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

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

wolf ridiculously prompts. Maybe he’ll say it!

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

frankly, so is

there, with his powerful body so

– I’m suddenly 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

was just taking a bath,” I reply, my voice cold. “Like I

bunk?”

says, ignoring my question, “that you and

lowering a little at the

even as my body settles back against his pillow a little. Because as

interrogated by my

yips

did she look like?” he asks, ignoring my comment and speaking swiftly, all

gone.

snap in reply, something in me wanting to

not,” he says, shaking his head. “Come on, tell me.”

I lie. “I didn’t get

when I pointed south, you

breathe, confused.

–

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

stayed crouched by the pool. I didn’t look where he pointed, I just said yes to whatever direction he was

asks, his tone suddenly 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

–” I

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 why you

quietly. “Maybe she doesn’t want to be found.”

someone want to meet their mate?” Luca asks,

Because on one hand I am

அ

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

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

little closer to him…

a little.

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, fascinated, at how his chest rises and falls

–

comes over me – I

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

subtly then, fastening on

a shudder passes through him, traveling all the way

straight,

I don’t know what the hell I realize because a new hand wraps around my arm now

Rafe growls, glaring down