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.

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

victory show, because of course he doesn’t know my

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

her again, but she dodges my blow and continues to run in excited circles. I sigh inwardly because she’s making it hard to concentrate.

so is

his powerful body so

hit with the memory of him running his fingers through his wet

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

cold. “Like I said. Now are you going to let me go

bunk?”

my question, “that you and

eyelids lowering a little at the

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

by

wolf yips in agreement.

ignoring my comment and speaking swiftly,

gone.

ugly,” I snap in reply, something

he says, shaking his head. “Come on,

“I didn’t get a

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

I breathe,

–

McClintock in one direction and me in another,”

the moment he’s talking about – after Jackson ran and Luca stayed crouched by

he leans forward further, studying my face. “Seriously, Shrimp – why are you holding out? Is she…is she

–” I protest.

me, stating a simple fact that’s frustrating because it’s true. It’s bizarre – like he can already read me or something. “You

from you,” I say quietly. “Maybe she doesn’t

wouldn’t someone want to meet their mate?” Luca asks, leaning forward,

for a long moment, torn. Because on one hand

அ

our bond a secret. And on the other hand… I’m sitting here in his bed. And I could shout for Rafe, or just get

each other in silence, and I know that

a little closer

I think, shaking my head a little. I am…I am

curiosity as he

–

comes over me – I don’t know what

I leave my mouth slightly parted so that my

eyes drop subtly then, fastening on my

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

straight, suddenly realizing

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

growls, glaring down at me as I scramble for