The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy



"Oh hey, Tony,” I say, beaming at him and resisting the urge to laugh my ass off at his slack jaw, his unblinking stare. "Nice to see you! Did you just come out for a drink or," I look around, but don't see anyone with him, "are you out on a date?"

"Whaaaat weird-ass alternate dimension did I fall into?" Tony whispers, running a hand through his hair just as his face bursts into a grin.

"The best kind,” I say, grinning at him in return, wrinkling my nose. I jump a little as the bartender places the two beers in front of me and names his price.

"You can put them on my tab," Tony says, raising his chin towards the bartender, who nods and walks away.

"Aw, thanks, Tony," I say, genuinely touched. "That was nice."

"Seriously, Ari," he says, stepping closer to me and looking around, anxious. "What the hell are you doing here? This isn't the sort of place where -" "Daphne, let's " Luca strides over, his voice tight and anxious, but his whole demeanor shifts when he realizes that it's Tony I'm standing next to and not some stranger. "Oh," he says, scowling a little and looking Tony up and down. "It's you."

"In the flesh," Tony says cheerfully, giving Luca a wide, slightly wicked grin. "Nice to see you, man." Luca doesn't return the sentiment.noveldrama

"He thought I was Daphne," I whisper eagerly to my mate, pleased as hell. "Mission accomplished!"

"Is that's what's going on here?" Tony asks, leaning in towards us both a bit as I hand Luca one of the beers and take a sip of the other, grimacing as I taste it. Beer...is not my favorite. "You're like..." but then he stops and shakes his head. "No, I don't get it. Do I want to know?"

"It's homework," Luca says, putting a hand on my shoulder and attempting to turn me away. "Maybe the less you know the better."

"Cooler homework than I get!" Tony calls, laughing a bit and giving me a wave as I follow Luca away. I give Tony a pout over my shoulder and mouth "sorry," nodding to Luca, but my friend just gives me a wink and waves me off, letting me know that he's not bothered by our abrupt departure.

"I feel like our cover's already blown," Luca murmurs, anxious, looking around. "Maybe we should go."

"No way!" I say, laughing a bit and shaking my head. "It was a success! Didn't you hear me - he actually thought I was Daphne!"

Luca sighs and looks down at me, shaking his head as we arrive at the table he claimed.

"Okay, go away now," I say, sitting down on one of the stools and waving a hand at him. "What?" Luca hisses, sitting down on the other stool and looking at me like I'm crazy.

"I want to try the other identity now!"

I say, a bit between my teeth, not wanting it to look to others like we're arguing. I'm supposed to be really dumb! Which means you can't be hovering over me - people have to actually come over here so can see if Pcan convince them!"

"I want to stay close," Luca growls, "where I can protect you. The people here, Ari -"

"Daphne," I correct, raising an eyebrow.

He just rolls his eyes. “They're not like...nice."

“Luca, you can just go glower in the corner," I say, flashing my eyes at him, a little angry. "It's eight feet away - I'll be fine!"

He sighs hard but then stands up, glaring at me a bit but doing as I say and walking away. I settle my shoulders primly for a second, pleased that he

agreed, but then I remember that I'm not supposed to be prim - Ari is a bit prim - but whoever I am now...probably isn't.

I exhale a long breath, trying to

transform again and remembering what Faiza and I practiced, a little, in the classroom. As I sit quietly with my hands wrapped around my beer | adopt a bit of a vacant stare, an eager expression, pretending to be interested in the objects around me like I'm fascinated by them and don't understand how they work.

I slip disturbingly easy into this personality smiling a little as I take a sip of my beer, looking around and forcing myself to notice everything - the clock above the door, the variety of men all standing around, the few women – some of them very beautiful – likewise spread out in the room.

My results are nearly instant.