The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy Chapter 171

“Take him under your wing a bit, okay, Ben? I want Jackson to have fun, and you’re nicer than the rest.”

“Aye aye, Princess Captain,” Ben says happily, giving me a little salute before moving to Jackson’s side to say a real hello.

I sigh with contentment as the fire catches on the little bit of kindling I’ve shoved beneath the logs, starting to burn warm and cozy. I sit back on my heels, watching the fire lick up the cool wood, pleased again to have a fireplace in this castle, which is getting colder and colder as the nights pass.

“What the hell is he doing here?”

I jump almost out of my skin, so lost was I in contemplating the fire, before I look up to see Luca staring down at me, his hands tucked deep in his pockets.

I sigh, exasperated, the moment I recover from my surprise. “Luca,” I growl, grabbing his wrist and tugging him down next to me. “You’d better be nice to Jackson tonight – he’s my guest –“

“Yes, Ariel,” Luca growls back, using my name as a way to suggest to me that he’s being very serious, though he pitches his voice low enough that no one will hear. “And why have you, in particular, invited him?”

I shake my head at him, not wanting to have this fight again. Because of course Luca and I have talked about Jackson at length in the dream state – and Luca just absolutely does not get my insistence on continuing our friendship when it bothers him so much.

We need to tell him, my wolf says in my mind, giving me a determined little nip. We’re not being fair – it’s getting close to blatantly lying to him, at this point.

I nod, agreeing with her, determined to do it over winter break. But god, it’s going to break his heart, and maybe mine too. Luca – he’s become so important to me over these past weeks and months. I just…don’t want to ruin what we have.

Selfish, my wolf quips, nipping at me again. But I roll my eyes at her, turning my attention back to my angry mate. Because even if it is selfish, I can’t just blurt it out right now.

“Please, Luca,” I say, reaching out and putting a soft hand on his forearm. “Jackson’s really nice, and he’s lonely. Can you please find it in your heart to just be nice to a poor guy who doesn’t have any friends?”

Luca sighs but then glances up to where Jackson is standing at the center of the room, towering over everyone but Rafe, chatting amiably with all of our friends.

“He doesn’t look so lonely now, does he?” Luca says, a little bitter.

And my heart swells because…well, no he doesn’t. Jackson – in this moment, at least, he looks…warm. Accepted. Like he’s having fun.

Of course, his face goes pale when a little knock comes at the door.

“Daphne!” I shout, jumping to my feet, knowing there’s only one person it could be.

Her face bursts into a grin as she sees me and I hurry to her side. I wrap her in a warm hug, tugging her into the room. “I love your dress!” I whisper, my eyes roving over the pretty purple fabric with blue flowers printed on it. “Did you make it?”

“Of course I did,” she says, flipping her hair back over her shoulder and pretending to be smug about it even though she glances in towards the room, her hands tight around the bottle of wine that she’s brought. She leans in closer to me. “Do I really look okay?”

“You look gorg,” I say, grinning at her, meaning it. Daphne – she really is very pretty, isn’t she? “Come in, please!”