The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 0657

She's not going to eat a single taco at this rate."

"Ooookay," Ben says, his own voice low and sad. A moment later I feel his arms around my shoulders, feel him pull me into his lap and tilt me back so that my head is against his chest, my head tucked beneath his chin. "Maybe...maybe enough of the tough love for now. "I'm sorry," Tony murmurs, and I glance over to see his own head hanging.

But even if my throat is too thick right now to enunciate it, I'm not mad at him. I mean, he's just speaking the truth, isn't he?

Because as much as I hate it, every single piece of that was true.

"Jesse?" Ben murmurs, glancing over at him. "I think we need chocolate?"

"On it," Jesse murmurs, pushing himself up from his chair and heading over to the nook.

"Don't get my chocolate!" I call out, frowning to him. "Get yours!"

"Your chocolate is way better, Ari," Jesse says, turning to glare at me, his hands on his hips.

"It's supposed to be a present to make me feel better," I growl, pointing vehemently over at his dresser, where I know he has a stash.

Jesse sighs and goes over to his dresser as I close my eyes, resting my head back against Ben. He tightens his arms around me in a warm hug and I smile a little, even as I sniff. But I jump when a huge weight lands in my lap, gasping as I look down at Jesse's entire candy stash.

His mouth twists, almost as if he'll start

you eat a bunch of sugar,

I gasp, sitting up straight in Ben's lap, appalled. Because Jesse has never just gone for a casual stroll in his life. He's way too

for the door. "I'm definitely not

your ass back over here -

members of the Square of Secrecy all go silent as we stare

They both immediately frown.

is going on?" Rafe asks, pushing the door shut and turning towards us with

me curled up in Ben's lap with my cheeks streaked with tears, my lap

Ben grimaces and immediately

shoulders, realizing he's in a potentially dangerous situation, but Jackson ignores him, bending low and immediately snatching me up, my knees folded over one of

down into my face,

can't help but smile, lifting a hand to his cheek. "Don't

he

table at my still full plate.

at the Ben and Tony. "I

sure

in Rafe's chair, his mouth twisted in disappointment. To his credit, he shows absolutely no fear of