The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 12

I gulp as we approach Luca’s lower bunk because I am completely out of my element never, ever been in a boy’s bed before except, obviously, a member of my family –

—

I’ve

But Luca, to my relief, gestures me towards the head of his bed before sitting down on the other end, lounging back against the metal footboard with one leg bent at the knee, his arm wrapped casually around it. I grimace a little inwardly to see that his left boot is sole–down on his blankets. Slowly I lower myself onto the bed, perching on the edge, my eyes unblinking as I watch him.

“Make yourself comfortable, Shrimp,” he says, raising his chin and indicating that I should relax. “I’m not going to bite.”

My wolf gasps. Do you think we could get him to do that? He could give us his mark!

Mentally I smack her on the nose and she gives a little yelp, but it does nothing to defer her excitement.

Slowly I do as Luca bids, leaning back against his pillow a little and curling my bare feet beneath me. I don’t say anything though, letting him start the conversation.

He grins at me, lifting his other leg and stretching it out along the length of the mattress, effectively pinning me in on my left side. I glance down at his gigantic foot, which is just inches from me now, before raising my eyes back at him. Without intending to, I wrinkle my nose.

Luca bursts into laughter.

“Are you like, a clean freak or a germaphobe, Shrimp?” he asks, turning his foot so that he taps me with the dirty toe of his boot.

“No!” I protest, even as I flinch away from his boot – mostly because I don’t want any more tingles but, also, yes! Because it’s a dirty boot!

away.

“You totally are,” he says, grinning at me from the other end of the bed but turning his foot

“First you go

take a secret bath in the middle of the night, then the only time I can get you alone is when you’re brushing your teeth, and now you’re scared of a dirty boot?” He raises an eyebrow at me, clearly entertained.

“Did you ever consider that you’re just dirty, Luca?” I ask, leaning forward and flicking my eyes deliberately to where his shoe is pressed into his clean blankets. “Because I think that

S

wanting a hot bath and brushing my teeth just makes me normal.”

“So,” he says, leaning forward to peer at me, his smile deepening. “You know my

I sit back, fast, blushing a little to have been caught out.

name.”

“Don’t worry,” he says, laughing again as he, too, leans back. “I know yours too, Shrimp.”

“It’s not Shrimp,” I say, renewing my glare.

head at me. “I just think

of course he doesn’t

wolf ridiculously prompts. Maybe he’ll say it!

her again, but she dodges my blow and continues to run in excited circles. I

so is

The way he’s sitting there, with his powerful body so relaxed – and how his scent is coming off of him in waves after

that shower – I’m suddenly hit with the memory of

just staring at him, thinking about what he looks like n*ked. No

was just taking a bath,” I reply, my voice cold. “Like I said. Now are you

bunk?”

the chances,” Luca says, ignoring my question, “that you and my mate would be outside at

I think to myself wryly, my eyelids lowering a little at the irony

pissed when they find out you kidnapped me,” I say, not bothering to answer, even as my body settles back against

lightly interrogated by my gorgeous

yips in agreement.

did she look like?” he asks, ignoring my comment

gone.

something in me wanting to piss him

bursts out laughing. “No, she’s not,” he says, shaking his head. “Come on, tell

don’t know,” I lie. “I didn’t get a good

say she went north, and then when I pointed south,

I breathe,

–

you sent McClintock in one direction and

after Jackson ran and Luca stayed crouched by

are you holding out? Is she…is she in trouble or something?

not lying –” I

he can already read me or something. “You know something, Shrimp, and I

ran from you,” I say quietly. “Maybe she doesn’t want to be

wouldn’t someone want to meet their mate?” Luca

moment, torn. Because on one hand I am the girl he’s talking

அ

one who’s running from him, trying to keep our bond a secret. And on the other hand… I’m sitting here in his bed. And I could shout for Rafe, or just

we’re staring at each other in silence, and I know that there’s

except maybe a little

little. I am…I am in trouble

he doesn’t know what I know, he stares right back at me and the silence between us grows warm and comfortable. He turns his head a little in curiosity as he studies me and his

–

me – I

– and as he watches I slowly run my tongue over my lower lip before pressing my lips together, wetting them. And then I leave my mouth slightly parted so that my breath rushes out over my lips as I exhale a deep breath

subtly then, fastening on my mouth

a shudder passes through him, traveling all the way down

straight, suddenly

the hell I realize because a new hand wraps around my arm now and yanks me out of Luca’s

Rafe growls, glaring down at me as I