The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 0483

"It doesn't work like that, Ari," Ben says, smirking at me. "What are you suddenly immune to all other men's charms now that Jackson and Luca are in your life?"

"Yes," I say, my eyes falling half shut in derision. "Two is enough. I don't need any more crushes."

"Well, if Rafe wants to make out before Elias comes around," Ben says, smiling fondly at me as he stands up and offers a hand, "then I'm game. But I don't think that will be happening anytime soon, for more reasons than one."

"More than his particularly inconvenient singular desire for women, you mean?" I ask, taking Ben's hand and letting him pull me to my feet.

"That, yes," Ben says, stuffing his books into his messenger bag as I do the same. "Along with the fact that he's seriously gone on Daphne."

"Is he?" I ask, going a bit still in shock as I stare up into Ben's face.

He turns to me, his brows going up. "Are you...surprised?"

myself and moving towards the trap door. Ben moves with me, bending down to unlatch it. "I mean, know they're... dating or

looking up at me as he pulls the door open. "He hasn't

talked to me about girls. Ever. So I guess it's nothing new. But he really said that?" I

me that he's never felt this way about a girl. He's pretty gone on her - I don't think he's used to women who are that independent, and he quite likes it. But pay attention, Ari, these steps are steep - if you break your neck going down the stairs I'll have to face your entire family and I'm not up

of the library. But even as we move back to the reference desk and Ben receives a light, flirtatious scolding from the librarian about abuse of the special collections room, I can't

that Rafe was...gone on Daphne like that. I mean, I knew he liked her, but I just thought they were...dating. Dating in the non-serious way that Rafe and Jesse have always dated girls - for fun, with no one

say that you can still crush on other people when you have a mate...I'm well aware that Rafe does have a mate coming

falling for him too...she's going to be the one who gets her

handsome brother getting too involved with my best friend - even if he never intended to. Even if he just started this because she's pretty and fun. "Earth to Ari," Ben murmurs, snapping his fingers in front of

I ask, looking

here," he says, smiling down at me,

I say, turning to look at the familiar magic classroom and laughing at myself. "Sorry. Kind of got...lost

my cap and rubbing it around a little - like he's ruffling my hair. I grin up at