The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 0213

Mom and Luca exchange pleasantries while I work very hard to pull myself together, wondering how the hell I’m supposed to manage all of this chaos, when Jesse – of all wonderful people comes to my rescue.

He, too, skids through the door and is across the room in half a second, shoving Luca roughly aside and knocking him to the floor so he can wrap his arms around me, murmuring about how scared he was and how glad he is that I’m okay.

I hug my cousin back, assuring him that I’m all right, and it’s only when Jesse offers a hand and an apology to Luca that I’m able to look at my mom again. She quickly raises a questioning eyebrow at me, asking silently if everything is out in the open, and I hurriedly shake my head, begging her with my expression to please, please not say anything.

Slowly, she nods, a smile still playing at her lips as she turns her attention back to the boys, who are now standing at my bedside.

“As much as it is a pleasure to meet you, Luca,” she says, her voice official now, “and I do very much want to talk to you more – Ariel still isn’t well.”

Luca’s face pales at the news and he anxiously looks between me and my mom.

“She’s fine,” Jesse explains, putting a hand on Luca’s shoulder. “Aunt Ella healed her up, Luc, don’t worry –

“I healed her,” mom says, nodding to Jesse, “but she’s still exhausted and dehydrated. Jesse? Will you please go get your mom, and tell her to bring an IV? Ariel needs fluids.”

door, but Luca hesitates, clearly wanting to stay. My mom simply quirks one queenly eyebrow at him, though clearly requesting time alone with her daughter – and I see Luca

then down my arm. I can see him bodily fighting his instincts to stay by his

be okay, Luca,” I murmur, leaning impulsively forward. Luca puts a soft hand on my cheek and presses a brief, chaste kiss to my mouth – not really able to resist, but

stands with a sigh and heads for the door. I’m still grinning, watching his

as my mom clears

hand for hers and squeezing it before the door snicks shut behind

me, her voice light and gossipy. “Why do both of

say, my voice and my face

falls from her face. “Wait, what?”

both of their scents hit me, and then of figuring it all out as time passed. Mom’s eyes are wide and shocked by the time

have time to get

–

told Jackson last night, during

the door opens and Aunt Cora comes in, wheeling an IV stand with