The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

"Of course, Gorgeous," Luca says, frowning at me a little, like he's ashamed that I felt like I had to ask. He loosens his arm around me. "You don't have to -"

"I know," I say, interrupting and looking at him quite seriously. "But Luca, it's not like we haven't had our own challenges these past two days too -"

He smiles at me, at the understatement of it all, and I can't help the matching smile that takes my lips.

"I just don't want you to think you're not important to me," I murmur, pressing a warm hand to his cheek and sending a great deal of warmth down our bond. "Or that she's more important, or -"

"I get it," Luca says, nodding to me and pressing a kiss to my cheek. "We're good, Ari - go check in with your friend! Friendships are important!"

A great deal of love swells in me at Luca's support and I hug him tight for a moment, so grateful for him. Because there's something in me that knows that he came off as the selfish one in this whole thing - tha he was the one to first say he wanted me to give up Jackson, that he wanted a timeline on me making my choice between them.

But really, overall, Luca has been so supportive of me at every turn. Hell, he was eager to have me even when he thought it meant changing his entire understanding of his sexuality. He just...loves me, and wants me to himself like everyone else with a mate does, and he isn't shy about voicing that. But when it comes to what I want, and what I need?

Luca has been on my side, even if it takes him a moment to get

so, so lucky to have him

beam at him, pressing another kiss to his mouth before I stand up and move over to the bar. Ben - angel that he is - takes two glasses of champagne off the little tray next to

skipping to Daphne's side, where she hands me a glass

replies, laughing

over Daphne's shoulder. "I poured this champagne, and checked to ensure the bottle was sealed before I opened it, but Daphne may have slipped

her hand and shaking her head, even as she laughs a little at

on the floor of this train twenty-four hours from now, or absolutely anywhere else, completely under Daphne's control -" Jesse continues in mock-seriousness, grinning at me

Daphne calls, her face still buried in

ammunition like this?" Rafe asks, laughing and stepping close, taking his own champagne glass from Jesse. "Daphne, this is enough for years worth of teasing. He may spin this one out until the end of

look up at the Prince and the Duke with a

grinning at her and lifting his glass of champagne in her direction.

buy you a sweater, doesn't it?" We all laugh as the train chugs along, our little