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

my plate as I push around my eggs, because I’d much rather he was his old self. This quiet, moody Luca – it makes me anxious.

today?” Jesse asks, nudging Luca with his elbow. “Didn’t

flicking his eyes up to

his gaze to me, but I quickly dart my eyes back to my plate, inwardly stringing together a fluid

in. “And what was so troubling about it?” he asks, and I can tell that he’s

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

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

go rigid despite my earlier determination to keep

in, turning his head to Luca, fascinated as to

says, his eyes still trained on me, “I have no idea what

confused: “Why does that bother you?”

so 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 gaze to Ben next to

at me, picking up on the weird

Luca says, dry. And then he turns to Jesse, clearly keeping me

chocolate chip cookies, I renew my determination to stick to the plan I made last night. When Luca gets to

I came up with last night to convince him that it was real?

a frown, because in public Luca never calls

going on here?” Rafe asks, quietly looking between us.

cake too, Luca,” I say casually, taking Ben’s desert when I can’t

watch him carefully and, after a long moment, see his shoulders slump. Though the expression on his face is it relief? Or

—

peer at him, trying to figure it out, but suddenly

–

and shaking his head and reaching for another piece of toast from the bread basket. “Everyone knows that you don’t actually like chocolate cake.”

whips to Jesse, his eyes going wide.

I start to stay, but he’s still going.

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

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

cream

turn my eyes back to

shock, his jaw

for a long moment.

he realizes that he just caused some kind of drama that he’s going to get