The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy novel Chapter 903

She pants a little in her panic, looking around the room again for some help. But everyone’s face – everyone’s, her father’s included – is rich with a great depth of sadness and pity. Maryam, finding no recourse there, turns her vicious gaze back to Rafe.

It cuts him in his soul, the hatred in her gaze. Deep, like a knife.

“I reject you, Rafe Sinclair – or whatever the fuck it is they say to make this end. Categorically, unequivocally – no. I – I will not have this – I will not have you. You have absolutely no claim on me, ever!”

She stands to her full height then, rage pulsing through her, and then turns striding for the door. She shoves past Jesse and Ariel who stumble out of her way, yanking the door open and striding out into the hall.

The sound of the door slamming behind her echoes through the silent room.

Rafe…doesn’t breathe.

He just…stares. Stares after her. Wondering what the fuck he’s supposed to do now.

The party breaks up awkwardly, with Cora and Roger quietly gathering their kids together and ushering them out the door. I watch them go without protest for once, their eyes wide as they realize the gravity of the moment, even if they don’t realize what happened.

I stand between Jesse and Jackson as the people not staying in the palace tonight pack up their things and say their quiet goodnights. Mom is at Rafe’s side, of course – she was the first to move after poor Maryam left. Hank quickly gave his apologies and followed after his daughter, eager to comfort her in whatever way he could.

And even though I know in my heart that he doesn’t deserve it, pity swells in me for Mark, who is getting the scolding of a lifetime from our dad in the corner of the room.

My mouth turns down in a deep frown as I look over at the pair of them – dad laying into Mark about responsibility and needing to realize the gravity of certain issues, of considering the consequences of his actions before he makes any moves. But my poor baby Mark – he’s all pale, and his head is hanging, and he just looks so ashamed.

“Don’t you dare, you big softie,” Jesse murmurs to me, glancing over at me with a tiny smile. “Mark deserves every bit of that.”