The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 43

“Hi!” 1 say, forcing my face into my best cheerful–Princess grin. “There’s coffee! Come sit down!”

Luca just narrows his eyes at me a little more, suspicious, and goes to the other side of the table, sitting with Jesse.

My stomach twists at this – Luca almost always sits by me. And while Ben took his spot today…I don’t know. Something about the way Luca keeps his eyes on me even as he rounds the table…

God, I feel like a little rabbit being watched by a hungry wolf.

We’re wolves too! My wolf reminds me, snapping her jaws eagerly in response to Luca’s predatory prowl. Let’s not let him see us sweat.

I nod, inwardly, and proceed as if absolutely nothing is wrong, determined not to let Luca think that I know at all why he might be in a mood.

Even though that I am well aware that I am very much the cause of it.

–

–

I did more thinking last night, and I decided in the end that I’ve been very foolish with the dream state. Even though my wolf is disappointed in my decision, I’ve decided not to use it anymore – it’s just too risky.

Instead, I’m going to put my feelings for my mate aside and concentrate on succeeding here at school. After all, that’s why dad didn’t let girls in in the first place – there’s enough to do here without romantic distractions.

I’m not going to be the first girl in, just to fail out because I couldn’t stop mooning over a boy.

Rafe, Jesse, and Ben chat excitedly about their mornings, those on Warrior track eating faster than Ben and I because they have a workout this morning while Ben and I have an extra hour before class.

“Why do you think that is?” he asks me frowning.

“Who knows,” I say, giving a little shrug. “Maybe we’ll have like…extra homework to do in the mornings or something.”

“Nerd track,” Jesse murmurs, and I shoot him a dirty little glare.

Chapter 43

“Don’t be jealous, dumb jock track.” I throw back at him, and he just grins.

good,” Rafe cuts in smoothly, always

chagrin, doesn’t say a word. I sigh a little, looking down at my plate as I push around my eggs, because I’d much

asks, nudging Luca with his

terse, flicking his eyes up to me.

into a scandalized smile as he slowly shifts his gaze to me, but I quickly dart my eyes

I can tell that he’s almost vibrating with eagerness now, just dying for more material to tease me with later.

I could shoot death rays from my pupils to knock him dead in his

knew so little about my friends. For instance, I shared with

rigid despite my earlier determination

chimes in, turning his head to Luca, fascinated as

says, his eyes still trained on me, “I have no idea what any of your favorite deserts are.”

Luca, confused: “Why does that

go around. Say our favorite deserts. Ben?” he says, and I jump a little when he snaps his gaze to Ben next

glances at me, picking up on the weird vibe.

then he turns to Jesse, clearly keeping

reports that his favorite is bread pudding, and Rafe that he just likes chocolate chip cookies, I renew my determination to stick to the

imagination – I’m never going to meet him there again. The plan I came up with last night to convince him that it was

a frown, because in public Luca

Rafe asks, quietly

sigh. “I like chocolate cake too, Luca,” I say casually, taking

slump. Though

—

to figure it

–

another piece of toast from the bread basket. “Everyone

to Jesse,

stay, but he’s still going.

mouth full, “is strawberry ice cream, with whipped cream, and so many sprinkles on top

twenty–some birthdays when I wouldn’t even touch the cake – only wanting scoop after

cream

pale as I turn my

is staring at me in complete shock, his

silent for a long

figures it out first, his head swiveling between us, delight on his face as he realizes that he