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.

at me. “I just think Shrimp suits you better.”

let my inner victory show, because of course

him! My wolf ridiculously prompts. Maybe he’ll say it! Maybe

blow and continues to run in excited circles.

so is

powerful body so relaxed – and how his scent is coming off of

memory of him running his fingers

I was just staring at him, thinking about

I reply, my voice cold. “Like I said.

bunk?”

you and my mate would be outside at the same

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

to be pissed when they find out you kidnapped me,” I say, not bothering to answer, even as my body settles back against his pillow a little. Because as much as my mind knows I’ve got to get back to

interrogated by

wolf yips

asks, ignoring my comment and speaking swiftly, all

gone.

ugly,” I snap in reply, something in me

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

“I didn’t get a

did you say she went north, and then when I pointed south, you confirmed that that was her direction?”

breathe, confused.

–

in one direction and me in another,” he

don’t know –” I spit out, frustrated with myself for not catching that. I remember, suddenly, the moment he’s talking about – after Jackson ran and Luca stayed crouched by the pool. I didn’t look where he pointed, I just said yes to whatever direction he was indicating. I just wanted him to go

Shrimp – why are you holding out? Is she…is she in

lying –”

simple fact that’s frustrating because it’s true. It’s bizarre – like he can already read

you,” I say quietly.

want to meet their mate?” Luca asks, leaning

go silent for a long moment, torn. Because on one

அ

trying to keep our bond a secret. And on the other hand… I’m sitting here in his bed. And I could

right here, and we’re staring at each other in silence, and I know that there’s absolutely no place I’d rather be in this

little closer to him…

little. I am…I am in

grows warm and comfortable. He turns his head a little in curiosity as he studies me and his eyes narrow, like he can’t…can’t quite see me or something. I watch, fascinated, at how his chest rises and falls as his breathing starts

–

me

don’t know what – 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

drop subtly then,

shudder passes through him, traveling

up straight,

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

here,” Rafe growls, glaring down at me as I scramble