The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

"Yeah," Jesse says, considering, assessing. "Yeah, Ari, with all of it - I think you did as well as you could." "Really?" I ask, kind of shocked.

"Yeah, I agree," Rafe says with a sigh. I turn my eyes to him. "I mean, you had to get to know them first to know if you even wanted to tell them you were their mate. And then you certainly couldn't have told one before the other. And if you had told me, I definitely would have gone running off to mom and then dad would have pulled you out of school. The way you handled this was messy but..." he shrugs again. "I get it."

"Oh god," I mutter, putting my face into my tired hands with a shaky sigh. "That...that makes me feel so much better."

"Maybe you could have used the dreamscape," Jesse murmurs thoughtfully, "and pulled them both in. And then they couldn't have hurt each other physically, just their dream bodies..."

"Well, in retrospect," I say, crossing my arms and giving him a little glare, "sure, that sounds great, Jess."

waving a flippant hand.

turn my head back to Rafe when

hard, Ari," he says, peering at me thoughtfully. "They're going to...they're going to really lay into you for this. And I do think you owe them apologies and explanations but...I don't think you should let them make you feel too horrible about

ask as Jesse turns, propping himself up on his elbow to

telling them about it. You didn't pick this - you didn't even pick them! The Goddess gave you these mates, and I think it's pretty clear that she wanted you to have them both

little to

make it your fault. You have to remind them of that, Ari - and if they give you any shit about it, then we'll remind them too." He raises his fist, smacking it against his other palm with a smirk, letting me know precisely how he intends to remind them. "Yeah, don't let them push you around," Rafe says, frowning now at the idea. "Luca, especially, is going to try to convince you to turn away from your bond with Jackson. But you have every right to explore your bonds with both of your

out. "I mean, mates are supposed to be a gift - and she's your grandmother, for heaven's sake.

- I think she'd be pissed, and you'd do yourself a disservice. I

of warmth runs through me as I begin to smile, staring at my brother, who is so sweet, and so supportive. Tears again