The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 74

“Luca,” I growl, shoving uselessly at his shins, “let me up.”

Luca just glares at Jackson at the door and then over at me. He can come to you, Luca says. into my mind, possessive and predatory. I narrow my eyes at him, pissed.

But there’s no time to think any more about it, because suddenly Jackson’s smokey pine scent strengthens and I look up to see him at my side.

“Here,” Jackson says, holding out the note to me and looking between Luca and I curiously. He frowns, a little, when he notices Luca’s legs stretched out over my lap.

“Thanks, Jacks,” I say, smiling up at him.

“Jacks?” Luca asks, and I turn to see him raising an eyebrow, his eyes flicking between the two of us. “What, the two of you are on like…a nickname basis now?”

The room is silent for a long, awkward moment as my two mates glare at each other and my cheeks go red. Honestly, I hadn’t even noticed that I’d given Jackson a nickname it all happened very naturally.

“Yeah, I guess we are, Grant,” Jackson says, his voice quiet and dangerous.

–

The room returns to its awkward silence as I lower the note to my lap and awkwardly stare at it, not knowing what to do or how to mediate this. Because obviously, obviously I’m the cause of all of this and I’m the only one who knows it.

–

“Well, I for one like it!” Jesse says, grinning at the drama and leaning against the doorframe. “Are you sure you won’t stay for dinner, Jacks?”

I flick my eyes to my cousin, grateful.

“Nah,” Jackson says with a sigh before reaching out a hand and giving me a warm pat on the shoulder. I look up in surprise at the touch, and then grin at him, unable to help it. He smiles back before he turns and heads towards the door. “A little…crowded in here, as it is.”

Ben and Rafe call their goodbyes as Jesse ushers Jackson out the door, telling him to come

soon. Luca is noticeably silent as I unfold my

is it?” Rafe asks, leaning towards me, almost as if he is

ignoring Luca’s jealous energy as best I can.

at office

relaxing instantly and turning back to his

do you mean?” I ask, refolding the note and tucking it between the pages of my book.

mom hired him for a reason, but I think a lot of this stuff we’re learning is guess work at

talking about?” Luca

tell

eyebrows

looking between Rafe and Jesse. “It’s not right to share

says, sighing and holding up his hands..

face at his exhausted tone. “And, further, that

for the opportunity

Chapter 74

casually, giving me a smirk. But in my mind, he takes a different tact. Don’t think we’re finished talking about this, he murmurs, his words a caress as much as warning that this conversation is not done.

nod, and send back an impression of the dream state, letting him know that we can talk about it more safely

and closes his eyes, and continues his nap.

my pillow, a little anxious about how to handle this conversation with Luca. I mean, I get why he’s jealous of Jackson – why he doesn’t want any other young men near me showing me

after all, which is apparently a

line for me to walk, isn’t it? Because Jackson – he

ready to face just yet. I mean, I haven’t even let Jackson

urges, turning a circle in my soul. We should tell both of them.

over her silky fur. And

–

be with it, knowing that I’m right that I’m trying to balance too much, and just coming out with the truth to everyone right now could make it all come crashing down.

and work to fall asleep, eager to