The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

As mom sits down on the bed with a bounce as I quickly read through my notes - one from Daphne, apologizing profusely for her betrayal, and the other from Luca - just a quick scrawl saying he's glad I'm alive and he'll see me soon. Smiling, grateful for both of them, I move towards my clothes.

"So!" Mom says, grinning devilishly at me. "Are you sleeping with both of your mates, or just Luca?"

I freeze, turning to her, shocked.

Mom bursts out laughing and I scowl, picking up the hat on the top of my clothing pile and throwing it at her. "Mom! Stop doing that just to shock me!"

"Oh, come on," she sighs, laying back against my pillows. "What's the point of having a daughter if you can't embarrass her about her love life. So?" She raises her eyebrows at me, clearly wanting an answer. And, well, because I have been wanting to talk to her about this, I sigh and nod. But I have trouble looking at her as we broach this awkward topic, so I concentrate, mostly, on getting dressed as we talk. Mom, perhaps sensing the delicate nature of this conversation, doesn't give me any flack about it. S~ᴇaʀᴄh the (F)indNƟvᴇl.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

"I'm not sleeping with either of them," I say quietly. "Though, with Luca, things are... progressing."

"Oh realllly," she says, dragging out the word with interest. "But not with Jackson?"

"Well, considering that he's known for like, thirty-six hours..." I say on a sigh, pulling on my pants. My mom laughs, understanding.

I buckle the button of my

Her voice is gossipy - I think to put me at ease. Because if she were worried, or scolding,

- I very much am. It's just...different." I look up at her before I turn my back, tugging off

different between you and your mates because they're very different people. I think that's normal, and good. Or maybe it's just that the Goddess is keeping your life

glare at my mom as I pull the sports bra down over my chest. "Oh, come on, mom, I sincerely doubt that the Goddess

mom says, raising her eyebrows and cocking her head. "But I think

I can't talk to him about which

squaring her shoulders. "We

out laughing and

face falling into more considered lines. "Your dad is more empathetic about this stuff than you give him credit for. You should try.

sigh, nodding, and then look down at my

a sigh. "I'll tell him before you

gasp, wondering if she, too, can read my