The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

I lift my eyebrows in surprise as Luca turns to stares at Jesse, appalled at the accusation. Jesse continues, either pretending not to notice or not caring.

"I mean," Jesse says, turning his palm up as he talks it through, "unless I'm mistaken, you've never told her that you loved her before, right? At least not before last night. And now you're throwing that word around a lot in a situation where you're actively asking her for something. It might not be bullying, but it is a little manipulative." Jesse grimaces and gives a shrug, and I can tell that he's genuinely not happy to have to deliver the message.

But my jaw drops a little when I realize that...that Jesse's kind of right on that one. Luca is pulling out the I-word at the same moment when he's asking me for something really big.

"I can't believe you're accusing me of not loving her, of saying that just because I want something -"

"We're not accusing you of that," Rafe says, his voice gentler now. "We're just asking you to play fair, Luca. And to let her make her own decisions about what's right for her. Even if that's not what's right for you."

me now and standing up, clearly wanting a little space. "When obviously I am the better match for Ariel - I can handle her life as a Princess, I'm already your guys' best friend, I'm completely dedicated to supporting her through this Academy thing and have been for months. How can you not be on my side, after all of this!? We're - we're fucking

side," I say quietly folding my hands in my lap and looking up at my mate, my heart

to glare at Luca. But I watch as his face softens, as he forces himself to be kinder. "We're not on Jackson's side, but we're not on yours

"Always Ariel's side, Luc. I'm...I'm sorry if that's not what you want to hear, but

cousin," Jesse adds, and my heart swells

Rafe continues, his face a little grim. "As her mate? I'd prefer it if

bite my lip, heartbroken and awkward, my fingers twisted together in my lap. We stare at each other for a long time, and down our bond I feel him questioning, apparently unable to put it into words right now, wanting and needing to know what it is that I'm asking for in

on this. "Rafe and Jesse and I - we talked about it last night. And I think it's right - I'm supposed to have two mates, she gave me both of these

and cousin here to support me - because if it was just me and Luca? I'm not sure I could find the courage to do this to deliver the words that I

taking a step closer to look down