Ch. 261..265: The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy Chapter 261-265

Chapter 0261

I laugh, opening my eye. “Don’t let them hear you calling them cute.”

“Oh, Jesse would kill to hear me call him cute,” she says, her voice heavy with the understatement, which just makes me laugh harder.

“And what about you?” I ask. “What can I do to have your back?”

“You’re already doing it,” she says cheerfully. “I mean, you’re brining me to the palace for winter break, Ari! People would kill for that.”

“It’s just my house,” I say with a sigh, rolling my eyes, wanting to do more, but she laughs at that.

“Well, you’re wearing my clothes,” she says, gesturing towards the dress.

“That’s a favor you did me –“ I protest, confused. “My mom makes sure I have probably the biggest wardrobe in the country besides hers, and here I am, stealing your dress –“

“No, Ari,” she says, laughing, “you’re like…wearing my designs.”

“Oh,” I say, looking down at the dress anew, “oh, like, you made this!?”

“Of course I did!” she says, grinning at me.

“Daphne!” I gasp, amazed. “This is like, a beautiful dress! This is amazing!”

“And think about the gift you’ve given my mom, who will get to hear about you wearing it,” she says, laughing with me and turning me towards the mirror so I can take in the whole picture. Me, again a girl, again a Princess, standing with my friend in the dress she designed. I suddenly feel very warm, and very, very happy.

“More people than that will see it,” I murmur, tilting my head to rest on her shoulder. “After all, the palace steps are going to be flooded with paparazzi.”

“What?” she gasps.

“The crown Prince and the Duke returning from their first successful semester at the Academy with Luca Grant in tow? Not to mention the missing Princess, who has suddenly appeared in this carriage?” I burst out laughing at the shock on her face. “Yeah, Daphne – there’s going to be press.”

“Oh my god,” she says, giving me a little shove. “I have to get changed! I can’t show up like this!”

I grin, taking in her Seamstress uniform, the only thing I’ve ever seen her in except the pretty floral dress she wore to our party the night before the Examination. “I think you look great, Daph!”

“Out, out!” she shouts, flapping her hands at me. “I need quiet! I need to think about this! Tell the boys still no more bathroom, because I need to plan and plot what I’m going to wear!”

“Yes, ma’am!” I say, shaking my head and refilling her glass of wine, sensing that she’ll need it, before I head out the door into the carriage.

When I step out into the main room of the train car, I stop a little when everything goes silent. My eyes go wide as I instantly whip my head around, looking for threats, but then the silence is split by Jesse’s impressed whistle.

“Well look at you, cousin!” he shouts, laughing. “It’s a girl!”

I burst out laughing, blushing and giving a little curtsey as I realize their shock was just seeing me out of my Academy clothing for the first time in months. I smile at Luca especially, realizing that this is the first time he’s seeing me really in girl clothes outside of the dream state.

“Who are you,” he says, his voice mock threatening as he slowly gets to his feet and narrows his eyes. “And what have you done, with my mate, Ari Clark?”

“Aw, I threw him off the train,” I say, twisting my lips in mock apology as I gesture over my shoulder with my thumb. “Decided we don’t have use for him anymore – at least not for the next couple of weeks.”

“Awesome,” he murmurs, crossing the distance between us in two long steps and wrapping his arms around me, laughing. Behind us, Ben, Jesse and Rafe laugh and continue their conversation, giving us a second mostly alone.

“So what do you think?” I ask, wrinkling my nose as I look up at him. “Do you like me all girly?”

“I love you all girly,” he says, grinning down at me as he strokes a hand over my hair. “I mean, don’t get me wrong, I like you all tough in Cadet Black too –“

“Thank you!” I say, quite pleased.

“And I like you all stressed out in your pajamas, moaning in agony over a chemistry textbook –“

I squeak a little, liking this one less.

“And I like you when you’re asleep on the couch cushion, that cute little line of drool dripping out of your mouth –“

It’s a full on shout of dissent now, even as I laugh, smacking my hands against his chest. “Rude!” I snap, though I can’t help my smile.

“I like all iterations of Ariel,” he murmurs, pulling me tighter, and I drop my head back on my neck so that I can grin up at him, at his beautiful face, at the way his eyes crinkle at their corners when he

teases me like this. “But you look very beautiful today, and I’m excited to see this side of you along with the rest of them.”

“Good,” I murmur, standing on my toes and pressing a kiss to his mouth. “Because this train just started slowing down – and you’re about to walk into the Capital with the Princess on your arm. Are you ready for it?”

“Oh,” he murmurs, his voice a low, eager growl. “I’m ready for it, Ariel Sinclair. You just lead the way.”

Chapter 0262A little bell dings in the train carriage, as it always does when we’re about ten minutes away from our destination. My head turns almost automatically towards Rafe and Jesse, who likewise turn towards me. We all nod, confirming that we all understand that we should prepare for our arrival to the capital, perhaps even come up with a plan or a story for how I got here, and why, and so on.

But even as I look towards my brother, Luca’s arms tighten around me, and I look back up at him. “Do you have a second?” he asks, looking down at me with so much true sincerity in his eyes that I’m a little taken aback.

“Sure,” I say, nodding to him, and then I glance back at Rafe and Jesse, silently letting them know I’m taking a minute, before I slip out of Luca’s arms and, taking his hand, lead him over to a quiet corner of the carriage. There we sit on a tiny little loveseat, so close that I’m basically in his lap.

Luca takes a quiet moment to just look at me, lifting a hand to stroke his knuckles gently down the length of my cheek, his eyes searching mine.

“I wanted to say I was sorry,” Luca finally says, quite softly, turning his hand to cup my cheek as he looks into my face.

“For what?” I breathe, raising my hand to cover his. “Luca, I haven’t said it enough, but I’m the one who should be sorry – and I am sorry –“

“No,” he interrupts, shaking his head. “You were – well, I mean, Ariel, I’m still not thrilled about how everything went down. But I understand it better now – and I get why you did what you did. But…I behaved poorly, didn’t I?”

“Luca,” I murmur, feeling terrible that he feels so bad – because honestly, I think that all of his reactions were really, really normal. Most Alphas, when they meet their mates, are very volatile and

protective – everything he did and said fits that concept – he was just trying to keep me close, to keep threats to our bond away.

“No,” Luca insists, his mouth twisting with disappointment. “Jesse was right when he said I was bullying you, manipulating you. I didn’t mean to, Ariel, I hope you can believe me with that –“

“I do,” I breathe, nodding fervently and meaning it, passing all the trust I can along the bond to him.

“I just – I was so desperate not to lose you. And I was so scared that that’s what was happening. I was grasping at straws, trying to control the situation, and in doing so I was really unfair. Please, please forgive me for it.”

My heart breaks when his voice cracks on his final words, and I can’t help crawling closer to him now, lifting myself fully into his lap, snuggling close to him as he wraps his arms around me. “It’s passed, Luca,” I whisper. “Don’t think on it anymore – we were all in a terrible situation, we all behaved poorly. We’re all forgiven and we can move on.”

“Good,” he says, burying his face against my neck and taking a deep breath of my scent. “And in the future, I’ll…well, I want to say I’ll be better, but I think the best I can do is promise to try. I just get very desperate, when…when he’s around.”

Nodding, understanding, I put my hands on his cheeks and lift his face to mine. “I get it,” I whisper, nodding. “I’ll try to. Try to be fair. Try to…”

But I have no words then, because even the idea of trying to pick between them, of having to say goodbye forever to one of them…

God, my heart threatens to shatter into a thousand pieces.

So, I don’t think on it. And instead I just stare down into Luca’s gorgeous face – even despite his black eye and busted lip - into his beautiful brown eyes, into the sweet, fierce spirit that I can see

beneath them. And as I marvel at him a little bit, I smile. And I start to see his eyes crinkle at the corners, and I know that he feels my joy in him and gives it right back.

“I really do think I’m right for you, Ari,” Luca whispers, sincerity in every line of his face as he leans close to me.

I pull back a little, not really wanting to go there right now – especially not while half of me is still mourning that Jackson didn’t get on the train – but Luca gently reaches out and takes my hand, squeezing it softly.

“No, please – I –“ he sighs, and hangs his head a little, shaking it while he gathers his words. Then he raises his eyes again, “I’m not trying to pressure you or convince you of it in this moment. I’m just trying to tell you what I know to be true, all right? That we’re a match, Ari – a really good one. I can handle your life, and your family, and your out-of-the-box career choices, because they all match with mine so well. And if you’ll let me – just…will you please let me show you how good we can be?”

Chapter 0263

A smile slowly grows on my lips, because who on earth could resist such a sweet request? “Okay, Luca,” I whisper in reply, nodding to him once, leaning forward again. “You show me, and I’ll listen.”

“Good,” he murmurs, grinning at me. His hand twitches in mine, and a muscle in his jaw feathers, and I tilt my head, wondering what the hell he’s resisting when suddenly he gives in and just grabs me to him, laughing and cuddling me close, whipping me around and making me shriek with laughter as he bends me back in his arms and brings his face close to mine.

“Gorgeous,” Luca laughs, smirking and shaking his head down at me, “I’m going to have a lot of fun showing you just how good we can be together.”

“Oh yeah?” I murmur, wrapping my hand slow around the back of his neck, loving the way the short hairs there brush against my fingers. “Just how much fun?”

“You want me to show you?” he murmurs, his voice lowering and his eyes going half-lidded as one of his hands dips lower on my body, traveling down my back and steadily towards my ass.

Breathless, I nod, tugging him closer, wanting his mouth on mine right now, completely ready to lose myself in my mate -

Lose myself, that is, until I hear my brother clear his throat.

I gasp a little, and drop my head back so that I’m looking at Rafe basically upside down.

“If you guys could be convinced to wrap up this scandalous display?” he says, arms crossed and eyebrow raised, “we could perhaps…talk as a group?” I blush scarlet as I realize that my dress is indeed riding up shockingly short.

Luca just laughs, grinning at Rafe and then at me as I scramble to sit and then stand, smoothing my skirt now and reminding myself that I’m no longer constantly in pants. God, it’s going to be harder

than I thought to remember how to be a girl.

But Luca gives me a second to straighten myself out, holding out a hand for me, and when I take it he helps me to my feet and we walk with Rafe over to our friends, who are all grinning expectantly and peering out the windows as the train moves through the capital towards the station right at the center. As we move slowly towards the main hub of the city, I can see people outside our car stopping to point at the conspicuous red caboose at the back of the train, gasping and wondering at which of the royals are riding today.

But surely, surely they know, right? Academy is out, after all, and everyone will be waiting for Rafe and Jesse to come home. The big surprise will be me, arriving with them. I turn towards my brother and my cousin, suddenly anxious, and Jesse steps towards us, his face serious.

Together, as Daphne comes out of the bathroom freshly changed and looking amazing in a sage- green wrap dress, Jesse, Rafe and I decide that the simplest thing will be to…not say anything. Like mom and dad so often do, we’re simply going to let the press conclude what they will about me arriving home with Rafe and Jesse, and if anyone pushes on the subject we can just drop some hints about what Aunt Cora said – that I spent my time peacefully in a convent close to the academy.

“Are there even any convents?” Daphne asks, arms crossed, frowning around at us as Ben and Luca bring backpacks over and the train slows further, clearly preparing to stop. “Close to the academy? Or like…any at all?”

I wrinkle my nose in similar confusion, because…I mean, is there? How plausible is our story? But there’s no time to think on it as Jesse interrupts my thoughts.

“It gives me great pleasure that you don’t know the answer to this question, Daphne,” he says, grinning at her and pressing a hand to his chest, giving a little bow. “As it would be a great blow to mankind if you ever decided to join a convent. Also, your dress is amazing and you look great.”

Daphne beams at Jesse while she laughs and thanks him, but I turn my head as I look between them and then glance at Rafe, who I’m shocked to see is…frowning a little bit. What – what’s going on here?

Chapter 0264

I glance at Luca, who likewise looks at me curiously, picking up on the same vibe.

Because – I mean – Jesse just said some really nice things to Daphne, but the way he delivered them…he wasn’t hitting on her at all. No flirting, no quiet looks of interest. Instead, he just laid out her compliments like he would to any friend who was feeling anxious about their debut in a new city.

Is Jesse – is he not interested in Daphne anymore, the girl to whom he’s professed his ever-lasting love? Was that all a joke?

Or, because we’re back at the Capital, has he just moved on to other girls, letting Daphne fall to the wayside?

And…

Well, why is Rafe frowning at Jesse for being so nice to Daphne?

He’s iealous, Luca says directly into my mind, and I look with surprise up into his eyes. Quietly, subtly, he nods to me. Rafe, he continues, he wishes he’d said that first.

How do you know that!? I ask, likewise silent.

I know he’s jealous, Luca continues wordlessly, giving an accompanying shrug, because that’s how I’ve felt and looked, when someone beat me to saying the things I wanted to say to the girl I liked.

But Jesse’s not even hitting on her! I say, casting out a hand in protest. He’s just being a good friend!

Doesn’t matter, Luca continues, shaking his head and staring into my eyes. He got to -

“Are you guys doing it?” Ben asks from between and slightly behind me and Luca. My mate and I both jump, spinning to see him standing there, looking between us curiously. “Were you like… talking mind-to-mind?”

“Um,” I say, glancing up at Luca, not sure if it’s a secret or not.

“Kinda,” Luca says, giving Ben a little shrug.

“Cool!” Ben says, bursting into a grin as the train comes to a full stop. “Wait, so, what does it sound like? Can you like, hear each other, or is it impressions of words –“

“As fascinating as this is,” Rafe says, interrupting, his tone implying that it’s the least interesting thing he’s ever heard. “I think it’s time that we prepare to disembark. And because half of us are new to this…I think that we should prep you for what’s coming next.”

Luca, Ben, and Daphne go a little pale as Jesse and I sigh. Because Rafe is right – things have changed now, and while we’re used to our world it might take them a little time to adjust. I cast my eyes over Ben and Daphne especially, because at least Luca knows what it’s like to be in the spotlight.

Rafe spends the next few minutes explaining that we will wait to get off of the train until all the other cadets disembark and a team of guards from the Palace can come and sweep both the train and the platform for any threats. Once that’s done, we’ll disembark and be surrounded by guards whose job it is to stop anyone who tries to annoy or harm us. There will be paparazzi waiting for us outside of the station, but in general, we’ll basically have a bubble of protection around us as we head for the cars.

Jesse, a little bored by the briefing – because of course, we’ve done this since we were kids – wanders off to the bar and comes back with a few glasses of wine, pressing them into everyone’s

hands. I take a cheerful little sip, attempting to give Rafe the attention he deserves but failing a tiny bit. After all, I know everything he’s going to say.

When Jesse presses a glass of wine into Daphne’s hand, she looks up at him, anxious. “Um,” she whispers, tucking her hair behind her ear, “is this the best idea? More to drink?”

“Oh, yes,” Jesse whispers back, nodding definitively, his face perfectly serious. “Actually, the best way through any and all royal functions is just to be completely drunk the entire time –“

“It’s true,” I whisper, stepping close to Daphne and giving her a wink. “Jesse’s actually been drunk every waking moment since he was eight years old –“

Daphne bursts into laughter at this, looking up at Jesse, who laughs too and smiles down at her.

“Um, excuse me,” Rafe says, frowning over at us, and we all snap our attention back to him. “Am I doing this briefing for myself?”

“I’m listening!” Ben says cheerfully, raising his own glass of wine and then draining it. “You’re doing great, Rafe! Very interesting, very informative! Beautifully presented!”

I can’t help it - I burst into laughter again. And then we all do. Rafe is the last to join us, but then he groans and gives in, snatching Jesse’s glass of wine out of his hands and draining it as Ben did. “That’s what I get, for trying to be the responsible one.”

“Which is why,” Jesse says, slinging an arm around Rafe’s shoulders, “I’ve been trying to convince you to stop taking that role since we were, like, born. If you would just turn into a reckless disgrace like Ariel and me, we could take over the world -”

Chapter 0265

Rafe scowls at him, but suddenly the door opens, and a man in a royal uniform steps inside, giving a sharp bow. I burst into a smile as he straightens up, because of course I recognize Captain Conner, who heads up the Royal guard and who we’ve known since we were babies.

“Your Highness, your Grace,” he begins, nodding to Jesse and Rafe, “honored guests,” Captain Conner continues, nodding around to the rest of us, but then he stutters to a stop when his eyes fall on me. Conner freezes for a second and then bursts into a smile, bowing low again. “Your highness,” he murmurs, and his face is the picture of happiness as he stands straight. “Forgive me, I wasn’t expecting you.”

“That’s okay!” I say, waving a cheerful hello. “It’s so good to see you!”

He smiles at me but then fights it, working hard to return to his professional demeanor. He takes a deep breath, nodding again, and gesturing towards the door. “If you’ll accompany me? The station has been cleared and the cars are waiting.”

Rafe nods our readiness and Conner steps outside. Then we all grab our backpacks, and Daphne her suitcase, and file cheerfully off the train.

“Wow,” Daphne says, looking around the giant train station with its soaring glass ceilings. Her smile reveals how impressed she is as she walks next to me, my hand in Luca’s. “This is…this is amazing…”

“First time in the capital, Daph?” Luca asks, friendly.

“Yeah,” she says, grinning. “I’m staying a few days – for your fight, of course –“

He beams at her for this.

“And then I’m going to go to my mom’s for the holidays themselves.” Daphne and Luca continue to chat with me in the middle, him asking her where home is, and Daphne letting him know that it’s a little bit north of the capital – just a small town where a fabric mill used to be in the days of industrialization. They chat about family history, but on Daphne’s mention of the north, my mind drifts – predictably – to someone else I know who is from a place much further north.

My heart sinks a little, even as I hold Luca’s hand, and I work very hard to ensure that my emotions don’t travel down my bond to him. Because I’m not sure he needs to know right now just how sad I am that Jackson didn’t meet us at the train, that he didn’t come to the Capital. Part of me wanted him to come so that he can meet my family, and so that they can meet him, but –

I mean, another part just wants him close. He’s my mate, after all. What am I going to do without him for two weeks? How am I supposed to bear it? I mean, I don’t even have any way of contacting him. It’s not like he has a phone at the Academy.

Or otherwise, if we’re being honest.

I sigh, and do my very best to cover my sadness, and I don’t think Luca notices as he continues to chat with Daphne. Her eyes, however, flick to me, her mouth pressing to a sad little line.

But I give her a wink, and force myself to lift my chin, determining to make the best of it.

I look forward, making myself think about how happy I will be when I see my mom, and dad, and my brother and sister – and Jesse’s huge, insane family. They, too, will be waiting for us at the palace when we arrive.

I feel more cheerful as we walk, as I glance around the familiar train station that I’ve been in a thousand times, my eyes sliding over the people who are bustling around, going about their daily business and trying to get home through the cold. And even if my eyes do settle on one particularly

tall figure leaning against a lamppost, his back to us and his shoulders turned in, I know it’s just my imagination – my hopes - getting the better of me.

I grit my teeth against my second sigh, forcing my eyes up to all of the pretty tilework that rings the borders of the station, making myself admire the artistry of our people but…

Well, my eyes drift back to the tall figure.

And as we get closer and closer…I narrow my eyes.

Because…

But no. There’s no way.

But then suddenly it’s there – the scent of pine, and embers, and the sense of warm cozy things on cold nights –

And before I can even stop myself, I’ve dropped Luca’s hand. Suddenly I’m sprinting – my mate’s name on my lips.

Jackson turns when he hears his name called, his face curious and serious. But the moment he sees that it’s me?

God, the smile that breaks out on his face - it’s the prettiest damn thing I’ve ever seen.

Captain Conner gasps as I burst past him, grabbing for me and shouting my name, but I’m beyond him now, laughing as I dash across the end of the platform and throw myself into Jackson’s open arms.