The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

"Neither do I," I whisper back, taking a step closer. To my surprise, Luca lifts his arm and wraps it around me, tucking me in against his side, where he likes me. "But we can figure it out together." Luca murmurs something I don't quite hear, raising a hand and cupping my cheek in his palm, staring down at me as he shakes his head in awe and frustration.

"I'm still your mate, Luca," I whisper, sending all the warmth and assurance that I have down the bond. "That hasn't changed. You still mean the world to me."

"It has changed, a little," he murmurs, studying me. "You know that I really do love you, right? That I wasn't just saying it to...to manipulate you. I just...I love you so damn much, Ariel, I'd do anything to keep you."

"I know," I murmur, nodding and pressing my cheek closer into his palm. "I know, Luca. I know."

He lowers his face then, pressing a kiss to my mouth like he can't help it, just as a knock comes at the door.

"Oh, what the hell," Rafe sighs, turning towards it. Luca tightens his arm around me as Jesse steps to my side, taking the hat off his head and shoving it towards me.

Rafe moves to the door and I pull the cap on, taking a small step away from Luca even though he clearly doesn't want to let me go. When I nod to him, Rafe pulls open the door.

nearly to my hairline as I see who is standing

his back as he nods around to each of us. His eyes settle on me, though, and

with the anxiety of it because...because why is he here? Ben... Ben got his pass results

Oh my god.

fail, do they have to deliver the results

haven't moved at all that I've just been staring at him. He turns slightly, tilting his head towards the

but not going out into the hall. "They can listen, I don't mind." Because if he tells me that I failed, I am definitely, definitely going to need my

"You and your social life, Cadet Clark.

stomach drops and I hang my

that you came out with the top marks in

I freeze, because...

have to

snaps up and I stare