The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

As we walk up the steps, the paparazzi call out questions to us, asking where I've been and who the new members of our party are. I hear them also calling Luca's name, but Luca is very professional about the whole situation, keeping his eyes focused ahead on my parents, who are waiting patiently for us at the top of the stairs.

Again, I can't help the huge smile on my face. My mom beams at all of us, her hands pressed to her heart, but she laughs aloud when she sees me, so pleased and happy that I'm here, and that I'm safe, and that I've managed to drag my two Alpha mates into what is sure to be a great deal of drama for her to enjoy.

I shift my eyes to my dad after a moment, not letting it bother me that he's looking very stern. After all, he usually always looks stern. But as dad watches me, his eyes flicking for a moment to both Luca and Jackson to let me know precisely what is on his mind, I see the corner of his mouth twitch just subtly.

And I know, in that instant, that the sternness is all a front, and that he's not actually mad at me. That he's probably just as thrilled and excited to see his two eldest children as we are to see him. Something about that little twitch at the corner of my dad's mouth breaks the final restraints I was keeping on myself and I burst into happy laugher, dropping my hand from Luca's elbow and dashing up the final three stairs into my father's arms. I hug my dad tight around his waist and his arms fold around me, holding me tight. I hear and feel the happy rumble in his chest as he pulls me closer to him.

Out of the corner of my eye I see Rafe embrace mom quickly and then turn, starting to introduce her to our guests, some of whom she's already met.

pulls my

he murmurs, and I pull back a little to smile up at him. He runs a fond hand down the length of my rose-gold hair. "Looks like you've been up to no good, haven't you?" he says, again looking up to peer over my head at the two young men standing behind me. I quickly glance over my shoulder to see Luca meeting my father's gaze, standing before him with Cadet sharpness - feet apart, his hands tucked behind his back, his face very serious. Behind him Jackson

my father with a smile, pointing upwards towards the sky. "Actually, dad, this wasn't my fault. If you're mad about

shakes he head at me and unfolds his arms, stepping away and reaching out a hand

and watching this unfold. "Welcome to the palace. I was looking forward to meeting you before your fight against the Atalaxians in two days - but now I am eager to get to know you

credit,

honor and speak with you about my intentions towards your daughter." He shifts his eyes to me now, just briefly, a

one hell of a shiner you've got there, son," dad

towards his own face. "This is nothing, sir. At least you now know that I can take a punch one day and show up to the Palace on my best girl's arm the