The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

"I should probably know more about boxing," I murmur to Rafe, at my side, as we get out of the car to the flashes and the shouts of the paparazzi.

My handsome brother laughs warmly down at me, offering his arm. "Yes, you probably should," he murmurs. "Considering who you're mated to. What do you know?"

I give him a tiny frown and a shrug as the rest of our family and friends climb out of the limo. "You know, all the basics."

His grin deepens. "Which are?"

"Punch punch. Jab jab." I give him a blissful Princess smile, making him laugh. "The one who knocks the other over the most wins!"

"A bit more complicated than that," he says, looking around as the last of our party emerges from the car and offering his arm." But sure, those are the basics. Ready?"

"Ready!" I say, grinning at him and wrapping a hand around his proffered elbow. This is all very deliberate, of course. My family talked it through earlier and decided that I should enter the stadium on Rafe's arm while the paparazzi take their pictures, as everyone knows he's my brother and that we're close. No use stoking the media fire by going in on Ben's arm or something.

The photographers lining the red carpet shout our names as we walk in. I hear my name more than I'm used to people usually call for mom and dad and Rafe much more than they do me. But this time there are a thousand questions for me - asking if I'm Luca's mate, if we're in love, if I'm pregnant with his child. I burst out laughing at this one, and Rafe laughs with me, but neither of us say anything.

Instead, our whole party moves smoothly inside, giving little smiles and waves when necessary. When we get in there's a group of security there who begin to escort us to the Royal Box, but I drop Rafe's arm and turn back to Daphne, who walked in with Ben." So?" I say, grinning at both of them as we're swept along pretty quickly. "Did you enjoy your first red carpet experience?"

"Of course," Daphne says, grinning and flicking her hair back over her shoulders. "I was born for the spotlight." Her voice is mock smug, and she lifts her chin haughtily, but we both burst out laughing when our eyes meet.

"You were, Daph!" I say, laughing and looping my arm with hers.

She grins, shaking her head at me. "It's all a bit of a dream, isn't it, Ari? But I'm having so much fun. And I'm so glad we're friends."

I smile at Daphne, nodding my agreement as I give her arm a little squeeze, pleased to be here with her too. I glance back over my shoulder next to check on the rest of my loved ones, pleased also to see my parents looking so happy, and Markie and Juniper looking around with excitement.

Yes, I think, nodding to myself. It's going to be a very good night.

When we get up to the box, there are already a few people there - my grandpa Henry, of course, alongside some close family friends and some of dad's government associates whom he invited to join us. All people I've known my whole life. When enter the box Ben heads to the bar with Rafe and Jesse, but I tug Daphne forward so that we can get a look of the stadium. I stop to give my grandpa a kiss on the check before I dart to the low wall at the front edge of the box, eager to see out view of the ring.

A big cheer goes out when Daphne and I appear within sight of the public already gathered in the stadium and she gasps a little, taking a step back. "What do we do?" she asks, her eyes wide.

"Just say hi," I say, shrugging and giving a little wave around, which elicits a bigger cheer. Daphne hesitates but then likewise waves, and the crowd cheers again, though I'm not sure they know who she is. But it doesn't seem to matter - the crowds are ready to celebrate tonight, and they embrace Daphne as one of us. Which, of course, she is.

I smile around at the gigantic stadium, at the crowds already beginning to fill it. We're at the top of the first level of the stadium, our box jutting out just a little bit, but there's really not that much distance at all between the low wall before us and the seats below - so close that it wouldn't be hard, really, for someone to jump up here. Of course, we have security to stop anyone from climbing up - but honestly, it's never been much of a problem.Text content © NôvelDrama.Org.

In front of us, and a little below, is the ring, and a swell of excitement goes through me as I see it. The lights are already on it, reflecting off the white canvas so brightly that it almost glows.

"You ready for this?" Jesse asks, coming to stand next to me. He presses a glass of white wine into my hands and passes what looks like a gin and tonic to Daphne. "Reports came in this morning - apparently your boy is going to have one hell of a fight."