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.

know, Ari Clark,” he says, tilting his head at me. “I

show, because of course he doesn’t

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

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

so is he.

he is handsome. The way he’s sitting there, with his powerful body so relaxed – and how his scent is coming off of

the memory of him running his

teeth as I realize 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 really doing out last

taking a bath,” I reply, my voice cold. “Like I said. Now are you going to let

bunk?”

Luca says, ignoring my question, “that you and my mate

to myself wryly, my eyelids lowering a little at

say, not bothering to answer, even as my body settles back against his pillow a little. Because as much as my mind

by my

wolf yips in agreement.

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

gone.

reply, something in me

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

don’t know,” I lie. “I didn’t get

went north, and then when I pointed

I breathe, confused.

–

in one direction

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

changing as he leans forward further, studying my face. “Seriously, Shrimp – why are you holding out? Is she…is she in trouble or something? What bad thing would happen if you just told me why you

not lying –” I

lying,” he says to me, stating 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

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

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

torn. Because on one hand I

அ

I’m sitting here in his

I’m sitting right here, and we’re staring at each other in silence, and I know that there’s absolutely

little closer

my head a little. I

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, like he can’t…can’t quite see me or something. I watch,

–

over me – I don’t know

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

drop subtly then, fastening on my mouth

passes through him,

up straight,

new hand wraps around my arm now and yanks me out of

hell are you doing here,” Rafe growls, glaring down