The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

"Would you stop it!?" Ben growls, his voice a little frantic now, looking over at the bar where Rafe is finishing up. "I'm never going to see the Atalaxians again, so it won't matter and I'll be fine, just drop it -" I gasp, going still. "So, it has something to do with the Atalaxians!?"

He groans, turning away from me and clenching his jaw, clearly pissed at himself for letting that slip.

"What did they do to you!?" I growl, grabbing his arm, livid now.

"Nothing!" he snaps, turning his head to glare at me. "They did nothing, Ariel, just drop it!"

"NO!"

He grabs me by the arms then, dragging me to the corner of the room, giving up at any attempt to be inconspicuous. "If I tell you, will you drop it, and tell no one!?"

I glare at him a little, not sure if I trust this. "I agree, if you tell me everything," I say, snapping my finger up to point into his face. "And if you don't need healing. Because if you're sick! I'm taking you to mom!"

"Fine," he bites out, glaring hard at me and then glancing over at the bar, where the other three have their back turned. But still, Rafe is picking up the glasses, and I know that we only have instants left. "It's my...my fucking mate, Ariel."

My jaw drops utterly open and I just stare up at him. "What?" I breathe, utterly shocked.

"Yes, okay? So, can you please just let it go, and stop bringing attention to this!?" He looks anxiously over at where Rafe is turning back towards the room, looking for us.

"One of them," I whisper, grabbing Ben's arm, dragging his attention back to me. "One of them is your mate!?"

"Yes!" he snaps, frantic now, wanting to get back to the group before someone notices.

I hang back, grabbing his hand and putting my weight into my heels, not letting him get away. "Which one!?" I hiss, desperate to know.

"The...fucking cute one! Obviously!" He hauls his hand back to his side, tugging me with him and making me stumble back into the center of the room. But I gasp in delight, ignoring my stumble as I trot along at his side back towards our friends, because I know instantly which one the cute one is - the tall and lanky one with the blue eyes, standing next to the prince.

The one who sent a little shudder through me too.

My wolf perks up at the thought of him, both of us wondering what on earth that was, that shiver when we met his eyes? Was I just feeling the residual effects of his mating bond calling to Ben? I mean...I guess that's possible....but...

No, his wolf looked at me too, my wolf murmurs inside my chest, curious and interested.

But there's no time to think on it further, because Rafe and Daphne and Jacks are already looking at us with curiosity. I scowl up at Ben a bit, letting him know that this conversation is not over. Ben just rolls his eyes. "What were you two up to?" Rafe asks, smirking as Ben and I come back to the group.

Ben just scowls at me. "Ariel just needed my advice on a very embarrassing situation. But I'll never tell," he clenches his teeth here on the words, clearly reminding me of my promise. "Because I would never do that to her."

I beam at him, nodding, a silent promise that I won't tell anyone. "Yup!" I say, turning my grin on Rafe. "It's very embarrassing. I'm mortified. Thank god I have Ben to advise me - I'd never survive if I didn't."

Jackson just frowns at me, baffled, while Daphne laughs, not buying it, before she lifts her drink to her mouth and takes a long sip.

"Cool, well, I'm taking this nightcap to bed," she says, sighing with exhaustion. Then to my surprise she stands on her toes and presses a kiss to Rafe's cheek. "Night, everyone!"

Daphne waves a hand over her shoulder as she heads to my room, where we agreed she'd sleep again tonight. Mom gave her her own suite, like she did Jackson, but tonight? After the events of the day? I think we all want to stay close. Rafe clears his throat, blushing adorably as he presses a glass of whiskey into my hand and then another into Ben's. "Ready for bed, Ben?" he asks, raising an eyebrow his way.