The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy novel Chapter 628

“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.

“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.”