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.

equally good,” Rafe cuts

push around my eggs, because I’d much rather he was his old self. This quiet, moody

you today?” Jesse asks, nudging Luca with

Luca says, terse, flicking his eyes up to me. “Weird dreams again.”

as he slowly shifts his gaze to me, but I quickly dart my eyes back to my plate, inwardly

was so troubling about it?” he asks, and I can tell that he’s almost vibrating with eagerness now,

lift my eyes to glare at my cousin, wishing I could shoot death rays from

“was that I knew so little about my friends. For instance, I shared with you all

my earlier determination

his head to

on me, “I have no idea

Rafe asks, turning to Luca, confused: “Why does that

desert. “Let’s just…all go around. Say our favorite deserts. Ben?” he says, and I jump a little when he

picking up on the weird vibe. “Um, I

turns to Jesse, clearly keeping me for

Jesse reports that his favorite is bread pudding, and Rafe that he just likes chocolate chip cookies, I renew my determination to stick to the plan I made last night. When Luca gets to me?

The plan I came up with last night to convince him that it was real? That was foolish – it is so, so

turns to him a bit with a frown, because in public Luca never calls me by what he thinks is my name – he always calls

Rafe asks, quietly looking

Luca,” I say casually, taking Ben’s desert when I can’t think of my

long moment, see his shoulders slump. Though the expression on his face is it relief? Or

—

to

–

Ari,” Jesse says, laughing and shaking his head and reaching for another piece of toast from the bread

Jesse, his eyes going wide.

start to stay, but he’s still going.

full, “is strawberry

head at the memory of twenty–some birthdays when I wouldn’t even touch the cake – only

cream

I turn

staring at me in complete shock, his jaw hanging almost to the floor.

silent for a long moment.

as he realizes that he just caused some kind of