The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 86

presses a

I usher Daphne into the room then, where she’s warmly greeted first by Rafe, who brotherly kiss to her cheek – making her blush and then by Jesse, who kisses her hand like a Duchess, making her laugh.

“Hi,” Luca says, stepping forward with his hand out, his dimples on full display as he greets. my friend. “I’m Luca Gra-”

“Oh, no need,” Daphne interrupts, smiling at him as she presses his hand. “I know who you all are –

Luca Grant, Ben Ternicki,” she peers around Rafe to where Jackson is hiding, “Jackson McClintock.”

“Impressive,” Rafe says, raising his eyebrows at her. “How do you know all that?”

“Well,” she says, grinning at my brother, “your dad pays me a lot of money to keep all of this information ready in my mind,” she says, tapping her temple with her forefinger and making me grin. “Honestly, I could probably rattle off all of your measurements, too.”

“Oh really,” Jesse says, a wicked grin on his lips as he leans forward. “And who amongst us has the largest…inseam.”

–

I groan, tilting my head back, wrapping my arm around Daphne’s honestly, that’s precisely the kind of joke I told him not to make –

“Oh, Jesse,” Daphne says, tilting her head and pouting her lips a little in mock pity as she steps forward, patting him consolingly on the shoulder. “Do you really want me to answer that?”

The entire room bursts into laughter, Jesse laughing especially hard with delight at my clever friend. I tug Daphne away to the couch, glancing at Jackson to see him smiling as well, though I can tell that he’s still uncomfortable.

“Did you bring us wine?” Rafe asks, taking the bottle from Daphne like a gracious host and raising his eyebrow at it. “You trying to get us kicked out, ma’am?”

“Oh, I figured,” she says, laughing just a little, “perhaps for later? For a little toast, just to say thanks for having me over?” She shrugs, anxious. “I mean, one bottle split between…” she

takes a second to count, “seven? Honestly, no one’s getting drunk off of that.”

Rafe concedes the point and thanks her graciously for the gift, placing it on the side table of his own little chair as the dumbwaiter’s bell rings. He and Jesse go off to get the food while Luca settles in on Daphne’s other side, chatting with her while I take a second to glance over at Ben and Jackson, who settle onto the floor on the other side of the coffee table.

Ben. I’m pleased to see, is being very warm to Jackson, as I knew he would be. A little thrill of happiness passes through me because Ben he’s really wonderful, isn’t he?

We’re so lucky to have him here with us.

Hope he makes it through the Examination, my wolf says suddenly, pacing anxiously in soul.

at

my

and even though we all know it’s coming inevitably along, we’re all anxious about it. There have been no hints – absolutely none-

even doing well in his studies?

more I could have

and

instincts take over and I turn my mind

for midwinter,” Luca says, smiling at me, and I burst into a grin as

it – I can introduce you to

offended as he presses his hand to his chest, “I invited Daphne

Emergency calls only

Chapter 86

* .096%

D96% 15:38

I say, flapping a hand at him, “she’s my friend,

with his arms looped around his knees, clearly listening in on our conversation with Ben at his side. The room falls quiet even as Rafe and Jesse come back, laying plates on the table as we all give Jackson our full

raising an eyebrow, perhaps the most shocked of us all Luca, of course.

–

except for maybe

and meeting Luca’s eyes. “It’s going to be the show of the century there hasn’t been a fight against the Atalaxians in decades. Not only do we get to kick their ass, but we get to

swell of pleasure running through me to see his lips starting to curl into a smile on one

eyebrows going up like it’s

hint of suspicion to it, though I wonder if only I can hear it since we’ve

his voice quiet, a little curl in the corner. of

just laughs. “Well, then you’ll have to come too,” he says, nodding quickly before turning back to Daphne and

mate, I to find his eyes already

say softly to Jackson, though I know his Alpha hearing picks up on it despite the fuss

Jackson nods once, and then turns his attention back to Ben as Jesse hands him a plate of food.

as I hoped it would. I’m replete with happiness as the hours pass, as everyone begins to relax into casual conversation and a great deal of laughter. Daphne, I note, blushes every time Rafe talks to her at first. But as the evening goes by, she calms, letting

in a way

my surprise, brings it out of her the most. He teases her at all the right times, never

opens about a thousand conversational doors for Daphne to tease him right back. He takes each and every one of her ribs

Jesse he wants everyone to think him the heartless playboy, doesn’t he? But in the end, he really wants tonight is for Daphne to feel warm and happy. I sigh, considering that my cousin really is

deep breath as Rafe gets up and crosses to the fireplace,