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 Shrimp suits you

inner victory show, because of course he doesn’t know my real name.

wolf ridiculously prompts. Maybe he’ll say it! Maybe he’ll whisper it!

blow and continues to run in excited circles. I sigh inwardly because she’s making it

frankly, so is he.

but he is handsome. The way he’s sitting there, with his powerful body so relaxed –

the memory of him running his fingers

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 going to let

bunk?”

and my mate would be outside at the

my eyelids lowering a little

as my body settles back against his pillow a little. Because as much as my mind knows I’ve got to get back

lightly interrogated by my gorgeous mate.

yips in

he asks, ignoring my comment and speaking swiftly, all pretense

gone.

snap in reply, something in me wanting

he says, shaking his head. “Come on, tell

I lie. “I didn’t get

say she went north, and then when I pointed south, you confirmed that that was

breathe, confused.

–

testing you – you sent McClintock in one direction and me in another,” he says, leaning forward.

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

further, studying my face. “Seriously, Shrimp – why are you holding out? Is she…is she in trouble or

lying –” I protest.

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 why you

quietly. “Maybe she doesn’t

to meet their mate?” Luca asks, leaning forward, staring at

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

அ

one who’s running from him, trying to keep our bond a secret. And on the other hand… I’m sitting here

I’m sitting 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

except maybe a little closer

a little. I am…I am

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,

–

impulse comes over me – I don’t know

he watches I slowly run my tongue over my lower lip before pressing my lips together, wetting them. And then I

then,

god, a shudder passes through him, traveling all the way down

up straight, suddenly

because a new hand wraps

Rafe growls, glaring down at me as