The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Rafe snarls half-heartedly at Jess, not opening his eyes, as I burst out laughing.

"Is that...did that work?" Jackson asks, looking between Jesse and Rafe curiously. "He'd take off his shirt and...what would happen?"

"He'd take off his shirt and the panties would drop," Jesse says, dropping his hand demonstratively. Jackson's mouth falls open as mom and I burst out laughing and Rafe groans, embarrassed. Jesse grins, still tired but I think a little happier here with all of us. He gives Jackson a wink. "You should try it sometime, Jacks. See how many of the nations' citizenry fall for you when they get a sight of you bare- chested."

I snarl at my cousin, even as I continue to laugh a little bit. Then I glare at my mate, daring him to try it. He smirks at me and shrugs and I laugh, bumping my shoulder into him.

"Where did you sleep, Jess?" Rafe asks, sighing as he sits up and moves closer to my mom, making room for Jesse on my tiny little girl bed. I grin as Jesse comes and joins us, very pleased to have everyone close and happy again. My wolf gives one anxious turn, thinking of Juniper, but I run a hand over her fur, reminding myself that there's nothing I can do but trust my little sister to keep herself safe and strong.

"What do you mean, where did he sleep?" mom asks, sitting up a little straighter, her coffee cup pressed between her hands. "He didn't sleep in your room?"

"No, he went on some weird adventure," Rafe murmurs, flicking a hand dismissively at the profligate duke. "I thought maybe it was a dream but he wasn't there when I woke up."noveldrama

"I stole a helicopter and went to the Academy," Jesse sighs, laying himself out along the edge of the bed and covering his face with his hands. "To see Daphne."

We all go very still and very quiet.

"Please don't tell Midnight," Jesse says, his words slightly muffled against his palms. “It's.....not a secret but...maybe if she didn't know it would be better. She does...not like the idea of me seeing Daphne, especially not alone. But I couldn't not see her, especially after mom told me she was there and I was an idiot and just left the Academy a few days ago without popping downstairs to say hi."

"How'd it...go?" Rafe asks, quiet and awkward.

"Horribly," Jesse sighs, letting his hands slide away, his face turning to the side, his expression miserable. My heart aches for him very suddenly and he shifts his eyes to mine. "She's not doing well, Ari. Could you...would you reach out to her? I'm worried about her but...she kind of asked me to leave her alone."

"Of course," I say, nodding seriously to my cousin, guilt running through me when I realize that I should have done this before.

"What is like...happening there, Jess?" Rafe asks, rubbing his head a little. "Do you still have feelings for her?"

"Of course I do," Jesse says, turning to Rafe with a frown.

A little anxiety stirs in me as I look between my brother and my cousin, remembering that the last time they were together at the Academy they fought Jike dogs on the subject of Daphne. Obviously they're friends again but...has that issue resolved itself?

"My feelings for Daphne were never shallow, Rafe," Jesse says, sitting up a little

to glare at my brother. "I was in love with her. I'm still in love with her."

"But how is that even possible?" Rafe asks, leaning forward, more curious than anxious.

Mom just sits quietly sipping her coffee, looking between the pair of them, clearly worried but willing to let them sort it out.

"What are you talking about," Jesse replies, snapping a little. "You know how great she is, Rafe, I don't know why you think that I'd -"

"No, you're misunderstanding me, Jess, I'm sorry," Rafe says, holding out a hand to him and closing his eyes, clearly still suffering from his hangover and trying to put his thoughts together.

Jesse slowly closes his mouth, letting Rafe have the time to think.

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"I mean..." Rafe continues, "that the moment I saw Maryam, all thoughts of any other girl went right out of head. I actually feel really guilty about it I was so mad at you about Daphne and now...I mean, now it

feels like I picked a fight over nothing."

Jesse snarls at the implication that Daphne might be nothing.

Rafe narrows his eyes. "You know that's not what I mean, Jesse. I'm talking about

me, about my feelings. It's no reflection on Daphne – she's fantastic."

Jesse settles a little, frowning. "Your feelings for other girls...just got wiped away?"

"Yours didn't?" Rafe asks, his face screwing up with confusion. "When you met Mids?"

Jesse turns to the rest of us. "What happened with you all? Did you stop having feelings for other people?"

"I had unique circumstances," I say, raising my hand a little.

“No other girls to speak of," Jackson says with a tiny shrug.

Mom just sighs, sipping at her coffee. "And didn't know I had a wolf and a mate until after your dad ar and I were pregnant and pretty heavily involved. So, I also don't know. You should probably ask dad about it, he'd know. Or Roger."