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

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

nook, "it'll take a while to explain and I suspect Rafe will want a little space when he's back. So, let's

you say so," he sighs, taking a moment to cup the back of my head and press a quick kiss to my lips before we each

that we're not quite asleep

and are tucked away

with each other, and Jesse

opens the

him and

there. Like he

what to

bed, Jesse sits up and looks over at Rafe, but he doesn't say

then I sit up too. "Rafe?" I call,

moment before

his throat as a wave of sadness comes over to me to see my brother hanging his head like that. Immediately I throw the

Ariel," Rafe says, his voice rough as he puts out a hand towards me. "Thank you but...um. I think I just to