The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 0519

"Come on," Luca says, that hungry little growl still deep in his voice as he puts a hand around my waist and pulls me flush to his side. "Let's go to dinner. Daphne's coming up tonight, right?"

"Oh yeah!" I say, my face breaking out in a smile - because I've seen less of my friend than I wanted to in this past week and a half. She's been as busy as the rest of us, after all. And then, smiling eagerly, I grab Luca's hand and haul him with me towards the door, grabbing our bookbags on the way.

I burst into a delighted smile the moment I step into our suite, dropping Luca's hand and dashing immediately for Daphne with a smile around at Ben, Rafe, or Jesse, who are also here. "Hi, hi!" I say, laughing as I wrap her up in a big hug even though she's barely had time to stand up from her place on the couch. "It's so good to see you Daph! How have you been!?"

"Um!" she says, laughing and pulling away from me a bit so she can smile into my face. "I've had...more breath, in other moments!" Laughing, I loosen my arms around her and murmur an apology, but she very quickly hugs me back. "It's so good to see you too, Ari. It's been lonely without you!"

say hello, obliging me to give her up so he can give Daphne his own hug. I step away, taking a moment to wave to the other three in the room, who all wave back. Jackson, I know, will be here soon - he's meeting with Hank tonight, with whom he's apparently making some exciting progress

he finishes greeting Daphne and lets her

asks, looking between the two of us

a little, and then hold out the little card of needles that I slipped out of her pocket during our hug. "Sorry," I say, giving a shrug. "I

she gasps, laughing as she snatches them out of my hand. "How

isn't she?" Rafe says, smiling at all of us from his place in his

to it to grab our dinner. We've arranged for them to come a little later now

him a little grumpy, even if he is a good

giving me a little glare as she tucks the needles back into her pocket. Then, laughing, she sinks back down on the