The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 71

“Shit,” Luca whispers, staring down at me as he freezes.

The knock comes again, more insistent this time.

“Ari!”

My eyes flare when I hear Jesse’s voice outside the door. “Oh no!”

“Ari!” Jesse shouts again, pounding on the wood. “Let’s go!”

Luca jumps up, looking frantically around at the floor as I sit up, piling my hair on top of my head as he bends over and grabs my cap, flinging it at me. Hasty, I shove it onto my head, tucking my hair up beneath it as Luca moves to the door, his eyes roving over me to make sure that I’m disguised.

“Get up!” he hisses, and I jump to my feet, realizing that I’m still sitting on his bed –

Not at all compromising –

Luca takes a deep breath and then pulls the door open, leaning casually against the wall.

“Hey, Jesse,” he says, doing his best to keep his voice even and failing, just a little bit. “You change your mind about coming to the party tonight?”

“Nice try, Grant,” Jesse says, his voice dry as he puts a hand on Luca’s shoulder and shoves him aside, his eyes landing immediately on me as he looks into the room. “Oh hey, cousin,” he says, baring his teeth. “Whatcha doing here!?”

I scowl at Jesse, crossing my arms and not bothering to pretend that this isn’t precisely what he thinks it is.

Jesse just laughs at me, shaking his head and glancing over his shoulder, where Ben peers. into the room.

“I actually am here for the party,” Ben says, his voice light as he comes in and closes the door behind him. “Though you…

Chapter 71

a hand to me. “We’ve got to get you back to the room, Rafe’s

frowning at Jesse and looking

want me to flip out and pretend that I’m mad at you for making out with your mate, Luca?” Jesse says, his voice dry as he

wide. “Wait, you

mates!?” Ben gasps, staring between Luca

think was happening?” I ask, frowning at Ben as I finish tucking the spare

guys were into each other!”

Luca asks, staring at Ben

his eyes, “anyone with a pulse knows that you’re deeply into

I growl, stepping forward with my

that. But Rafe does not know,” he says, looking significantly at Luca now. “And if you want to keep your head on your shoulders, I

sighs, looking down at the floor as he runs a hand through his hair, clearly doing the math and trying to decide if he can take Rafe. But we both know that he

me after a moment, sadness and regret all over his face, and

smile, but Jesse rolls his eyes. “Look, this is all very sweet, but Shrimp smells like you now so unless we’re all in for a much larger fight with a much larger Prince tonight, I think we need to get Ariel back to the

up at my mate with a shrug. “He’s not

rumbles in Luca’s chest but he squeezes my hand and nods, his head hanging. “Yeah, I guess,” he mutters, clearly displeased. I feel a sudden pang of anxiety

between us, shining silver in my soul. A smile bursts onto my face as I realize that I can feel that Luca is anxious that he doesn’t want

his to protect.

–

but a lot of it is that we’ve recognized each other as our mates now solidified our bond, accepted it, even if we didn’t say formal

–

such. And he doesn’t want me

a little, sending my own wonder down the bond as well. Luca’s eyes go wide and then he laughs in delight, realizing what’s happening. We just stare at each other before Jesse groans,

I hate to

is very

1. go.

Ariel!”

I stand on my tiptoes and tilt my head back, looking up at Luca, who obliges