The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy Chapter 143

Down a pretty little bond that I suddenly feel between us, shining silver in my soul. A smile bursts onto my face as I realize that I can feel that Luca is anxious – that he doesn’t want to let his mate away from his side for a second. Even though he knows, obviously, that I’m in good hands with Jesse and Rafe, I’m his mate – his to protect.

He doesn’t want me to leave for many reasons, but a lot of it is that we’ve recognized each other as our mates now – solidified our bond, accepted it, even if we didn’t say formal words doing such. And he doesn’t want me out of his sight.

I experiment a little, sending my own wonder down the bond as well. Luca’s eyes go wide and then he laughs in delight, realizing what’s happening. We just stare at each other before Jesse groans, grabbing my arm.

“Listen, this is very adorable, and I hate to interrupt, but let’s go, Ariel!”

I snap my attention back to Jesse, even though I can’t stop grinning. “Fine fine,” I say, but then I stand on my tiptoes and tilt my head back, looking up at Luca, who obliges me by pressing a kiss to my mouth.

Ben gives a satisfied little “aww” just as Jesse groans, which makes me burst out laughing as I follow Jesse to the door. But I pass a feeling along the bond to Luca, urging him to meet me in the dream state. He just grins and nods to me, letting me know that the message is received.

And then, before I realize it, I’m out the door, being hauled along the corridor by my anxious Alpha cousin. Ben stays behind with Luca, perhaps indulging in their night of drinking, as he said he would. Or, maybe just giving Luca someone to talk to after finally connecting with his mate, only to have her ripped from him so soon.

I barely notice as the hallway passes before us, so lost am I in my haze. Before I know it, though, I’m back in the room and Jesse is – bizarrely – tugging at my shirt.

“Get in the bath, Ariel,” he murmurs, frantic.

“Jesse!” I gasp, swatting at his hands. “What are you doing!?”

“Baby cousin,” he says, dropping his hands from my clothes and slapping both hands on my cheeks so that my face is pressed between his palms – not hard enough to hurt but certainly sharp enough to get my attention. “You’re killing me here. Your brother is coming back any second now – and you smell disgustingly of your mate. Okay? So unless you want to break this news to him tonight –“

“Okay okay” I say, tearing my face from his hands and striding for the bathroom.

“Leave your clothes just inside the door!” Jesse calls after me. “I’ll send them down in the dumbwaiter, tell Rafe you…spilled something on them at Daphne’s, or whatever.”

“You’re the best!” I say, grinning at him as I start to close the door.

“You owe me!” he calls after. “One date with Daphne, that’s the price for my secrecy!”

I just laugh, shaking my head as I press the door shut and start to strip down. Even as I do, though, I can’t help the little squeal of joy that breaks from my lips as I do a little dance around the marble floor.

Because I have a mate! And he’s really cute! And he knows I exist!

And we have a date tonight – in the dream state.

God, I’ve never been so excited to go to bed.