The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 0453

I scowl at my mate, and then glance down at myself as we move further into the cool darkness of the castle, making our way to the elevators that will take us back up to our rooms. "I hate that you work out with us now," I mutter. "Before, I was able to be mysterious, to

keep my weaknesses hidden -"

"No, you weren't," he murmurs calmly as the four of us step into an elevator.

My scowl deepens. "Well, at least you didn't see me all red-faced and sweaty and smelly, as well as slow and weak."

Jackson laughs, shaking his head as the elevator starts to move upward. "You're perfect, Ari," he sighs, bending his arm in half and shocking me by resting his elbow on top of my head, leaning his weight on me like an arm rest. "Perfectly scented, perfectly sized. At least for me, when I need a good leaning post."

My mouth falls open with a squeak of enraged protest as Rafe and Jesse burst into laughter. I shove Jackson away, but we're both laughing too as he stumbles a step to the side, grinning at me as he grabs me into a hug, pulling me to his side. As the door opens on Jackson's floor so he can shower and get changed in his own room, he dips his head lower to give me a kiss. Absently, naturally, I tilt my chin up-

"Whoa, whoa," Rafe says, reaching out and smacking a hand hard against Jackson's chest. "We're back at school, kids. Let's... behave ourselves."

stands straight, going a little pale as he glances into the hallway that is luckily empty. "God, I can't believe I did that," he murmurs, running a hand through

as the doors close and the elevator moves up one more floor. "You've got to be more careful, Ari," Rafe says,

twining set of stairs that will lead us up one

I know," I sigh, inwardly resolving to be

approval as we arrive on our floor, but we all pause with interest when we see Luca standing by our door, perfectly dressed in a Cadet uniform. Absolutely not

with worry. "Ari, we've

for him, Jesse and

towards the stairs. "Please," he says, "we're going

I take the note out of his hand and am surprised to see my dad's handwriting, asking Luca to collect me and come to a

asks, looking

go? Your dad hates me enough as it is

hate you, Luca,"

says swiftly, taking me by the