The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

A little worry curls in me at this and I open my mouth to ask more questions, but suddenly the train emits a loud whistle that makes me leap nearly out of my boots.

"Come on!" Jesse calls, sticking his head out from inside the coach. "There's champagne in here! I am not waiting for you! If it's all gone by the time you get in here then you only have yourselves to blame!"

I laugh, moving eagerly forward, Rafe and Luca following close behind. But just as I put my foot up on the prettily-wrought golden stair, I hear someone shyly clear their throat behind me. I gasp, recognizing the sound somehow, and spin, my eyes wide.

"Daphne!" I shout, thrilled to see her standing there, a tiny suitcase anxiously clutched in her hands, her auburn hair curling prettily over her shoulders.

"Um," she says, biting her lip, looking at me with sad and sorry eyes, her whole body tight with unease. "Is it okay? I mean...does my invitation to the Capital for midwinter still stand?"

"Daph!" I shout with a laugh, dashing away from the train car towards my friend and almost knocking her over in my eagerness as I hug her tight to me. She gasps a little at the force of me and then laughs too, wrapping one arm around me, her suitcase pressed between us. "Of course it stands! I'm so happy to see you! I'm so happy you came!"

so sorry, Ari," she whispers, and I can tell by the tightness in her words that she's on the edge of tears. The train emits another sharp whistle and starts to rumble. "I didn't want to do it, but they made me - they said I wouldn't be allowed to keep my job if I didn't

shouts, and I jump a bit, turning to see him leaning from the edge of the gilt stairs, already boarded, a hand out towards us. "And I hate to interrupt a sentimental moment, but you two need to get

sudden jolt and starts forward. I gasp, shoving Daphne in front of me, and she stumbles towards Luca's hand, grasping it. Luca pulls Daphne upwards with ease as I start to run alongside the train, but my powerful mate handles the situation like he's done it all his life. After Luca safely

upwards, settling me against his chest as the train pulls away from the platform and picks up speed.

too late, Princess," he purrs, putting a hand on my cheek and

chin and shaking back my head in a way that would send my hair cascading over my shoulders if it weren't tucked up under my cap - a very girlish, very Princess sort of gesture. "I am royalty, after all. This train leaves

left you crying

about who might see us kissing out in the open like this - but as

can't bring myself to care. Because it's just so perfect, and just so wonderful,