The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 0165

Rafe scowls at him, but suddenly the door opens, and a man in a royal uniform steps inside, giving a sharp bow. I burst into a smile as he straightens up, because of course I recognize Captain Conner, who heads up the Royal guard and who we’ve known since we were babies.

“Your Highness, your Grace,” he begins, nodding to Jesse and Rafe, honored guests,” Captain Conner continues, nodding around to the rest of us, but then he stutters to a stop when his eyes fall on me. Conner freezes for a second and then bursts into a smile, bowing low again. “Your highness,” he murmurs, and his face is the picture of happiness as he stands straight. “Forgive me, I wasn’t expecting you.”

“That’s okay!” I say, waving a cheerful hello. “It’s so good to see you!”

He smiles at me but then fights it, working hard to return to his professional demeanor. He takes a deep breath, nodding again, and gesturing towards the door. “If you’ll accompany me? The station has been cleared and the cars are waiting.”

Rafe nods our readiness and Conner steps outside. Then we all grab our backpacks, and Daphne her suitcase, and file cheerfully off the train.

“Wow,” Daphne says, looking around the giant train station with its soaring glass ceilings. Her smile reveals how impressed she is as she walks next to me, my hand in Luca’s. “This is…this is amazing…”

“First time in the capital, Daph?” Luca asks, friendly.

“Yeah,” she says, grinning. “I’m staying a few days – for your fight, of

course

–

her

I’m going to go to my mom’s for the holidays themselves.” Daphne and Luca continue to

it’s a little bit north of the capital – just a small town where a fabric mill used to be in the days of industrialization. They chat about family history, but on Daphne’s mention of the north, my mind drifts – predictably – to someone

emotions don’t travel down my bond to him. Because I’m not sure he needs to know right now just how sad I am that Jackson didn’t meet us at the train, that he

but-

mate, after all. What am I going to do without him for two weeks? How am I supposed to bear it? I mean, I don’t even have any way of contacting him. It’s not like he has a phone

we’re

think Luca notices as he continues to chat with Daphne. Her eyes,

a sad little line.

I give her a wink, and force myself to lift my chin, determining to make

of it.

and dad, and my brother and sister – and Jesse’s huge, insane family. They, too, will be waiting for us at the

we walk, as I glance around the familiar train station that I’ve been in a thousand times, my eyes sliding over the people who are bustling around, going about their daily business and trying to get home through the cold. And even if my eyes do

my second sigh, forcing my eyes up to all of the pretty tilework that rings the borders of the station, making myself admire. the artistry of

back to the tall

closer and closer…I narrow my eyes.

Because…

no. There’s

then suddenly it’s

—