The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 87

I study Ben for a long moment, really paying attention to him for the first time in a long time. At my side, I can feel Daphne do the same. And as I watch I notice…

the

Well, I notice the way that he looks at Rafe. The way that he tilts his head back to look up at my brother, the way he laughs at Rafe’s joke – which is not very funny, to be honest way his eyes don’t leave him even as Luca begins to talk.

And my spine stiffens just a little bit as I realize…

But I glance at Daphne, wondering if she sees what I see, but not wanting to bring it up because, I mean, Ben’s never brought it up. And who am I to speculate on something that he might very well want to keep to himself?

But as I glance Daphne, I realize that she’s actually not looking at Ben at all. Instead, her eyes are fixed on Jackson, of all people, as he stands with his hands in his pockets, listening intently but not adding to the conversation.

My little wolf jumps to her feet inside me, her teeth bared. But I brush a hand over her fur, even though I, too, am jealous. Because Daphne – she doesn’t know about my claim on Jackson, does she?

And even if she did who the hell am I to say anything at all about her liking him? After all, I’m basically in a relationship with Luca, who is standing two feet from the man I’m getting all jealous over.

Who the hell am I to scold anyone for looking with interest at someone else?

“So,” I say, leaning closer to bump my shoulder against Daphne’s. “You like ‘em big, hmm?”

She starts a little and glances at me, but then she bursts into laughter as she realizes that she’s been caught staring at Jackson. “Yeah, Ari,” she says, stretching her arms over her head as she grimaces a little in embarrassment. “I guess between Rafe Sinclair and that other one over there, you’ve figured out my type. I like a big boy.”

I grin. “I mean, they’re all big,” I say, shrugging.

Chapter 87

“I know, we’re just spoiled,” she sighs, propping her chin in her hand and gazing over at all of the eye candy. Even Ben, the smallest of the group, is well–muscled and over six feet tall. Rafe and Jackson…they’re just something else.

Jesse, maybe overhearing us, suddenly separates himself from the group and comes to flop down on Daphne’s other side. “Did I hear you two talking about me?” he asks, too casual, trying to keep the smirk from his face. “Something about dreamboats? Celebrity crushes? Undying love?”

“Sorry, Jess,” I say, laughing at him and standing up, wanting to give him a minute alone with Daphne to shoot his shot. “As much as I love you, cousins are not my type.”

“I knew you were wise, Ari,” he says, grinning at me as I step away. Then, he turns his attention back to Daphne. “So,” he says, smiling gently at her. “Let me down easy, Daph. Which one of them has stolen you away from me?”

She grins, shaking her head at him, but she doesn’t say a word.

Jesse groans, tilting his head back. “Oh no,” he murmurs, devastation in every line of his face.

“What!?” Daphne laughs.

anyone,” Jesse says, his eyes shut, shaking his head. “Which means…it’s

Rafe.”

how many loves of my life I’ve lost to that man? If he wasn’t my cousin, I’d toss him straight

cousin thinking that would fix anything. I’m not even sure you’d be my second choice.”

at her and then glances over at the group of men. He gasps then, turning back, “McClintock!?”

again. “Cruel woman,” he mutters, dragging a

down his face.

dear friend, Jesse Sinclair, Daphine sighs, still

still smiling at her. “Friendzoned. But I accept it. I’m at good friend, if you’ll let me be it.” He

trick in the book, you know – pretending to be a girl’s friend, get her

makes Daphne laugh again. “No, I mean it,” he says, still offering hist

her eyes a little as she slips her hand into his, accepting his offer. “Honestly, Jesse Sinclair, I think I was hoping you’d try for me a little

that.”

on his lips as he shakes his head and raises her hand to his mouth, “if you ever really want me to stop being your friend and try Instead?…just say the word.” And then he presses a kiss to her knuckles

Daphne? She finds herself smiling at Jesse now,

Daphne talk, letting them have a minute to themselves, trusting Jesse to be the gentleman that I know he can be. I’m not very surprised, though, when Jackson

and meets my eyes, clenching his jaw and looking not very pleased. But I smile at him and he nods before turning back to my brother and Ben, continuing whatever it is they

at Jackson and giving him my full attention

hand through his hair and looks

–

unable to

he doesn’t like

you handling the girl,” I say, turning a little to tilt my head towards Daphne, who is talking pretty intently with Jesse on the couch.

little. “How’d you know I was

road when it faces down a sixteen–wheeler,” I say, giving a casual shrug. Jackson smirks, glancing at me and shaking his head.

he murmurs, his

frowning at him. “Did you go

any girls in your

you

face like I’ve said something a little ridiculous. And then he just laughs a little. “No,

ask, confused suddenly. “No cousins? No…boys

sigh. “I never went

never went to school!?” I ask, kind of appalled. I stare at him, my mouth open. I’m shocked first that he was homeschooled, which is so rare these days, and