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

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

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

to run

frankly, so

handsome. The way he’s sitting there, with his powerful body so

hit with the memory of him running his fingers through his

and I blink, gritting my teeth as I realize that I was just staring at him, thinking about what he looks like n*ked. No wonder he thinks

voice cold. “Like I said. Now

bunk?”

“that you and my mate would be outside at the same

to myself wryly, my eyelids lowering a

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

by my gorgeous

yips in agreement.

asks, ignoring my comment and speaking swiftly,

gone.

reply, something

not,” he says, shaking his head.

I lie. “I didn’t get a

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

I breathe,

–

you sent McClintock in one direction and me in

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

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

not lying –”

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

say quietly. “Maybe

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

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

அ

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

instead 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

except maybe a little closer to him…

little. I am…I am

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 as his

–

over me – I don’t

together, wetting them. And then I leave my mouth slightly parted so that my breath rushes out over my lips as

drop subtly then, fastening on my mouth

passes through him, traveling all

sit up straight,

hell I realize because a new hand wraps around

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