The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy novel Chapter 735

I laugh. “You picked the wrong Sinclair boy if you didn’t want to be teased,” I say, grinning at her as I settle back into the cushions. “Mom and dad would have been far more polite.”

Daphne sighs dramatically and gives a big shrug like it can’t be helped. “I shall simply have to endure, then.” She scoops Mittens up into her hands and lifts him to her shoulder, where he starts to bat playfully at her curls.

“Daph?” I ask quietly, studying her face. “Is…is Jesse your mate?”

She turns to me, her face quite solemn. “I honestly don’t know, Ari.”

My mouth twists a little. “I mean, you’d know,” I say, trying to be gentle.

But she shakes her head, looking off into the kitchen, I think wanting mine and Jesse’s mothers to be separate from this conversation. “I know what you mean but…it’s more complicated than that,” she murmurs. “The connection with him – it wasn’t instant, and my wolf just…can’t decide. It’s not like other mates – the bond, if there is one, has not snapped into place. But the way we feel about each other? And the way he smells?” She groans and rolls her eyes, tilting her head back against the couch.

“Oh, you’re exaggerating,” I sigh, grinning and tilting my head back too. “Jesse smells like corn chips and despair.”

“Oh, no he doesn’t,” she sighs. “He smells like a chai latte, and old books, and a warm old sweater…”

“So, like wet wool?” I say, my face again twisting with doubt.

Daphne laughs and swats at me. “Shut up. I love it.”

I grin, nodding to her. “I’m just teasing. You know my cousin has my whole heart. But, you’re getting mixed messages? Like, half bond half not?”

There’s one big thing on my heart that I haven’t touched yet. I hang my head a little, looking down into my wine glass and giving the pretty golden liquid a limp swirl.

“Tell me,” Daphne murmurs. I look up to see her turning her head at me, sweet and thoughtful. “Please, Ari, what are you thinking about? It might help to get it out.”

And I sigh, frightened to touch this line of thinking that I haven’t allowed myself to go to all day, even though it’s been slowly revolving in the back of my mind.

“I’m thinking about Jacks.”