The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy
Chapter 165

Chapter 165

Chapter 0165

Rafe scowls at him, but suddenly the door opens, and a man in a royal uniform steps inside, givinga sharp bow. I burst into a smile as he straightens up, because of course I recognize CaptainConner, who heads up the Royal guard and who we’ve known since we were babies.

“Your Highness, your Grace,” he begins, nodding to Jesse and Rafe, honored guests,” CaptainConner continues, nodding around to the rest of us, but then he stutters to a stop when his eyes fallon me. Conner freezes for a second and then bursts into a smile, bowing low again. “Yourhighness,” he murmurs, and his face is the picture of happiness as he stands straight. “Forgive me,I wasn’t expecting you.”

“That’s okay!” I say, waving a cheerful hello. “It’s so good to see you!”

He smiles at me but then fights it, working hard to return to his professional demeanor. He takes adeep breath, nodding again, and gesturing towards the door. “If you’ll accompany me? The stationhas been cleared and the cars are waiting.”

Rafe nods our readiness and Conner steps outside. Then we all grab our backpacks, and Daphneher suitcase, and file cheerfully off the train.

“Wow,” Daphne says, looking around the giant train station with its soaring glass ceilings. Her smilereveals how impressed she is as she walks next to me, my hand in Luca’s. “This is…this isamazing…”

“First time in the capital, Daph?” Luca asks, friendly.

“Yeah,” she says, grinning. “I’m staying a few days – for your fight, of

course

–

He beams at her for this.

“And then I’m going to go to my mom’s for the holidays themselves.” Daphne and Luca continue tochat with me in the middle, him asking her

where home is, and Daphne letting him know that it’s a little bit north of the capital – just a smalltown where a fabric mill used to be in the days of industrialization. They chat about family history,but on Daphne’s mention of the north, my mind drifts – predictably – to someone else I know who isfrom a place much further north.

My heart sinks a little, even as I hold Luca’s hand, and I work very hard to ensure that my emotionsdon’t travel down my bond to him. Because I’m not sure he needs to know right now just how sad Iam that Jackson didn’t meet us at the train, that he didn’t come to the Capital. Part of me wantedhim to come so that he can meet my family, and so that they can meet him,

but-

I mean, another part just wants him close. He’s my mate, after all. What am I going to do withouthim for two weeks? How am I supposed to bear it? I mean, I don’t even have any way of contactinghim. It’s not like he has a phone at the Academy.

Or otherwise, if we’re being honest.

I sigh, and do my very best to cover my sadness, and I don’t think Luca notices as he continues tochat with Daphne. Her eyes, however, flick to me,

her mouth pressing to a sad little line.

But I give her a wink, and force myself to lift my chin, determining to make

the best of it.

I look forward, making myself think about how happy I will be when I see my mom, and dad, and mybrother and sister – and Jesse’s huge, insane family. They, too, will be waiting for us at the palacewhen we arrive.

I feel more cheerful as we walk, as I glance around the familiar train station that I’ve been in athousand times, my eyes sliding over the people who are bustling around, going about their dailybusiness and trying to get home through the cold. And even if my eyes do settle on one particularlytall figure leaning against a lamppost, his back to us and his shoulders turned in, I know it’s just myimagination – my hopes – getting the better of me.

I grit my teeth against my second sigh, forcing my eyes up to all of the pretty tilework that rings theborders of the station, making myself admire. the artistry of our people but…

Well, my eyes drift back to the tall figure.

And as we get closer and closer…I narrow my eyes.

Because…

But no. There’s no way.

But then suddenly it’s there

—

the scent of pine, and embers, and the sense

of warm cozy things on cold nights –

And before I can even stop myself, I’ve dropped Luca’s hand. Suddenly I’m sprinting – my mate’sname on my lips.

Jackson turns when he hears his name called, his face curious and serious.

But the moment he sees that it’s me?

God, the smile that breaks out on his face it’s the prettiest damn thing

I’ve ever seen.

Captain Conner gasps as I burst past him, grabbing for me and shouting my name, but I’m beyondhim now, laughing as I dash across the end of the platform and throw myself into Jackson’s openarms.

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