–

to

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