The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy
Chapter 0453

I scowl at my mate, and then glance down at myself as we move further into the cool darkness of the castle, making our way to the elevators that will take us back up to our rooms. "I hate that you work out with us now," I mutter. "Before, I was able to be mysterious, to

keep my weaknesses hidden -"

"No, you weren't," he murmurs calmly as the four of us step into an elevator.

My scowl deepens. "Well, at least you didn't see me all red-faced and sweaty and smelly, as well as slow and weak."

Jackson laughs, shaking his head as the elevator starts to move upward. "You're perfect, Ari," he sighs, bending his arm in half and shocking me by resting his elbow on top of my head, leaning his weight on me like an arm rest. "Perfectly scented, perfectly sized. At least for me, when I need a good leaning post."

My mouth falls open with a squeak of enraged protest as Rafe and Jesse burst into laughter. I shove Jackson away, but we're both laughing too as he stumbles a step to the side, grinning at me as he grabs me into a hug, pulling me to his side. As the door opens on Jackson's floor so he can shower and get changed in his own room, he dips his head lower to give me a kiss. Absently, naturally, I tilt my chin up-

"Whoa, whoa," Rafe says, reaching out and smacking a hand hard against Jackson's chest. "We're back at school, kids. Let's... behave ourselves."

Jackson stands straight, going a little pale as he glances into the hallway that is luckily empty. "God, I can't believe I did that," he murmurs, running a hand through his hair as he steps into the dorm hall where his room is located. "Sorry. See you all in a few."

The three of us wave to him as the doors close and the elevator moves up one more floor. "You've got to be more careful, Ari," Rafe says, giving me a stern look.

"Yeah, don't get sloppy now," Jesse says as we step out and move for the twining set of stairs that will lead us up one more floor to our room. "That's my job."

"I know, I know," I sigh, inwardly resolving to be better. "You're right - I'll remember."

My brother and cousin murmur their approval as we arrive on our floor, but we all pause with interest when we see Luca standing by our door, perfectly dressed in a Cadet uniform. Absolutely not sweaty and red-faced like me. I scowl, hating that both of my mates are getting a very non-polished view of their Princess today.

"Oh, thank god," Luca says, turning towards us with worry. "Ari, we've got to go - we've been summoned -"

"What?" I ask, moving immediately for him, Jesse and Rafe following close behind.

Luca holds out a note to me, looking anxiously towards the stairs. "Please," he says, "we're going to be late -"

Frowning, I take the note out of his hand and am surprised to see my dad's handwriting, asking Luca to collect me and come to a pre-breakfast meeting. I flip the note over, seeking more information, but it's blank.

"What's it for?" Rafe asks, looking between the two of us.

"Look, I don't know," Luca says, clearly anxious, "but can we just go? Your dad hates me enough as it is - I don't want to add tardiness to his list of dislikes -"

"He doesn't hate you, Luca," Rafe protests.

"A discussion for another time!" Luca says swiftly, taking me by the hand, "come on, Ari, let's go!"

"But I have to get changed! And a shower!"

"No time!" Luca pulls me towards the stairs.

"Bring Ari to breakfast!" Rafe calls after Luca and I groan when I realize that I'm not going to get any chance to get cleaned up today. "You're on bodyguard duty!" "Got it!" Luca calls, and then - hand in hand - we start to fly down the stairs to this mysterious meeting, apparently with my parents.

But what on earth could they want with the two of us?