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 -"

further than that, because the two of us are laughing too hard for him to continue. Luca joins in, scolding us and shouting that we have to let him try again. But even if he doesn't get

who I know has a great deal to do with the unburdening of my soul. He beams back at

he murmurs, using the hand pressed to my lower back to pull me tight against

at him, shaking my head. "Not a chance, Grant. Gonna snipe you off the

laughs but

us, kissing me hard and swift like he's been waiting

he probably has. A

kissing him back for all that I'm worth. We stay that way for probably much

gorgeous," he murmurs, his fingers tracing

his arm, pulling him back. "Luca," I say, half on impulse and half desperate at the memory of the Goddess's threat that if don't get his mark within three months that I'll lose him. "Can we can we spend more time

"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.

toes and

out down the hall, glancing over his shoulder at me as he

by the door,

until I can't

more, biting