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

on, Ari,” Jesse says, holding out a hand to me. “We’ve got to get you back to

Luca says, frowning at Jesse and looking him up and

at you for making out with your mate, Luca?”

eyes go wide. “Wait,

are mates!?” Ben gasps, staring between Luca

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

guys were into each other!”

too?” Luca asks, staring

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

stepping forward with my hands on my

I hate that. But Rafe does not know,” he says, looking significantly at Luca now.

math and trying to decide if he can take Rafe. But we both know

over towards me after a moment, sadness and regret all over his face, and I can’t help it – I move to his side, slipping

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

at my mate with a shrug. “He’s not wrong. This is…not the time for this.

nods, his head hanging. “Yeah, I guess,” he mutters, clearly displeased. I feel a sudden pang of anxiety now which is…. not mine. And my eyes go wide as I realize that…that it’s Luca’s anxiety, which I can feel pulsing

pretty little bond that I suddenly feel 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 to

his to protect.

–

it is that we’ve recognized each other as our mates now solidified our bond, accepted it,

–

doing such. And he doesn’t want me out of his

well. Luca’s eyes go wide and then he laughs

and I

this is very interrupt, but let’s.

1. go.

Ariel!”

even though I can’t stop grinning. “Fine fine,” I say, but then I stand on my tiptoes and tilt my head back,