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.

Rafe cuts in

word. I sigh a little, looking down at my plate as I push around my eggs, because I’d much rather he was his

asks, nudging Luca

flicking his eyes up to

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

about it?” he asks, and I can tell that he’s almost vibrating with eagerness now, just dying for more material to tease

I could shoot death rays

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

my earlier

turning his head to Luca, fascinated as

me, “I have no idea

confused:

“Let’s just…all go around. Say our favorite

on the weird vibe. “Um,

Luca says, dry. And then he turns to Jesse,

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

meet him there again. The plan I came up with last

a frown, because in public Luca never calls me by what he thinks is my name

going on here?” Rafe asks, quietly looking

say casually, taking

watch him carefully and, after a long moment, see his shoulders slump. Though the

—

him, trying to figure it

–

another piece of toast from the

Jesse, his eyes going wide.

stay, but

taking a bite of his toast and talking with his mouth full, “is strawberry ice cream, with whipped cream, and so many sprinkles

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

cream

as I turn my eyes back

shock, his jaw hanging almost to

table is silent for a long

swiveling between us, delight on his face as he realizes that he just caused some kind of drama that he’s