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.

Ari Clark,” he says, tilting his head at me. “I just think Shrimp

of course he doesn’t know my real name.

Maybe he’ll say it! Maybe he’ll whisper

but she dodges my blow and continues to run in excited circles. I sigh

frankly, so is

so relaxed – and how his scent is coming off

hit with the memory of him running his fingers

just staring at him, thinking about what he looks like n*ked. No wonder he thinks I’m so weird. “What were you

reply, my voice cold. “Like I said. Now are you going to let me

bunk?”

and my

lowering a little at the irony of his

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

interrogated by

yips in agreement.

he asks, ignoring my comment and speaking swiftly,

gone.

snap in reply, something in me

she’s not,” he says, shaking his

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

she went north, and then when I pointed south,

I breathe,

–

you – you sent McClintock in one direction and me in another,” he says,

moment he’s talking about – after Jackson ran and Luca stayed crouched by the pool. I didn’t look

face. “Seriously, Shrimp – why are you holding out? Is she…is she in trouble or something? What bad thing would happen if

–”

a simple fact that’s frustrating because it’s true. It’s bizarre – like he can already read me or something. “You know something, Shrimp, and I can’t figure out

quietly. “Maybe she doesn’t want to

mate?” Luca

silent for a long moment, torn. Because on one hand I am the girl

அ

secret. And on the other hand… I’m sitting here in his bed. And I

at each other in silence, and I know that there’s absolutely no place I’d rather

except maybe a little closer to him…

head a little. I am…I am in trouble

even though 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 eyes narrow,

–

me – I don’t

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 I didn’t know I was

subtly then, fastening on my mouth

swear to god, a shudder passes through him,

up straight,

what the hell I realize because a new hand wraps around my arm

here,” Rafe growls, glaring