The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

"Luca, I'm so sorry for not even thinking about your family and making you come to see mine," I murmur, taking little handfuls of his shirt in my fists as I lean my weight against him, looking up into his face. Luca smiles at me, his arms loose around me.

"Don't be sorry," he murmurs, "I wanted to meet your whole family. It was important for me too."

"Good," I say, nodding. And then I hesitate. "And are you...ready? For the fight?"

"I will be," he says, nodding. "Though it's important for me to see my uncle - he trained me, after all. He'll get me back in the right headspace over the next day or so - don't worry. But will you come tomorrow? Come see my gym, and then come to my gran's house? Meet everyone? I'm dying to introduce you."

"Oh!" I say, surprised but then thrilled at the idea. "Yes!" I say instantly, beaming at him, but then I remember that I'm a princess again and I glance back at the door, wondering what my parents have planned for me.

"It's okay," Luca says, lifting a hand to my cheek and turning my gaze back to him. "I already cleared it with your dad - he says you can have the afternoon off from Princess-ing."

"Oh," I say, a little surprised at this. But then, I suppose there's nothing wrong with that - Luca's very thoughtful, isn't he? And proactive. "Okay, then yes, I'll come. Of course I will. I can't wait."

to the fight too, right?" he

I say, laughing up at him, because why would he ever think that

murmurs, dipping his head and pressing a warm kiss to my mouth. "I'll need my best girl there

letting my hands sink into his

while - long enough that I lose myself in him, that I forget where I am, and that there's a room

to say goodbye, Gorgeous," Luca

press one final kiss to his mouth, and then I push him

close for one last peck before letting me go and

tomorrow!" I call as Luca walks backwards down the hall, unable or unwilling to

And then he turns, and jogs off towards the front of the palace, and I sigh as I push open the door behind me and head back into the living

on Jackson, who doesn't look sleepy

herding us into my bedroom. "Daphne, we'll have another room made up for you tomorrow, we just didn't know how many were coming tonight - and I thought you might