The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 0578

"I honestly think Rafe would want you there," Luca says, giving Daphne a lazy shrug. "He's upset, but he's a good guy - I'm sure he still wants to be friends."

Is that true? I ask Luca down our bond, kind of surprised. I mean, I've never known Rafe to hang out with his ex's before - but then again, I'm not sure I knew he was dating anyone.

Oh, no, he's still in love with her, Luca says, flashing his eyes to me and fighting a smile. But he told me he's going to try and get her back - why not give him the opportunity?

My eyes go a bit wide at this, but I quickly look back at Daphne, not wanting her to know we were talking about her mind-to-mind.

The little quirk at the corner of her lips lets me know I've failed in that a bit, but I give her my best princess grin in turn. "Come on, Daph," I say, squeezing her hand. "I'll talk to him about it and if he says it would make him uncomfortable then I'll send a note saying don't come. But please think about it?"

Daphne bites her lip but then exhales a long breath and nods. "Okay," she says, smiling hesitantly. "If Rafe would be okay with it...I have to admit, I'd love to come. I miss you guys!"

"And we miss you too!" I say, laughing and moving across the bed to sit at my friend's side, slipping an arm around her waist. "Now that the issue of your attendance is settled, on to bigger and more important things. Luca was telling me that he developed a new line for picking up women. He wants to try it on you."

Daphne bursts out laughing and turns to Luca, expectant. Luca, always game, immediately reaches for her hand and gives her a smoldering look. "Daphne, little bird," he says, pitching his voice low. "All of your emotions are brilliant, but -"

and shouting that we have to let him try again. But even if he doesn't get very far, I have to admit - my soul feels lighter than it did

a great deal to do with the unburdening of my soul. He beams back at me, sending a flash of love down the bond, before turning back to our friend and continuing on our project

back to my room. "I'll leave you here," he murmurs, using the hand pressed to my lower back to pull me tight against him, looking down into my eyes. "I want to get a good night's sleep so I can kick your ass tomorrow

Grant. Gonna snipe you off the field - right off your

but then closes

and swift like he's been waiting all

he probably has. A

for all that I'm worth. We stay

he murmurs, his fingers tracing over

three months that I'll lose him. "Can we can we spend more time together? Like this? Just me and you? I...I really had fun, even if we spent it with Daphne, and we should..." I shrug, letting

bursts into a brilliant smile, cupping my face in his hands. "I would love that, Ariel," he says, beaming down at me. "I know it's hard to find the time but...we should do that. And nothing would

I whisper, standing on my toes and giving

kissing my forehead and then starting out down the hall, glancing over his shoulder at me as

by the door,

watching until I

any more, biting my