The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 41

When I next open my eyes, I’m half unsurprised to see that it’s the golden–leafed birch forest.

I groan a little, covering my face with my hands even as excitement runs through me. Because – I mean – I’m only here because I want to be, right? The dream state only appears if you call for it, call for your mate to meet you here.

Right! My wolf shouts. He’s coming too!

“Oh no oh no,” I murmur, dragging my hands down my face and looking around for him. I mean, it’s all getting very real now-

Luca is clearly figuring out that something is up with these dreams

And the way he put his hand on my calf tonight? And subtly mentioned dreams, watching me as he did?

God damn it, but we are getting into some tricky territory.

“Hello?” his voice rings through the forest. “Shrimp, are you here?”

My wolf gives several happy yips of excitement as I put my hands on my hips, looking down at my nightgown, my hair falling over my shoulders.

You can end it if you want toooo, my wolf says, her voice sing–song. But you don’t

want too00.

“God damn it,” I growl to myself, but when I lift my head I’m laughing a little too.

Because I really, really do not want to end this dream.

And so instead I will my clothes to change, my nightgown shifting into the black pants and top of an Academy cadet, my hair tucking itself away under the standard black cap – which is optional for cadets, but which I will never be without.

And then I step out from behind my tree and into the clearing. “Over here, Grant,” I shout, my voice a little tired.

I see him immediately as he spins around, his eyes catching on me at once in the clearing. He smirks as he starts to walk over to me. “What is this place,” he says, and I can tell he’s a little bit thrilled to be here too, which makes me smile. My

I mean, at least he’s happy to see me. “I never, ever have a dream about the same person in the same location.”

crossing my arms and cocking my head to the side, watching him look all around at the beautiful trees, the strange ambient lighting that seems to have no source, the fog that floats around at the edges and by

stops suddenly and turns his face back to mine. “Nicely done, Shrimp. Maybe you’ll make a good little spy after all.”

wrinkle my nose at him,

taking a step closer to me. “Is there anything to do here? Or do

say with a sigh, looking up into his

expect there to be anything to do.” I letting myself stare into his warm eyes, tightening my arms around each other so that

think of something,” Luca murmurs, taking another step closer and reaching out a hand towards

gasp, flinching

he says, laughing and closing the distance. “Seriously, Shrimp – you’re a figment of my imagination –

grit my teeth at him, glaring a little. “I’m not playing, Luca – I just genuinely think

around the back and slowly sliding down towards my elbows. “Honestly,

–

my stomach filled suddenly with butterflies as those sparkles suddenly appear in the air – the embodiment of the…whatever it is between us that happens when we touch. “What if it’s not an

he murmurs, pulling me a little closer – and,

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Chapter 41

I can smell him,

I’m weak with wanting him, being the only one putting up any barriers here.

a little bit, looking up at him with wide eyes as one of his arms slips around my back. “What if it’s not a dream? What if it’s real?”

know I kept thinking all night?” he murmurs, ignoring my words and tightening his arms around me until I’m pressed warmly to his

soft cotton of his hoodie, the other finding its way to a spot on his waist, my fingers curling into the fabric there. And I can’t help it, I give in. “What were you thinking about all night, Luca?” I breathe, my voice lower

did this afternoon after I’d entered the doors to the academy, though this time his palm drifts down the back

laughing a little and shaking my head, “and what the hell were going to do if

get

you

and laughing at the ridiculousness of it himself. “I have no idea, Ari – I just can’t stop thinking about you – wanting

guilt roiling

I’m tortured by the impossibility of our

but at

my head and dropping my eyes, pulling away a little. “This is

Ari, if I only get you

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