The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 0339

My stomach twists uncomfortably and I put my glass of wine down on the wall in front of us, not sure if I can have any more, not sure that I'll be able to keep it down. I'm suddenly so worried about Luca.

Not that I think he can't handle himself - I just have...no idea what the Atalaxians are going to throw at him right now.

"Calm, calm," Rafe murmurs to me, putting a steady hand at the center of my back. "Nothing good or bad is going to happen just because you're freaking out."

And I laugh a little, snapped out of it by my steady brother, and heave a big sigh.

-

"Do you want some tequila?" he asks, his voice still low as he quirks an eyebrow at me. "You might want some, Ari – you are wound up -"

I grin, glancing over my shoulder again, thinking that that's not half a bad idea, but suddenly my eyes light on something that surprises me.

Ben, sitting in one of the plush black chairs set out for spectators who don't want to stand at the edge of the box, his head in his hands. Instantly I move to him, leaving my glass of wine behind. Rafe turns back to the boxing ring as the announcer comes out, beginning to speak and greet the enthusiastic crowd.

place on hand on his shoulder, another on his curved back. "Benny," I whisper, worried.

me, his face sweaty

gasp, bending down closer, studying him. He looks - god, honestly, he looks like he saw a ghost.

like a dog covered in rain. And then he blinks hard and focuses his eyes on my

you're white as a sheet, and all

shaking his head and looking around, I think

poisoning? But...no, I feel completely fine

this conversation? I don't know. "Too

ago. Maybe a little tipsy? But certainly not enough

putting his hands on my shoulders now, pushing me away, just slightly. "I'm fine - I promise, I'm fine.

Gøøglᴇ to

all façade falling,

wrong. He just doesn't want anyone else to, not now. Not yet. And I

a little anxiously. I tuck my hands behind my back, glancing around, but everyone else is by the edge of the box, clearly paying attention to the

missing it, Ari," Ben says, gesturing me back towards the