The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy
Chapter 0404

I gasp a little, pretending to be more scandalized than I am at his evesdropping. But then my shoulders slump and I glance over to where my parents are sitting, mom finishing up wrapping some of the presents that we'll open tomorrow.

"Luca kind of got in trouble with my dad yesterday," I whisper, anxious.

"So, what, you don't think your dad's going to let you go?" Jackson asks, likewise looking over at my parents, frowning like he kind of doubts it.

"No," I say with a sigh, slumping back on my butt and resting my weight back on my hands. "I just...wish we had peace."

"It'll work out," Jackson murmurs, reaching out to tuck a sprig of pine behind my ear. But I don't miss that his wrist, just too casually, brushes against my neck as he drops his hand.

I gasp, smacking at his arm. "Jackson!" I growl. "Did you just scent mark me!? Again!?"

"Whatttt?" he asks, playing dumb. "No!"

"You liar," I hiss, but I can't help laughing as I lean forward towards him.

Jackson growls too and grabs me, pulling me into his lap. I laugh, curling up with him there and smiling up at him. "You don't mind if I go? Leave you here all alone with my family, on a holiday of all things?"

"Nah, I'll be fine," he says, glancing around the room at where my family happily prepares for the party tonight. "I'll...find Juniper. She'll protect me."

I grin, loving the idea. "I'll be home in time for dinner," I say, sitting up straighter and pressing a kiss to his jaw.

"If you're not, I'm eating your food," Jackson murmurs, helping me stand up from his lap by pressing me upwards with a hand placed a little too conveniently right on my ass.

"Don't," I snap, glaring at him and pointing a finger down at him even as I back away towards the hallway to my room. "Because none of the cooks will be here tomorrow, and we'll just be on leftovers and whatever the hell mom can whip up, which is usually just cheese and crackers. And chocolate."

"Hey!" mom calls from across the room, frowning over at me, insulted. "I can also boil pasta and put butter on it!"

But I just grin at my mom, mischievous, and dart down the hall towards my room. Because I have a date with my mate, who has been very absent, and with whom I need to have a very serious chat.

When I come out of my room a short bit later, wrapped up for the winter weather with a scarf wound around my neck and a pair of fluffy earmuffs perched on top of that, I'm surprised to see Rafe waiting outside my room, leaning against my wall with his arms crossed.

"You look cozy," he says, giving me a grin as he takes in my winter wear, which is already making me a little over-warm. Mom keeps our private apartments pretty hot in the winter, always citing her years of freezing in an orphanage as an excuse.

"What?" I ask instantly, my voice filled with dread as I look up and down the hall. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong!" he says too innocently, uncrossing his arms and spreading his hands out, giving me a false smile.

"Rafe Meatball Sinclar," I growl, stepping close and glaring up at him. "You'd better tell me."

His smile falls instantly. "That's not my middle name -"

"Tell me!" I snap, giving him a smack on the arm.

"Fine," he huffs, looking over towards the living room. "Luca's here but...dad won't let him in. It's super awkward. He made him...wait in the hall."

"What!?" I gasp, horrified and mortified at once. "Why not!?"

"Says Luca owes him something," Rafe murmurs, shrugging. "And he can't come in until he gets it."

"Oh my god," I groan, running both hands down my face, worrying about my mate standing alone and embarrassed in the hall.

"I just thought you'd want to know," Rafe says with a sigh, looking at me like he's worried for me.

"Thanks, Meatball," I murmur, reaching out and giving his forearm a brief squeeze. "You're the best."

Rafe rolls his eyes at me but follows as I dash down the hall and into the living room, where everyone - except my dad - waits awkwardly for the scene to unfold.

I scowl around at my gossipy family, whose ears are all perked up to hear every word of what happens next.