The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 0530

Jackson doesn't reply to Luca, sitting quietly on the floor, and Luca and Ben give him a strange look when they realize that he isn't leaving with them. But Ben just shrugs and nods to the door, silently suggesting that they not worry about it. Luca bends down, giving me a "See you at breakfast, gorgeous," Luca murmurs, brushing a hand over my cheek where he kissed me and heading for the door with a wave. "Fill me in then?"

kiss on the cheek, and I return it with a surge of affection down our bond.

"Oh, I think the situation will spell itself out," I say with a sigh, smiling at him as he goes. "But yes, of course. See you then!"

When Luca and Ben leave, Jackson just looks between Jesse and me. "Please, I don't understand," he says quietly.

Jesse doesn't reply, keeping his eyes focused on me, and I frown at him when I realize that...I don't think he's breathing.

"Are you okay, Jess?" I ask, turning my head to stare at him.

"Yup!" he says instantly, smacking his hand on his legs and standing up quickly, tossing his book onto his chair before turning immediately towards the bathroom and striding off for it. "Time to get ready for bed!"

I peer after him, confused, because...was that a blush on his cheeks? But...why?

"Ariel," Jacks says, sighing, pleading. And I turn to see him staring at me with utter confusion in his eyes, just...completely not getting it and hating that he's being left out of the loop.

going to him with my hands out. "Come on, puppy," I say, helping him to his feet. "Let's go to sleep - I'll

tell me now," he grumbles even as he does as

I say, wrapping an arm around his waist and leading him over to the nook, "it'll take a while to explain and I suspect Rafe will want a little space when he's

back of my head and press a quick

a little relieved, though, that we're not quite asleep twenty minutes later when Rafe comes back into the

and are

other, and Jesse is

opens the door, closing

him and

there.

to do

bed, Jesse sits up and looks

then I sit up too. "Rafe?" I call, hardly above a whisper, though I know he hears me. "Are

takes a moment before he answers.

me to see my brother

towards me. "Thank you but...um. I think I