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

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

nudging Luca with his elbow.

Luca says, terse, flicking his eyes

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

digging in. “And what was so troubling about it?” he asks, and I can tell that he’s almost vibrating with eagerness now, just dying for

my eyes to glare at my cousin, wishing I could shoot death rays from my pupils to knock him

Luca says, his voice low and dangerous, “was that I knew so little about my friends. For instance, I shared with you

despite my earlier

was delicious,” Jesse chimes in, turning his head to Luca, fascinated as to

on me, “I have no idea what any of

turning to Luca, confused: “Why does

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

at me, picking up on the

dry. And then he turns to Jesse, clearly

renew my determination to stick to the plan I made last night. When Luca gets to me?

meet him there again. The plan I came up with last night to convince him that it was real? That

him a bit with a frown, because in public Luca never

Rafe asks, quietly looking between us.

say casually, taking Ben’s desert when I

his shoulders slump. Though the expression on his

—

peer at him, trying to figure it

–

his head and reaching for another piece of toast from the bread basket.

Jesse, his eyes going

start to stay,

his toast and talking with his mouth full, “is

I wouldn’t even

cream

faces goes pale as I turn my eyes back to

shock,

silent for a long moment.

delight on his face as he realizes that he just caused some kind of drama that