The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 0376

"That's it," I say, finishing up. And Luca turns back to me, glaring a little, seeking more than that- wanting an apology, for me to say that I regret it, that I did him wrong.

But I lift my chin, just slightly, and don't say anything else. Because I don't regret it - and I didn't do anything wrong. I am sorry that I hurt his feelings, and that it came out looking like I betrayed him.

But.

I don't regret it, and I'm not lying. My wolf's intentions aside - because those are her own business - I didn't do anything to betray Luca. Not a damn thing.

Luca studies me for a long moment, still clearly angry and feeling betrayed. Then he takes a single step towards me, looking at me hard. "Did you fuck him last night?"

My mouth drops open as I stare at him, appalled.

The room bursts into noise as Jesse shouts "whoa!" and Rafe storms forward, snapping out Luca's name. Jackson growls, low and resonant, but he tucks himself against his bedroom wall, his arms crossed, his head down, clearly working very hard to not engage and to let me handle it.

and Rafe stand steady at my sides, glowering at Luca, but Luca doesn't look at either of them. He just

my arms and lifting

I very much wanted to - and that I would have - and that I wouldn't have the opportunity to be so high and mighty about this if Jackson had given

waited, instead of having this be the fallout. If I

him, and he drops his arms, and drops his head, and stumbles back a step, sitting down hard

loosen beside me, no longer angry now that we see how much of Luca's anger was a front - how much of it was a desperate fear that he'd lost

he sees that... that nothing has changed -

damn it," Luca whispers, his voice trembling. "...I can't do

around my hips, leaning his head against me, even as he turns his face away slightly, I think....well, I think still not really able to handle my temporary

do it, Ariel," he murmurs, and I raise my hands to his head, cupping it in my palms and holding him close." If I have to worry about this constantly? About being by your side at every moment,

up at me now, and the heartbreak in his

shake my head at him, feeling absolutely terrible. I never, ever want him to feel this

But...

I balance this? How do I do