The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 0246
1 lift my eyebrows in surprise as Luca turns to stares at Jesse, appalled at the
accusation. Jesse continues, either pretending not to notice or not caring.
“I mean,” Jesse says, turning his palm up as he talks it through, “unless I'm
mistaken, you've never told her that you loved her before, right? At least not
before last night. And now you're throwing that word around a lot in a situation
where you're actively asking her for something. It might not be bullying, but it is a
little manipulative.” Jesse grimaces and gives a shrug, and I can tell that he’s
genuinely not happy to have to deliver the message.
But my jaw drops a little when I realize that....that Jesse's kind of right on that
one. Luca is pulling out the 1-word at the same moment when he’s asking me for
something really big.
“I can’t believe you're accusing me of not loving her, of saying that just because I
want something —"
“We're not accusing you of that,” Rafe says, his voice gentler now. “We're just
asking you to play fair, Luca. And to let her make her own decisions about what's
right for her. Even if that's not what's right for you.”
“So, you're all going to take his side,” Luca snaps, drawing away from me now
and standing up, clearly wanting a little space. “When obviously I am the better
match for Ariel — I can handle her life as a Princess, I'm already your guys’ best
friend, I'm completely dedicated to supporting her through this Academy thing
and have been for months. How can you not be on my side, after all of this!?
We're — we're fucking friends!”
“They're not taking Jackson's side,” I say quietly folding my hands in my lap and
looking up at my mate, my heart sinking because I know he feels so betrayed.
“This isn't about sides,
Luca.”
“Screw that, it is about sides,” Jesse snaps, standing up to glare at Luca. But I
watch as his face softens, as he forces himself to be kinder. “We're not on
Jackson's side, but we're not on yours either, Luca. We're on Ariel's side.”
“Always,” Rafe says, his voice likewise gentle and a little sad. “Always Ariel's
side, Luc. I'm... I'm sorry if that’s not what you want to hear, but she’s my sister.”
“My best cousin,” Jesse adds, and my heart swells with love at their support.
“And quite frankly,” Rafe continues, his face a little grim. “As her mate? I'd prefer
itif you
were on her side as well.”
Luca just stares, slack—jawed, at his two best friends before looking down at me.
I bite my lip, heartbroken and awkward, my fingers twisted together in my lap. We
stare at each other for a long time, and down our bond I feel him questioning,
apparently unable to put it into words right now, wanting and needing to know
what it is that I'm asking for in this moment.
“The Goddess gave me both of you, Luca,” I say quietly, hoping to hell he hears
me on this. ” Rafe and Jesse and I — we talked about it last night. And I think it's
right — I'm supposed to have two mates, she gave me both of these bonds for a
reason.
33
I shake my head, hating that I'm disappointing Luca, but so incredibly grateful
that I have my big Alpha brother and cousin here to support me because if it was
just me and Luca? I'm not sure I could find the courage to do this to deliver the
words that I know are goi
going to break his heart.
“What are you saying?” Luca whispers, slow, taking a step closer to look down
into my eyes.
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I ) . .
That I'm not going to reject my bond
- » 5 >
with Jackson,” I whisper, staring up
at him, needing him to hear and
Satin o
understand it. “Not just because you
on :
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Luca groans, tucking his face against
. . sr . )
his hands like it's the worst thing he's
) : :
ever heard. I'm immediately on my
feet, putting a hand on his arm,
unable to just sit and watch him
grieve like this. Rafe takes a step
: ) : s
forward like he's worried Luca will
snap, and shove me or something,
i .
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Instead, Luca just takes a moment to
understand, his body trembling
slightly beneath my hand. I stand
steadily next to him, letting him
process it, bearing witness to his
: )
pain. And when he's ready, Luca
drags his hands down from his face
PO )
and looks at me again. “Il don't know
x ; ety .
if I can do this, Ariel,” he whispers,
: : “ )
shaking his head at me. “I don't know
See 5
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