The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

My brother, seeing the very real grief on my face, stands and moves to my side, pulling into a hug. "You're getting the best end of this deal," he murmurs after a moment. Then Rafe loosens his arms and stands between me and my mates, not letting them see the sadness written in every line of me because he knows I need to stand strong in this decision that I need to make it myself, without them. Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ FɪndNovᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

"I know," I whisper, my heart breaking as my brother wipes the two tears that fall quickly off of my cheeks, not wanting them to see. "I get it...it's just...god, Rafe, I can't imagine..."

"I know," he murmurs, leaning forward and pressing a kiss to my forehead. "But neither can they. I think it's right, Ariel - or if not right, then the fairest. We can - we can talk to mom and Cora when we get home. Maybe talk to the Goddess? See...see if we can get a better perspective. But for right now, this makes peace."

I take a deep breath, looking up into my brother's face, and then I nod, working hard to steady myself. When he sees that I'm in control again, Rafe turns around, slipping a protective arm around my shoulders and looking between Luca and Jackson. "So, we're good with this? We're agreed?"

"Well, what's the timeline?" Luca asks, frowning, his hand sunk into his pockets.

"No set timeline," Rafe replies, looking down at me with a nod. "When Ari knows...she'll know."

"So what, we could do this for years?" Luca gasps, appalled.

to choose one mate today, and it's already breaking

but after a moment he nods,

My mate doesn't reply to him, just holding me with his dark-blue gaze. Then, just once, he

that he said it aloud as he looks between all of us. And I have to admit, I share

all stand very, very still, I think none of us having any idea, at all,

as the sound

towards the

turning my head almost as if I could see them, though obviously I can't. "Since when does the castle have bells!? Since when do

shouts, jumping up from the couch and hopping over the back of it, darting for his bed. "End

all, not a stitch - and I spin towards my nook. But as I rip the velvet curtain back, I turn with a frown, because there are footsteps - "Where are you going?" I call, seeing both of my

Luca calls over his shoulder, worried. "I'll meet you at the train, Ariel! It's

the door, and then decide that I don't have anything here that I can't reproduce at home except my homework. I grab my textbook, tossing it to Ben who already packed - sits casually at the coffee table, sipping from his mug. "Pack that for me!" I shout, darting for the