The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy novel Chapter 470

I throw open the door to our room and stumble inside, panting and exhausted and covered in sweat from my lesson with Blaze as I toss my new chemistry textbook onto a side table. “I just had the best day,” I sputter out, each word seeming to come out on its own little pant.

“Ariel!” Rafe shouts, frantic, and I stand up straight when I find him barreling across the room towards me. I barely have time to squeak in surprise before he wraps me up in a tight bear hug, holding me close, his arms shaking. “Where the hell have you been!?”

“At my lessons!” I protest, my words coming out all muffled against his arm. I hug my brother for a second but then push against him, confused, wanting to know what on earth is going on. But he holds me locked tight in his arms, not letting me go. “Rafe!” I gasp, shoving harder against him. “You’re suffocating me!”

“Good,” he growls, but he lets me go when Jesse tugs hard at his arm.

I gasp a breath but barely have a moment to get it down before Jesse takes Rafe’s place. “You idiot,” he growls, holding me close to his chest. “Do you know what time it is!? You missed dinner! We were so fucking worried, Ariel!”

I hug Jesse back for a second, looking at the clock behind him in surprise and realizing with a little bit of horror that he’s right. “Oh my god,” I say, pushing back a minute. “Jess – I’m so sorry –“

But before I can get any further he’s shoved away and I find myself up in Luca’s arms, being carried away over to the couch. I can’t help it – I laugh, even as he snarls at me.

“What, I don’t get a hug?” Ben protests from his spot over by the door.

“I’m sorry, Benny!” I call to him over Luca’s shoulder. “I didn’t mean to worry you!”

But before I can say anything else Luca sinks down onto the couch, taking me with him, wrapping me up in his arms and settling me onto his lap. “Please don’t do that again, Ariel,” he sighs, resting his forehead against mine. “We were seriously flipping out – we thought…maybe Wright had gotten to you? God, we had no idea –“

“I’m sorry,” I whisper, raising my hand and cupping his cheek, pressing a swift kiss to his mouth. “I really am – I lost track of time and didn’t even think -”